Seeing a final performance- Page 2

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/6/09 at 8:24pm

I've been to every closing night HELLO, DOLLY! played in NYC. Each one was electrufying but the closing of the original production (Merman) stands out because Gower Chamion danced in the chorus and the beautiful Carol Channing joined Merman on stage at the bows.

[DefyGravity777]

Posted: 7/7/09 at 12:13am

I went to the closings of Les Mis Revival, Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening and Chicago Wicked and they were all special in their own right. The energy at all of them was amazing. From the cast to the audience.

I have also been to certain performers last shows and the whole cast is always better during them. More energy since it is someones last show.

[moowithme85]

Posted: 7/7/09 at 12:29am

I don't think there is anything more emotional than attending a final performance.

I was at Shoshana Bean's final performance in Wicked on Broadway completely by accident. But I could feel something special about that performance; there was more emotion, more power, and definitely more tears. I'm an incredibly emotional person, so I loved it.

I was at the final performance of Wicked in Chicago, too. That was a different experience for me than Shoshana's last because I was emotionally wrapped up in the event. I cared a lot about the show and about the actors in it and was upset to see it all go. It was a very bittersweet performance; something I'd looked forward to for months but never wanted to actually arrive. Of course, the entire audience was nutty about the show just like I was, which made for a special energy in the theatre. It's incredible.

Also, if you're emotional like I am, the speeches at the end of the show make seeing a final show from crappy seats 100X better than seeing a two days before final show from good seats. You only get the opportunity to hear those speeches once.

[supersam1026]

Posted: 7/7/09 at 12:45am

I've been to 2:
Company (revival) and The Producers.
Company was one of the most memorable performances I have ever been to. The audience and cast were both very into the show and Raul gave a great speech at the end about Broadway going into another "golden age".
The Producers was a lot of fun, but not as emotional, it looked like every other performance. Mel Brooks went up during the curtain call and gave a pretty good speech from what I remember. Even though many people aren't big Mel Brooks after YF I still think it was cool to actually see him.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/7/09 at 1:00am

Raul's speech was stunning. It made me cry, and to this day, it still does. But I felt like that was a performance where the audience really got in the way of the show. I remember be really gratified to see such an outpouring of love, but at the same time, I feel like that outpouring almost stifled what was going on on stage.