How important is it to you to see a show with its original cast?

[Dave13]

I tend to lose interest in a show after the Original Broadway Cast leaves.  My best example is Hamilton.   I saw the show 3 times with the original cast. After the main cast members left, I haven't been able to bring myself to see it again. I just know I will sit there critiquing and comparing the actors to the OBC. More than likely most won't compare, at least in my mind. Although I do realize that oftentimes the replacement cast may be more talented. 

 

Do you tend to lose interest?

[dramamama611]

No, I really enjoy seeing different interpretations.

[VintageSnarker]

If I have the choice, I like to see the entire original cast first so I can just get a sense of the original vision. But if I'm able to go back again, I'm happy to see another actor... in fact, that's probably the reason I'm going back. 

[BakerWilliams]

I'm theoretically all for the idea of going back again and witnessing a new interpretation, but too often the replacements are just trying to do an imitation of their previous counterparts and it comes across as stale. Usually it's more interesting when an actor gets replaced in between a regional/off-Broadway production and the Broadway one, as the actor is frequently hired to re-interpret the role.

[dramamama611]

^ that can often be a directorial choice, however. 

[Rainah]

Depends on the show. Some shows I haven't cared much, I'm more interested in the show itself. But I spent a good chunk of money to fly to NYC and see Hamilton with the OBC, and it was worth every penny to see the actors I've been idolizing doing the show I love.

[elephantseye]

To me, it's pretty important, but I also love in Texas. My only opportunities to see Broadway shows here are, 100% of the time, touring casts that don't always meet my expectations. So when I'm in NYC, I tend to see shows with the original cast, no matter what else is on that I would like to see, because chances are it'll come on tour near me in the next year or so. If I've flown across the country, I want to get an experience I can't get in Austin.

 

If I ever get the opportunity to live in NYC, I probably won't mind as much, because my window of opportunity will open, and I won't have to be so selective with such limited time.

[ClumsyDude15]

It's nice to get to see a full original cast, but I certainly will not be turned off by seeing any replacement casting. I've even seen a few instances where the replacement has been just as good, if not better than the original cast member. 

Also, it's always nice to see how different people play a role or play off other cast members. No person plays a role exactly the same and I find that refreshing especially if it is a show you've seen more than once. 

[wonkit]

If the original cast includes Jeremy Piven, I prefer to wait...

[mailhandler777]

In the hundreds of shows I've seen I saw probably a handful of full original cast members. It doesn't matter to me. I see the show for the show.

[thebookofwhizzer]

Most of the shows I've seen on Broadway (which isn't a lot) Have been replacement cast with the exception of the 2012 rival of Annie, (I'm pretty sure that was OBC) and 2016 Falsettos!! I think that all the shows I saw with replacement casts were amazing and Hamilton with the replacement cast was phenomenal I think that usually if the show has been on broadway for a long time (i.e Phantom) the casts gets worse and worse but first Broadway replacement casts are still wonderful and if you have the chance to see a show with a cast that might not be OBC still go see it!! 

[itis2l84u]

Seeing the original cast is really not important to me at all. When I'm in New York I pick the shows I see based on how interested I am in them. I actually really love seeing multiple people play the same role and see how they interpret the role. I've seen two different Medium and Small Alisons as well as fourteen different Matildas. I love seeing what different people bring to my favorite shows.

The only exception to this is if Jessie Mueller is in the original cast then I'll go see that show if I can.

[Marianne2]

It depends on who was in the original cast, for me. Like if there is someone I really admire, I will want to see the show when they are in it. But, if it's a show I really want to see no matter what,  I don't care who I see as long as it keeps me entertained. I've actually had experiences where replacements were more exciting or I liked better than the original cast.

[quizking101]

I tend to want to see shows only once, maybe twice of the replacement is exciting (CABARET) or if I loved the show (DROOD revival), so I prefer to see the original cast.

Plus, a lot of shows I see don't last beyond the OBC so it's either see them or miss it altogether.

My one exception to the multiples rule was HEDWIG (4x) because every actor brought something new and different to the role that made it feel fresh every time without fail (even Taye Diggs ??)

[HogansHero]

How can there possibly be a generic answer to this question?

As a corollary, why do people ask questions for which the only possible intelligent answer is "it depends"?

[Call_me_jorge]

Sometimes I prefer the casts I see in Chicago than the casts that are either on Broadway or the OBC. 

