Your Strongest Memories of Your First Broadway Show

[Flippancy]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:11pm

There recently was a thread along the lines of "who did you see in a show before they were stars?" Got me to thinking...what did I really remember about the first B'way show I ever saw...what stood out to me, all these years later?

My first Broadway show was THE WIZ circa 1976. I was in town with my parents -- my first trip -- as my Dad was attending a convention at the Americana (long since turned into something else, I think). One afternoon, my Mom and I got tix at the TKTS booth for THE WIZ.

I remember the cyclorama lighting for the Kansas scenes -- kind of rainbow-y effect. I remember that Toto was a white scottish terrier. I remember Tasha Thomas singing "The Feeling We Once Had". I remember that Stephanie Mills had a knee brace on.

I remember the Tornado sequence: dancers holding umbrellas blown inside out, while the lead dancer had a piece of material attached to her headdress that got wrapped and woven around the house -- and when it was unwrapped at the end of the number, Dorothy was in Munchkinland.

I remember all the munchkins sat on rolling stools with hoop skirts on. I remember Clarisse Taylor as "Addaperle" bringing down the house looking at the Wicked Witch of the East's legs sticking out from under the house: "Giiiiirl, I'da known her anywhere by those tacky pantyhose!"...or something like that.

I remember the Yellow Brick Road was 4 male dancers with sticks...and as Dorothy sang "As Soon As I Get Home", she wove in and out of them...a never-moving number.

Tiger Haynes tap-dancing as Tinman. Gregg Burge as Scarecrow. Mabel King as Evillene...and her large breasteses with eyeballs on them. The flying monkeys climbing on some galvanized set piece...not too much unlike the monkeys in WICKED (although WIZ monkeys weren't wired). Andre DeShields...in the "Ya'll Got It" number, the kicks on the offbeats after the first phrase of the verse, accentuated by the high-hat cymbal.

Stephanie Mills leaving the stage during "If You Believe", apparently because of a problem with her knee. She came back for the goodbye scene, and proceed to tear it down with "Home"...and the button to the whole show was the white scottish terrier Toto running out and jumping in her arms. BLACKOUT.

[My second B'way show was PIPPIN, the next night...and those memories are very different, thanks to Christopher Chadman and the male chorus of the show. Hoooah.]
Updated On: 8/23/06 at 02:11 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:16pm

Mine was Titanic.

I know I was just awestruck by the wonderful prologue. all those voices singing together with a great melody. I think I almost cried out of the beauty of the sound of those first 15 minutes, and it was at that point I knew that I wanted to be a stage actor.

then of course, the amazing hydrolics used in the climax with the sinking, it was a great spectacle and I was totally pulled into the whole production. I know many people make fun of the show, but being my first, it will always remain with me as a very special and life affirming event.

oh, and I had now idea who the actors were, but Victoria clark and Brian D'arcy James were my standouts from that show, and I followed them ever since.

Updated On: 8/23/06 at 02:16 PM

[singtopher]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:18pm

My first broadway show was the Revival of AGYG with Cyrstal Bernard. It was my first NY trip and my Uncle and I thought we had tickets to The Music Man that night, but they were for the next night so we went to TKTS and got the AGYG tickets. I remember thinking how small the theatre was because I am used to 3000 seat touring houses, and that people brought their shopping bags with them into the theatre.

The better story in The Music Man. The fly system broke after 76 trombones, and it stopped the show for 20 minutes.

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:22pm

The first Broadway show I saw was Cats in 1995. My strongest memories include:
-meeting an older man waiting in line who had seen the show over 20 times. He explained how much the show meant to him, his encounters with the cast and his hat that he was wearing that was decorated with "Cats" pins. I distinctly remember thinking that this show must have an affect on alot of people and wondering how you could see a show so many times. Granted, now that I've seen ST almost 10 times, I can see what he means.
-how much the cats scared me. At one point, they would climb around the audience and I remember being terrified at the idea that the cats would come and bring me on stage (for some weird reason!). Although my mother recalls that I loved the cats slimbing around, I have a different memory!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:25pm

I remember thinking how small the theatre was because I am used to 3000 seat touring houses

Same here!

