It was just World Theatre Day, so I figured this would be a good time to try to get back into writing this blog. And with all the free-time on my hands as of late, I figure this is something I can do to try to be somewhat productive.
I’ve been thinking back through all of the Broadway shows I’ve had the privilege of seeing and I thought, why not reminisce on here? For each show I’ve seen I thought it would be fun to look at when I saw it, which theatre it was at, my favourite song from the show (since the majority are musicals) and my favourite moment(s) and/or memory/memories from the show. Some of the shows may have more or just more specific moments and memories attached to them and some have too many good songs to just pick one favourite but I like the idea of having all these memories in one place.
At this point in time I have been to New York 9 times, and have seen 25 Broadway shows (counting Cursed Child as 2) at 18 different theatres. (And I have seen 2 Off-Broadway shows at 2 different theatres.)
So, let’s start at the very beginning of my Broadway adventures. I hear it’s a very good place to start. (And please ignore the quality of some of the marquee pictures.)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
When: January 2012
Theatre: Al Hirschfeld
Favourite Song: “I Believe In You”
Favourite Moment/Memory: This was my first Broadway show and will always have a special place in my heart. It was right at the beginning of Darren Criss’s run in the show, I think it was his 2nd day in the show. It was also my first stage door experience and to this day I think it is still the busiest stage door I’ve been to.
Godspell
When: January 2012
Theatre: Circle in the Square
Favourite Song: “By My Side” & “Beautiful City”
Favourite Moment/Memory: My second Broadway show on my first New York trip. My first “successful” stage door experience where I got to have conversations with both Telly Leung and George Salazar. It was my first show at Circle in the Square which has since become one of my favourite theatres. And Godspell is still one of my favourite shows.
Rocky
When: August 2014
Theatre: Winter Garden
Favourite Song: “Keep on Standing” & “Raining”
Favourite Moment/Memory: This show still had one of my favourite sets- the way the boxing ring came out at the end was incredible. It was my first show at the Winter Garden, another of my favourite theatres. Seeing Andy Karl as Rocky was also a great experience.
Phantom of the Opera
When: August 2014
Theatre: Majestic
Favourite Song: “All I Ask of You” & “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”
Favourite Moment/Memory: Hearing the “Overture” in person for the first time, seeing the chandelier raised up, still one of my favourite parts of the show. Seeing Sierra Boggess as Christine and seeing her sing “Think of Me” was a huge highlight. And I got to see Norm Lewis as the Phantom!
Newsies
When: August 2014
Theatre: Nederlander
Favourite Song: “The World Will Know” & “Watch What Happens” & “Once and For All”
Favourite Moment/Memory: It was Newsies– need I say more? But actually Newsies is one of those shows where the whole thing is a great memory. “Once and For All” is a highlight among the highlights and always gives me chills (if you’ve seen it, you know which part I’m talking about).
If/Then
When: August 2014
Theatre: Richard Rodgers
Favourite Song: “Always Starting Over”
Favourite Moment/Memory: Getting to see Idina Menzel originate a role was such a cool experience for me! And the cast in general for this show was great (James Snyder, Jenn Colella, LaChanze, etc.)!
Rock of Ages
When: August 2014
Theatre: Helen Hayes
Favourite Song: (to listen to) “Harden My Heart/Shadows of the Night” & (to watch) “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (Franz is my favourite character)
Favourite Moment/Memory: I loved this show when I saw it in Toronto, so it was really exciting to see it on Broadway too (with the same actor playing Franz in both productions!). Constantine Maroulis was back as Drew at that point as well and it’s always exciting getting to see people in the roles they originated.
School of Rock
When: January 2016
Theatre: Winter Garden
Favourite Song: “When I Climb to the Top of Mount Rock”
Favourite Moment/Memory: This was my second show at the Winter Garden and this time we were sitting on the orchestra level, just a few rows from the stage. Definitely the closest I had sat to a Broadway stage at that point. School of Rock was one of my favourite movies growing up and I was really excited to see it onstage (and a little nervous about it) but I think it was a great adaptation and Alex Brightman was the perfect Dewey. It was also exciting seeing Sierra Boggess again this time I was able to get her autograph at the stage door.
