Who are those who see shows multiple times, and how?? — Page 4

Idk. we just do. I've seen Mamma Mia! 27 times...

I've seen Les Mis 60+ times. I used to have to drive back and forth between Massachusetts and Washington DC whenever I went home on break from school, so if the tour was on the way I'd stop and see it. And then I saw the revival an embarrassing number of times, taking the Greyhound up from DC in the morning and back overnight.

Yeah, I still live with my parents. They don't pay for my tickets, it's just easier to buy them because I don't have bills to pay. Student rush, discount codes, the occasional splurge on a $110 front orch ticket... I figure I'll hit the real world soon enough, so I might as well enjoy myself while I'm still living rent-free.

As for why, some people are just obsessive.

I've seen a lot of shows multiple times through rushes and lottos. I think the most I've paid was $65 for Drowsy's last show, at TKTS. My rational (to my parents, when they ask how I can see so many shows) is that plenty of kids spend $25 a week on alcohol or drugs, and I'm spending it on a Broadway show.

And if we're giving examples of people who've seen shows in extreme amounts, like the woman who goes to Spring Awakening, there's a guy who's approaching 1200 shows of Rent. He's been going since 1996. They let him up onstage during curtain call for his 1000th show.

I am an amateur compared to Joanne.

I have seen Les Mis 20+ times, My current favorite is Mamma Mia which I have seen about 10 times and am going again next weekend. It's just pure fun. I usually get tickets at Playbill or Broadway Box. I figure I work hard why not do what I enjoy.

"Apparently, the story is that she has some inheritance"

And apparently, no friends.

This is an interesting thread, because many of us wonder. But if you go back to the thread about which shows everyone's seen this year, you'll notice that the folks who give Wicked or SA so much repeat business usually don't get to see that many other productions. I can understand seeing something more than once, though I've only done it with SA, Hairspray, Pillowman and now Seafarer--and usually to introduce someone else to a show I find fascinating or uplifting. It does seem to me that a lot of these people are willing to sacrifice a chance to see something new, which may or may not move them, in favor of visiting a trusted, old friend that they know will make them feel good. A little bit of addiction here, but there's a lot worse things to be addicted to--if you can afford it financially, that is. But what else are you missing in the meantime? is the question that would bother me personally....

I can understand seeing something more than once, though I've only done it with SA, Hairspray, Pillowman and now Seafarer--and usually to introduce someone else to a show I find fascinating or uplifting. It does seem to me that a lot of these people are willing to sacrifice a chance to see something new, which may or may not move them, in favor of visiting a trusted, old friend that they know will make them feel good. A little bit of addiction here, but there's a lot worse things to be addicted to--if you can afford it financially, that is. But what else are you missing in the meantime? is the question that would bother me personally....

I understand what you're saying. I don't get to NYC very often, so whenever I do go I want to see POTO. However, I have a long list of new shows I want to take in. What I see usually depends on who I'm with - if the person has already seen or has no interest in seeing POTO, then it's off the list. If they're open to seeing it, or I go alone, then that's the first place I'm going to. I'm very opportunistic when it comes to seeing my favorite show, and I am the first to admit that I'm addicted to it, but at the same time try to balance that with new experiences. I have season tickets to the Kennedy Center, so I'm looking forward to the shows I'll be seeing there.

Oy.

My record is twice (Phantom & Miss Saigon). I feel like such a novice now.

I guess my problem is I have an EXTREMELY LOW boredom threshold. I was planning to see Miss Saigon for a third time (specifically to see Matinee Kim) but I backed out at the last minute and gave the tickets to my parents (which thrilled them) because I knew I'd just couldn't go through with it. Twice was plenty. And I realised I was repelled at the idea of seeing it thrice.

On the bright side, giving those tickets to my parents gave them the theatre bug! So I did a bit of good there!

I will admit I live in an area that tickets to the shows are just expensive period. The one place that does discounted codes to my knowledge (Half-Tix) just doesn't get alot of musicals. So as much as I'd love to see multiple shows, I have to be careful with the costs (and since the price between the good seats and the nose-bleeds here are just not that radically different either - I might as well pay that little bit extra).

I do the cheap food though. My big tip is that I have discovered those side alley resturants in any Chinatown (regardless of city) tend to be both super cheap and super generous in their proportions. More delicious then a Big Mac anyway!

I'd love to have the money like that Joanne though. Of course I'd see a different show every night as opposed to the same one (I just cannot imagine anybody even doing that - I mean in my mind your favorite show would turn into some version of water torture).

My record is (and will forever be, I can't imagine even approaching it) held by Les Mis - which I've seen 45 times.

That sounds staggering but some factors make it not so bad. I like to think. Because the number is embarassing.

1. I started in 1988
2. It was my mother's favorite show to see so she used to take me a lot.
3. 16 of those were from one time when I ushered for a tour stop in NC (I almost died from Les Mis overload, never again)
4. Does anybody else remember those 15 dollar tickets in the Imperial? When I was 18 - I was OBSESSED with the 1998-99 Les Mis cast (they were great) and I went all the time, part of the mezz was only 15 bucks!

There is no way anything else can approach that number - 45 is a lot but spread out over 20 years... not so bad.

I do tend to see things I enjoy a few times, but....not THAT much.

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Updated On: 1/11/08 at 11:23 AM

^Yeah, but you can easily flick over or fastward half the stuff in a DVD or CD which does help ALOT.

Every once in a while I'll see a show twice, but it has to really get to me to make me go any more than that. The most I've seen one show is 10 times.

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Aren't there some Rentheads who have seen the show 100+ times.

It happens with other shows, too. Rentheads aren't the only crazy fans.

I've done it. I swore I would never be "one of those people," but I found a show that hit me like a ton of bricks, and I was powerless to keep that oath. And although I will never, ever do it again, I have absolutely no regrets. I also think it's one thing to see a show several times over an extended period. For example, excluding Adam and Anthony's return this summer, I usually re-visit Rent once a year. And that adds up. But, needless to say, without student rush, it's not something I'd be able to have the luxury of doing.

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