Your BEST theater experience ....- Page 2

[Starlight]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 12:54pm

Well there really have been too many to count. My most recent is when I saw 42nd street last October (and March, and April...student tickets are too good to pass up!!!). From the moment the curtain rose during "Audition" to the very end I was on the edge of my seat with the biggest smile on my face. Yes, the acting was subpar...yes, it didn't have the best vocals...but the dancing captivated me. So now I'm in my mid-twenties and taking tap lessons. :)

[JakeB]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 1:41pm

I know this is controversial but I've seen about 300 shows and the one that stood out as being 'wow!' was the first act of JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA. The second act isn't very good but the first act was just hilarious, tears rolling down my face. Plus I went to an aftershow party too with the cast so it was doubley as fun.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 1:44pm

Pearl Bailey's final performance in the Broadway revival of her production of HELLO DOLLY!

[FFARLS]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 2:12pm

Has to be the closing night of Side Show. As far as electric, there was enough to light the whole city during any blackout.

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 2:41pm

1st- HAIRSPRAY!!!!
Close 2nd- Thoroughly Modern Millie

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 3:38pm

The BEST experience... I think is your favorite show with your favorite actors playing the part (obviously)... for me that would be-

Phantom (of course!) with Howard McGillin, I don't really have a favorite B'Way Christine but I guess Adrienne McEwan & Jim Weitzer as Raoul!

Posted: 9/29/03 at 5:44pm

Laurie Beechman in "Joseph..."
'nuff said

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 7:07pm

Rocky Horror. I have always been a fan of the show, so I had a boa on and everything. When Frank-n-Furter(James Stovall)got hit by the laser, he staggered over to me, grabbed my boa, and screamed "HELP ME, LITTLE BOY!" That topped the experience.

[DofB5]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 7:22pm

I forgot to say what mine was. I have a few–Have to say winning “Best Supporting Actress” for my work in a local production of “Evita” was a highlight but the best was the day I was walking across the street to go to “Fiddler” rehearsals when an older lady stopped me to ask for my autograph. She said she had seen me in POTO (which was playing in the theater next store). I told her, No, I was doing “Fiddler” but she wouldn’t believe me! I finely gave her my autograph and went on the stage door. I was at least an hour early.

After I signed in and was heading to “our” side of the theater, a guy was standing at the split giving me an “evil” eye. When I approached , he asked me why I was so late and that I had better get my you-know-what down into the rehearsal hall. I stammered an apology, stating I thought I was early and started down the hall. He stopped me and asked where I was going–I said to the “Fiddler” rehearsal .

Long story short–I must have looked an awful like someone in the POTO cast. I had a couple other mix-ups (the walls of the “green “room were a light tan). To this day I think I should have kept my big honest mouth shut and went down to the POTO rehearsal Ah well. My one brush with fame----

D

[Jaynrand]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 7:51pm

LOL DofB5.

So many to choose - but the latest would be the touring production of AIDA. Went on a Saturday afternoon because a friend had an extra ticket. I hadn't listened to the score, thought I was above it all. Standby Felicia R. Boswell was as Aida, Jeremy Kushnier was Radames, and Lisa Brescia was Amneris.

WHEWWWWWWWWWWW! They wiped up the floor with us. What a terrific orchestra...the sets were terrific, the songs well sung, and Felicia was a knockout!!

Went for a couple of drinks and walked back to the car - stopped in the middle of the street on an island at a light, there was a middle aged couple in front of us. I didn't want them to think we were robbers, so I made conversation...."Going to see AIDA?" The wife replied yes, had we seen it. Told her all about seeing that afternoon and loving it. They had two extra tickets and GAVE them to us to see it again!

Evening performance Paulette Ivory as Aida. She was very good, but she had a type of Jamaican accent that made her lose a LOT of the laughs that Felicia had gotten in the afternoon.

AIDA...twice in one day...and a future star in Felicia R. Boswell...Lisa and Jeremy were great as well.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 8:20pm

This is hard. I'm going to say Les Mis, because it was my first Broadway show and I had been watching my Tenth Anniversary Concert tape for years...and then I saw it live. It was incredible, and it was an added plus that my friend was in it so I got to see her as Young Cosette. I was like, nine or ten, and I remember getting the show program and thinking, "Whoa! Fantine's in a bed! Hey! They're not at mikes singing!"

Another one worth mentioning was seeing Bernadette live for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl. Since I had never seen her perform live before but had watched her on TV in so many things, this was a big deal to me. I was actually NERVOUS about it. How sad is that? She was one of the last to come on...I believe she performed in the second half (although the program said she was to perform in the first) so the whole time I sat there fidgeting, waiting for Bernadette. She came on and it took my breath away...sang "There is Nothing Like a Dame" and "Some Enchanted Evening" and that was it. I was in awe. But then we left and I overheard these two people talking..."I expected Bernadette Peters to be better." "Yeah, that was a little disappointing." So that ruined the night a bit. But Kathleen Battle, Randy Newman, and Bernadette Peters all in one night...not something I'm going to forget anytime soon.

[jo]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 9:28am

The incredible performance of Richard Kiley in a very spartan production of MAN OF LA MANCHA.

The first time I had seen LES MISERABLES -- the tableaux I had seen on stage ( the barricades ) reminded me of a similar event in our country's history.

The wonderful singing of Michael Ball and the rest of the main cast in the London and Broadway productions of ASPECTS OF LOVE.

And I am looking forward to experiencing something as memorable when I see Hugh Jackman's performance in THE BOY FROM OZ.


Jo

Posted: 9/30/03 at 9:58am

Tommyboy-- yes Laurie Beechman in basically ANYTHING!

[Sheri]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 2:43pm

Since I've only seen a handful of shows on Broadway I have to refer to my greatest moment in regional theatre:

The special one night only concert version of "Assassins" with Reprise! a few weeks ago. Anthony Crivello as Zangara, Patrick Cassidy, Annie Golden, and Lyn Greene reprising their roles from the original cast, Kevin Earley as Booth, David Burnham as Hinckley, and Kevin Chamberlin and Byck. It was an amazing night in theatre and one that I will remember for a long time to come!

[kec]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 3:30pm

Hmmm... On Broadway: Seeing Yul Brynner play the King in a early-mid 80's revival of The King and I -- 3 times!

Seeing Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz

In London: being "introduced" to Michael Ball in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang... loved the show, and have become a fan of the original stage Caractacus as well

Also, seeing Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson in Lady Windemere's Fan -- a night I will always remember, not only for their wonderful performances, but that was the night the Queen Mother died and the show started with a moment of silence.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 6:34pm

I've been lucky to have many great experiences at the theatre but I'll just list a few:

- The Friday night before Les Miz closed I went and sat in like the 6th row next to Donald Trump. Odd experience but he really got into it. Anyway, I had gone backstage before the show and I have such deep ties to that show that when the overture started (as well as many other points in the show)I had tears in my eyes. Standouts: Diana Kaarina-maybe the best Eponine...and I've seen a LOT of Eponines.
Randall Keith was a wonderful Valjean and delivered a masterful and heart-wrenching Bring Him Home

- I saw TMM recently for the first time and I list this because I just came out of that show feeling so darn good. And I don't care how many people complain that it's oversaid but Sutton Foster is an AMAZING performer and an incredibly sweet person. Also, Harriet Harris was unbelievable. I've always loved her on Frasier but she really got a chance to shine in TMM.

-On August 10th I went to see Nine. I had bought my ticket very far in advance so I had front row center. I must tell you that I don't often pay full price to see a show but this was worth every last penny of my $101.25. I'll just start off by saying that the show was astounding, it absolutely floored me. And Antonio has come a LONG WAY from Evita. And sitting in the front row at that show really gives you an incredible perspective. You can feel like you're part of the action. As if it wasn't good enough already, I was Chita's "name of the day" and she came over and shook my hand. Also, it was Antonio's birthday so Chita led the cast in Happy Birthday after the curtain call. I stage doored and got to meet Antonio, Jane and Laura (who was incredibly sweet and very willing to talk to fans and sign as many autographs as wanted) It was an all-around great experience.

[Princess MimiChica]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 9:00pm

one word. RENT. that's all there is to it! nothing else comes close.

[GottaGimmick]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 9:08pm

Well, it WAS "RENT" but then came a long "MAMMA MIA" a few weeks ago! incredible! loved it!

[robyn525600]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 9:14pm

1) Seeing the OBC of RENT
2) Seeing Raul Esparza as the emcee in CABARET
3) Seeing the final performance of THE CIVIL WAR on Broadway (love that show)

[PennyLou]

Posted: 9/30/03 at 11:22pm

My top 2 where the first 2 tomes I saw Hairspray I know it's kind of cheating cause it's the same show but the first time I saw the show it was the first show I had ever seen that I felt from the first drum beat to the last bow I was so into the show I sat on the edge of my seat with my elbows on my knees looking down form the 3rd to last row of the mezz just totally oblivious to anything other then the show. The theater could have been on fire and I woun't have had a clue. lol

The second time was Marissa's last show so it was just really cool being there for the emothing that was going on witht the cast members and everything and I was a lot closer for that show.

[Hank]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 12:52pm

Seeing Thoroughly Modern Millie on Thursday May 30,2002, and then watching the Tony awards the following Sunday. I had allready seen Mamma Mia and Urinetown and loved them both, then with all the hype about TMM at the nominations, and with a discount mailer, went to see this show and just went nuts.
"I wasn't looking, look what I found!"

[DontBetheBunny]

Posted: 10/1/03 at 1:41pm

I would have to say seeing Raul Esparza as the emcee in Cabaret. That was something I was looking forward to for months, I had loved him from other cast recordings (namely TTB and RHS) and was blown away by his performance and that whole show. Really wish I could have seen him a second time, but I'll have to settle for Adam Pascal!

Close second would have to be seeing Heather Headley in Aida. That was just gorgeous.

[Sally]

Posted: 10/2/03 at 1:02am

Phantom of the Opera a few years ago on New Year's Eve
The whole feeling on the street outside was electric. The cast was "on," and when it came time for the curtain calls, the Phantom (Davis Gaines), came out through the rest cast as usual, but on this occasion they pelted him with flower petals and confetti. The Phantom usually remains in character during the bows, but Gaines was wearing a party hat and glasses and a big smile instead of his usual solumn demeanor.

It wasn't so much the perfomance that made it "best," but the whole experience was a bit weird and very memorable.

Posted: 10/2/03 at 11:10am

I must say that I also enjoyed RENT. It has been bashed lately as but I found out I was positive right before seeing it the second time. WOW! What a rush of emotions. That alone makes it a moment of theater to remember.

[ShowTunes]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 7:28am

Hi y'all,

I'm a newbie from Denver... been seeing musical theatre out here for decades, so 90% of my experience is here. Still, my best theater experience was probably seeing Urinetown in NYC on Sept 22, 2001. Talk about an emotionally charged production! Quite by accident I had gotten the two center "balcony" seats, so my friend and I had the best seats in the house. Also, I got to meet most of the cast afterwards, esp. John Cullum, one of my all-time favorites and the first celebrity on my A-list that I've ever managed to meet. I also had a nice conversation with Jeff McCarthy. Oh, and it turned out that Daniel Marcus (Officer Barrel) knew my friend because she had attended the same Lamaze class with his wife.

BTW, saw the touring company out here a few weeks ago. Terrific!