Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/performer?

#1

Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/performer?

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:33pm

Have you ever gone to see a show and completely did not care about what you were seeing or did not pay attention to the story at all, but rather found yourself going just to see a certain actor perform?

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"In the U.S.A. You can have your say, You can set you goals And seize the day, You've been given the freedom To work your way To the head of the line- To the head of the line!" ---Stephen Sondheim

Updated On: 9/1/08 at 07:33 PM

#2

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:35pm

coughcoughGYPSY

#3

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:37pm

I figured that one SNA, do you pay attention to the story at all or just pay attention to Patti?

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"In the U.S.A. You can have your say, You can set you goals And seize the day, You've been given the freedom To work your way To the head of the line- To the head of the line!" ---Stephen Sondheim

#4

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:37pm

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 07:37 PM

#5

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:39pm

I think with show that has a specific performer's name in EVERY poster and advertisement it is safe to assume that the performer is the main attraction. "Patti Lupone in Gypsy", "Lawrence Fishburne in Thurgood"- it happens all the time.

#6

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:42pm

My friend and I entered Wicked lotto just to see Julia Murney, my friend won, and turned out Julia was out that day.

We'd both seen it pre-Broadway and weren't really fans of the show, but were familiar with it (so I guess your "not paying attention" description doesn't count with me).

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Updated On: 9/1/08 at 07:42 PM

#7

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:44pm

I'm guilty for doing this. The main reason I wanted to see Mary Poppins was for a performer, but when they weren't in the show that night, it forced me to watch the show. I also wanted to see Beauty a second time because of two actors.

Most other shows I've seen on Broadway, though, I wasn't pulled in by an actor, mainly because I didn't keep tabs on them, so I was just more curious in seeing the production.

#8

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:46pm

I've gone back to see shows multiple times to see either performers or understudies that I want to see in the role. For instance, tomorrow I'm going to see Spamalot solely for the purpose of seeing Merle Dandridge as the Lady of the Lake.

#9

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 7:51pm

I went to see Gypsy for the show. But, the show was all about Patti.

#10

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:18pm

I got a ticket to see Wicked just because Kerry Ellis was in the show. Man, was she a total let down.
And just like Adam. I will return to Spamalot just toe see Merle in the show.

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#11

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:25pm

I ussually see it for the broadway show. nothing else. with the exclusion of patti lupone shows, those are difffrent

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#12

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:36pm

There have been actors that have gotten me INTERESTED in finding out MORE about a show; but I don't think I've ONLY gone to a show ONLY because of an actor.

Even movies: I LOVE Heath Ledger...but didn't see Batman...I'd never seen ANY of them so I was starting just because of Heath.

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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.

#13

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:36pm

The only person in ITH I really wanted to see was Lin-Manuel. Karen Olivo, to a lesser extent, but she was out.

#14

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:44pm

Yes.

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#15

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:49pm

There have been times when I've been unfamiliar with a show and have gone to see it anyway because a certain performer or group of performers were cast. If I'm familiar with the show, I generally go for the show, however; a certain performer may move it from my 'would like to see' list, to my 'must see' list.

#16

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:58pm

Not Broadway, but I saw Wicked again in Chicago just because Lisa Bresica had joined the cast. She was pretty much the only thing that could get me back to see it.

(I also went on the day I did because Annaleigh Ashford WOULDN'T be there, which is kind of the opposite extreme of the original question.)

#17

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 8:59pm

Hugh Jackman -oz

#18

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:07pm

Updated On: 5/2/09 at 09:07 PM

#19

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:12pm

I'm with StageFan2. :) Well, said.

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#20

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:15pm

depends on if i've seen the show or not... because if i've already seen the show then i will see it for a performer but the first time is just for the show

#21

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:15pm

I've gone to see a few shows b/c of a performer, but it grows into curiosity about the show and I usually come out of the theatre loving the whole thing. That's what happened with Company with Raul Esparza last summer, and I'm hoping it happens with Boeing-Boeing next month (even if two of the actors I'm going for will be gone). I'm seeing Gypsy mostly for Patti, but also because Bernadette Peters Gypsy was my first Bway show, and I'd like to pay more attention this time as a theatre fan.

#22

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:22pm

I saw Drowsy Chaperone without knowing anything about it except that Sutton Foster was in it and See What I Wanna See for Idina Menzel but I came out loving both shows. They're now two of my favorites.And I don't know if I would have driven four hours to see Gypsy were it not for Patti and Laura, but I'm glad I did.

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Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...I'm the good cop, he's the bad cop.

#23

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:23pm

Hmm, sometimes.

I'm done with the storyline of Wicked, but if an understudy of somebody new is ever there I go.

#24

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:34pm

I usually go in to see a show for what it is, but sometimes a certain actor is what gains my interest in it. Usually repeated viewings are based on who takes over roles (or if I'm with someone who I recommended it for). For example, I've seen Spamalot to last me for a while, but with Merle coming, I'll definitely be there.

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#25

re: Do you go see a broadway show for the show or just a performance/perfor

Posted: 9/1/08 at 9:35pm

Yes