Waitress
When: January 2017
Theatre: Brooks Atkinson
Favourite Song: “She Used to Be Mine”
Favourite Moment/Memory: Seeing Jessie Mueller sing “She Used to Be Mine” is probably one of my top Broadway highlights. And I got to buy a mini pie in a jar. Going into the show I was probably as excited to buy a pie as I was to see the show.
The Little Foxes
When: May 2017
Theatre: Samuel J. Friedman
Favourite Song: n/a
Favourite Moment/Memory: This was my first Broadway play which was pretty exciting. It also gave me the chance to see Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon on stage. I do wish I could have seen this show a second time because Laura and Cynthia alternated roles and it would have been really cool to see them in the other roles.
Bandstand
When: May 2017
Theatre: Bernard B. Jacobs
Favourite Song: “Right This Way”
Favourite Moment/Memory: I was sitting in the second row in the centre for this one. I finally got to see Laura Osnes in person (definitely a performer on my bucket list to see) and I got to see Corey Cott again, having previously seen him in Newsies. “Welcome Home (Finale)” is one of those performances that will always stay with me. I love this show so much.
Anastasia
When: May 2017
Theatre: Broadhurst
Favourite Song: “In My Dreams” & “Once Upon a December”
Favourite Moment/Memory: This is another of my childhood favourite movies and this particular New York trip was planned around seeing this show. Christy Altomare and Derek Klena were the perfect Anastasia and Dmitry. There was one moment in “Once Upon a December” when the “figures dancing gracefully” were projected onto the walls around the theatre and it was magical.
Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812
When: June 2017
Theatre: Imperial
Favourite Song: “Dust and Ashes”
Favourite Moment/Memory: The whole experience of this show was amazing. I’d never experienced anything like it and don’t think I’ve experienced anything like it since. Even sitting at the very back I got to “cheers” with one of the actors during Act 2- definitely made buying a glass of wine at intermission even more worth it (and that was the start of my Broadway cup collection). And I got to see Josh Groban on stage.
SpongeBob SquarePants
When: January 2018
Theatre: Palace (the last show at the Palace as it was)
Favourite Song: “(Just a) Simple Sponge”
Favourite Moment/Memory: This one was fun because I didn’t really go in with any expectations. I wasn’t a SpongeBob fan going into it, I’d just heard great things about the show and was intrigued, and then I came away loving it. I love the sponge choreography during “(Just a) Simple Sponge.” I’m so glad I got the chance to see Ethan Slater as SpongeBob.
Once on This Island
When: January 2018
Theatre: Circle in the Square
Favourite Song: “We Dance” & “Forever Yours”
Favourite Moment/Memory: My second show at Circle in the Square and I love how that theatre can be transformed for every show. The use of rain and the way they revealed a section of floor underneath the sand are 2 of the elements that still stand out strongly in my mind. This show gave me the chance to see Norm Lewis again and I got to see Disney princess herself, Lea Salonga. And really that whole cast was incredible.
The Prom
When: January 2019
Theatre: Longacre
Favourite Song: “Just Breathe” & “Unruly Heart” & “It’s Time to Dance”
Favourite Moment/Memory: I was sitting 2 rows from the stage. I got to see Beth Leavel again, having previously seen her in Bandstand. The energy of that show was amazing and it’s just such a great feel-good show (I still don’t know how they weren’t nominated for the Best Choreography Tony). Another show with just an incredible cast of Broadways vets and newcomers.
Pretty Woman
When: January 2019
Theatre: Nederlander
Favourite Song: “You and I”
Favourite Moment/Memory: Seeing Samantha Barks (I had seen her in Les Miserables in London) and Andy Karl (having seen him in Rocky)- I’m a big fan of both of them. Seeing Orfeh in person was incredible. Every time she opened her mouth she just took over the stage and it was amazing. This was such a big, flashy, and fun musical and I mean that in the sincerest way possible.
Frozen
When: January 2019
Theatre: St. James
Favourite Song: “Monster”
Favourite Moment/Memory: I’ll admit it, I love a Disney musical and this one was great! The effects during “Let It Go” in particular were incredible, seeing that costume change in person was amazing and the way they used projections throughout the show- so good! There were a lot of children in costumes in the audience and I remember a father and daughter at intermission and he was holding up the train of her dress as they walked down the stairs and it was adorable.
