Does listening to a cast recording before seeing a show take away from the experience of seeing it live?- Page 2

[sidjones09]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 12:17pm

In my opinion, it absolutely takes away. In my experience all the shows I have enjoyed the most, I have known little about going into them. That's part of the excitement of the theatre. It's always a risk, but well worth taking. One of the Oscar nominees this year said that every time you go to the movies is like going on a blind date. I think the same is true for the theatre, or at least that's what makes it the most exciting.

I do feel however in today's age of ridiculous ticket prices (if you're coming from out of town and want guaranteed seats) and arguably lower quality productions (hopefully that is changing) that a little more insurance that you will enjoy your night out is almost necessary. So listening to the music beforehand might ease your mind when dropping that Benjamin or more on your tickets.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 12:19pm

bwayballerina, HONEY, please limit the title of your initial post to 7 or 8 words MAX. You're taking up half of the main page!

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 12:45pm

If I know I'm going to be seeing a show for the first time -- no matter how far in advance -- I avoid listening to the recording. There are so few chances these days to enjoy a completely original score IN a theatre, I see no reason to rob myself of that opportunity. The same goes for musical movies. I don't want to hear the soundtrack until after I've seen the movie.

[Weez]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 12:50pm

Personally, I don't think it has any real effect. I've seen shows where I've known the cast recording in advance, and I've seen shows where I've known nothing beforehand, and neither one of them has a higher enjoyment rate than the other.

It may be the case that with comedy or twist-ending productions that you won't want to know what's coming, but I listened to 'Avenue Q' many many times before finally seeing it onstage, and I still massively enjoyed it even though I knew what was coming. A joke isn't just words strung together in a specific order; it's also dependent on being told a certain way, and the reaction of the audience. Even if you're already familiar with one or two of these things, all three combined is what makes it great.

If a show is all-sung or has a complex score, it might be helpful to be familiar with it first. I didn't understand what was going on in 'RENT' the first time I saw it, but I got the cast recording and it all made sooo much more sense. But generally speaking, I honestly don't think it matters if you hear the cast recording before seeing the show or not. Live theatre is never the same experience two days twice, so it's not like, I don't know, seeing a film on DVD then going to watch it at the cinema only to be bored silly because you already know exactly what's going to happen.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 1:05pm

"Sometimes I get annoyed by the staging of things, too. I seem to imagine things when I listen much more creatively than some directors."

Me, too, B3TA07!

Anyway, as I'm a little hard of hearing, I need to know the lyrics beforehand. Since I can't obviously watch stage shows in closed-captions, I need to become familiar with the material prior to seeing a show so I'll know what the hell they're saying... uh, singing.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 3:31pm

I like to listen to a cast album of a show I want to see that I haven't so that I get a feel for the score of the show and maybe get a better understanding of the show through the songs.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 3:34pm

For me, its dependent on the show itself. For instance, thank goodness I listened to the scores of Sweeney, Follies and Company before seeing them or I might have been lost. On the other hand, some shows such as Drowsy, Scoundrels and others are simplistic in nature (plot, structure of the music and lyrics) and are easy to catch on to. My rule generally is "if its Sondheim, it deserves a few listenings before viewing".

[dramaqueen2]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 3:35pm

i think that it adds to it to be perfectly honest.
for example, the first time i saw rent, i didn't really know much about it. i mean i knew the basic idea, but i wasn't like a renthead or anything and i hadn't really explored the OBC.. so there were definitely times where i got lost and then was confused and thrown off later. so especially for shows like rent or les mis or phantom where it is mostly music, it really helps to be familiar with the score.
and even if not, i think it helps make the show more memorable. like since in spring awakening my favorite song was don't do sadness/blue wind.. it made that song that much more enjoyable, and afterwards you can recall every little detail from each song as far staging etc etc etc go.. so i think that it is a good thing. =)

[Weez]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 4:31pm

Something I wanted to say earlier that sort of got lost in my babbling is:

Nothing can compare to the experience of seeing a show live, whether you know the music in advance or not.

That was it. ^_^

[JustABroadwaybaby2]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 4:34pm

I don't have a problem with knowing the songs, just knowing all the lyrics, because if you go to see something funny, you will know all the jokes, etc. As an example, I knew the "George Bush!! Is only for now" lyric from Avenue Q, so when I saw it, it was a lot less funny. If you are going to see something a little more dramatic and sad, then the moment isn't really ruined. Sure, actors get to change things up a little (like in Spelling Bee) from night to night, but it's mostly the same. So know the words, if you have to, but not by heart, and you will have a lot more fun.

[GreenGirl22406]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 5:48pm

For most musical's I've seen, I've known the music inside and out and had usually watched videos and stuff, but when I went to see DRS, I didn't listen to the CD or anything (Except Great Big Stuff and the Tonys). I found it not quite as fun as knowing the score, but maybe 'cause I enjoy the actors staring at me when I mouth the words along (I was actually complemented on my knowledge after a show by one of the actors at the Boston Spelling Bee...). Overall, I think having the CD beforehand only helps you appriciate the rest of the show more because you don't have to focus on the music by itself, but can absorb the staging etc.

[rosekwbp]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 5:59pm

I really don't think there's a difference. Although I do find it a bit distracting if it sounds very different from the CD. If the cast has changed drastically I won't listen to it first.

[BobbyErikValjean]

Posted: 3/6/07 at 6:04pm

It depends on the show and the people in it. I think Les Miz is one that you need to look up and listen to the music before you go.

But then again, if you really love the OBC and will be disappointed if the current actors are not up to par, I suggest keeping the cast recording beside and going in without expecting anything.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 2:11pm

I second the earlier suggestion that with a Sondheim score you listen at least once - you will appreciate the subtleties of the lyrics a lot more in performance if you are a little familiar with them.

[Broadwayfanatic2]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 3:54pm

I usually wait until after the show than I but the CD. So I tend to say don't listen to the music before you see the show. But I bought the Wicked cd cause it was at such a good price and I know that someday I will see it and I've listened to a few tracks. So I say if you have the CD with you listen to a few tracks but keep a few songs a surprise.

[Craww]

Posted: 3/7/07 at 6:17pm

I went into the current Company revival with a vague familiarity with the material. I'd listened to the OBCR about 3 times, but mostly tuned out on every song not sung by a woman. The friend I was with was completely unfamiliar with the material. We both loved it. So, while I was personally happy to be familiar with it and to have songs I was looking forward to, I don't think it makes a giant difference.

I think it's the weaker scores and comedy shows that probably benefit the most from no pre-performance listening. I can't really imagine listening to the cast recording of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee before seeing that live.