Which top five shows have you seen that you would consider the most powerful, meaning at the end of the show you felt the most changed from when you entered the theatre. (Take the verb "changed" for what you will.) AND PLEASE DO NOT EXCLUDE STRAIGHT PLAYS OR PERFORMANCE ART!!
1) Aida (Original Broadway Cast) 2) Ragtime (Original Broadway Cast) 3) Les Miserables (2002 Broadway Cast) 4) West Side Story (Regional Production in Florida?) 5) Oliver (Regional Production in Raleigh, NC)
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Just those three for now, I think. Nothing else hits those heights for me.
ETA -- duh, I forgot Caroline, or Change.
I'm on the fence about whether or not to say AIDA. I love it dearly, and it ran away with my heart, but I'm not sure that it did so for me because it was powerful. Yeah, the love story is powerful, and I cried, and....
I can't put this in order, but: RENT Les Miserables Cabaret Movin' Out Jesus Christ Superstar
Q: What is the most weirdest or funniest thing a fan has asked you?
Joe Flanigan, Stargate Atlantis: When a fan asked me for help with his grammar. I'm available.
1. The Normal Heart 2. In the Continnum 3. Curse of the Starving Class 4. Angels In America 5. Dessa Rose/Color Purple 6. Violet 7. Caroline or Change 8. Hedwig 5 is not possible.
If I look at the word changed in different ways...
Rent- changed as in most moving and powerful, no day but today message. Les Miz- To love another person is to see the face of God, just deep and profound story. All Shook Up- changed my impression of jukebox musicals to something positive and wonderful. Spelling Bee- changed the way I look at my students when I teach. Everyone is unique and has their own issues and ways to deal. (well, I already knew that but the show reinforced the message) Wicked- changed my viewpoint of The Wizard of Oz story- not everything is as it seems, get the whole story first. Sweeney Todd- changed my mind about ever getting a haircut again.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
You mean the kind of show that leaves a knot in your throat and your face chapped with the salt of your tears?
In no particular order:
THE NORMAL HEART (2004 revival)
THE LARAMIE PROJECT (an outstanding college production in Toronto, 2005)
DEATH OF A SALESMAN (on the West End, with Dennehy and Claire Higgins)
INTO THE WOODS (silly, I know, but "No One Is Alone" hits a deep nerve in me)
KING LEAR (with Ian Holm, for the National Theatre)
BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner
HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."
CHICAGO - OBC SWEENEY TODD - OBC THE RINK - OBC CABARET - OBRC ELAINE STRITCH:AT LIBERTY - OBC
I must also mention: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? A Streetcar named Desire Look Homeward, Angel Dark of the Moon Master Class and Who's life is it anyway? as well as all the works of Shakespeare ...and MUST mention The Divine Glenda Jackson who made acting worth the while!
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Elizabeth Taylor