Some examples have been: The Book of Mormon, Wicked and Hamilton

[LizzieCurry]

If I can see an OBC, I will, but generally it's not a make-or-break thing for me. It's nice but I won't go out of my way. 

Maybe because I didn't grow up anywhere near here and didn't even visit NYC until 10 years ago, so I don't associate an OBC with being a "must."

[Marianne2]

LizzieCurry said: "If I can see an OBC, I will, but generally it's not a make-or-break thing for me. It's nice but I won't go out of my way. 

Maybe because I didn't grow up anywhere near here and didn't even visit NYC until 10 years ago, so I don't associate an OBC with being a "must."

 

"

This is kind of my experience too. My first show was Mamma Mia back in 2007. It had already been playing for awhile.  I think I am seeing more original casts now than I have in the past because I am seeing things sooner.  But, I still have yet to see Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, or The Lion King because the tickets are out of my price range.  

[dmwnc1959]

First time posting. Found this forum just a few short months ago and have been lurking since. 

Even though I live a quick 6-1/2 hour car ride or a non-stop hop by airplane and a taxi ride away from Broadway, all the shows I've seen are the national tours, and all of them at the gorgeous Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh - a two-hour drive one-way for me - and the closest city in which these tours pass through. 

Since November 2015 I've seen A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Cabaret, The Bridges of Madison County, The Sound of Music, Something Rotten, and The Book of Mormon, with The King and I, Fun Home, and An American in Paris coming up between now and June. I've never seen a Broadway show in NYC, so I don't have anything to compare it to, especially with original cast.  

With that said, I've truly enjoyed ALL of the shows immensely, loved the touring cast, and look forward to whatever comes in the new season once announced. And it's not the same as a Playbill, but I've kept all of my programs and bought window cards for each of the shows.  

However, it now appears that chances are I'm moving back to NC this summer after living in WV for the past eleven years. A possible job transfer puts me back home, and a short drive away from Charlotte and Raleigh to continue my "addiction".  

For those of us who really don't have quick and easy access to Broadway, the national tours are a gift. 

[LizzieCurry]

6.5 hour is a quick ride?!

Also, I meant to say in my post -- I've been living in NYC for almost six years, which I think has also decreased my sense of urgency with the long-runners I've never seen, like Chicago. (I saw The Lion King on tour a dozen years ago and don't care to see it again, I haven't seen Phantom since Norm Lewis was at the end of his run, etc.) But also being here means there's less effort to see an OBC. Maybe it all balances out.

[Sinfonian4life]

We must be very close to each other. I live in Western Maryland! I go to Pittsburgh for most of my shows too. 

The travel to NYC is quick, but I don't know about the way home! That is what gets me!  I do like that I can choose if I want to drive the whole way or take meganus or bolt bus from Baltimore. 

[South Florida]

My experiences are few.  It wasn't until I saw Stephanie Block in Wicked at the age of 43 or thereabouts, that I became a theater fan it wasn't something that occurred in my sphere. I had seen Rent on the road, Phantom, but that was it.  Nothing grabbed me like her performance that day.  So no in that case Stephanie Block should have been the original Elphaba.  However, I can't imagine let's say Pippin without the circus that was demonstrated when it was revived.  Patina Miller, the whole cast, I had no interest when it toured.  I thought Fun Home was poorly cast and I love that show, hope I live for a revival.

 

[South Florida]

Hogan you snob.

 

[dmwnc1959]

I live in Clarksburg WV. The best thing (for me) about driving to Pittsburgh is that it gets me away from here (and my routine life) even if it's just for a day - to see a museum, treat myself to a nice lunch in Market Square, and see a show. Pittsburgh has a ton of stuff to offer, and a wonderful, quality Cultural District. I've seen fourteen other performances since Nov. 2015 at Heinz Hall, the Byham Theater, Cabaret at Theater Square, and the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts that weren't Broadway related. I've bought two shows at the O'Reilly Theater for between now and June. 

And the 'quick ride' comment was a little bit of tongue and cheek humor. :)

[South Florida]

"Move to Pittsburgh youins."

 

[dmwnc1959]

Then it wouldn't be an adventure and not near as much fun. lol

I would love to live there, but I've got a steal of a deal here with rent (I pay $450 a month for a two-bedroom apartment and a ground-floor enclosed garage) so I'm fine with the "commute" to see a show every several weeks. 

If the move to NC comes through I'll be 45 minutes from Charlotte and 1-1/2hrs from DPAC, so it'll be easier for me to see them more often.