Not that I experienced, but there were apparently lots of fights, sometimes physical that broke out during previews for Passion between those who appreciated the show and those who...didn't. And this happened DURING the show.
Most overwhelming response in a concert - Lea Salonga after singing "Defying Gravity" at the Carnegie Hall/
Most overwhelming response in a play:
1. Lea Salonga, curtain call in the farewell performance of Miss Saigon
2. Idina Menzel, after singing Defying Gravity in Wicked
3. OBC curtain call, Wicked
4. Soshana Bean, after singing Defying Gravity in Wicked
5. Felicia Fields, after singing Hell No in The Color Purple
Another HUGE reaction was for Memory in CATS-especially at performances in the early and middle 1980's. Also, when the show was about to close, Linda Balgord would get a wonderful reaction!
the biggest I have witnessed personally are Shoshana Bean's Defying Gravity early on in her run and the recent tour of RENT during the opening number, everyone went nuts it was like being at a concert, i really didn't expect it but did appreciate it entirely.
First thing that comes to mind is an injured Idina Menzel coming on for the finale in a red track suit. Audience went nuts.
The biggest audience reactions i've been a part of were both at Phantom...
1) Hugh Panaro's final "Music of the Night" on Oct 1, 2005 - stopped the show
2) Basically the entire record breaking Phantom gala show...every oppertunity the crown went nuts
I have to say Allison in Lestat. I know I went nuts.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/22/05
2 shows that my college put on last year...Urinetown and Batboy
In urinetown of course all the spoofs at other bway shows got laughs, but the end of act I with the Les Mis spoof was insane. You almost couldn't hear the performers over the clapping and laughing.
In Batboy at the end of the musical when you discover batboy's past and then the audience puts that together with what Batboy and Shelly have done. Gasps went like a wave over the theatre and this guy a few rows in front of me yelled out "what the f**k."
Witnessed:
Sunday mat of Wicked with the OBC. Idina had barely begun to fly when the ENTIRE HOUSE was on it's feet.
Not Witnessed, but told to by someone who did:
I'm Not Going- J. Holliday, Dreamgirls.
For those of you who Roz Ryan (A-Men, The Pajama Game Revival, Chicago revival etc.) she stopped the show in DreamGirls and was totally stunning!
Go Roz!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
-The Peters' revival of Gypsy
-Wicked OBC (April 2004)
-Jersey Boys (during previews)
-Bernadette Peters' recent concert at Avery Fisher Hall.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Color Purple...day After opening night. Minutes before curtain goes up,two women rush up the aisle and sit in Row K, right behind me. Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey. Everyone went nuts....and the show hadn't even started yet!
The entire show, the audience was insane, not to mention intermission, when O and Gayle didn't get up and people were coming up to her, walking all over me to get a glimpse or have their "Oprah" moments....some burst into flames right in front of me. It was kinda scary.
I must have missed something the night I saw Idina play Elphaba. I think she left her acting in her dressing room. The audience was enthusiastic after "Defying Gravity", but nothing like I've been reading in these posts. I attributed the huge round of applause to the sheer spectacle (and to the unbeliveably loud body microphone) that subsequent Elphabas all enjoy. Idina was nothing special for me.
Jarrod Emick's entrance at the end of "Goodbye Old Girl" in the DAMN YANKEES revival was absoutely thrilling. The audience went NUTS.
Hugh Jackman's final performance of "Once Before I Go". Tears everywhere, including his own eyes.
Swing Joined: 7/5/06
The biggest I've witnessed:
"Beast"'s transformation into the Prince...this was 10 years ago on Broadway. Now, it isn't as shocking, but back then it was.
The Damn Yankees entrance of Young Joe Hardy was probably thrilling. I have chills just thinking about the drama and magic of that moment.
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