# Let's talk about the theatre **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267 "2019-12-23T01:45:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/1 "2019-12-23T01:45:56Z")
Up until a couple of years ago I’ve attended exactly one Broadway-type performance. Over the past year I’ve been to 10 with tickets in hand for several more. Seems like a good time to discuss. I’d like to hear others’ experiences with the theatre, musicals in particular. Here is my scorecard: A Tier of Its Own: \*\*Hamilton \*\*– Worth every penny Good: \*\*Aladdin \*\*– Very impressive production \*\*Anastasia \*\*– Good story, ok music \*\*Cats \*\*– Did not expect to like it much but I did **Hello Dolly** – Took me by surprise Fairly Good: **Come From Away** – A little disappointed, not particularly well written **The Play That Goes Wrong** – Got a lot of mileage out of a single joke Meh: **Something Rotten** – Not at all memorable \*\*Waitress \*\*– Seemed too manufactured Less than Meh: \*\*The Lightning Thief \*\*– Actually felt myself nodding off Upcoming: **Beautiful A Bronx Tale Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Dear Evan Hanson Summer** ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/2 "2019-12-23T01:51:02Z")
Out of that group Hamilton is the only one I’ve seen and i agree with your ranking. I’m an easy mark but I quite love Les Miz, Cabaret, Sunset Boulevard… ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/3 "2019-12-23T02:00:56Z")
I saw Beautiful in its pre-Broadway tryout and thought the story was very good (the music speaks for itself). ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/4 "2019-12-23T02:29:51Z")
I’ve been a fan of musicals since I was a kid, and we see 5-6 Broadway road shows a year. Too many favorites to list them all, but I’ll mention _The Drowsy Chaperone, Hamilton, Fun Home, Something Rotten, The Book of Mormon, Les Miserables, The Music Man, Waitress, The King and I, Man of La Mancha, Anything Goes_ as my top choiced offhand. Second tier would include _Frozen, Hairspray, The Color Purple, Ragtime, Newsies, Fiddler on the Roof, The Color Purple, South Pacific, Beautiful, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Jersey Boys_. Worst I’ve seen included _White Christmas_ (the movie is pretty smarmy, and the musical removed even that amount of edge), _Happy Days_ (AFAIK, it didn’t make it to Broadway, and there was no reason it should have), _Motown_ (good music, but the apotheosis of Berry Gordy was tiresome). I am looking forward to _The Band’s Visit_ and _Dear Evan Hansen_ in 2020. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/5 "2019-12-23T02:43:03Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Up until a couple of years ago I’ve attended exactly one Broadway-type performance. Over the past year I’ve been to 10 with tickets in hand for several more. Seems like a good time to discuss. > > I’d like to hear others’ experiences with the theatre, musicals in particular. > > Here is my scorecard: > > A Tier of Its Own: > \*\*Hamilton \*\*– Worth every penny > > Good: > \*\*Aladdin \*\*– Very impressive production > \*\*Anastasia \*\*– Good story, ok music > \*\*Cats \*\*– Did not expect to like it much but I did > **Hello Dolly** – Took me by surprise > > Fairly Good: > **Come From Away** – A little disappointed, not particularly well written > **The Play That Goes Wrong** – Got a lot of mileage out of a single joke > > Meh: > **Something Rotten** – Not at all memorable > \*\*Waitress \*\*– Seemed too manufactured > > Less than Meh: > \*\*The Lightning Thief \*\*– Actually felt myself nodding off > > Upcoming: > **Beautiful > A Bronx Tale > Charlie & the Chocolate Factory > Dear Evan Hanson > Summer** I’ll be back with a longer response later. I loved Something Rotten, was kinda meh about Aladdin (although I loved The Lion King) and you’re going to be amazed by Beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/6 "2019-12-23T03:46:44Z")
I’ve seen a few touring productions. The ones that stood out were: **Cabaret** , featuring Lea Thompson as Sally Bowled **The Producers** **Movin’ Out** ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2019, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/7 "2019-12-23T12:18:05Z")
No idea what’s on on Broadway at the moment, but can go with London’s West End. My personal favourite is Wicked. Great music and lots of clever twists to the original Wizard of Oz story. Other very good musicals: The Lion King Phantom of the Opera Matilda Mamma Mia School of Rock Past musicals I’ve seen that are worth it if they come your way: Blood Brothers A Chorus Line Rent (See La Boheme beforehand) Oliver South Pacific Guys and Dolls Fiddler on the Roof Non-musicals: Witness for the Prosecution A Monster Calls Oppenheimer A Few Good Men War Horse ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/8 "2019-12-24T21:07:30Z")
I agree that \*\*\*Hamilton \*\*\*is in a class by itself. I’ve seen it twice. After the first time I immediately wanted to see it again; after the second time I thought the itch had been scratched, but now it’s been almost a year and I would definitely go again. That said, it’s coming back to DC in the summer but getting tickets here the first time was kind of a nightmare…and more expensive than when I saw it in NYC. I’m on the fence about it. **Very Good** _Book of Mormon_ _The Band’s Visit_ (better than I expected!) _Dear Evan Hansen_ **Good** _Jersey Boys_ (only if you’re a fan) **Meh** _If/Then_ (I saw this in DC previews, mostly because of Idina Menzel; I liked it, but not enough to get the cast recording or go see the “final” version) _Kinky Boots_ (I know, I know; I loved the message, but found it to be a less-than-fully-formed show) Also very good – but not a musical – was Aaron Sorkin’s take on _To Kill a Mockingbird_. I saw it with Jeff Daniels playing Atticus Finch. Ed Harris took over the role last month, and I’d be interested in seeing it again just for comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/9 "2019-12-25T10:22:36Z")
