What show(s) rekindle your love of theatre?

[Junior]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:14pm

Ok. I'm feeling a bit overly sentimental. Have you ever seen a show that was just so wonderful and got you so involved in the magic that is theatre that it made you rediscover all over again why you love theatre so much? There are no wrong answers, It's just I had this experience the other day, and when I was telling my best friend about it, she had several examples of the same thing, so I was just wondering what shows other people had seen (on broadway, off, or off-off Broadway, past or present) that reminded them why they love theatre so much.

I'll go first, as an example:

Now it almost makes me ashamed to admit it (ALMOST) but I finally broke down and saw Hairspray the other day, and was so pleasantly surprised by how incredible the show was! Now don't get me wrong, I'd seen the John Waters movie, and of course I liked the OBCR, but I never expected the show to be more than a cute way to pass a few hours. In fact, I'd made fun of friends who had seen the show and went on for weeks about how good it was, but now I realize how wrong I was. I left that theatre on top of the world, I just couldn't stop smiling! Usually, regardless as to how good a show is or isn't, I'm ready for it to be over by the end (after DOING shows for so long I find it difficult to just WATCH them) but in this case, I was sad to see it end. It reminded me why I want to be a part of this business for the rest of my life.

Do I feel like a 12 year old fangirl? Yes.

Is Hairspray my favorite show? No.

Do I think it's high art? GOD no.

All I'm saying is that I had a GREAT time at this show, it definitely rekindled my love for theatre (even though I hadn't noticed it was dwindling) and the current cast and crew have a show to be proud of.

(Forgive me for being so sappy... Believe me, it doesn't happen often, so don't worry)

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:21pm

History Boys.

I did cry a bit as the curtain went up

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 8:24pm

Grey Gardens made me realize that there still are intelligent musicals around.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:12pm

Hairspray made me like "fun' musicals...one of the best
Bu i have a soft spot for Tarzan

[LaVieHilary]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:15pm

Beauty and the Beast-- it was my first show and it still makes me smile when i hear the music.

[cturtle]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:20pm

seeing A CHORUS LINE last week. i was bawling at the end thinking THIS IS WHAT MUSICAL THEATRE IS ALL ABOUT. i bawled when i saw my first b'way show TITANIC. last week i felt like my theatre experience had come full circle.

[geekgirl06]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:30pm

Oh my gosh, there are so many!

I guess my most recent moments are:

- two years ago I pretty much was bored with the musicals I was listening to and pretty much transfered to only listening to mainstream junk. Then I read in a magazine that they were making a movie of Rent, and I realized I hadn't heard it since '97. So I pulled it from my mom's collection and became addicted all over again.

- I eventually got sick of Rent after listening to nothing else for 6 months. I bought some new CRs, but nothing hooked. Then I read about a new musical called Wedding Singer and listened to the streaming tracks and LOVED it! I know, it's cheesy, but it definitely rekindled my love.

- Granted, when I got to college my love faded as I my hallmates were listening to mainstream. But then I was introduced to BWW and discovered Bare. I'd heard about, but when I listened to the 11 released tracks, my love was rekindled once again! Yeah, I'm a little behind, but oh well.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:33pm

Wel Les Mis was my 1st show so I kinda was a mess at the revival.

[lucydee]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:39pm

Sweeney Todd the revival
Done by John Doyle.
The connection between actor
and audience reminded me
of why I love theatre so much.

Updated On: 11/27/06 at 09:39 PM

[MotorTink]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:44pm

I too am with GeekGirl about RENT. I always liked theater, but When I saw Rent in 1999, I fell in love. Typical Renthead. That went on for a few years, and then real boys and teenage drama took over and kind of pushed my theater obsession aside. Then I saw the RENT movie, and everything was kicked into high gear again (even though I have qualms with the movie, it still resparked my passion). Rent lead to Wicked, then to Cabaret, then to....you get the picture. Now I have a huge cast recording selection again and spend my free money on tickets! I will still rate RENT as my all time favorite and it will hold a dear spot in my heart, but I now "obsess" on other shows in the same way.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 9:59pm

Well, The Phantom of the Opera was the first professional show I ever saw (in Toronto, class trip, 6th grade), so whenever I see it I get that "theatre is magic" vibe, especially during the overture.

[moulinrougehk]

Posted: 11/27/06 at 10:35pm

Chicago+The Producers. Forced me to watch back all classics.

