A year of musicals, sparked by Hamilton

Last year, I went to New York City for the first time in more than two decades. My wife and I (before we were married) used to go on quick trips there, see shows, and do the usual tourist things. She used to love heading to the TKTS booth after we arrived in Manhattan and seeing something that night.

In April 2016, we saw four shows, catching up on some musicals we'd missed in past years and - after much debate because of what seemed like a ridiculous price tag - seeing Hamilton. I know a lot of people resent that show, thinking it was overrated, that it blotted out other fine shows, and that it wasn't going to do anything for musical theatre outside of a single juggernaut. But for me, it reignited an interest in musical theatre that's always been there but has accelerated since. We have always seen occasional local productions and San Francisco tour stops, along with a few Oregon Shakespeare Festival trips, but this past year has been more intense. I should just blame Lin-Manuel Miranda, but it's not all his fault. Since the New York trip in April 2016, I've seen the following shows (starting with last year's trip):

-- Wicked (NY) - had seen it before, but my daughter wanted to see it on Broadway

-- Book of Mormon (NY)

-- Shuffle Along (NY)

-- Hamilton (NY)

-- Kinky Boots (SF tour)

-- In the Heights (Santa Maria, California - local conservatory theatre)

-- Grey Gardens (LA)

-- Beautiful (SF tour)

-- Hedwig and the Angry Inch (SF tour with Darren Criss, Lena Hall)

-- The King and I (SF tour)

-- Fun Home (SF tour - twice)

-- Rent (SF tour)

-- Hamilton (SF tour)

-- Phantom of the Opera (NY) - we'd seen it back in 1990

-- Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (NY)

-- Dear Evan Hansen (NY)

This isn't counting the day I spent watching the videotaped revival of Oklahoma with Hugh Jackman, and then a college version of same musical, or the Sweeney Todd film, or the Hairspray live TV musical (my younger daughter's favorite show). For many of you, this is nothing. You see this many musicals in a few weeks. But it's a change for me, because I'm trying to learn more about the history of the art form. Miranda's ability to combine rap, a genre I usually shun, with musical theatre really was a revelation. But last year's New York trip inspired interest that extended beyond one show. I certainly know there are many people who don't really care about musical theatre but are very interested in seeing Hamilton. But there are certainly other people, if I'm not just an isolated freak, who have gotten more interested in musicals. Of course, our joke after many of them is, "Well, it wasn't as good as Hamilton," but that's part of the fun.

There have been unexpected pleasures. I only got tickets for Hedwig at the last minute, not really knowing what I was getting into, and I loved it. I was very impressed with Fun Home as well. There was no plan to go to New York this spring, but when other options were rejected, I had reserved a hotel room just in case. Now it's my wife, who spurred my interest in live musicals in the first place, who says I have gotten a little too obsessed. We probably won't go to New York next year, as other obligations loom, but I hope to see more shows closer to home. And I really do have to catch a few plays.

Updated On: 5/18/17 at 03:26 AM

I forgot the Rent touring production, which I saw not long ago, so I added it in case anyone cares. It wasn't one of my favorites, so perhaps that's why it slipped my mind.

Great thread Bear, I have a similar story but not quite as auspicious as the run you had.

This is exactly what happened to me with WICKED in 2004. I had always loved certain musical films (SOUND OF MUSIC, MARY POPPINS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, TOMMY) and had seen BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and THE LION KING on school trips to New York, but the second I heard Idina Menzel sing "Defying Gravity" on the cast recording, I knew I had to see that live. I had to experience it, and I was lucky enough to.

The flood gates opened and 13 years later, I have 106 Broadway shows under my belt. Not bad for someone who has never lived or worked in NYC lol.

People like to roll their eyes at WICKED, and I totally get it. I see its flaws now, but I still hold that show close, because, without it, I would have never had my HEDWIG or FUN HOME or FALSETTOS or NEXT TO NORMAL experiences.

Updated On: 5/18/17 at 09:04 AM

Nice story, Bear. And thanks for sharing. My story is much similar to yours. While I’ve always enjoyed musical theater, the intensity increased after seeing Hamilton in NY last Fall when I decided to do the cancellation line as this was the only way I could see it. Since then, I’ve made another trip to NYC just last week. Where I live, it would be years before we get the current hit shows. My wife and I always have to travel and catch the better shows in bigger markets. Since October, I’ve seen the following:

-- Hamilton (NY)

-- School of Rock (NY)

-- The Front Page (NY)

-- Matilda (NY)

-- Amelie (Ahmanson Theater, LA)

-- Motown: The Musical

-- Dirty Dancing

-- Hamilton (Opening Night, SF) In 3 weeks, my wife will be seeing this for the first time with my daughter, her second. I might see it again with them if I can score a rush or SRO ticket.

-- The Illusionists

-- Miss Saigon (NY)

-- Dear Evan Hansen (NY)

-- The Great Comet (NY)

-- Cagney (NY)

-- Groundhog Day (NY)

The above is nothing compared to other people’s list. But it is impressive to me as I’ve never seen so many shows in a span of 7 months. For now, it looks like a spring and fall visit to NYC will be the norm for us. Life is too short to be years behind in seeing these shows. It is also fun to share experiences and relate with others on this board. The folks who live in and around NYC are so lucky to have and enjoy all this right in their own backyard

Updated On: 5/18/17 at 10:53 AM

When it comes to theater, I subscribe to the "rising tide floats all boats" theory. If one sees a show one loves, it tends to encourage one to buy tickets to other shows. (The converse can also be true: a lousy show may discourage one from making the effort and spending the money on something else.)

Few people have a precise budget for live theater, so they aren't thinking, "I can see X shows in 2017. Let's make a list." Rather than resenting the HAMILTON hype, I think we should be grateful to Miranda & Co. for sending bear88 to so many other shows.

***

P.S. to Lot666: if you want a performer who knows how to enter a room and burst into song without seeming daffy, you should have seen Ethel Merman.

I don't know what style you think Merman offered. As Sondheim says, she was "a great low comedienne" and that's what she did for most of her career. But her performance in GYPSY has been praised for its verisimilitude (as much as any musical character can be realistic).