My first Broadway show was Cats. We originally had tickets for the revival of The Sound of Music but it closed before we got there. I remember getting candy at a candy store beforehand and bringing it in. I remember sitting in the front row of the mezzanine and all the cats coming and dancing in front of us. Also, I remember during intermission going on to the stage and trying to get the cat to laugh.

[JACXR71]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:31pm

GYPSY - my first Broadway show was Cats in 1995 as well! My most vivid memory is being in awe of how they made the theater look like a trash-yard, and being so excited when one of the cats (the one who was the railroad cat, forget his name) came out in to the row we were sitting during the part where the cats come out into the audience...he stared right at me the entire time.

First show I saw was Phantom when it came to my hometown, I think it might have been 93 or 94, and I remember loving the "lake."

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:37pm

my first show was AIDA
my family couldnt get tickets to THE LION KING or BEAUTY AND THE BEAST so back in December of '03, my family, my aunt, grandma, cousin, and I saw AIDA since it was a Disney show and sounded good. we drove in from CT, and I just remember (it was my first time in NYC) what a big and mysterious place the city seemed like. it's funny to look back now and think how surreal it was for me.
but anyway, we went into the theatre, and looked at the merchandise, and bought a CD and program. then i remember going into the theatre, and we had seats towards the back of the orchestra. i dont remember too much of the performance, i loved it amazingly though, but i do remember these people in front of us who kept eating and it was very annoying. i loved the show very much, and remember clapping so hard at the end my hands were sore for days.
since then, the AIDA cd is still in our car, and is played frequently. this was a great show- it wasnt the show i got obsessed over Broadway by, but it was an amazing first experience, and will always hold a special spot in my heart.
:)

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:43pm

Although I'd seen other shows on tour, my first Broadway show was Beauty and the Beast...I honestly remember the entire thing...strong points though...

-Patrick Page as Lemieure.
-The Prologue.
-The Transformation.
-The title song.
-Be Our Guest
-The Forest.
-The Palace Theatre itself.
-Andrea McArdle as Belle (it was her third week).

I had a marvelous time. It was truly magical for a nine-year-old.

[bigbigbill]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:45pm

My first show was Les Miz. I remember sitting in the stage right box seats and watching my aunt cry during "On My Own." What a great show.

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:49pm

I remember my first show was BEAUTY AND THE BEAST when I was four. I have very hazy memories of it, but the most vivid memory I have was watching the fight scene between The Beast and Gaston. I recall the rain, and the castle exterior. Belle was standing there, watching the fight. Then, Gaston fell into the orchestra pit. Then the transformation. Just... wow Although that show didn't begin my love affair with theatre (That was PHANTOM OF THE OPERA five years later ), I remember just sitting there awestruck at the whole thing. I liked it so much that when we went into the city to see THE SOUND OF MUSIC revival, I kept asking if we could see BEAUTY AND THE BEAST afterwards. Seriously.

Updated On: 8/23/06 at 02:49 PM

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:57pm

Getting sprayed with blood during the original production of Sweeney Todd.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 2:58pm

yeah, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (the revival) began my obsession with theatre

now, im slightly leaving my theatre obsession and becoming more interested in other stuff

i have phases

:)

but theatre will always have a special place in my heart

anyhow...back on topic, sorry for the threadjack
:P

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:00pm

My first Broadway show was Wicked. The strongest memories I have of that day were not of the show, but the fact that we were late to the show. I remember being in a panicabout being late and missing the show. I was literally parying. And we were still late.


But for the show, my strongest memory is coming inot the actual theatre, seeing the stage, and just being awed.

Updated On: 8/23/06 at 03:00 PM

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:02pm

My first Broadway show was The Phantom of the Opera back in 1995, and I've always thought those "Remember Your First Time?" ads were funny because I really don't remember very much about it at all. I guess my strongest memories, then, would be my only ones. I remember just staring at the chandelier during the intermission. I also do remember all of Carlotta's parts--the people behind me were laughing at Carlotta a lot (which I now know is normal, but back then I was annoyed because I was so used to the OLCR, which makes Carlotta seem all but devoid of humor...hey, I was young). But I don't remember much else, I'm afraid.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:28pm

Annie - January 15, 1978.