[Julian2]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 12:28am

Well, when I was younger I enjoyed all the classics, the 90's Disney, R&H, My Fair Lady. I never stopped liking musicals, but when I got into High School I was finally able to really learn about them. After I finally got to see CATS, I was obsessed with that for a while. And my first B-way Cd since my childhood Oklahoma! movie soundtrack was Wicked, because that was a show the reigning theatre queen at school talked about a lot. The two most maligned shows on this board, I know. But I still love them and from that base have grown into a very educated theatre lover who knows who Sondheim is, can appriciate Grey Gardens, and looks down upon those who do not.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:01am

The most recent show that has rekindled my love of theatre is Grey Gardens. It brought me back into the world of the integrated musical. I cried at various points throughout the show. Anyone who hasn't seen this show but calls themselves a theatre person must go out and buy a ticket. I find the piece incredibly moving and I am sure you will too.
-BJH

[StageManager2]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:25am

It was DROWSY CHAPERONE for me. I saw it for the first time over two weeks ago. Someone had insisted I watch it -- or our friendship was over. So, I went grudgingly. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! It's clever, witty, and hilarious. I had never laughed so much during a show. Furthermore, I could very well relate to the Man in Chair. I didn't want the experience to end. I hope to see it again.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:45am

Beauty and the Beast
The Producers
42nd Street

Posted: 11/28/06 at 3:07am

The Phantom of the Opera, which started it all for me in middle school.

Rent, when I was in high school and trying to decide if I wanted to apply as a playwriting major or something more practical.

A Class Act, one of the first shows I saw after I went for the playwriting major and moved to New York for college.

Summer Of '42, which made me say $#)(*# spectacle, I want to write a small, moving, funny, beautiful show with gorgeous music.

Title Of Show, which I discovered while writing/producing my first musical and was freaking out over all the minutae involved with it.

[luvtheatre11]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 6:44am

I agree with the comments about Grey Gardens..what an incredible show. It brought out so many emotions.. I saw it on Nov. 11. The audience was on their feet cheering at the end. Ebersole had to come out 3X.. she was truly amazing.

[SeptemberKel]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 7:28am

For me, there seems to be one show each year that reminds me why I love theater so much. For the most part, the new shows offered each season are more lacking than they are inspiring.

Most recently, last year, it was Sweeney Todd. I've never felt so connected with the stage (as an audience member) in my life. This year, it's Grey Gardens. I was absolutely captivated, and I left feeling as though I had just been revived. Love it!

[RentHead2]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 8:29am

To be completely honest: I have sat through many many many musicals now and I have always felt "bored" at some points in shows and I always felt like some shows were very stuffy. And the one show that had me smiling all the way through and the show I had the most fun at would be The Wedding Singer. I honestly sat there for a little over 2 hours with a smile on my face. I know we all want to be touched when we watch a musical, but sometimes I just want to have fun. And the Wedding Singer is the fun show.

Also - Grey Gardens really touched me. There are some shows that really get to your heart and Grey Gardens was that show. I mean I cried, laughed, and even felt haunted for days after I left that theatre. That really was a great theatre experience.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 9:07am

A Chorus Line (not the revival)
Drowsy Chaperone

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:03am

My answer is a bit more complicated. Other than seeing shows live, my love can be rekindled when I listen to certain cast recordings. The other night I put in the Ragtime concept recording (not the OBC) while I was doing some chores, and I became totally overwhelmed once again by the power and beauty of the music. When "Make Them Hear You" came on, I realized that I was all choked up while mopping. The same happens when I listen to The Secret Garden and Parade or classics like Carousel and South Pacific. When I listen to recordings like these that have been of the shelf for a while for whatever reason, they always brings back the magic.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 10:13am

^ I'm the same way. The other day, I found my Grand Hotel OBC and listened to it...and it's so amazing because you almost forget the granduer of the music.

As for shows themselves, and I hate to say this, but The Phantom of the Opera sort of awed me in every aspect. Not like it's the best show ever, but I'd never seen it live before so I was sitting there with my mouth wide open during a few parts.

Really though, the show that does it for me is Cabaret (but that's stating the obvious, eh?)

[avab802]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:48pm

I get choked up every time I listen to Ragtime. I saw the OBC in 1998 all by myself from the very last row of the balcony, because the RENThead friends I was visiting NYC with just wanted to see RENT 525600 times and no one would come to Ragtime with me. I was absolutely bawling by the end, and the music still makes me cry.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/28/06 at 2:53pm

Only recently:

A CHORUS LINE
THE COAST OF UTOPIA: VOYAGE
GREY GARDENS
JAY JOHNSON: THE TWO AND ONLY!
AWAKE AND SING
BRIDGE & TUNNEL
FAITH HEALER
THE HISTORY BOYS
THE PAJAMA GAME
SWEENEY TODD
BILLY CRYSTAL: 700 SUNDAYS
DOUBT
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA