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Cutting Room Floor – The Art of Broadway Employment

Broadway is a job and like all jobs, it has to come to an end. However, there is a little bit more to the story in this case. Most jobs require you to apply via a form and normally an interview – whereas Broadway requires auditions, a measure of your talent where you have little room for error. A lot also weighs on if you have any history with the casting team on whether or not you’ll book the job (assuming your audition was flawless)! You can see that this is ten times more difficult than other occupations. The amount of work put in to possibly get one job is outrageous, and because it is so difficult, it has to be done constantly to insure that you have work to actually do. This business is a lot of work!

Consider a secretary. He or she has room to advance in the company to another position by evaluations, etc. Now consider an understudy in a Broadway show (like Andy Kelso in Kinky Boots). He was “promoted” to Charlie Price after first being in the Ensemble. While this is common, the process that got Andy to being in the show in the first place could be compared to someone applying for a job. But if you consider filling out twenty forms for twenty jobs and auditioning twenty times for twenty jobs, they might seem like polar opposites. That’s because they are — they’re completely different! Auditioning in-person and filling out forms are completely different.

For this reason, Broadway is known to be a cutthroat industry. It also is known to weed out people who ultimately aren’t right for the business. It’s not unheard of someone to book their first big gig on Broadway and then audition more, get a little more work and then leave the business. It is a lot of work and it is ultimately up to the performer if they want to keep going out and auditioning. Sometimes life will pull a performer in another direction (their passion shifts) or it shifts because theatre is so unstable and not always a viable life choice to continue to do professionally. It’s a tough job with work involved. No one books a Broadway show and lounges around all day and shows up to the theatre to perform — it’s WORK, and like every career field not everyone that begins in remains in it.

However, some people have somehow incorporated Broadway into their life regardless of their personal life. Ellyn Marsh, beltress and Broadway veteran, is just that – a Broadway veteran. Her Resume is overflowing, with Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and Broadway’s Kinky Boots in her credits. Ellyn is also a full-time mom to her daughter, performing her eight shows a week and coming home to a full family. Her 54 show, “Ellyn Marie Marsh: Inappropriate” enjoyed a sold-out performance last week with a revival scheduled at the end of the month. She goes at full-steam ahead at life, which is why she’s on Broadway and has a beautiful family.

But why does it matter that some people have stayed in the business longer than others? Well, from an audience’s perspective, it doesn’t. You’ll enjoy your show regardless because the people onstage with still be held to the high regard that each and every Broadway performer has been for the past twenty years and still will be. However, having recurring cast members and ones with experiences provides a sense of wisdom and magic in the theatre each night. It’s magical and special to watch someone make their Broadway debut but it’s equally as special to celebrate someone’s 6th Broadway show and their 6th opening night. Although I’m not one for New Years Resolutions, one of mine is to begin to celebrate people that, 20 years later, are still making audiences leap to their feet on Broadway just as well as the day that they started. Here’s to Broadway gypsies – and I’ll drink to that!

Into The Woods Movie Experience

by Maison Kelly

There is no denying it, movie musicals have seen a huge revival recently. Yet, this genre still seems to be completely hit-or-miss in quality, and the movie production of a theatre goer’s favorite show offers no guarantees to meet his or her standards. While more light-hearted musicals, like Annie, are very difficult to complicate, it is the musical with depth and intelligence that could quickly turn cheesy when put on the silver screen. Into The Woods, with its prominent themes of morality, light and dark, and even death, was an interesting choice that payed off immensely.

Into The Woods, if you haven’t heard, is a musical masterpiece written by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. It combines many common fairytales together (the stories of Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, etc.), and puts a darker twist on their happily-ever-after endings. It also introduces a new story, one of a Baker and his wife who are unable to conceive. This is caused by no ordinary reason, but because the Witch next door had cursed their household to be forever barred. She offers one way to lift the curse- by the Baker and his wife going into the woods to retrieve four things: the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the slipper as pure as gold, and the hair as yellow as corn. This is where all the fairytales weave together.

The main reason for this momentous success of a film is the screenplay writer, James Lapine. Because he is also the original writer of Into The Woods, the stage musical, it is no coincidence that he kept the film’s themes aligned, despite Disney’s edits. While the movie is not as dark as the musical, and some notable points and songs are cut out, it still accurately communicates its message.

It isn’t all censored either, as some of the musical’s darkest moments still remain. “Hello, Little Girl,” undoubtedly eerie, is performed unforgettably by Johnny Depp and Lilla Crawford. Though the role of the Wolf is much smaller in the film, Depp’s deep, smooth voice and mysterious charm make him perfectly suited. Lilla Crawford also does a remarkable job of giving the most annoying character in the musical, vocally and personality-wise, some humanity and likability. Yet her character is one of three a part of the most out of place scene in the film. Though Little Red being saved from the belly of the Wolf makes sense on stage, it did not come across well in an odd CGI flashback sequence. Still, she recovers from this with a spirited rendition of “I Know Things Now”.

These two well-cast characters are not anomalies, either. The whole supporting cast stands up very well, and Anna Kendrick‘s Cinderella has definitely been an audience favorite. She maintains the role’s naivety and kindness without coming off too sugary. Her prince, played by Chris Pine, is lovably detestable and perfect in every obnoxious line of “Agony”. They don’t have remarkable chemistry together, but it makes sense considering their character’s relationship is not without flaw. Jack, played by Daniel Huttlestone, also stands out for his ceaseless energy. Though his accent is a bit out of place, he delivers an exhilarating and genuine version of “Giants in The Sky”.

The real stand-outs of the casting are the Baker and The Baker’s wife, played by Emily Blunt and James Corden. The Baker’s Wife, as a role, is famous for her complexity. Yet, Blunt’s portrayal is absolutely stunning and seemingly effortless. Her objectives and base desires are so clear, and her determination and moral compass are obvious throughout the whole film. Paired with Corden, they are unstoppable. Corden brilliantly plays the innocence and insecurity of the Baker, without being whiny or boyish. His comedic timing is stellar, and his replacement of the Narrator in the prologue is clever and touching.

Meryl Streep‘s characterization of the Witch was particularly interesting. Watching the film, it became evident that she took no help from any other portrayal, and created a character completely originally. Unlike any other version, Streep creates a slightly colder and more selfish Witch. “Stay With Me” is still passionate, but the “Witch’s Lament” appears to fall a bit flat, at first. But upon further thought, it’s not that it falls flat, it just reveals an almost sociopathic quality to the Witch. Unlike the infamous Mamma Mia, Streep’s vocals seriously deliver, and “Last Midnight” is amazing. Her ugly exterior, fortunately, was disturbing without being obnoxiously comedic, like in the stage version.

Overall, this is one of the most well-done and cinematographically beautiful movie musicals out there. It stays true to the original version, has a well-equipped cast, and a stunning set. Though some unprepared audiences may be shocked at Into The Woods’ depth, any theatergoer will be pleasantly surprised at this amazing translation.

Annie Movie Viewing Experience

by Maison Kelly

I have been an Annie super-fan since I was five-years-old. I have every single line memorized, and I could probably (definitely) sing even the overture in my sleep. I absolutely adore this show. So naturally, when I heard there was a modern update coming out in theaters, I was thrilled.

And extremely nervous.

Musicals being translated into films are risky enough. The new Annie movie promises not only translation, but a complete revamp of the whole plot. Instead of taking place in 1933 during the Great Depression, the new Annie movie takes place in the present day. Instead of sticking with the original music, this Annie completely switches up the tunes and lyrics to beloved classics, and adds three new songs! They definitely took on a great task to please skeptical theatre lovers, but in my humble opinion, they definitely succeeded.

This movie is so good.

If you are unfamiliar with the storyline of the original Annie, it follows the life of one 11-year-old orphan named, crazily enough, Annie. Annie lives in an orphanage under the rule of the vindictive Miss Hannigan, until she is invited to stay in the mansion of the famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Though this setup is originally a publicity stunt, Warbucks actually finds himself growing to love Annie and plans to adopt her! This would be easy enough, until Miss Hannigan decides to team up with her con-man brother and his ditzy girlfriend to pose as her real parents. This creates problems!

