Musical Theatre fans?

[LeafKing13]

I've only seen one show (which I saw on vacation this summer in Toronto) which was Spamalot (which i believe is playing in New York)

[jeffbear]

You got real quality there Shimmer. Sweeny Todd and Into the Woods are two of my favorite shows ... and yes, this is one hockey fan who is man enough to admit that he likes Sondheim.

While I'm a mere spectator now, I did perform in several community and semi-professional shows back in the day. Tenors are hard to come by, so there's always room in a community show for someone who can sing that's also willing to do a little acting as well. I've been in college or community productions of Sweeny Todd, Peter Pan, The Sound of Music, 1776, Oklahoma, The Music Man and Dames at Sea among others and I've played about a thousand bit parts in the annual Raleigh Little Theatre production of A Christmas Carol .. you know, Scrooge.

Frankly, back when I was in college I generally got a part in the fall production of our local all women's college in order to meet girls ... which worked nicely thank you very much. My wife was a Nun in the Sound of Music when I played Rolf. Good cocktail party stuff ... I married a Nun you know.

[Patronus]

jeffbear, too bad you couldn't see the current revival of Sweeney on Broadway. It's really quite amazing. It's a cast of 10 and the actors play their own instruments and tell the tale of Sweeney Todd from the perspective of people locked in an asylum - some of them play multiple instruments. It's quite an intense experience.

Who did you play in Sweeney? It's a role full of baritone/tenor 2 part so I am gathering either ensemble or The Beadle?

Sondheim really is the "thinking mans composer". Sunday...George, Sweeney, Into the Woods are 3 of my favorites as well.

Shimmer, I actually went through a huge "fan" period with Rent. I met my wife through that show actually. I've seen it more times than is safe to admit. I know that one like the back of my hand.

[RangerFan09]

RENT is amazing...Just a GREAT play...Movie was alright, play was SO MUCH better.

[IceStick77]

I'm seeing Phantom in Vancouver on Tuesday night. ;D

[jeffbear]

patronus said:

Who did you play in Sweeney? It's a role full of baritone/tenor 2 part so I am gathering either ensemble or The Beadle?

I was lucky enough to be in Sweeney twice ... once in college at a women's prep school production that was directed by my college Glee Club director ... so I was actually recruited to play Anthony. I was later in a community version and played the Beadle. It's a powerfully creepy show but Sondheim always provides a few passages of music so compelling that you just want to cry.

I also love Sunday in the Park with George, but I've never been lucky enough to audition for it. George is one part I'd take on in a heartbeat even though I've got too many kids and not enough free time to even think about doing a show.

[sam]

I haven't been to see a show on Broadway in quite a while since I moved to NC. I do see the traveling shows when they get to Raleigh. We used to go quite a bit when I lived in CT. I also got to see some shows that played at the Goodspeed Opera House before they went to Broadway.

For an inexpensive weekend in NYC, we would catch some of the specials the NYC hotels would offer in late winter and hit TKTS for half price, off-Broadway shows. Once the Milford Plaza had 2 nights with breakfast and dinner for $100 back in the early 80's/

My favorites are A Chorus Line, Fiddler on the Roof, The Producers, 42nd Street and Les Mis. There haven't been too many that I didn't like. Those that I didn't like I've forgotten.

Some others I've seen are Phantom, Cats, Hair, Beatlemania, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar. One off Broadway show I really enjoyed was Smoke on the Mountain at the Lamb's Theater. Saw Forbidden Broadway several times for cheap entertainment with a few laughs.

Would love to see Sweeny Todd. Patti Lupone is one of my favorites.

Ohh, and I took my kids to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway in the mid 90's. Can't remember the theater... the Amsterdam?

[jeffbear]

sam said:

I haven't been to see a show on Broadway in quite a while since I moved to NC. I do see the traveling shows when they get to Raleigh.

Between the travelling companies and NC Theatre we get pretty good quality when we do get a show here in Raleigh. For that I'm appreciative ... but the variety is sorely lacking. These types of operations tend to be run by very conservative boards of directors who like to stick to the "classics" and won't go out on too many limbs creatively. We've been blessed to have had Terrance Mann involved in NC Theatre from time to time, and when he has had some say about what gets produced we've gotten some fresh material to enjoy without having to slog to New York or Toronto.

[predatorpaul]

Wow... unusual that these get mixed... Was a theatre major in college... still love it...

Was just in NY, saw Spamalot and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels... both very enjoyble...

Best show seen in the past year? A Tie...

Saw the touring company of Wicked in Atlanta this past May... it was awesome... saw a high school production of "Children of Eden", what a fantastic piece... I know it was high school, but the show trancended the performers... It could possibly be Steven Schwartz' best work.

[smokejmt]

With the notable exceptions of Les Miserables and The Fantasticks I'm just not a fan of musicals. I can sit through one on occasion - one such as 1776 - but in general it's just not my bag.

I used to go to the theatre regularly when I was still living in New York, saw some great plays (Burn This, The Grapes of Wrath, Tru, Rumors) and some real clunkers too (Cats, Phantom of the Opera), and lots in between.

I was a theatre minor in college - on the techie side of the stage, so I very much appreciate all of the work that goes into a musical production but just don't enjoy the singing and dancing.