I was mesmerized from the moment the overture began. I was also fascinated by how the set moved. Prior to any Broadway show I saw, all set pieces were moved by people, so to see them move automatically truly amazed me.

I loved, loved, loved that entire experience!!

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:37pm

My first show was the revival of Chicago.

My strongest memories aren't of the show itself. They are:

-waiting outside the theatre to get in with a large part of my mom's side of the family
-sitting in my seat in the orchestra with the sound/light/whatever behind me, so I wouldn't have to worry about people behind me
-the usher calling my cousin and I "princess" and getting us booster seats because we were short (and old for them. Hehe) and we were having a hard time seeing above the people in front of us

The show itself:

-the Hunyak's disappearing act
-Brent Barrett singing "All I Care About"
-"Cell Block Tango"

[philcrosby]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:41pm

My first on-Broadway show was APPLAUSE, starring Anne Baxter, who had replaced Lauren Bacall as Margo. We had amazing seats just a few rows from the stage, and even though I was foggy on who Anne Baxter was (I was 12) there was no question but that she was a STAR.

I completely remember the scene in the gay bar, as well as the flash of naked butts in the title number. (What can I say?)

Two weeks later I went back to Broadway to see COMPANY ... Larry Kert's understudy was on, and Jane Russell had replaced Stritch.

[DivaBrigader]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:53pm

My first Broadway show was "The Secret Garden" when I was 8. My mother decided it was time to get us kids some culture so she decided to take myself and my older cousin to that musical because we'd both read the book by that time, it seemed good for little girls and my mom loves Mandy Patinkin. We got there and either Mandy was out and his understudy was on or he had left the cast already (this was December 1991). One of my most vivid memories is that the stage had this floral design framing it and I asked my mother if that was part of the theatre itself or if it was just for this show. I also remember that my cousin was 11, the same age as Daisy Eagan, and we were in absolute awe that someone in our age group was singing on Broadway! It totally got me into musical theatre. Ooooh, coincidentally, my grandparents had seen it the Tuesday before and also loved it but I think they saw Kimberly Mahon (Daisy's alternate). Oh, and my cousin leaned over when Colin started to sing and whispered that she wondered if he'd have a career after his voice changed. Good times!

[RentHead2]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 3:54pm

I am very very proud to say my first show was RENT in 1996 with the majority of the original broadway cast being in it. I never thought I would be listening to the soundtrack for the next 10 years like I have. Even thought it is not the best show I have ever seen (comes close), I hold it near and dear to the heart.

[singtopher]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 7:25pm

Diva-

My first show was Secret Garden as well. (when I was 8!) It was the tour.

[Katecab99]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 7:43pm

my first show was "cats" when i was 10. it was a school field trip and all i remember is being floored. my mom came on the trip with my class and said that at intermission i looked at her and said "i want to be one of them!"...

and that want has continued for the past 14 years!

[smiles]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 7:51pm

My first (and last sadly) braodway show was Wicked (last year). I've been to a few regional musicals and I see literly everything local, but my first actual "broadway" show was Wicked.

It was our grade 12 trip... May 17th 2005. we spent the day shopping, ate in china town.... the day was quite possibly one of the best days of my meager existance (yes I'm a small-town musical theatre geek).
I remember the exact feeling I had when The show started. Musicals are my life, (granted, haven't seen very many of them because I live too far away to travel and local stuff doesn't happen too frequently in my town). That feeling of pure bliss. I wish I could describe that feeling.

[rose_pearl]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 9:02pm

I was three years old and was unknowingly developing Scarlett Fever. All I knew was that there were people dressed as Cats in my face, and I didn't like it. Scared the crap out of me. It could be why I hate Cats today.

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 9:47pm

A shirtless Dan LoBuono during All That Jazz.

Terra MacLeod's fabulous dancing.

Charlotte D'Amboise's "Roxie" speech.

Wayne Brady. Just... Wayne Brady.

All the black fishnets.

My first Broadway show was Chicago in 2004.

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 8/23/06 at 9:49pm

My first was Guys and Dolls in the early 90s. All I would do was sing that music over and over agian.