Seeing shows multiple times- Page 2

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 11:26am

Oh, I'm past 35 for a lot of other shows, too. But with LM, it took several years to build up that many viewings (in the era before rush/lotto became more ubiquitous).

If I'm on vacation in a theatre town, I'll try to see a familiar show plus one that's new to me -- I saw Zorro on my first trip to London and wow, that was not a good show... but oh the memories!

[illiniparkie]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 11:40am

I have gone to Les Miserables a couple of times when it stopped in Chicago on tour.  And I have also seen a production at Marriott outside Chicago and a high school production.  Every one made me tear up at the end.

 

I have seen Sweeney Todd several times.  Once during the initial Broadway run with George Hearn and Dorothy Loudon, second in the Chicago tour with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury, once at Marriott with Timothy Nolen and Karlah Hamilton, and the minimal production on tour in San Francisco with David Hess and Judy Kaye.  Plus a local high school production.  Hmmm...wonder what this says about me?  Anyway, what's for lunch?  

[10086sunset]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 12:19pm

Sunset...

Kept going back to see each different Desmond.

[acekatherineplumber2]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 12:31pm

I'm really in love with Newsies; it's very inspiring and energizing. I've seen it 5 times and am going back later this year.

[sorano916]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 12:54pm

With American Idiot and Newsies, I've seen the different incarnations throughout the years. Starting with their out-of-town tryouts (Berkeley and Paper Mill) to their Broadway productions to their tour productions (including the non-equity versions of Idiot). When all said & done, both counts are over 50. Many of those repeat visits were to see an understudy or it was someone's last show, etc. There was a certain point where I was too familiar with the actual storyline and songs that it didn't faze me anymore, but with a change in cast, it made it different again. 

 

The same thing with Les Mis... yeah, I saw it on Broadway many years ago when I was younger but I barely remember it. I saw the current incarnation on tour years ago and it sparked my liking of the show, so I've seen it a good handful of times when it came to Broadway. Again, it came to the point of seeing understudies and their take on the characters. Especially when many of the understudies were the leads on tour and I really loved them in those roles.

 

Sometimes I've seen a show and I really liked the cast because they fit their characters so well that I've avoided seeing the show again with them, even if I kinda would like to see the show again. Kinky Boots is an example. I was at Stark Sands' last show and I thought it was the best possible performance that I could have seen that I don't want to ruin that memory with another performance, even though I'm sure the current cast is great.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:19pm

With American Idiot and Newsies, I've seen the different incarnations throughout the years. Starting with their out-of-town tryouts (Berkeley and Paper Mill) to their Broadway productions to their tour productions (including the non-equity versions of Idiot). When all said & done, both counts are over 50. 

Ha, American Idiot is also my record-holder, but I "only" saw it 11 times total (7 Broadway, 4 tour). I did get to see Van Hughes play all three of the boys, and got to see a lot of different actors playing St. Jimmy (Andrew Call was my favorite).

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:20pm

The most right now is Book of Mormon - 5 times.  3 on Broadway including OBC.  Once at Pantages in LA and then recently in Seattle.  Which, btw, has anyone else seen A.J. Holmes as Elder Cunningham?  By far, my favourite performance for that role. Totally rocked it. 

Hedwig is my second most.  I saw it 4 times - as many as I could physically get back for.  Missed Michael C Hall.  When I was in NY in November I actually went to the Belasco and payed homage to the wall... lol...  So the only reason I haven't seen it more is because it closed. I would have gone to it each and every visit.  Waiting to see how close the tour will get to hometown.

Hamilton will eclipse them all.  Seen it once and have 2 tickets for future performances this year.  I will go to it as long as it runs for sure.

 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:23pm

I've seen AJ on Broadway, in San Francisco, and in London. He's not my favorite, but he's very good and he was at his best in London, IMO.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 1:41pm

I saw HEDWIG three times (Rannells, Hall, and JCM). I stopped after that because no performance of that role could stop what JCM did. It will forever be one of my top 3 favorite theatre experiences ever. 

I saw IF/THEN six times-- once in DC, one in previews on Broadway, and another 4 times including closing night. Every time I saw it, I noticed another detail, another part of the plot that clicked, or another nuance in a performance. I recognize the flaws of the show,  but I loved that I could have a new experience each time.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 3:31pm

In addition to all our Hedwigs we saw Hamilton in the fall and have 3 more sets of tix over the next 8 months.

 

And another show we are considering re-seeing is Something Rotten, only because we both hated it and want to see it again to see if we were missing something.

 

 

And we saw Hand To God in all three NYC incarnations, if that counts.

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 3/30/16 at 5:05pm

LYLS3637 said: "I saw HEDWIG three times (Rannells, Hall, and JCM). I stopped after that because no performance of that role could stop what JCM did. It will forever be one of my top 3 favorite theatre experiences ever. 

Totally agree.  I saw NPH, AR JCM and then DC.  Darren was disappointing, after JCM. No fault to him; anyone would have been. I should have left it at that.  But that being said, I'll still go to a touring performance if I can because I can't seem to help it.

 

"

 

[Crazy NooNooHead]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:22am

theatreguy12 said: "What shows can you not get enough of and have seen multiple times….and could still see again and again?"

My favorite show is The Book Of Mormon, and I've seen it 6 times. Ideally I see it once or twice a year, and that way I can revisit it and still have plenty of time and money to see new shows. I've also seen Rent and Hedwig 6 times each, and a bunch of other shows 2-4 times.