The new Annie movie, starring Quvenzhané Wallis and Jamie Foxx, has a similar plot, but with a modern update. The opening scene begins with Annie at school presenting her project on the Great Depression, Hoovervilles, and FDR (go figure!). She leaves school to go to her foster home, still under the care of a very ill-suited foster mother, Miss Hannigan. Later in the movie, we meet Benjamin Staxx, a modern billionaire running for Mayor, and Grace Farrell, his trusty assistant. When the time comes for Miss Hannigan to swindle Staxx’s adoption of Annie, she teams up, not with her con-man brother like in the original, but with his campaign manager!

One of the most notable changes in this update is the complete rewriting and remixing of the songs. The famous, ‘Hard Knock Life,’ has many of the same lyrics, but its new hip-hop inspired instrumental track is definitely what makes the most impact. Though this a very stark contrast to the classic Broadway sound of the original Annie, this change just works. Though all of the songs in this movie are inspired by the dance music genre, it hardly ever feels out of place. And when it does seem a bit cheesy, you are smiling too much to care!

There are definitely changes in this update, but what stuck out to me was how much the changes added to the message. Miss Hannigan, usually performed as a one-sided villain, demonstrates a great character arc in this version! It is revealed that she actually has a desire to be a singer and actress, and has a big heart hidden underneath a lot of insecurity. Giving Miss Hannigan objectives and complexity adds much more depth to the plot. Another character typically portrayed as one-sided, Grace Farrell, sheds her polished exterior for a moment when speaking to Annie about her desire for friendship. And, of course, Annie dedicates her optimistic self to find a solution to that lack.

Speaking of Annie’s lovable character, Quvenzhané Wallis does a wonderful job of performing the many sides of Annie’s character. Whether bubbly, upset, determined, or motherly, she lights up the screen. The whole cast, despite some oddities, seems very well suited for this fluffy, yet inspiring film.

Are there some cheesy moments in this film? Definitely. Is it a cinematic masterpiece? No. But Annie is, and has always been, an enjoyable and uplifting story about persevering optimism and love that breaks barriers. And this modern update of Annie has definitely achieved this message.

Spending the holidays in a show

Spending the holidays in a show
By Sami DeSocio

The holidays are about getting together with friends and family, going over to someone’s house or having people over and being together. But if you’re in a show, its not always possible to be with your family. While that leads to homesickness, if you and your cast are close, there are ways to beat the holiday blues.

While I’ve never been in this situation, I know people that have, and even though they can’t be with family, the cast they’re part of gets together to celebrate themselves. I’ve seen potlucks done and I’ve even seen one cast make a gingerbread house together! There are ways of celebrating the holidays with your theater family.

Another fun thing you and your cast can do is a secret santa. Everyone pulls a name and then on Christmas Eve or Christmas, everyone can exchange gifts. This serves as not only a way to spend the holidays, but its also a great bonding moment for the cast as well.

If your cast is kitchen-savvy, maybe someone will even make some holiday treats (warn the costume department, costumes will need to be let out!). Cookies, cakes, brownies and other things of the season could litter the dressing rooms and common areas backstage, putting everyone in the holiday spirit!

A musical cast could get together and sing Christmas carols, or even make up their own versions! Some casts even get together to participate in Carols for A Cure for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For some casts, though different people, recording for that CD becomes the show’s traditional holiday activity. Almost like a holiday right of passage for some.

Although most shows make an effort to not perform on Christmas Eve or Christmas (usually there is a show one of the two days, but rarely both), some shows just have no choice. In times like that, it’s great to know that the homesickness that everyone in the cast is feeling can be quelled if you come together as a family in your own right.

Have you ever been in a show during the holidays? What did you do to beat the holiday blues?

Wigging Out: Broadway Hair

Hair on Broadway is essential; it’s seriously one of the biggest parts in some actors and actresses’ transformations into their character. Imagine Lesli Margherita as Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda without her signature golden locks, or Ariel in the Little Mermaid without her iconic red hair? Hair is a larger part of Broadway than we think; it helps tell the story in a huge way by helping the audience identify the characters.

