Why do YOU love Broadway?

Something about live theatre is just so special. The fact that the actors are right in front of you, performing LIVE, and the thrill that anything could happen. And you're surrounded by people who appreciate theatre just like you, experiencing the same emotions and being moved by the same show. It is just so... genuine? Nothing's "fake" like the mainstream media nowadays. It tells a story with the actors right in front of you pouring their emotions out. I don't know, something about Broadway is just "special" and very different from anything else.

To me, that exhilarating feeling you get when the overture starts playing, or the curtain rises and you see the actors. It gives me such joy to know that I am partaking in this special experience. I get to witness a show that is unique and different. I get to see a show that differs from day to day, even with the slightest differences. I get to clearly see these actors' emotion and heart. I get to see them doing the career they love. I get to see them live. To me, knowing that these shows bring such happiness to people is enough. Listening to songs and watching shows and meeting your favorite actors is a special experience. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel uplifted. For that, Broadway is a unique experience.

Miles2Go2 said: "Wow. This is hard to put into words, but I'll try. Obviously, I can only speak for myself.

Theater (whether it be of the musical or straight play variety) is an art form. As such, at its best, theater is an interactive process between artist(s) and audience that attempts to reflect truths of the audiences' lives back to them in a way that resonates. Of course, some musicals/plays accomplish this better than others. And because we all attend musicals/plays with our own backstories, all shows are bound to resonate more with some over others. You see this every day on the message boards where some posters passionately post about their favorite show(s) while others have an equally passionate response in the other direction to the same shows.

As others have alluded to, there is something especially cathartic to viewing live theater in a room with hundreds of other people who are there for the same reason and experiencing those moments simultaneously with you. Of the art forms, live theater is special. Listening to recorded music, watching tv, seeing a movie at the cineplex, reading a book, or viewing a painting or sculpture are all capable of providing unique cathartic moments, but those art forms are static in they don't change although our reaction to them may change with years or increased exposure. The only art form I can think of other than live theater that reaches this intense interactive cathartic experience is a live music concert, but even those are two different animals. Rock concerts encourage us to be as outwardly interactive (within limits) as we want with the musicians while live theater encourages us to mostly be interactive in a internal way (other than spontaneous laughter and tears). In that way it requires us to be actively and internally engaged emotionally and intellectually with the artists. As a result of not outwardly showing (as much) my reaction, it forces me at least to interact at a deeper level, which allows the best art to pierce me deeply. In that way it includes the best elements of all the other art forms IMHO. I suppose you could say that performance art and immersive theater experiences could also be included here, but so far they don't mirror the experience I have sitting in a theater watching a live musical or straight play performance.

I'm not religious, but I suppose people attend live theater for some of the same reasons people attend places of worship. Namely, to seek a deeper way of understanding their lives and, more importantly, the lives of the people they share this planet with.

Sorry, this was so wordy and I hope it makes sense to someone besides me.



I just realized you asked specifically about Broadway theater. I would say all the above applies to Broadway, but in addition when I consider all the obstacles that have to be overcome, all the forces that have to align and how many people will never make it to that theater in New York City to see that specific play, I feel very honored and lucky to attend a Broadway show. It heightens the experience even more.

It is my escape from all the fake talent in the world. I love broadway because I know going in that I will receive a creme de la creme performance by the world's best actors, singers, dancers, and musicians. There is nothing else like live theatre and it really does bite you. It is hard to stop seeing shows. That is why I feel people love it so much. Once you go once, your bound to go again.

Miles2Go2 said: "I'm not religious, but I suppose people attend live theater for some of the same reasons people attend places of worship. Namely, to seek a deeper way of understanding their lives and, more importantly, the lives of the people they share this planet with. "



Thank you so much for this answer, Miles2Go2. I loved the question but had a hard time trying to condense my thoughts into a decent reply. However, this articulates the perfect Broadway experience for me, too. I go into shows hoping for that deep feeling of gaining some kind of new perspective, even though not every performance or show will always provide that, obviously. But it's such a powerful feeling when that happens. Sometimes I can obtain that at the movies, too, but I find that in those cases the feeling fades more easily over time, whereas those views that you've gained via live theater (or books, actually) stay with you longer.

I think some of the posts in this thread have astutely expressed why live theatre is so special. I attend a ton of theatre outside of Broadway, because there is a lot of exciting stuff to be found in in world of off-Broadway non-profits.

However, in the spirit of answering the question as it was phrased, here's why I enjoy BROADWAY specifically:

The way we document and remember Broadway shows is much more significant than how we treat off-Broadway. An off-Broadway show - even if it's good - can sort of happen and then disappear once its over. But if a show played on Broadway, no matter how insignificant its run may have been, it becomes a part of theatre history in a more tangible and traceable way. I'm not saying I necessarily agree with that practice of puting Broadway on a pedestal, but it's the reality of the situation. And I get the sense that seeing shows on Broadway is special, because I know I'm witnessing something that will always be a part of Broadway history.

Updated On: 8/19/17 at 07:25 PM

Thank you thank you THANK YOU to everyone who responded!! This is why I love getting on these chats boards. I'm so touched that you guys really thought about this question and took the time to answer. So much of what you said is exactly what I have been thinking but couldn't find the right way to say it. I agree with truly everything that has been said. Live theater/Broadway is so unique for so many reasons and I sincerely wake up every morning so grateful for the community of people surrounding it that still help it to thrive in our world where so many insignificant forms of "art" have taken center stage.

This definitely helped for my blog post, I might post a link later if any of you are interested! Thank you!!

I love Broadway, and theater in general, because it is such an immersive experience. Most of the Broadway theaters provide such an intimate setting that just draws you into believing whatever is going on onstage for even a short time. As we live in Boston we see mostly touring productions, playing to larger audiences, and most times the performances are still spectacular!!

Magic