"Which shows have you seen and loved, but once was still enough?"

Usually I feel this way about shows that are emotionally intense and/or deal with heavy subject matter. I thought Blackbird and A View From The Bridge were both great and I never hesitated to recommend them to others, but they both made me want a lot of comfort food, so I didn't want to revisit them.

[mpkie]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 12:58pm

If I see a show I end up loving, I tend to immediately start thinking about seeing it again. Whether that materializes is another thing... The only exception so far has been "The King and I". I was so charmed by it that I put it in the "love it" category, but once is enough because I don't want to sit through the slow parts again.

It seems like I do hit a wall after repeat viewings, for example:

- I saw "Something Rotten" twice and loved it both times but felt that twice was definitely enough.

- I saw BOM twice in quick succession and loved it both times. It's something I'd be interested in seeing again later down the line but don't have any pressing desire.

- I've seen Les Mis a total of 4 times and at this point I feel pretty satiated. Given enough time I'm sure I would want to see it again, especially if I find myself in London again and someone wants to catch it with me there.

Most shows I've only seen once but I'm new though - I only started going to the theater "regularly"-ish around 2014. I do enjoy deconstructing a show after viewing, which typically drives me back to see it again, as I'll view it through a different lens and get something more out of it. Really though, at the right price and/or with the right company, I would go back to see anything as long as I didn't hate it.

[mpkie]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 1:03pm

LizzieCurry said: "I hit 70 for Les Miz over 10 years ago, and that's when I stopped counting."

LOL that's awesome - can you put on a one-person re-enactment of Les Mis? I have this eventual goal of memorizing the whole thing but I haven't gotten around to it quite yet.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:07pm

That can be me too, noonoo. I can really like and appreciate a musical and even recommend it to anyone but still not necessarily want to see it again because of the subject matter. I think Miss Saigon has some of the most beautiful music of any musical but it is so emotionally draining once was enough. Doesn't mean I don't recommend it though because I do to those who haven't seen it. It is a very good show.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:15pm

mpkie said: "LizzieCurry said: "I hit 70 for Les Miz over 10 years ago, and that's when I stopped counting."

LOL that's awesome - can you put on a one-person re-enactment of Les Mis? I have this eventual goal of memorizing the whole thing but I haven't gotten around to it quite yet."

You're not the first person to say this, but I may be the first person to say this: Despite being a huge theatre fan, I have never had a desire to perform, even a one-person show, and even if plied with alcohol.

Also, which version of the show do you want me to memorize? There are many iterations!

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:24pm

ROCK OF AGES.  I did see that a few dozen times.  

[Dollypop]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:36pm

Hello, Dolly!  Original production 78 times (Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Martha Raye, Betty Grable, Pearl Bailey, Phyllis Diller and Ethyl Merman).I've also seen national tours and regional productions about 80 times  

Updated On: 3/31/16 at 04:36 PM

[mormonsandglindas]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 4:40pm

Well unfortunately I've never seen shows on actual Broadway but I've seen a couple of the tours! I would love to see Wicked again because last time I saw it I was very disappointed with Glinda. Don't remember the actress's name but I just saw it in Costa Mesa a couple weeks ago. I also would love to see Book of Mormon again because it was amazing! I also saw the touring show in Costa Mesa just this past Sunday. ??

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 5:09pm

Hellob said: "I think some shows don't hold up on repeat. The magic is lost and the flaws are more apparent. BOM is a good example for me. I enjoyed it but the second time, I wasn't impressed. 

 

"

Funny it happened for you this way, as my first reaction to BOM was unimpressed, the second time I enjoyed it, the third time I liked it and the fourth time I loved it. Everyone is different and that is what makes this community really so interesting and flat-out cool. 

[Tom5]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 5:16pm

If money, time and geography were on my side there are plenty of shows I'd be seeing multiple times and many more shows I'd be able to see for a first time! Lucky are those here who have that freedom!

[mpkie]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 5:40pm

LizzieCurry said: "Also, which version of the show do you want me to memorize? There are many iterations!"

Personally, I would do the 10th anniversary concert version! That's the one I'm going for personally, as it's the one that made me fall in love with Les Mis. Definitely, definitely not the movie version.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 6:23pm

Today was my 60th time seeing the Broadway production of Phantom.  And I got to buy some prop notes as part of the Broadway Cares fundraising. 

[funhamilton_rent]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 6:30pm

Most of the time I see shows twice, it is because of a reason. For example:

I saw Annie (2012) a second time because I wanted to take a family member.

I saw Finding Neverland a second time because a group I am in was going to see it.

And the only other show I have (well actually have not yet, but I am) seen twice is Hamilton. This is for obvious reasons. I actually have tickets for 3 different dates, but I'm selling two because I was fortunate enough to get Tony day tickets, as opposed to the other ones in December.

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 6:59pm

Any show i really like i will go see multiple times. Also i now go to broadway every year to catch new shows and see them again locally in SF when they are part of subscription

Multiple viewsfor me include:

Sweeney Todd

My Fair lady

South Pacific

Book of Mormon

Aida

How to Succeed in Business

Wicked

Avenue Q

Les Mis

Phantom

Mamma mia

kinky Boots

A little Night Music

Chorus Line

Pippin

Gentlemans Guide