what do you love about theatre?

Maybe a dumb question, but was just wondering what it is about theatre that draws us all in? Is it the stories? The music? or something more......

For me I guess its simply that I thoroughly enjoy watching talented people. We don't live in NY but attend regional theatre in Seattle quit often. Broadway is the best of the best and I think has some of the, if not the most talented people in the world. Whether I enjoy a production overall or not, I can always enjoy someones performance or take away something from every show. Plus the fact that I have zero talent so seeing talented people amazes me. :)

Music with a story makes for beauty.

The theatre is a place where I don't have to feel ashamed to be myself.

Grittiness, unpredictability, audacity, relentlessness, and the rare occasions where the performance can transport you to the truth of emotions.

Everyone can do it. Not everyone has the means to make their own movie. Not everyone can write their own novel and publish it. Anyone who has the drive can get together their friends and colleagues and put on a show they can be proud of.

After immersing myself in theater this year, I noticed it's a little bit of everything. Looking at details in the set, watching actors mannerisms and how they portray a character. When seeing a show more than once, seeing a second or third interpretation of the same character by a different actor and how it can make you feel different about what you're watching. The talented singers! Using your imagination with a minimal set. And how every theater experience is always new even if you've seen the performance before. I followed academy award nominated movies for several years but when you watch a movie, it's the same over and over. Theater is always fresh and new. I love it!

When I started this thread I was curious to see the responses. There are some wonderful comments here. One in particular I have been thinking about over and over. I don't feel its my place to comment on it, but it was a very honest and sincere post. I will say for those of us who love theater, I am glad it can provide joy regardless of individual situations. That aside my original comment looks lame compared to all these insightful comments! My favorite part of theater is when you occasionally get that OMG moment. Watching someone so talented hit that note etc that it send shivers down your spine. I remember watching Mark Rylance on Broadway in Jerusalem.....I knew I was watching greatness. That's the best part for me.

To Canadian Fan -- you say you have zero talent but you love seeing such talented people onstage. You don't have zero talent -- you thought up this thread and lots of thoughtful people are responding, so that's a talent right there.

But what you said did make me think -- sometimes I feel like performers are acting out our dreams, are showing us something we've never put into words -- maybe even barely thought about -- but here they are, making it real right in front of us. Illuminating our lives, showing us something we didn't even realize we were hungry to know.

When I go to the theater I don't read the playbill -- I don't want to know what the actors have done before this moment, I don't want to know anything about the story I'm about to see -- I want to be surprised and taken on a magical trip. And I love talking to people seated on either side of me -- theater fans are always interesting in so many ways.

There's a million ways to entertain yourself at home -- netflix, computer games, TV, movies, smartphones -- to leave your cocoon, to sit alongside strangers to watch something unique unfold before you -- what a pleasure. It never gets old.

I echo what others have said, but for me it is also set design. Yes, I want a compelling story that challenges me, and good performances, etc., but I am continually fascinated by sets and what designers create. This could have started with the first big Broadway style show I ever saw, MAN OF LA MANCHA, in a summer stock production. I was about 10, but I still remember the prison set, its massive stone walls and gigantic stone stairway. Sure, it was 2x4s and painted plywood but to my young mind it looked as real as granite. Too many memorable sets and set pieces come to mind to write about here. Scene transitions also fascinate me, how these huge set pieces glide in and out so quietly and effortlessly. Knowing the secrets of stagecraft doesn't diminish the thrill for me.

Without any doubt, if I could relive my life and have a whole new career I would be a set designer.

Everything.