To listen to the cast recording or not

[rangersrule132]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:36pm

I know most people on this division board see most of the Broadway shows prior to the OBCR being made for most shows. As someone who has stood by not listening to anything from any show I see prior to seeing it I wondered were other people stood in regards to this question. The reason why I ask is because I have been going back and forth with my friend about if I should listen to Hamilton before seeing it. Now I don't want this to turn into a Hamilton thread just because I mentioned it but I do want to know what you guys ten to do prior to seeing a show. So to listen or not to listen 

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:39pm

I'm usually split on the issue.

Sometimes I'll go in blind because I really want to see it regardless, and sometimes I'll listen to the cast recording because that may be the contingency on which I go see the show

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:45pm

With Hamilton, I would listen to the recording first. Much of the rap happens quite fast and you can miss important things easily. At least being familiar with the score could be beneficial when seeing the show. 

[nicnyc]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 7:54pm

I understand both sides of this argument - butI think with Hamilton it absolutely makes sense to listen to it beforehand.  It is quite literally 20k+ words - and as good as the diction is throughout - it is impossible to catch everything in the first viewing so I think you'll enjoy it more and be able to appreciate its' intricacies more fully being familiar prior to seeing it. I know I enjoyed it even more when I saw it again after the recording came out - and I truly  loved it the first time at The Public when I knew nothing - but it is so unbelievably rich and dense, it really warrants it.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:04pm

I used to prefer going in blind , but after listening to a cast recording multiple times I'm usually yearning to see the show again , which isn't usually possible for me anymore.

My recommendation would be listen to the OBCR first if you are only going to see the show once. If you're going to get a chance to see the show a second time, go in blind (or deaf?) - enjoy!

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:12pm

I always listen first. I have to pick and choose what I see and I don't have the luxury to take a bet on something I might not enjoy the music of (since the music in any musical is the number one most important facet for me).

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:12pm

For Hamilton, I was happy to have listened to the cast recording ahead of time. To echo what other posters mentioned, the lyrics are so intricate that it would be incredibly difficult to fully appreciate them on a first listen.

For most other shows, I prefer to go in having never heard the score. However, after seeing The Color Purple for the first time a few weeks ago and not being able to understand much of what was being sung and spoken due to an issue with what I assume was the sound mixing, I will be listening to the albums for the next few shows I see out of paranoia, haha.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:18pm

We generally see the show before the cast album. It being released before we see it is rather rare these days. I do not think it matters one way or the other.

[rangersrule132]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:24pm

Mr Roxy said: "We generally see the show before the cast album. It being released before we see it is rather rare these days. I do not think it matters one way or the other.

 

"

I guess I mean in the sense of it having that wow factor. I had someone force fun home songs down my throat in a car ride and then it kind of ruined the emotion, the intensity because all I kept on thinking about was oh I know this and oh I know that. I felt as if it really took away from my experience when I saw the show.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:27pm

rangersrule132 said: "I guess I mean in the sense of it having that wow factor. I had someone force fun home songs down my throat in a car ride and then it kind of ruined the emotion, the intensity because all I kept on thinking about was oh I know this and oh I know that. I felt as if it really took away from my experience when I saw the show."

It sounds like you may have already answered this question for yourself then based upon your past experience. You know yourself better than anyone posting here with their own opinions.

 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:27pm

Well then I guess you've answered your own question?

Do what works for you.

[rangersrule132]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:50pm

It was more of a what do you guys do type of thing but yeah I did kinda answer my own question 

[sarahb22]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:32pm

Another good reason to listen to the Hamilton cast album is: some stuff happens in the second act that's very heavy and could be a trigger, depending on your life experiences.  It gets VERY sad, and if you've gone through something similar and aren't prepared, it could be crushing.  At least read the show synopsis, so you're prepared, but I would also recommend listening to the OBC because as has been said, some of the songs go VERY fast and it can be frustrating if you're not familiar with the words.

[Dave13]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:38pm

I go in blind. I really don't want to ruin it. I want to be surprised.  I also don't buy the recording for every show. Typically if I enjoy the show. I will buy the recording and see the show a second time.  The recording usually holds me over until I can see it again.  

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:48pm

I normally say don't listen, but with Hamilton, I would actually say listening may be better. The density of the non-stop lyrics is sort of a lot to take in, and while it is enjoyable, this is also not a show where if you really like it, you can just go again next week. So, the cast recording as a foundation will probably help you appreciate the acting and the movement, and free you up to to have a richer experience. That said, when I saw it at the Public, before there was a OBCR, I thought it was amazing. But when the cast recording did come out, it was almost a completely new experience, since I wasn't really able to process all of the lyrics that quickly in real-time, since it was a bit of a sensory overload, albeit a delightful one.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:49pm

With the CD playing and the Hamiltome in hand...undisturbed with a nice glass of wine...is how I lost myself in Hamilton. I may not see it for several months, but I'm prepared and ready. For this show, I'm glad I made myself familiar with the material before seeing the production.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:58pm

How soon are you seeing Hamilton? At this point you've already successfully avoided the recording for eight months, if you're going to be seeing it soon I would just hold out and go in fresh.

