Isn't it a bit interesting that everyone wants to go back just a tiny bit of time? No one wants to see an original Shakespeare? Importance of Being Earnest original cast with Oscar in the house?!
and oooh I like someone's point about there being no time limits, I want to see the original production of Oedipus Rex, back in ancient greece. Love greek theatre.
Of course, it'd be in Greek. But I think your premise is really interesting...I was musing at some of the posts for which all the shows were in the past decade or so, going back a whole 80 years in my thinking. But, what about the original Shakespeare, per Haterobics, or (stretching) the original production of Swan Lake, or The Cherry Orchard (with supertitles????).
Jarethan said: "Rainah said: "Hamilton at the public
Next to Normal obc
and oooh I like someone's point about there being no time limits, I want to see the original production of Oedipus Rex, back in ancient greece. Love greek theatre.
Of course, it'd be in Greek. But I think your premise is really interesting...I was musing at some of the posts for which all the shows were in the past decade or so, going back a whole 80 years in my thinking. But, what about the original Shakespeare, per Haterobics, or (stretching) the original production of Swan Lake, or The Cherry Orchard (with supertitles????)."
Oh yes, but I know the text well enough to be able to follow along. Mostly just to see the staging, the concepts used... a lot of greek theatre is kinda piecing together was it was like from the records we have, actually seeing a production (Even in a language I don't understand) would provide so much valuable information
This is one of the hardest of these questions ever!
I would love, love, love to see the original production (and cast) or Follies.
I would be fascinated to see Liza Minnelli go on as a vacation replacement in the original production of Chicago.
And the original Dreamgirls.
(If I went with plays, it would be the original Torch Song Trilogy, the OBC of Angels in America, and Uta Hagen/Arthur Hill and a young George Grizzard in Virginia Woolf)
If I could relive one night I spent at the theater, I'd go back to Sondheim's 80th birthday concert at Lincoln Center. Hearing that enormous chorus and watching them stream into the theater singing "Sunday" is an all time highlight.
1) Next to Normal OBC (its tied with Fun Home as my favorite show of all time and I would have loved to see it with the original cast, or see it live at all honestly) 2) Spring Awakening OBC (this was the show that really got me into musicals back when I was in middle school and being able to see it with the OBC would be a dream come true. I had the opportunity the see a college theatre group perform it and let me just say their Moritz was absolutely positively incredible. I would have loved to see John Gallagher Jr in that role, particularly since that is my favorite character from the show.) 3) Fun Home OBC (I saw Fun Home with most of the OBC, the only OBC members that werent there were Syndey Lucas and Emily Skeggs. I absolutely adored the performances by Lauren Patten and Gabbie Pizzolo, but I would have also liked to see Sydney Lucas and Emily Skeggs. Again, not because I didnt enjoy the performers I did see who were both absolutely wonderful, but just because I love the show so much that Id love to see it with any/all cast members just to see how different performers interpret things differently.)
maryy_r0se said: "1) Next to Normal OBC (its tied with Fun Home as my favorite show of all time and I would have loved to see it with the original cast, or see it live at all honestly) 2) Spring Awakening OBC (this was the show that really got me into musicals back when I was in middle school and being able to see it with the OBC would be a dream come true. I had the opportunity the see a college theatre group perform it and let me just say their Moritz was absolutely positively incredible. I would have loved to see John Gallagher Jr in that role, particularly since that is my favorite character from the show.) 3) Fun Home OBC (I saw Fun Home with most of the OBC, the only OBC members that werent there were Syndey Lucas and Emily Skeggs. I absolutely adored the performances by Lauren Patten and Gabbie Pizzolo, but I would have also liked to see Sydney Lucas and Emily Skeggs. Again, not because I didnt enjoy the performers I did see who were both absolutely wonderful, but just because I love the show so much that Id love to see it with any/all cast members just to see how different performers interpret things differently.)"
This is tough since I’m not so knowledgeable on great shows from the past with great cast or the most memorable moments. I guess if I had to pick three I’d choose:
1) Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 in its final weeks - a missed opportunity I’ll never get back.
2) Hamilton - Opening Night OBC at the Richard Rodgers Theatre
I saw the 2013 production of Einstein and it was absolutely fabulous. They did a very nice taping of it that you can watch on Youtube that, while obviously not being the same as seeing it in real life, is extremely well done.
Anyways:
-Roar of the Greasepaint, which I don't think has ever had a revival. I've never been able to read the book for it, but I love the concept, and the score is, obviously, great. I'd love to see this come back, but it's hard to imagine topping Newley and Ritchard
-The Life And Times Of Joseph Stalin, which wasn't Broadway but is something I would give one of my kidneys to have seen (see also: United States Live and the full 24 hours of Taylor Mac's History of Popular Music)
-1600 Pennsylvania Ave. I've listened to the soundboard recording endlessly, and from what I've heard the actual production was fairly barebones (evidence supported by the scant photos I've been able to find), but it would be a huge thrill to see and hear it live
OBC Follies, Chicago, and Evita all get runner-up, as well as the original production of Hellzapoppin, early-previews Merrily, and the Streep/Julia Taming of the Shrew, which is so tantalizingly glimpsed in Kiss Me, Petruchio.
Oh, and the '74 Candide. And the OBC of Nine! And...and...