Why do YOU love Broadway?

[karissa3]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 12:46pm

This may seem like a ridiculous question. But I (unfortunately) am surrounded by quite a few people in my life who sincerely don't understand the importance of Broadway (especially musicals but also plays) or why I'm so obsessed with it. Therefore, since I have a personal blog I decided this is something I want to write about. But I would love to hear some of your opinions!! 

What makes a Broadway experience so special and life changing? Because for me as I'm sure for many of you, it truly is. I walked out of Come From Away and DEH this summer being a much more loving, empathetic, and kind human being than I was before. There is so much beauty in that. I just have a hard time articulating what makes Broadway special and an extremely different experience from just going to a movie, for example. 

I'd love anything you would have to say! Thank you! 

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 12:54pm

Something about live theatre is just so special. The fact that the actors are right in front of you, performing LIVE, and the thrill that anything could happen. And you're surrounded by people who appreciate theatre just like you, experiencing the same emotions and being moved by the same show. It is just so... genuine? Nothing's "fake" like the mainstream media nowadays. It tells a story with the actors right in front of you pouring their emotions out. I don't know, something about Broadway is just "special" and very different from anything else.

[CorkySt.Clair]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 1:21pm

One thing that I find is that, with most shows, the people behind it really want to make it (for creative/artistic/labor-of-love reasons rather than a cash grab). For me, seeing actors playing it out right in front of you exacerbates the passion of all involved. For the most part, theatre does not seem to hold the cattiness and fake veneer other forms of entertainment seem to have taken. And being in a room with hundreds of people watching what you are, picking by out the same small nuances, and being moved by art together-if that's not beautiful I don't know what is. 

Edit: (forgot to add this) Sonetimes I'll look at the clock and realize that in that moment the shows are just starting and thousands and thousands of people are about to experience art and empathy and humor and drama and just that thought always makes my heart swell with happiness (akin to the overture starts/actors come out feeling discussed below). Exhilarating. 

Updated On: 8/19/17 at 01:21 PM

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 1:21pm

To me, that exhilarating feeling you get when the overture starts playing, or the curtain rises and you see the actors. It gives me such joy to know that I am partaking in this special experience. I get to witness a show that is unique and different. I get to see a show that differs from day to day, even with the slightest differences. I get to clearly see these actors' emotion and heart. I get to see them doing the career they love. I get to see them live. To me, knowing that these shows bring such happiness to people is enough. Listening to songs and watching shows and meeting your favorite actors is a special experience. It makes me feel good. It makes me feel uplifted. For that, Broadway is a unique experience.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 2:11pm

Wow. This is hard to put into words, but I'll try. Obviously, I can only speak for myself. 

Theater (whether it be of the musical or straight play variety) is an art form. As such, at its best, theater is an interactive process between artist(s) and audience that attempts to reflect truths of the audiences' lives back to them in a way that resonates. Of course, some musicals/plays accomplish this better than others. And because we all attend musicals/plays with our own backstories, all shows are bound to resonate more with some over others. You see this every day on the message boards where some posters passionately post about their favorite show(s) while others have an equally passionate response in the other direction to the same shows. 

As others have alluded to, there is something especially cathartic to viewing live theater in a room with hundreds of other people who are there for the same reason and experiencing those moments simultaneously with you. Of the art forms, live theater is special. Listening to recorded music, watching tv, seeing a movie at the cineplex, reading a book, or viewing a painting or sculpture are all capable of providing unique cathartic moments, but those art forms are static in they don't change although our reaction to them may change with years or increased exposure. The only art form I can think of other than live theater that reaches this intense interactive cathartic experience is a live music concert, but even those are two different animals. Rock concerts encourage us to be as outwardly interactive (within limits) as we want with the musicians while live theater encourages us to mostly be interactive in a internal way (other than spontaneous laughter and tears). In that way it requires us to be actively and internally engaged emotionally and intellectually with the artists. As a result of not outwardly showing (as much) my reaction, it forces me at least to interact at a deeper level, which allows the best art to pierce me deeply. In that way it includes the best elements of all the other art forms IMHO. I suppose you could say that performance art and immersive theater experiences could also be included here, but so far they don't mirror the experience I have sitting in a theater watching a live musical or straight play performance. 

I'm not religious, but I suppose people attend live theater for some of the same reasons people attend places of worship. Namely, to seek a deeper way of understanding their lives and, more importantly, the lives of the people they share this planet with. 

Sorry, this was so wordy and I hope it makes sense to someone besides me. 

 

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 2:19pm

Miles2Go2 said: "Wow. This is hard to put into words, but I'll try. Obviously, I can only speak for myself. 

Theater (whether it be of the musical or straight play variety) is an art form. As such, at its best, theater is an interactive process between artist(s) and audience that attempts to reflect truths of the audiences' lives back to them in a way that resonates. Of course, some musicals/plays accomplish this better than others. And because we all attend musicals/plays with our own backstories, all shows are bound to resonate more with some over others. You see this every day on the message boards where some posters passionately post about their favorite show(s) while others have an equally passionate response in the other direction to the same shows. 

As others have alluded to, there is something especially cathartic to viewing live theater in a room with hundreds of other people who are there for the same reason and experiencing those moments simultaneously with you. Of the art forms, live theater is special. Listening to recorded music, watching tv, seeing a movie at the cineplex, reading a book, or viewing a painting or sculpture are all capable of providing unique cathartic moments, but those art forms are static in they don't change although our reaction to them may change with years or increased exposure. The only art form I can think of other than live theater that reaches this intense interactive cathartic experience is a live music concert, but even those are two different animals. Rock concerts encourage us to be as outwardly interactive (within limits) as we want with the musicians while live theater encourages us to mostly be interactive in a internal way (other than spontaneous laughter and tears). In that way it requires us to be actively and internally engaged emotionally and intellectually with the artists. As a result of not outwardly showing (as much) my reaction, it forces me at least to interact at a deeper level, which allows the best art to pierce me deeply. In that way it includes the best elements of all the other art forms IMHO. I suppose you could say that performance art and immersive theater experiences could also be included here, but so far they don't mirror the experience I have sitting in a theater watching a live musical or straight play performance. 

