Revisiting Shows....

[lupone76]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 9:52am

i often see a show more than one time. it's interesting to me that my overall impression of the show can often change the second time around. for example, back in '96 the first time i saw rent i was less than thrilled. when i went to see it again i fell in love and it became one of my favorites. the first time i saw priscilla i was let down and felt it was nothing but a gay mamma mia with an even cheesier musical soundtrack. when i made a return visit i actually appreciated it for what it is- a fun show. on the other side of the spectrum is spiderman, i saw it last july and liked it somewhat but i was totally disgusted by it when i made my repeat visit last month.

[missthemountains]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 10:07am

First time I saw Next To Normal, I didn't quite care for it - but seeing it again with Marin Mazzie made me love it.

[lupone76]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 10:35am

yes, next to normal was a not so much the first time and a love the second time for me as well. i also totally agree that marins' performance was above alice as well..

[Mark_E]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 11:55am

Hated Hair the first time I saw it. Thought it was just a big mess. Saw it again in London and got into it and enjoyed it so much more.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 1:26pm

I really hated Follies in 2001 at the Belasco but when I saw it recently in Washington DC and then NYC I absolutely loved it! Think this had to do with being older and more mature.

I loved the original 1987 production of Into the Woods at the Martin Beck but the revival in 2002 was a disappointment to me. Think this had to do with the changes in the production.

I am sure I could continue doing this with several other shows I have seen over the years.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 1:56pm

Believe it or not, when I first saw the original production of A CHORUS LINE I thought it was time for a yawn; I wondered what the fuss was all about. I saw it later a number of times and each time I liked it better than the last. It really was a blockbuster.

I revisited CRAZY FOR YOU three times after my first exposure to this wonderful musical, loving it equally well each time. The reasons? The Gershwin music, the star Harry Groener who retained a freshness for the entire run, and the innovative choreography by Susan Stroman.

As for GYPSY, I don't have to say why I revisited it so many times: The original production with Merman 3 times, the Angela Lansbury production twice, the Tyne Daly production at least 6 times ( Daly really captured Mama Rose, despite a voice that wasn't quite up to par), the Linda Laviin performance once
(once was enough), the Bernadette Peters production once (not the greatest) and the most recent production with Patti LuPone once ( I ran out of time). The best? The original production. There was electricity in the air the whole time.

There are shows I wish I could have revisited. Out of left field I choose THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, THE SMELL OF THE CROWD, with the wonderful, quirky Anthony Newley, and the peerless Cyril Ritchard, from the mid 1960's. The original production of CARNIVAL is another. The list goes on, too numerous to mention each show.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 3:22pm

Gypsy9, thanks for sharing!

The first of many repeated visits to a show actually began with my first Broadway show, Annie. The most recent, the present production of Anything Goes, which I'll be seeing for the 6th time on March 11th.

There are certain shows that I've seen just once, and that one time was enough.

I recently had a friend in DC chastise me for seeing shows several times. My response to her was that I get enjoyment out of it, and I'm not hurting anyone in the process. When I no longer get enjoyment from a show, then I'll stop revisiting it. So far, that hasn't happened (unless the show has closed).

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 3:33pm

My first repeat was ROCK OF AGES
I saw it in 2009 with Jeremy Jordan and Savannah Wise and I thought the show and cast were thoroughly entertaining. When I revisited in Dec 2011, the show felt tired, the cast was phoning it in and the Acoustics were AWFUL (The Helen Hayes is not the theatre for rock music).

My second repeat was PRISCILLA
I won the lottery, and although I enjoyed the show the first time, I love it more the second because I was front row near the action instead in the balcony in a place far, far, away.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/28/12 at 3:37pm

Gypsy9 leaves me green with envy almost every time he posts!

The original GREASEPAINT! Even if only once...