Wigs are a sticky subject. Some shows use a ton and some use very little. If/Then, Broadway’s contemporary musical about when choice meets chance (as pulled from their website) doesn’t really use many wigs. As a contemporary musical set in present time in a city, none of the characters need exaggerated hair. If/Then is a great example of a show that doesn’t need wigs to tell its story – but this doesn’t mean that there is no hair design! The performers need to keep their hair to the set design to keep the image of the character a certain way. Hair does not mean just wigs; it just means the overall image of hair on someone’s head is set as a design whether it be their real hair or a wig.

A show like WICKED is much different. As the show is set in Oz, the characters call for wild hairstyles, which means incorporating wigs. In a rare occasion, wig designs can change throughout the run of a show. In the recent Roundabout revival of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, Sutton Foster starred as the charming Reno Sweeney and donned a curled blonde wig.

When Broadway powerhouse Stephanie J. Block stepped into the role later in the run, the team opted to give her a ginger-red wig instead of the blonde. I had the opportunity to go backstage at the show and I was told that they just decided that the ginger-red just looked better on Stephanie. In other words, changing the color helped tell the story better! But with a show like Legally Blonde or Hairspray, which have hair “types” in the title, obviously have to live up to that sort of hype. See, hair is a big part of theatre!

Now that we’ve established the difference of how the design and reason of hair on Broadway, we’ll get a little more specific. With wigs, audiences are oftentimes surprised to hear how much time, effort and money wigs cost. A standard Broadway wig can cost anywhere from $1,000 up. Imagine having to pay for not only a set of wigs for your show but for your understudies, swings and standbys, too. It gets expensive and that’s not all. Broadway is known for being premier, and that’s what wigs on Broadway aren’t party store wigs. Predominately, wigs used on Broadway are called lace front wigs. This creates the most realistic hairline possible for each wig, and is often a “partner” (as in they’re close to each other). It’s also common practice for wigs to be prepped between performances like restyling, putting them in curlers and just in general performing upkeep on them. The hair is delicate and requires a lot of care even after they are paid for and made; which is why shows that employ wigs also employ (in a more literal sense) a hair team that takes care of all the hair in the show (some cut the hair on the performers to keep the hair design the same).

While hair is a small part of what makes up the entire theatregoing experience, try and take a little closer look at the hair on the performer’s heads the next time you go to a live performance. You’ll find a lot of work goes into making it look how prestige (or messed up) it appears!

Phantom of the Opera Tour Experience

The first show of the inaugural season for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has Orlando, Florida buzzing. The newly reworked Phantom of the Opera tour made it’s way into Downtown Orlando and into the Floridians hearts. After hearing about the show nonstop for the past week, I was excited to finally see what everyone was raving about!

When my friends and I first walked into the mostly glass Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, I saw the beautiful, curved staircase in the middle of the lobby. Bright colors like purple, orange, yellow, and pink are sprinkled throughout the décor. There is a wonderful, friendly atmosphere and an abundance of energy. The Walt Disney Theater is simply marvelous! Gold sparkles throughout the house, giving a rich and warm feeling. The stage is massive! Compared to Broadway theaters in New York City, it’s at least four times bigger than the average stage.

Once we had sat down in our fourth row seats, we began searching for the famous chandelier. It was located quickly when we looked directly up. We were right underneath the chandelier! SPOILER ALERT * When the Chandelier fell, we nearly screamed, it was about four feet from our heads when we stood at intermission! *

The show itself was spectacular and unlike everything I’ve ever seen. We had the alternate Christine, Celia Hottenstein, who was incredible! Her voice was clear and powerful. She really filled the theater. Chris Mann was our Phantom and as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he captured the audience’s hearts with just one look at his handsome face (or, half of a handsome face?). His looks were matched by both his fantastic acting skills and lovely voice. The cast in general blew my mind! There was never a moment of weakness in their performance. It was strong and extremely polished! Every dance move was sharp, yet fluid, and everyone was completely together.

