If You Could Only See One More Broadway Show...

It's easy for me because Angela Lansbury is my eminent living hero, so "Blithe Spirit" would be my choice of shows currently in production.

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I would have to go with Next To Normal, as it moves me soo much and I would want to experience those visceral performances again....

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Well, WICKED or Next to Normal for me. It might wind up being Next to Normal though since there is a bigger chance of catching WICKED on tour.

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Probably of the currently running shows, it would be the beautiful and heartfelt production of Waiting for Godot, since it's pretty much about life itself, and would leave me with a lot to ponder on as I moved on with my life away from the theatre district.

Of shows that have closed, right off the top of my head I want to say [tos], since it's a nice reminder of what my priorities should be in the future, and it's damn hilarious.

That's really hard. I have emotional attachments to many shows.

Beauty and the Beast was closest to my heart for a while but I have current obsessions like Billy Elliot, Tale of Two Cities, Spamalot and I know you are going to kill me but Good Vibrations.

I guess it would be Billy Elliot though cause I would really see that with any cast, the others need specfic people in it to make it that much more spectacular.

definitely Hair for me. i mean your last memory of broadway for a while is being on a broadway stage? after seeing one of the most amazing productions going on right now? come on. can't beat the love in that.

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You are going to be away for a while. Don't go with something that's a hit NOW. Go with something that's a hit always. A.K.A. South Pacific.

Quite the dilemma indeed. While I Love Gerb's reasoning for Hair...experiencing it on stage....it will be going on tour soon as will several other shows.

So....I would go with N2N as you have the lowest chance of getting that away from Manhattan.

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My opinion is kind of divided. I'll go ahead and say South Pacific. I'm not at all sure of the current cast, but the way you describe the feeling of being overtaken by the orchestra at the beginning is actually the reason. South Pacific is just such a classic and the current revival is so very strong. Sitting there in the Vivian Beaumount, from the first note to the final bow I was utterly transfixed by this gem of a production. Each song holds its own place in the pantheon of great musical theater songs and it is in many ways just this perfect, still relevant musical.

On the other hand, a big part of me wants to suggest West Side Story. As divided as the response to this show is, I think it would do for you what no other production can do. The current revival is a classic show (obviously), but done in a completely original way. Because of this, you would essentially kill two birds with one stone, seeing one of the classics and an original musical all in one. Not to mention the score, much like South Pacific, is simply phenomenal and given such a new spin in this production.

As for past show, my suggestion is actually possible. I would go to Lincoln Center (if you take my first bit of advice, you could make it an all-day adventure) and watch the Original Touring Production of Sondheim's 'Company'. The quality isn't perfect, but it is a moment captured of this truly fantastic show. Especially because you are leaving New York, I think it is an appropriate musical to end on. Not only does it depict so many aspects of New York, but in Robert's choice to leave his friends and not show up for his birthday celebration, "Being Alive" could easily reflect your need to now move on to this new stage in life (graduate school) and leave those you love so much behind.

I hope this helps you. It really is an interesting discussion and I wish you the best of luck.

If it were me... I was leaning towards Hair, because it would make sense to go with a revival of a classic rather than risk a new, unknown quantity, but I've still not seen In the Heights, and I'd really like to.

Hell, does it strictly have to be Broadway? Can I go for Twelfth Night? :3

My last Broadway show at this current time is 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Which is as good a show as any. If I were choosing a West End show, it'd either be La Cage aux Folles or War Horse.

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Currently running? Definately Mary Poppins, as I make it a habit to see it once a year. Not many people would agree with this, but I do feel it's one of the best on Broadway.

Not running? Either Beauty & the Beast (It was my first aswell, so it sort of completes the cylce) or The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a show I've made a lifetime goal to see atleast once.

I'm going to agree with lull89 and see Waiting for Godot. It's uplifting and heartbreaking.