Overall, your list has a pretty good hit rate. Consider how many movies / Netflix series / albums / museum visits in any one year you’d be sorting into Top Tier, Good, Fairly Good etc and you are doing well and clearly you like it. We always regret spending the ticket price on a well-hyped piece of crap but, from the limited theatre I’ve seen, even sucky theatre gives you a good night out. Whether its the novelty, sharing the buzz of the crowd, remembering that one catchy song, or seeing your niece doing Seven Brides For Seven Brothers as a school spectacular, its a more intimate and rewarding interaction between you and the performance than just a commercial transaction like a movie ticket or DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/10 "2019-12-25T11:58:23Z")
We have season tickets to the Jacksonville theater and we saw the touring production of _Wicked_ a couple of months ago. I thought it was fantastic. Upcoming is _Rent_ (which I’ll miss due to a work conflict), _Bandstand_, and _Hamilton_. _Hamilton_ is, however, still the top (saw it in Chicago). Most of what we see around here is community or school production stuff (although with FSU here, “school production” is probably better than most and a lot of those kids are also heavily involved in the community theater productions as well - actors gotta act). ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/11 "2019-12-25T15:13:39Z")
Here’s my scorecard: **Broadway:** \*The Tap Dance Kid, Wicked! \* **Touring:** _A Chorus Line, Amadeus_ (Tim Curry as Mozart), \*The Sea Gull \*(James Earl Jones, Colleen Dewhurst, Kelly McGillis), _The Good Times Are Killing Me_ **West End:** _The Book of Mormon_ I’ve seen and been in lots of community theater productions. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/12 "2019-12-25T15:22:40Z")
**MMM** , just curious what led to your sudden interest in the theatre over the last year? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/13 "2019-12-25T15:39:46Z")
> [@D18](#): > > **MMM** , just curious what led to your sudden interest in the theatre over the last year? Legit question. I was a huge fan of the \*\*“Hamilton” \*\*music from very early on but never really thought I’d actually see the musical. Then, when it was announced that it was coming to town, I realized that I needed to get myself there. The best opportunity was to buy a season subscription to a series of 7 performances, one of which was Hamilton. So, a group of 4 of us did just that. We enjoyed the experience so much we re-upped for the next (current) season, upgrading our seats in the process. I’m sure we will keep it going next year and beyond. ETA: “ **Beautiful** ” is not a part of the package, we purchased those tickets separately. I’ve been into Carole King’s music for decades, really looking forward to this one. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/14 "2019-12-25T16:02:42Z")
I’ve seen hundreds of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows over the years, the top of my list would include: Sunday in the Park With George Phantom of the Opera Hamilton Sweeney Todd Company Les Miserables Ragtime ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/15 "2019-12-25T16:30:23Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Ragtime _Jealous_ ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2019, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/16 "2019-12-25T16:40:00Z")
I’m not a _huge_ musicals fan, I prefer Shakespeare and more modern drama and comedy. But I have enjoyed _Cats_, _Rocky Horror Show_, _West Side Story_ _Miss Saigon_ I was _meh_ on. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/17 "2020-01-18T15:09:37Z")
Last month I picked up tickets to see Sting in _**[The Last Ship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Ship_(musical))**_. The show (in DC) is at the end of March. Has anyone seen it? ---
**Author:** ![atimnie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atimnie/32/11_2.png) [@atimnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atimnie)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/18 "2020-01-18T16:05:05Z")
A Chorus Line Better than the movie, but no intermission. Evita Even the matinee Chicago cast was better than Madonna. Sugar Babies Mickey Rooney starred, was not impressed. Beatlemania There was only one John Lennon, this musical made it obvious. West Side Story Dinner theater production. Decent. South Pacific Small scale production, not really memorable in any way. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/19 "2020-01-18T18:33:29Z")
I’ve seen a lot of shows, On Broadway, Off Broadway, and Touring. I would say the vast majority were very enjoyable and worth the money. Highlights: - In Fiddler On The Roof, a cossack sliding on knees right up to our first-row seats. My wife jumped back to the third row. - In Phantom the chandelier swinging down over our heads. - Stirring music in Evita and Les Miserables - Martin Short’s one man show… just brilliant - The Drowsy Chaperone Lowlights: - not many to remember other than RENT. I prepped by buying the soundtrack CD and was concerned that the music was not that strong. Went to the show and felt like leaving at intermission. After it was over I kicked myself for not leaving at intermission. I remember one annoying phrase about lighting a candle that seemed to be a self-parody. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267/20 "2020-01-18T20:22:17Z")
_Red, White and Blaine_, as performed in _Waiting For Guffman_. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-theatre/845267.md?page=2)