Mean Girls
When: August 2019
Theatre: August Wilson
Favourite Song: “World Burn”
Favourite Moment/Memory: I had so much fun at this show. I loved getting to see Taylor Lauderman, Grey Henson, Kyle Selig and Kate Rockwell. Another show with such an all-around great cast. I’m so happy I got to see Taylor Lauderman sing “World Burn.”
Beetlejuice
When: August 2019
Theatre: Winter Garden
Favourite Song: “The Whole Being Dead Thing” & “Dead Mom”
Favourite Moment/Memory: It was great getting to see Alex Brightman (the perfect Beetlejuice) again and getting to see Rob McClure and Kerry Butler. Having followed the show for a while it was exciting to actually see it. And my friend won the lottery which was a first for me seeing a Broadway show (I have still yet to win a Broadway lottery myself).
Moulin Rouge
When: August 2019
Theatre: Al Hirschfeld
Favourite Song: “Backstage Romance” & the best sequence of the show which goes from “Chandelier” into “El Tango de Roxanne” into “Crazy Rolling”
Favourite Moment/Memory: Seeing Aaron Tveit live was a definite highlight. He’s one of those people who was on my bucket list of people to see (part of me still can’t quite believe I actually got to see him). This show is such a spectacle, in such a great way. That set- wow! And I got to meet Max Clayton at the stage door. I’ve been following his career and this was the 3rd show I’ve seen him in (the other two being Bandstand and Pretty Woman).
Oklahoma!
When: August 2019
Theatre: Circle in the Square
Favourite Song: “People Will Say We’re In Love”
Favourite Moment/Memory: Another show at Circle in the Square and another completely different configuration! I loved this cast and it’s always exciting to see a Tony Winner in the role they won for, especially a historic one (Ali Stroker). Getting chilli and cornbread onstage at intermission made the experience even more fun.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts 1 & 2
When: January 2020
Theatre: Lyric
Favourite Song: “Staircase Ballet” (yes, this was a play but there is music throughout)
Favourite Moment/Memory: This was my first time seeing a two-part show which was exciting in itself and cool to see how that works (we saw both parts in one day). It was so cool getting to see all of the magic and illusions. There were effects I’ve never seen or even thought of that were amazing. The choreography of the show stands out too- it was beautiful. The “Staircase Ballet” was one of the particularly beautiful moments. Another incredible cast and exciting to see James Snyder again, having seen him in If/Then.
Hadestown
When: January 2020
Theatre: Walter Kerr
Favourite Song: “Wait For Me”
Favourite Moment/Memory: As has been common throughout this post, this was another cast it was incredible to see in person. Reeve Carney singing “Wait For Me” was everything I wanted it to be. I was also really excited to get a flower at the stage door. I knew that flowers were given out sometimes but didn’t know if it was every show or not and was a little disappointed when the show was done and we hadn’t gotten them but then they were handed out as we were waiting at the stage door and they made sure everyone who wanted one, got one.
Off-Broadway Bonus!
Avenue Q
When: January 2016
Theatre: New World Stages
Favourite Song: “It Sucks to Be Me”
Favourite Moment/Memory: This was my first Off-Broadway show. This was the Sunday night of the weekend of the huge snowstorm in New York and it was not very busy in the theatre that night. I do remember thinking though that it’s a show that hits a lot differently when you’re an unemployed 20-something trying to figure out what to do with your life. I don’t know if that counts as a “favourite” memory but it’s definitely something that stands out from seeing it. Still such a fun show though!
Emojiland
When: January 2020
Theatre: The Duke on 42nd Street
Favourite Song: “Sad on the Inside” & “Zeros and Ones”
Favourite Moment/Memory: The cast of this show was a big highlight for me. In this Off-Broadway show about emojis I got to see Max Crumm, Ann Harada, Josh Lamon, Lesli Margherita, Lucas Steele and Natalie Weiss and that’s just the people I was familiar with ahead of time, everyone in this show was amazing. And the show itself was just wonderful with great songs and story.
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For a lot of the most recent shows I’ve seen (over the last couple years) I did start writing blog posts for them but then just never got around to finishing or posting them and then time passed. Are those something you would be interested in reading still (for anyone who actually reads this blog)? Does anyone have any suggestions for other posts you’d like to see? What are some of your favourite theatre memories? I’d love to hear from you!
Dreaming of Those Neon Lights 