Most Moving Experience in Theatre You Have Ever Had — Page 4

Too many to mention. Indeed, too many to remember.

First one that came to mind: late in Act II of Into the Woods, the moment when the entire cast sings as one on "Careful the spell you cast/ Not just on children..."

Most recent moving moment: "The I Love You Song" from Spelling Bee, with the parents professing their (genuine) love for Olive, while totally oblivious to how, given their selfish actions, their words ring hollow. It's a bracing reminder to a parent of a young child.

Oh, and I have to mention the 1995 Stratford (Ontario) production of Long Day's Journey into Night. I was awestruck and shaken.

O the I love you Song from Spelling Bee always get me!

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Bernadette Peters in Gypsy and Maureen Moore in Grey Gardens. They both took me on such an emotional journey through the lives of their characters it was unforgettable.

First time seeing Sunday in London in '06- When Jenna started singing "Move On" I simply lost it. Same thing has happened the other two times I've seen it since.

The "I Love You Song" in Spelling Bee- really pulls the rug out from under you emotionally.

The reprise of "I Am the One" in N2N had me crying.

Most of the third act of August: Osage County was an emotional roller coaster for me.

The end of Grey Gardens, when she walks back into the house, was pretty rough for me too.

Updated On: 3/11/08 at 03:06 PM

The 1988 revival of, "Our Town". I just love that play. I saw that production 3 times. Both with Penelope Ann Miller and Helen Hunt as Emily Webb.

The Light in the Piazza. I really didn't know much about it when I saw it the first time, but by the end of the show I was speechless (and emotional).

Most presently, In the Heights. Again, didn't know what to expect, and I was pleasantly surprised (and moved).

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Vivienne Segal in PAL JOEY
Alfred Drake in KISMET
Fredric March and Florence Eldridge in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT
Alfred Lunt and Lynee Fontanne in THE VISIT
Ethel Merman in GYPSY
Christopher Plummer in BARRYMORE
Ruth Gordon in THE MATCHMAKER

The first time I saw "Defying Gravity" live. Eden was in for Idina during her two week break. It was my first Broadway show so it had that extra "first time" magic. When Eden started to fly, I burst into tears and thought oh my God, that is what I want to do with my life. Admittedly, I still get a little choked up at that part.

Seeing Idina as Elphaba. I know I sound like a total Wicked fangirl, and I was. For about 2 years, back when the cast recording first came out and long before things got ridiculous, I adored the show and wanted to be Idina. (Give me a break, I was 15.) I missed her the first time I saw it, but my mom really liked me that year so she took me back to see Idina a few months later. (I live in Florida.) We got the partial view seats so we were about 3 rows from the stage. At that time she was my hero, and to be that close to someone I admired so much was mind-blowing. I'm not as obsessed with her as I used to be, but almost 4 years later I'm still moved just by the memory.

And a non-Wicked one. The first time I saw Ragtime. It was a regional production but it was phenomenal. Their Coalhouse was spectacular. I was so taken with him, and at that point I didn't know the story... "Wheels of a Dream" always makes me cry, even just the recording. And the very end, when the little boy runs onstage, I just lose it. I love the way the story begins as very separate stories and by the end, its all come together.