Most overwhelming audience reaction? — Page 3

"I saw "Wicked" one week before Idina Menzel left, when she rushed on right before "Dear Old Shiz" everyone went insane! There must have been a good three minuets of applause. "

Oh, I can't believe I forgot that.


And I can't believe I forgot on her "last day" when she walked on on stage in the now famous red track suit. From that point to when the curtain went down, I've never heard such loud screams and sobs in my life. It was kind of pathetic and completely ruined the moment. It was very "Oh my God, Idina Menzel means SO MUCH TO ME that I'm going to show you all by AUDIBLY SOBBING so loud that they hear me ON STAGE!"

It was like it was the last time she'd ever be on stage. I wanted to kick some of them and give them a REAL reason to sob.

The biggest I've personally witnessed was for Nathan Lane's "Betrayed" during the pre-Broadway tryout in Chicago.

During the Deaf West production of Big River, during "Waiting For The Light To Shine (Reprise)," the whole cast is onstage singing and signing at the same time until the music and voices get so loud that it goes silent, and all you see is the cast signing, yet you understand what they're saying, and nobody coughs, laughs, sneezes, or is on their cell phone. Everyone is deaf, and it's completely silent.

That got HUGE, HUGE applause. I can't even describe it. Amazing reaction from everyone in the house.

I was at David Hyde Pierce/Hank Azaria's last performance in Spamalot. Fantastic receptions when both came on in the 1st Act, but the reaction to HA's ad-libbing as a Knight who says Ni and to 'You Won't Succeed on Broadway' was out of this world - made both of them emotional. Great stuff, felt privileged to be there!

And I can't agree with that article which states that London audiences don't care when shows end / cast members leave. Some people obviously do - I've witnessed it first hand! Maybe we're just more discreet about it over here?!?

---

The most huge reactions I have witnessed :

Hugh's "Once Before I Go "

Elaine Paige's curtain call in London's "Sunset Boulevard"

The moment Harvey lowers from the front of his face these BIG panties and starts to speak in "Hairspray"

I will never forget the feeling of the theatre after a "Gods Love Nubia" led by Heather Headley. Everyone would just be abuzz for a few minutes afterward. It got an amazing reaction, but the reaction didn't go away just when the song ended, and I remember thinking that was so cool.

I was at one of the Jersey Boys performances that Frankie Valli attended. He stood immediately after "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" ended, and as the audience realized that Frankie Valli himself was standing in the center of the orchestra, almost every other audience member stood and applauded as well. It is still one of my favorite audience reaction moments.

The audience at the Color Purple when I saw it was absolutely amazing and crazy.

---

I saw Benadette Peters in Concert merely weeks after her husband died. She sang Not a Day Goes By, and Time Heals Everything and put her heart and pain into those songs. The audience went wild and stood after both of them. I've never seen something so courageous in my life.

---

I saw Bernadette's Lincoln Center Concert. The audience reaction there was amazing.

My sister encouraged me today to share several experiences that I have had that included an amazing audience reaction.

Sharon Wilkins performing "The Oldest Profession" on the day before THE LIFE closed in June 1998! Lillias White sat in the row with us, and she led an unstopabble ovation. The conductor laid down his baton, and the audience applauded forever!

Bernadette Peters performing "Rose's Turn." I saw it three times, and she was stunning! The audience went nuts!

Mary Bond Davis singing "I Know Where I Been" in Hairspray. The Longer Bond-Davis remainded the cast, the stronger she became. This was an earth-quaking, house-shaking moment of endless joy!

Harvery Feirstein's entrance in Hairspray on his second night in New York during the previews. The house "went-up" for Harvey and would not permit the show to continue. This was the most spontaneous demonatration of admiration and love for a performer that I have ever witnessed! His entrance and first line alone truly stopped the show!

Roz Ryan performing "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going" in Dream Girls-1984! She was amazing! Many of the audience members stood before the number was over. At 22 years old, I was overwhelmed and overcome by emotions!

This is a great topic!

Thanks everyone!

JH Im Telling You Im Not Going from Dreamgirls(woooooooooow)

I really dont think anything will ever top that.

"Sharon Wilkins performing "The Oldest Profession" on the day before THE LIFE closed in June 1998! Lillias White sat in the row with us, and she led an unstopabble ovation. The conductor laid down his baton, and the audience applauded forever!"

When Sharon sang "There's Always Me" in ALL SHOOK UP, as she neared the end, the audience went insane. She's one powerful singer & I loved her in All Shook Up.