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 10:23pm

I first saw Hamilton last November and I had just started listening to the cast recording about one week prior.  I normally wouldn't, but i knew this show was different than most.  So I went into the theatre familiar with the first few songs and having listened to entire recording a couple of times.  It was enough to get me excited for what I was going to see when those first chords played out at the beginning.

Since then I have listened to it pretty much every day.  I'm obsessive about it.   I'm going to see it for the 2nd time in a couple of weeks.  This time I will be able to lip sync every word of every song (don't worry I won't actually do it).  So its going to be an entirely different experience for me and I can't wait.

In short, listen to it before you go.  The thrill of knowing the opening number alone will be worth it!

Enjoy the show!!

[nolanativeny]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 8:36am

So it took me a while to get through act one of Hamilton on the cast recording because I kept going back and listening to certain songs over and over (mostly Satisfied, I think I've listened to that one about 100 times alone), and I for some reason just never moved to act two. In my mind I told myself I would listen to act two if I didn't win the lottery by the end of the spring semester, and I didn't. BUT the surprise release of all those cancelled tickets happened literally the night of my last day of the semester and I managed to get a ticket for a performance in November! Woohoo! 

 

But now I'm wondering, if I've managed to hold off on act two for this long, should I just stick it out for 6 more months? I think I can, but just wondering if there's really intricate stuff in act two that I might miss. I literally know almost nothing about act two.

Updated On: 6/2/16 at 08:36 AM

[bwayandstuff]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 8:42am

Usually, I'm anti-listening to the OBCR before seeing whatever show. But, like many of the people above said, Hamilton was my exception to this rule. I put it off for a while and then finally gave in. I'm so glad I did though because I know I would have missed a lot just because of how fast-paced everything is.

I would say listen to Act 2! There are definitely some jokes and little details that might get missed if you don't know what's being said.

Updated On: 6/2/16 at 08:42 AM

[A Canadian in NYC]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 2:12pm

nolanativeny said: "So it took me a while to get through act one of Hamilton on the cast recording because I kept going back and listening to certain songs over and over (mostly Satisfied, I think I've listened to that one about 100 times alone), and I for some reason just never moved to act two. In my mind I told myself I would listen to act two if I didn't win the lottery by the end of the spring semester, and I didn't. BUT the surprise release of all those cancelled tickets happened literally the night of my last day of the semester and I managed to get a ticket for a performance in November! Woohoo! 

 

But now I'm wondering, if I've managed to hold off on act two for this long, should I just stick it out for 6 more months? I think I can, but just wondering if there's really intricate stuff in act two that I might miss. I literally know almost nothing about act two.

 

"I would listen to it.  I was the same as you - I knew Act 1 really well because i was just re-starting back to the beginning every time I was in the car etc...  so I knew the first few songs really well, and basically none of the last songs..hahaha.   

Since then Act 2 has long become my favourite.  So many emotions play out.  Its simply amazing.  IDK - I see the merits of both, but if I were you, I'd listen to it a couple of times.  Just to be familiar.  or don't..... lol... its a hard call.

 

[MyLife]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 2:27pm

With Hamilton, it would be ideal to see it blindly, listen to the recording over and over, and then see it again. I know that's not possible now in most cases (ticket availability, price, etc.) but it was perfect for seeing it at the public when there wasn't a cast recording yet and then seeing it on Broadway after the recording came out. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 2:30pm

For me, it's always blind..except in this case. Hamilton (like Matilda) have a tremendous amount of words that I totally missed first time out. In the case of Matilda,, I enjoyed seeing the show much more AFTER I listening to the recording (more than once) so I had a better idea of what was going on and I didn't spend half the show saying, "what did they say??".

I'm sure I would have a better experience seeing Hamilton again than I did the first time. Not that I didn't like it first time out....but I missed so much of it. Hopefully someday when lines and prices get more reasonable, I will get the opportunity to see it again.

Posted: 6/2/16 at 2:35pm

If I have the chance, I always listen to the recording prior to seeing a show. I just like to be familiar with the music because often times you enjoy songs more after listening to them a few times, and I want to maximize my enjoyment at the performance. Also, the more you know about a show's music, the more you can take in the experience of seeing it in general.

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/2/16 at 3:12pm

I guess I'm in the minority but I am so glad I saw Hamilton fresh without listening to the cast recording. (That's generally my preference for any show.) Granted I saw it at the Public so it was a smaller space, but I didn't have any trouble understanding. I also took my mom and dad during previews before the OBCR was available. They may have missed a few words here and there but it's not like they didn't know what was going on. My mom ended up sitting with the OBCR and the booklet to figure out the words but I don't think it hurt her that she did that after she saw the show. 

 

I just love going in fresh. In fact, when I really like a show, I get sad at the end thinking I'll never be able to experience it for the first time again. Missing a few words is worth that for me.