Do you watch a musical or listen to the CD first?

I felt the same way about Q.

For me, I've done it both ways, and enjoyed a show equally. So, for me, it doesn't matter.

If the cast recording comes out before I've seen the show, I will listen to it. Many times I will have a hard time picking up the words if I haven't heard the music before, so I like to know what I'm listening to. I also like not having to concentrate on the music. That way, after I've seen the show, I can remember what was going on while they were singing.

When I saw Wicked & Rent & Hairspray, I knew them all word by word. It does take away from the show. When I saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang & Les Miserables I was taken away on a magical journey and I didn't regret a thing. I knew nothing about Les Miserables, and it was the best thing I've seen on stage. Ever.

I'm seeing Jersey Boys & The Drowsy Chaperone next month. I'm not gonna listen to The Drowsy Chaperone. I know Jersey Boys, but not all the songs help progress the story.

I prefer seeing the show before listening to the CD. Spamalot was not as funny as it could have been cause I knew almost all the songs.

---

I like to listen to the cast recording before I see the show, generally. Although, I absolutely agree about Avenue Q - I found myself quite bored because, by the time I saw the show, I had the CR practically memorized.

---

I usually get the cast recording of any show around the day it comes out even if I haven't seen the show, but I usually won't listen to them. I like to see the show before I listen to the CD.

Ahhhh, this is the question we all strugle with!

I like to know some of the music, but I don't want to ruin the show. The compromise that I have been pleased with is to buy the cd, listen to the first half of the songs (or so) so that I can get a feel for the piece, but I don't listen to the second half until I see the show. Not unlike the warning that they give on the DRS cd.
Then after seeing the show, I listen to the entire cd, over and over again, until I go see the show for a second time!

i always get to see the show well after the CD is out, so yea as an appetizer, I do listen to the CD first

As I don't live in NYC, I usually hear the music before I see the show. If I tried to see every show before I bought/listened to the CD, I'd never get to listen to anything.

I bought The Light in the Piazza right after the Tony's last year, becuase I was blown away by Kelli O'Hara's voice (and I usually don't like sopranos). I saw the show later that summer, and was very glad that I already knew the music. I was able to spend less energy focusing on understanding the story/lyrics, and more energy noticing the nuances of the performances and the relationships between the characters.

I am a little concerned about seeing Q this summer, for the same reason as mentioned above. I already know all the funny bits of the songs, and have seen the show thanks to some nice *footwear*, so I'm worried I'll end up disappointed.

---

Broadwayluva- how can you judge people for what they want to do? How in the world can that aggravate you? That doesn't make sense to me.

Many times I will have a hard time picking up the words if I haven't heard the music before, so I like to know what I'm listening to. I also like not having to concentrate on the music. That way, after I've seen the show, I can remember what was going on while they were singing.
I feel the EXACT same way. I feel that I can remember and enjoy the show more if I have heard the music first.

---

I like to see shows in previews, so I can't listen to the music. Sometimes if the show is already open I listen to the music first.

---

I like to see the show first and if I'm going crazy to hear the songs again, I buy the CD.