2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments

[VernonGersch]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments#1

Posted: 12/30/11 at 5:40pm

not that anyone cares, but, why not...what are yours?

1. Book Of Mormon - Joseph Smith American Moses - fairly certain I've never laughed harder, longer (faster) in my life
2. Jerusalem - watching Mark Rylance was mezmerizing...and the scene at the end with the Fairport Convention song, forget about, tears.
3. One Man, Two Guvnors - literally the entire show had me smiling and laughing from ear to ear..
4. Luise Miller - 18th Century German Soap Opera that was sharply directed and acted with soulful intesity
5. Ghost The Musical - The wonder and magic of this incredible production was topped by the star making turn by Cassie Levy
6. Anything Goes - watching Sutton Foster and Co tap dancing - esp to the title song still has me high
7. Bring It On - I know, I know, but it was pure shear high energy with incredible performers, songs and lots of fun
8. Fela - just caught it again at the Ahmanson and that ecstacy of the dancing, the soulful bass, percussion and guitar...
9. Porgy and Bess - while I didn't love the show (too old skool for my taste) there were amazing scenes that included the rich duet of Norm Lewis and the amazing Audra MacDonlad
10. Meeting Neil Simon

[EponineAmneris]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #2

Posted: 12/31/11 at 10:48pm

Every moment of the FOLLIES revival.

"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES--- "THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS

[GlindatheGood22]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #2

Posted: 12/31/11 at 11:09pm

Women on the Verge was a mess, but it was the first show I saw this year and I remember thinking Invisible was something really special.

The Normal Heart - Emma's monologue

I know bringing Hair back was a financial disaster, but I've never been so grateful for a show in my life. I saw it as many times as I could while it was here, and even if it was lackluster compared to the 2009 production I loved every minute of it.

I know you. I know you. I know you.

[florida theatre kid]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #3

Posted: 12/31/11 at 11:38pm

I agree with VernonGersch, right when I saw the title of this thread I thought of the night I saw Book of Mormon, and particularly "Joseph Smith American Moses". First of all, I never laughed harder in my life, and second of all, that particular song/scene was the most dedication and energy I have ever seen from any ensemble in any show. It was probably the first moment I had watching a Broadway show where I truly felt that every person up on the stage knew that they were living out their dream.

[bwayphreak234]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #4

Posted: 1/1/12 at 1:23am

Book of Mormon - All American Prophet
Anything Goes - Sutton Foster's entrance and the title number. The whole production was just incredible.
Spider-Man - The opening sequence with the weavers, T.V. Carpio singing Rise Above

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

[Ejm105989]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #5

Posted: 1/1/12 at 2:01am

-Moutiantop- Samuel L.'s monologue at the end

-BOM- "Tomorrow is a Latter Day" (finale), "I Believe", and "Turn it Off"

-Spiderman- The weaving scene, "Rise Above", and of course the flying

-Anything Goes- The tap scene of course

-Follies- Jan singing "Could I Leave You?"

-Relatively Speaking- Cohen's plays

-Lysistrata Jones- Ummm......(Okay, okay, I did like the scene when they officially swear off sex. The dance was pretty funny.)

-How to Succeed- "Brotherhood of Man","Old Ivy", and "Coffee Break"

-The Submission- The confrontation between Jonathan Groff and Rutina Wesley

-Wonderland- "Finding Wonderland" (That's about it.)

-Addams Family- "Pulled" and "Crazier Than You"

[Bettyboy72]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #6

Posted: 1/1/12 at 2:15am

Bernadette walking onstage at the beginning of FOLLIES. I just got so emotional.

The first "HELLO" in Book of Morman. I just started laughing and didn't stop for 2 hours.

Being completely enraptured during ANYTHING GOES. Every song made me smile and made me realize this is what is missing from the modern musicals based on crummy films.

Francis McDormand's heartbreaking performance in GOOD PEOPLE. That is acting.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

[dramamama611]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #7

Posted: 1/1/12 at 9:33am

Hair was a financial disaster? I thought it re-couped...I could be wrong...please explain.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[bwayphreak234]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #8

Posted: 1/1/12 at 9:57am

^ they are talking about the national tour which played the St. James to pretty empty audiences over the summer.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

[dramamama611]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #9

Posted: 1/1/12 at 11:19am

Don't know where my head was on that one -- thanks for clarifying for me!

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[AngusN]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #10

Posted: 1/1/12 at 11:30am

Tracie Bennett's superhuman performance of Judy in 'End of the Rainbow'. It still haunts me now, reminiscing about the performance.

[willep]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #11

Posted: 1/1/12 at 11:51am

Once - Gold, The Hill, and the scene on the bluff, and just the show in general
Jerusalem - The third act, from the dancing scene to the end
The Book of Mormon - Man Up, Joseph Smith American Moses
Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo - Robin Williams final monologue
Next to Normal (finally saw it this year) - I Am the One Reprise
Spider-Man - call me crazy but I really liked the Tun Off the Dark scene
Merchant of Venice - the Baptism scene, and my experience at the show in general

[bpstar]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #12

Posted: 1/1/12 at 11:56am

Some of my favorite moments from the past year:
.Patina Miller and SISTER ACT: What a show, what a star. Yes, not the best musical in the world, but I truly left the theater on a high. Kudos to Patina for an amazing performance.

.Seeing Nick Adams in PRISCILLA: One of my favorite shows I have seen in a long time, and Nick Adams...HELLO! Beautiful guy, fierce talent, and a humble person.

.Harvey in LA CAGE: Although he really didn't sing all that much, seeing him in a show he wrote was a neat experience.

