Chorus Member Joined: 5/12/11
Um, Avenue Q in July of 2006, with my mother. We went for three days and we saw Avenue Q, The Wedding Singer, and The Drowsy Chaperone together, and I saw Sweeney Todd by myself. The arm rest on my seat came off.
I had been obsessed with musicals for years and years, but we just never went on trips anywhere. We would see tours pass through Tampa, as my father used to work at the performing arts center there. I saw a regional production of Little Shop like five times when I was 11 or 12. I would go to Borders and buy cast recordings of shows I'd never heard of. I kind of miss that.
That was an awesome summer for me. I was involved with three shows that summer back home, on top of the trip. I was between sophomore and junior year.
Phantom of the Opera with my mother and aunt when I was 8. And when that chandelier fell it scared the crap out of me and my mind was completely blown.
Wicked when I was about 10. I went with my grandma and my mom, and i totally fell in love.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
February 6, 1999
Toni Braxton and James Barbour
I sat in the left balcony box...and I remember touching a light of sorts and burning my hand (although that could've been another show I've seen).
First major professional production was "Peter Pan" on tour with Cathy Rigby in the early 90's. I was obsessed with the character at the time. Still am, the show makes me cry every time.
And although I was OBSESSED with musical theatre ever since, my first Broadway show wasn't until the 2005 revival of "Sweeney Todd" with Michael Cerveris and Patti LuPone. The next night, I saw the Kelli O'Hara/Harry Connick Jr. revival of "The Pajama Game", which I had done in high school the previous year.
I was officially HOOKED.
Stand-by Joined: 8/5/11
I think mine is pretty unique... first show ON Broadway was The Goodbye Girl with Bernadette Peters and Martin Short, when I was a high school senior. Hearing Bernadette belt the opening number hooked me forever.
First show I ever saw: West Side Story. Still one of my top 3 favorite shows (along with Gypsy and Ragtime).
Anyone who's seen CHICAGO with a competent cast knows it's one of the most incredible nights of theatre you'll ever have.
I should clarify that I have nothing against the actual material of Chicago, but I was not a fan of the minimalist style at all. I saw it with Lisa Rinna as Roxie and Harry Hamlin as Billy...it wasn't THE WORST PIECE OF THEATRE I HAVE EVER WITNESSED...it just wasn't, what's the word, striking to me? And certainly not on my list of incredible nights of theatre.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/12/09
First show I saw was the touring cast of CATS in 1997. Wore my pretty little cowboy boots with shorts. That much I remember. and then nothing until I saw Cats on tour again in 2004. It was a surprise and I nearly sh*t myself. I was a fanboy. and then a few touring shows and FINALLY! Sitting in my French class Madame said "The French Club is going to be going to NYC to Phantom of the Opera. If you are interested in going see me after class." I was in a sweat the rest of the class waiting. lol. And I became her Broadway supervisor of sorts for the next 3 years.
The following year I hear an announcement over the PA "The French club is going to see Les Miz in April see Mme. **** for details" this was after the closing notice came out, but for some reason they still sold her 40 tickets to it. I walk in "Madame, that show is closing in January." "WHAT!?" Good times. But now I'm rambling.
Beauty and the Beast in July 2001 with my mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin. I was completely mesmerized.
My first Broadway show was Cats. My mom took me to NYC for the first time for my 9th birthday. We wore matching leopard print shirts. Yeah...
Promises, Promises with my parents, June, 1970. Orbach, O'Hara, that overture and the beginnings of a lifelong love for the limelight. Can't imagine a more perfect show for my initiation. I was ten.
My first show was the national tour of John Doyle's Sweeney Todd. Amazing performance from Judy Kaye. Truly wonderful.
Dream, a long forgotten review of Johnny Mercer tunes starring Leslie Ann Warren, John Pizzarelli and Margaret Whiting, at the St. James Theatre. July 6, 1997. It was the final performance.
I think the show was mostly panned, but my 12 year old self I loved it. I remember waiting at the stage door after the show and being soooo excited, I couldn't believe you could actually meet these people!
I loved theatre prior to that, but, although we lived in NY, we hadn't seen a show mostly due to cost. After that we started to see more theatre, go to the BCEFA flea market, etc.
Wicked in 2008. Obvs. It's even in my username. It was a simpler time.
Oy.
My first BROADWAY show - [title of show], by myself. Had just flown into NYC from London.
First show - Joseph on UK Tour with my Auntie, one of their group had fallen ill and they asked me if I wanted to go. We were in the second row, and I remember loving it! Must have only been 10 or 11 years old.
First West End show - Blood Brothers on a school trip when I was 12!
Titanic in 97 with my high school choir.
Loved it!
First Live Theater: ANNIE (at the local community theater)
First Professional Show: CATS (National Tour)
First Broadway Show: FALSETTOS
Beauty and the Beast in 1995 when I was 4 years old and the show was still at the Palace. It was magical, I was mesmerized, and I never looked back.
The first show that I was really obsessed with was Ragtime, which I saw in 1999. It's the show that made me really fall in love with theater as an art form and made me realize what great theater is capable of doing.
My first broadway show was the La Cage revival with Douglas Hodge and I remember walking into the theatre and just being completely overjoyed with being there. Also, the show was wonderful.
My first live theatre show and professional show was The Lion King in Toronto.
August of 1995, front row at the Gershwin for the Show Boat revival. I was 8. What? I have ambitious parents....
I loved every second of it. Knew every song by heart going in.
Phantom of the Opera, January 4, 1990. Rear Mezz, seat C6.
Also my first time to New York, went to the show with a friend. I can't believe how naive I was--we were staying up on 57th St. We gave ourselves an hour and a half to walk the 13 blocks to the Majestic. So we ended up milling around Times Sq. for nearly an hour before they opened the house. I must have checked the tickets 17,463 times in my coat pocket.
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