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Broadway Inspirations

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#1

Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 2:29am

Ok all, next random, but important question.

I'm sure that a majority of us have seen a professional production of a show to some degree; regional, touring, off-broadway, broadway others have seen tens to hundreds.

The question is have you ever been so inspired by a show that it took over who you are and forced you to make a life-altering change?

Mine happens to be A Chorus Line. Never in my life have I been so ready to get back on stage and put 110 per cent back into it.

Thoughts?

anything you do let it come from you and it will be new.

#2

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 2:44am

Toughie...

I guess I'll start the "Les Miserables is near and dear to my heart because..." speech. Wait wait -

On second thought, I'll go with something new, something different that truly left a lasting impression:

PASSING STRANGE.

See my review if you want an answer.

Let it be known!

Feel the Love,
Spread the Buzz,
Find the Real!

#3

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 4:13am

I'm not sure if it CHANGED my life, per se, but affected my outlook, perhaps.

Original Sunday in the Park w/George (seeing current one next week.) I'd never had a musical leave me a bawling puddle of goo. Changed the way I viewed man's purpose for existence.

Original ACL: Solidified that theater would ALWAYS be a part of my life. (I am a director/choroegrapher/teacher/private coach)

Spring Awakening: Reminded me (for my students sake) how differently things are to younger people, how different prospective can be and how much they can truly be going through no matter the way it SEEMS on the outside.

Oh: and the original Les Miz. What all theatre has the potential to be.

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.

Updated On: 4/17/08 at 04:13 AM

#4

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 9:12am

I was very affected by the Chorus Line cast album, believe it or not. "Up the steep and very narrow stairway" (in harmony) clinched it for me that this was the music I wanted to sing.
I then happened to see some wonderful tours through Chicago of Big River, La Cage aux folles, and Dreamgirls (all 1st natl) that solidified my committment to this music and musical theatre in general.
AND - actually, Barbra Streisand's 1st Bway album in 85 introduced me to Sondheim and all the shows represented on the album. That got me too.

#5

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 10:05am

A Chorus Line. As a dancer it was just something that really affected me. In general I just really realted to some of the characters.

http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda "And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler

#6

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 10:07am

Rent! It was my first Broadway show that I REALLY REALLY liked (my parents called it obsessed) Since then I have nothing but Broadway on my Ipod. It opened whole new doors for me!

It really said US Navy, but hey, I worked with what they gave me ok.

#7

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 10:10am

I'm not sure if it changed my life but the first show I saw on broadway was The Wedding Singer. Up till then I had always wanted to see a broadway show but I had this almost mindset that I could never be the broadway "type". Since then I've seen about 2 dozen shows, I usher off-broadway and I can't count the number of times I've been moved to tears by a show. I also try to introduce others to see shows whenever I can. I guess I wrong about the "type" thing.

"Perhaps, when we remember wars, we should take off our clothes and paint ourselves blue and go on all fours all day long and grunt like pigs." Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle

#8

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 10:33am

osage08- You sound just like one of my friends. (EDIT: Because you are. Hi!)

If we're going by the first show we saw on Broadway, that would be Rent. That did have an effect on me as it was what got me once and for all into theatre, but since then I've seen things that have affected me in a different way.

http://www.beintheheights.com/katnicole1 (Please click and help me win!) I chose, and my world was shaken- So what?
The choice may have been mistaken, The choosing was not... "Every day has the potential to be the greatest day of your life." - Lin-Manuel Miranda "And when Idina Menzel is singing, I'm always slightly worried that her teeth are going to jump out of her mouth and chase me." - Schmerg_the_Impaler

Updated On: 4/17/08 at 10:33 AM

#9

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 10:33am

Chorus Line. It's how I found out it was ok to be gay. It's also when I realized that I can be something (in theatre or not...nowadays I realize not), and to not give up.

"Different is nice but it sure isn't pretty" really hits close to home for me.

http://www.youtube.com/huskcharmer

#10

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 11:55am

I just recently got into A Chorus Line, but I find it incredibly inspirational. "At The Ballet" just sums up how i still feel whenever i set foot into a theatre.

I find the whole feel of Les Miserables (particularly the end of each act) really inspirational too.

The big one for me if Billy Elliot, not just the main story, of a young working class boy blah blah blah , but the back story of the miners strike. With my roots in a mining village, I think thats why it personally gets to me. But overall it's a very inspirational storyline.

"I trained as a classical actor at Juilliard. I jump at the opportunity to do classical text...But I never in a million years guessed I'd get to play Juliet!"- Michael Arden

#11

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 12:15pm

Bernadette Peters Gypsy made me want to pursue theater as a career. It changed me in many ways and I have never left a show as affected by a performance as I was by her that night.

#12

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 4:03pm

"The Phantom of the Opera" will always be special to me because it's the show that introduced me to musical theatre. Mostly due to the fact that the TV commericials made me think of an evil, singing cousin of Batman (I was such a smart kid, LOL).

More recently, the 2006 Broadway revival of "Company" was really a ground-breaking experience for me. I mean, seeing that production just moved me in ways that I never even knew I could feel. It just really hit home, for some reason. I guess it's because I connect with Robert's character in some aspects of myself. But anyways, it's become my personal definition of great musical theatre. I'm thrilled that this show has been permanently preserved through the "Great Performances" recording.

#13

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 8:45pm

it would be a toss-up between CATS and Tarzan.

CATS because it was my very first broadway show and got my love for musical theater started.

Tarzan came along at a turning point in my life when i really identified with the message of the show, it's music, and the cast.

"Put Your Faith In What You Most Believe In...."

#14

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 8:56pm

For me it would be Rent. I saw Rent for the first time when I was much younger and I have grown in many ways, but at the age and time that I saw it, its "live each day to the most" message really spoke to me. It helped me make decisions about going back to school and continuing my education.

#15

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/17/08 at 11:19pm

I've loved musical theater for a long time. I used to only be able to see the productions that the high school put on, until last June. I saw Mamma Mia and it was incredible. I have loved ABBA's music for a long time and was thrilled when I found out they put a musical together using the music. And just hearing the London cast recording made me want to see the show even more.

And actually, my biggest inspiration will probably have to be Spamalot. Sure, it is a really silly show that is fun. But because of the point of the plot, some of the songs, it really influenced me to follow my dreams. I swear, I get chills everytime I listen to the Original Broadway cast album and hear Sara Ramirez singing "Find Your Grail," "The Song that Goes Like This," and "Diva's Lament."

"I don't want the pretty lights to come and get me."-Homecoming 2005 "You can't pray away the gay."-Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy. Ignored Users: suestorm, N2N Nate., Owen22, master bates

#16

re: Broadway Inspirations

Posted: 4/18/08 at 12:29am

Seeing Ragtime pre Broadway, confirmed in me that I wanted to write theatre.

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