.Kate Shindle in WONDERLAND: One of the worst shows I have ever seen, but I WILL PREVAIL was a showstopper and Kate was truly fantastic.

.The cast of AMERICAN IDIOT: Not my favorite show but that cast truly gave it their all night after night. Such passionate performances from actors who were truly living out their dreams.

and last but not least:

.Rachel Potter in THE ADDAMS FAMILY: This girl can sing!

[showchoirguy]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #13

Posted: 1/1/12 at 12:02pm

Wonderland- "I Will Prevail" and "Finding Wonderland"

Phantom- First Time seeing the show and seeing it with George Lee Andrews before he left.

Catch Me If You Can- The whole show. Plus got to meet Norbert Leo Butz. Then seeing the show again on blogger night and meeting Aaron Tviet.

The Book of Mormon- Standing Room, The Show, Stage Door. Everything about the show was absolutely fantastic.

BC/EFA Flea Market- First time going and I will be going every year from now on.

How to Succeed- Loved the show and got to meet Daniel Radcliffe.

Anything Goes- Proud to say that I was there at the Stephen Sondhiem Theatre when Stephanie J. Block blew everyone away at the end of the title number.

Can't Wait for the moments of 2012!!

[broadwayfever]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #14

Posted: 1/1/12 at 12:35pm

#1 - Sleep No More's Rave/Orgy scene
#2 - Book of Mormon (the entire show)
#3 - Angela Bassett's final speech in Mountaintop (electrifying)
#4 - Bonnie & Clyde's score
#5 - Anything Goes tap number
#6 - Spiderman's score and flying/weaving scenes
#7 - Aaron Tveit's 'Goodbye' performance in CMIYC
#8 - Kerry Butler's 'Fly, Fly Away' performance in CMIYC
#9 - Norbert Leo Butz's performance in CMIYC
#10 - Sleep No More's main bedroom/bathtub scene

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #15

Posted: 1/1/12 at 12:39pm

How could I possibly forget to mention seeing "Chicago" for the first time? I saw it on St. Patrick's Day 2011. It's was a magical event...full of sass...and some sex as well. Originally, Bianca Marroquin was to have been "Roxie" on that evening, but the ever capable Dylis Croman stepped in. She was marvelous, as was the "Velma Kelly"-- Leigh Zimmerman (who was in the 1996 revival cast). I managed to catch one of the roses that "Roxie" and "Velma" throw out at the end of their song. Close to that experience was seeing "Chicago" on tour in Fort Worth and Houston, Texas... The amazing Terra C McLeod performed as "Velma". She was uber-fantastic! I plan on seeing it again this coming March 2012. from RC in Austin, Texas

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

[LFazin]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #16

Posted: 1/1/12 at 12:44pm

So many to choose from!

1. Sister Act 2x. Both times I think I floated right out of the Broadway Theatre. Pure joy!!

2. HAIR "Summer of Love" at the St. James. I had never seen the show on Broadway in '09, but I scored second row center seats when the national touring cast came back to NY. Incredible energy...and an unforgettable experience.

3. Memphis with Adam Pascal. He is perfection in the role of Huey.

4. Godspell. Call me crazy but I actually loved it. It may not be the BEST show out there, but it certainly moved me, and that's the best thing a show can do.

5. RENT Revival. I'm an avid RENThead and having the show back in NYC is a dream.

[The Josh]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #17

Posted: 1/1/12 at 12:49pm

Emma's monologue and the final moments of The Normal Heart

Brotherhood of Man from How to Succeed

I am Africa from The Book of Mormon

Danny Burstein and Jan Maxwell in Follies

The title number from Anything Goes

[AMH]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #18

Posted: 1/1/12 at 2:13pm

Bernadette Peters and Elaine Paige in FOLLIES.

Though I wasn't crazy about the overall show, I did enjoy the tap numbers in ANYTHING GOES.

"I'm the swell swab on the poop deck."

[Amalia Balash]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #19

Posted: 1/1/12 at 8:16pm

Follies being back on Broadway. Special kudos to Maxwell and Burstein, but I loved it all.

Daniel Radcliffe's energy, enthusiasm, and work ethic in the dance numbers of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Harvey Fierstein's Albin/Zaza in La Cage. Chris Sieber's talent and work ethic for stepping in as Georges with so little prep time after the Tambor fiasco.

The cast of The Addams Family, both originals and replacements, principals and ensemble. The show's book never measured up, but they overcame that and made me smile.

The Book of Mormon. All of it. I've never laughed so hard or so often during a show.

Alice Ripley in the national tour of Next to Normal. Her voice may not always have been perfect, but her Diana was.

The way Les Miserables can always bring me to tears during Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and the closing Do You Hear the People Sing.

Roundabout's She Loves Me benefit. One of my all-time favorite shows done beautifully by a stellar cast and orchestra.

[philly03]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #20

Posted: 1/1/12 at 8:21pm

-Kate Shindle blowing the roof off the theatre in Tampa with "I Will Prevail" when it was still a huge rock anthem.

-Darren Ritchie proposing to Janet Dacal at final curtain.

-Spider-man landing right in front of me in my orchestra seat. The weaving scene as well!

[givesmevoice]

2011 Favorite Theatrical Moments #21

Posted: 1/1/12 at 9:53pm

-So many from Where's Charley? at Encores!

-Fiona Shaw's performance in John Gabriel Borkman.

-Mark Rylance's entrance and final scene in Jerusalem.

-The first time I saw Nina Arianda in Born Yesterday, and realizing what a force I was seeing.

-The War Horse puppets, clearly. Especially that goose. What a troll.

-Got in just under the wire, but Patti LuPone's dogs making their Broadway debut in yesterday's Patti and Mandy matinee.

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad