Your BEST theater experience .... — Page 2

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.

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

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!

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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.

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

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.

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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.

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.