Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
i.heart.link
Featured Actor Joined: 5/7/07
#1Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:09pm
I have a question: Would you rather buy the album and get familiar with the show first before seeing it? or see the show and then get the CD?
I was just thinking about Avenue Q and how I had the CD months before i saw the show and when i saw the show i already knew all the jokes, so i didn't find it as funny as most people did. But with Drowsy Chaperone I only really knew one song from the show and when i saw the show i thought it was one of the funniest I've had seen, and I warmed up to the album a lot more.
What's your preference?
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#2re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:12pm
It depends. Like you, I'd had the Ave Q cast album for a while, and the show was really a let-down for me.
Drowsy I knew nothing about and hadn't heard any of the music before seeing it, and I LOVED it.
Curtains I bought the cast recording before seeing it, and that seemed to enhance the experience for me.
So I've had one of each. I think it really depends on the musical.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#2re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:13pm
i;m on the fence about this, its nice to get the CD first to see if you like the music, and if you do, then you get really into it and its really cool when you see a show when its still on your ipod's playlist and you are really into the music.
Although it is also nice to go without knowing the show and being plesantly suprised. However, as has happened, i hated the show and if i listened to the CD first i probably would not have wasted all that $$$ on a ticket. not to mention these days i hardly like any of the music on first hearing it and have to get used to it.
anyways, im trying that this summer for purple and spamalot, not knowing anything about the music (or plot in the case of spamalot)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
#3re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:13pm
It depends on the piece...
I think for comedies, you might want to see the show FIRST, and then purchase the cast alubm (if applicable, of course). Whereas, for more 'moving' pieces, you'd want to (maybe) buy the cast album first - if only to grow more accustomed to the way the music is presented (pertaining mostly to telling the story and enhancing the plot), THEN seeing the show, seeing how it all adds up in the end.
Best Wishes,
- Mike 
#4re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:18pmI always prefer to see the show first.
#5re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:19pmI've often had the cast album of a show before I've seen it. For me it makes the live performance more interesting and fresh like going to see a band/singer live.
#6re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:24pm
Me too !
OBCR first-I tend not to appreciate the show when I have not heard anything from it- like what happened to "In the Heights" when I saw it... If I heard the demo first , most likely I will have a different experience..
J*
Updated On: 7/26/07 at 04:24 PM
nyc44
Understudy Joined: 4/22/06
#7re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:28pmI wish I had the self-discipline to see a show without knowing everything about it first. *sigh*
#8re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:34pmMe too.
"I mean, sitting side by side with another man watching Patti LuPone play Rose in GYPSY on Broadway is essentially the equivalent of having hardcore sex." -Wanna Be A Foster.
"Say 'Goody.' Say 'Bubbi.'" ... "That's it. Exactly as if it were 'Goody.' Now I know you're gonna sing 'Goody' this time, but nevertheless..."
#9re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:36pm
It depends for me. I have seen shows after falling in love with the Cast Recording first, and still adored the shows.
The only CR I have that I refuse to listen to before seeing the show is Avenue Q.
BroadwayBoobs: I'll give all of you who weren't there a hint of who took the pictures ...it rhymes with shameless
SOMMS: I knew it was Tink!
#10re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:37pmIf I can help it, always see the show first.
i.heart.link
Featured Actor Joined: 5/7/07
#11re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 4:48pm
A down side to having the cast recording first is you already know the story and whats going to happen, thats like reading the script before seeing a movie.
I don't know, there are good points for both sides.
istillbelieve24601
Featured Actor Joined: 4/3/07
#12re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 5:03pm
I usually get the cast album first, for the simple reason that I only get to see a few Bway shows a year and I want to make sure I'm going to like the show that I pick out to see. I make it a point not to get too cozy with the music before I see the show- I try to get it so I can hum along a little and know some of the words, but not to the point that I could go up there and sing the songs myself. Then, I try not to listen to the music for a few weeks before.
I like knowing some of the story (but not all of it) and the characters first. It makes theatre a very lazy experience and gives me room to see the little details instead of figuring out who's who.
Cosette: Roses are red.
Marius: Violets are blue.
Eponine: You're so in love!
Marius: And so not with you.
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#13re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 5:15pmIf I had to choose I'd pick to see the show first then if you like how the music and the cast sound, then get the recording.
broadwaybaby086
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#14re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 5:21pm
Now that I live here, show first. I would have always preferred that, but being a minor in another state didn't always afford such opportunities. I love seeing the show first so that when you listen to the CR you can attach the memories and the initial reactions from what you've heard, or recall what you've just seen through your listening experience.
A recent example is that when I saw 110, I wasn't crazy about it, but I got the CR and listened to it, and remembered the staging and thought about the performances again. Listening to the music was the sole I went back to see it again!
"I'll cut you, Tracee Beazer!!!!
...Just kidding. I'd never cut anyone." -Tina Maddigan, 9/30/06, WS stage door
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
#15re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 5:24pmSee the show first. DUH! That way there are no expectations and the show is a complete surprise.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#16re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 5:27pm
I tend to listen first because you know which song is which and you become much more familiar with the show. 
:D
#17re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 5:31pmI almost always watch the show first and then buy the soundtrack and a poster after (it's kinda my "thing"). Did it for A Chorus Line, Spelling Bee, Gypsy ... I think especially for Spelling Bee, if I had bought and listened to the soundtrack first, I wouldn't have found it nearly as funny (or heartbreaking, in the case of The I Love You Song). Also, I had heard only Totally F*cked from Spring Awakening before seeing it but was completely confused as to how it fit into the show, so ... ::shrug:: My vote's for show first.
Gangway, world, get off of my runway.
- Mama Rose, Gypsy
A bird cage I plan to hang,
I'll get to that someday...
A bird cage for a bird who flew away
Around the world.
- Edie, Grey Gardens
- Mama Rose, Gypsy
A bird cage I plan to hang,
I'll get to that someday...
A bird cage for a bird who flew away
Around the world.
- Edie, Grey Gardens
#18re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:03pmI see the show first.
Follow your bliss! I love Will Chase! I love Lisa Brescia! I love Stephanie J. Block!
#19re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:05pmAs I don't get to see many Broadway shows a year, I always listen to the CD first. I want to make sure what I'm seeing is good.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#20re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:07pmI live in Michigan, so given that our theatre scene isn't exactly "rocking" here -- it's definitely the albums for me.
LovinGoodMusicals
Understudy Joined: 6/17/06
#21re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 6:59pmConsidering I live in Illinois and have never gotten the chance to go to New York to see a Broadway show, I have to get the cast recordings first.
#22re: Listen to the CD or See the Show First?
Posted: 7/26/07 at 9:47pmI was going to write almost the same thing as jordangirl. It depends on the show. Drowsy Chaperone, I loved having never heard any of the music. I saw Curtains twice. First on opening night, and I thought it was only okay. I went back after having bought the cast recording and enjoyed it much, much more. In general though, I think I enjoy the shows more if I know some of the music going in.
