What show(s) rekindle your love of theatre?

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)

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

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

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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.

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

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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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!

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A Chorus Line (not the revival)
Drowsy Chaperone

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^ 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?)

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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

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