Your greatest theater experience.... — Page 3

musicaldirector - Mr. Daniels played Mr. Thomas's lover, Jed.

Thank you DGrant- just found my program!

OBC of Hairspray at the Neil Simon Theatre.

A few memories...
1. "Cats" at the Wintergarden-first Bway show
2. "The Who's Tommy"-1st national tour at the Colonial in Boston...shook the chandeliers...
3. OBC of Hairspray at the Neil Simon
4. and finally,my favorite moment.... although the show wasn't my fave, I saw "Millie" about 1 week after Sutton won the tony, and her rendition of "Gimmie Gimmie" was so strong, I don't think I breathed for the last 30 seconds and I leapt to my feet along with the audience as soon as the song was over.......

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Well, I would have to list a few ...

- The first time I saw Bernadette Peters on stage ... she was an unhealthy obsession for a while ... but seeing her recently in GYPSY is something I'll always remember.

- Sitting in my seat at the Palace Theatre ... NOT BELIEVING that I was sitting there watching Heather Headley perform that role. It was incredible.

- Sutton in MILLIE

- And most recently ... sitting at the O'Neill, watchin Tonya Pinkins give a new meaning to the phrase "a force of nature" ... tears streaming down my face after Lot's Wife as she grabs Anika tightly and then walks into that bright white light. It was a moment to always remember.

and I love broadway's!

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"The Boy From Oz=Hugh Jackman."

Most definitely... his entire performance, but seeing him get the standing ovation for "Once Before I Go" when I saw the show in preview gave me chills.

Another defining theatre moment for me was the privilege of seeing Yul Brynner in the revival of The King and I in the early 80's. I still get shivers thinking about the "Shall We Dance" scene, and the curtain call, when he strode out onto the stage very regal and imposing. People stood and clapped their hands off but no one cheered or anything. He stood there, looked at us with a serious look on his face, then smiled and raised up his hands -- as one, the audience erupted into cheers. *shiver*

This is a great question. For me I think there were two really defining theatre moments for me.

The first was the first time I heard Kevin Earley sing "Molasses to Rum" in the LA production of 1776 a few years ago. It was so beautiful and had so much power and emotion that I swear the entire theatre shook from all the intensity - it was incredible and made me a strong admirer of his talent till this day.

The second had to be seeing the LA Reprise! cast of "Assassins" in their one night concert performance last September. Harry Groener as Guiteau, Kevin Chamberlain as Byke, Annie Golden as Squeaky, David Burnham as Hinkley, Kevin Earley as Booth - it was just magical. Aside from the cast being such a stellar and fabulous bunch, the audience were theatre-goers who were already fans of the show and who fully emmersed themselves in the experience. I think it had to be one of my single best theatre experiences to date because there was such a connection between the audience and the performers that day. It was phenomenal.

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There are a few...

1) It all started with a production of Grease for me (I was very young then) but I discovered the 'world of musicals' because of Grease. I remember how much I enjoyed the show at that time and wanted to see more shows... seeing this production today would be a totally different experience obviously.

2) Definitely Cabaret at Studio 54!!! I remember seeing the show for the very first time and it just blew me away (in EVERY possible way).

3) A strange one but up to now, I think that the opening number of The Lion King is one of the most amazing numbers I have seen. I am not a fan of the show but I remember seeing Circle Of Life for the first time and thinking I was on a different planet. It was amazing.

There are more examples like a few performers that blew me away, closing nights, anniversaries I was lucky enough to attend but the list would be a bit too long, I guess :)

QM

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Definitely listening to Brian Stokes Mitchell sing
"The Impossible Dream" !!

When I saw Kristin Chenoweth's last show in Wicked. I never laughd and cried so much in my whole entire life. I also was sitting next to a lady who was crying when the music started. We kinda became friends but I still don't know her name. It was her first time seeing the show. (If you saw the show you'll know what I'm talking about) When Glinda sings "No One Mourns the Wicked" I pointed out to her Elphaba in the shadows in the background. I never saw anyone cry so much. She said her friend told her the plot but she didn't know she left out the suprise at the end. It was the greatest! I love when people have such a great time at a show. But when Kristin and Idina sang "For Good" Everyone in the theatre couldn't help but cry.

That was a day I will never forget

Updated On: 8/21/04 at 08:12 PM

WICKED - Idina Menzel, the score, the scenery, the costumes and the emotions! I've never felt so alive in a show! Both Defying Gravity and For Good left me speechless and in tears.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS - The final scene where the plant grows and towers over the audience. We all started clapping before the song was over (as did we do during Defying Gravity in Wicked). The sound built up as did the lights and all of a sudden it all went black! very very cool