I'm not religious, but I suppose people attend live theater for some of the same reasons people attend places of worship. Namely, to seek a deeper way of understanding their lives and, more importantly, the lives of the people they share this planet with. 

Sorry, this was so wordy and I hope it makes sense to someone besides me. 

 

I just realized you asked specifically about Broadway theater. I would say all the above applies to Broadway, but in addition when I consider all the obstacles that have to be overcome, all the forces that have to align and how many people will never make it to that theater in New York City to see that specific play, I feel very honored and lucky to attend a Broadway show. It heightens the experience even more.

 

 

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 2:36pm

I love Broadway because Mr Roxy has sworn it off. I feel confident that I won't accidentally bump into him when I go to the theater.

[TheThreadMaster]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 2:36pm

It is my escape from all the fake talent in the world. I love broadway because I know going in that I will receive a creme de la creme performance by the world's best actors, singers, dancers, and musicians. There is nothing else like live theatre and it really does bite you. It is hard to stop seeing shows. That is why I feel people love it so much. Once you go once, your bound to go again.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 5:27pm

I'll try to be brief.  I love Broadway in particular, and theatre in general, because it fills a void.  I have not hadluck in matters of the heart.  When I see a musical or a play, it takes my mind off being single for at least a while.  Plus, I've made substantial acquaintances with some cool professionals from those experiences.  

[Allegra23]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 6:56pm

Miles2Go2 said: "I'm not religious, but I suppose people attend live theater for some of the same reasons people attend places of worship. Namely, to seek a deeper way of understanding their lives and, more importantly, the lives of the people they share this planet with. "

 

Thank you so much for this answer, Miles2Go2. I loved the question but had a hard time trying to condense my thoughts into a decent reply. However, this articulates the perfect Broadway experience for me, too. I go into shows hoping for that deep feeling of gaining some kind of new perspective, even though not every performance or show will always provide that, obviously. But it's such a powerful feeling when that happens. Sometimes I can obtain that at the movies, too, but I find that in those cases the feeling fades more easily over time, whereas those views that you've gained via live theater (or books, actually) stay with you longer.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 7:08pm

Allegra23 said: "Miles2Go2 said: "I'm not religious, but I suppose people attend live theater for some of the same reasons people attend places of worship. Namely, to seek a deeper way of understanding their lives and, more importantly, the lives of the people they share this planet with. "

 

Thank you so much for this answer, Miles2Go2. I loved the question but had a hard time trying to condense my thoughts into a decent reply. However, this articulates the perfect Broadway experience for me, too. I go into shows hoping for that deep feeling of gaining some kind of new perspective, even though not every performance or show will always provide that, obviously. But it's such a powerful feeling when that happens. Sometimes I can obtain that at the movies, too, but I find that in those cases the feeling fades more easily over time, whereas those views that you've gained via live theater (or books, actually) stay with you longer."

 

Thanks. My trip to NYC in November promises to provide many more of these moments. I've been listening to the Dear Evan Hansen cast recording and watching YouTube clips  pretty much non-stop today and bawling my eyes out. Lol

 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 7:25pm

I think some of the posts in this thread have astutely expressed why live theatre is so special. I attend a ton of theatre outside of Broadway, because there is a lot of exciting stuff to be found in in world of off-Broadway non-profits.

However, in the spirit of answering the question as it was phrased, here's why I enjoy BROADWAY specifically: 

The way we document and remember Broadway shows is much more significant than how we treat off-Broadway. An off-Broadway show - even if it's good - can sort of happen and then disappear once its over. But if a show played on Broadway, no matter how insignificant its run may have been, it becomes a part of theatre history in a more tangible and traceable way. I'm not saying I necessarily agree with that practice of puting Broadway on a pedestal, but it's the reality of the situation. And I get the sense that seeing shows on Broadway is special, because I know I'm witnessing something that will always be a part of Broadway history. 

Updated On: 8/19/17 at 07:25 PM

[South Florida]

Posted: 8/19/17 at 10:06pm

I guess I want music that tells a story in my DNA.

[karissa3]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 1:14pm

Thank you thank you THANK YOU to everyone who responded!! This is why I love getting on these chats boards. I'm so touched that you guys really thought about this question and took the time to answer. So much of what you said is exactly what I have been thinking but couldn't find the right way to say it. I agree with truly everything that has been said. Live theater/Broadway is so unique for so many reasons and I sincerely wake up every morning so grateful for the community of people surrounding it that still help it to thrive in our world where so many insignificant forms of "art" have taken center stage. 

This definitely helped for my blog post, I might post a link later if any of you are interested! Thank you!!

[CorkySt.Clair]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 1:18pm

^Thank YOU for starting this! What a lovely topic. With all the disagreements on the boards, it's nice to see a thread on the one thing that unites us-a love of theatre. Please post the link to the blog post!!

[LJD123]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 1:29pm

I love Broadway, and theater in general, because it is such an immersive experience.  Most of the Broadway theaters provide such an intimate setting that just draws you into believing whatever is going on onstage for even a short time.  As we live in Boston we see mostly touring productions, playing to larger audiences, and most times the performances are still spectacular!!

[A0326T]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 6:54pm

Heaven .... on earth. 

[A0326T]

Posted: 8/22/17 at 6:56pm

Magic