A few days before I saw the show, I had the opportunity to have a master class with the dance captain, Tara Sweeney, and associate dance captain, Christopher M. Howard. We learned some of the choreography to Masquerade and had an interesting Q&A afterwards. Learning the choreography was fun, yet challenging! It reminded me how long it had been since I had danced. Our teaches assured us it took them a solid three days of eight hour rehearsals before they had gotten it down. The best part was creating our own masks! We didn’t create physical masks, but imaginary ones. There is a part in the choreography where the ensemble clumps together and slowly moves forward, using their hands to show some details of their masks. For example, someone in the cast has an elephant on his imaginary mask, so he shows it by pantomiming a large trunk extending from his nose.

The Q&A portioned consisted of different questions about training, becoming a swing, and touring. I took several things away from the Q&A portion.

1. Ballet classes are very helpful!

2. Your fellow performers on stage will help you if you need it.

3. Touring can be lonely, even with a hundred people with you. However, it’s worth it.

My Phantom experience has been phenomenal! I learned so much at the master class and the show was one of the best I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see the rest of the season at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts! (Book of Mormon, you’re up!)

Flight of Fancy – Flying on Broadway

by Eric Gelb

Flying in theatre is absolutely magical. Just imagine, as Mary Poppins sings her last few words as she lifts off the ground and into the haze-filled stage rafters. But imagine if she leaped off the lip of the stage and flew over the heads of the audience? That’s just what she did 8 times a week when the show ran on Broadway. Or consider the Broadway classic “Cinderella”. While not nearly as complex as Mary Poppins, at the end of the magical “It’s Possible” Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother flies above her horse-drawn carriage in a magical flight. While these moments are quick and seemingly easy, it’s so much more than that.

First, imagine the amount of safety and precaution that must be taken. You are hoisting a performer in the air! It has to be the top-of-the-line equipment to keep everyone safe. This racks up quite a hefty bill for the production for one small effect. But if the script truly calls for it, it’s a necessity. Aside from making it happen, think of the logistics. When someone like Mary Poppins flies over the heads of at least a thousand people each night, not only does it have to be super-safe for the performer, if she’s flying above people, it has to be super-duper heavy-duty! But, as they say, it’s all for the show. While it is expensive and logistically complicated, it’s a huge part of what makes the show so magical and special. This particular effect was omitted in the Second National Tour, which further tells you — flying is expensive and logistically difficult. In that particular instance, it could be reasonably inferred that the producers opted to not have to spend the immense amount of time of prep, maintenance and break-down of Mary Poppins flying over the audience.

But don’t be fooled by the grandeur of Mary’s flight – even the smaller flying effects require an immense amount of work and planning to accomplish. Aside from the logistics, it’s not a wild question to ask who “flies”, as in who does it? Well, there’s a few options. If you’re thinking of community or regional theatre, there are even more. Oftentimes they’ll opt to make their own “flying” contraptions that might work or be serviceable for the run but not safe. But the option that’s open (as in ready for hire and open to bookings) are the two big names – ZFX Flying and Flying by Foy. Both companies, while offering similar services, do an exceptional job. It’s like hiring someone to come and cut your lawn — they charge you a fee, and they come in and do it for you and work with you and your performers. It’s much, more more than just attaching someone to strings. Hiring a company to come fly your performers is a process – it’s expensive, and you have to sort out housing, the actual equipment that they’ll bring, the rehearsal period and things of that nature.

Imagine producing a production of Willy Wonka, and you need to fly your performers for the “Fizzy Lifting Scene” and adding a flying company into the mix of squirrel costumes and Oompa Loompa wigs. But it’s all in the name of magic! There’s no shortage of flying nowadays, of course, (if you recall “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” which incorporated similar flying effects as Poppins, albeit much more abundant).

Earlier this month, Peter Pan Live aired on NBC on the tails of last year’s Sound of Music Live. A part of the continuing “live-on-tv” trend of musical theatre pieces, Pan incorporated live flying throughout the broadcast. This is a little different than flying in theatre. In the theatre, a set amount of people see it each night. So if a flight is a few moments late, you can fix it for the next performance. But the whole country saw it, so the flights were as close to as perfect as possible because they won’t ever be done again after the broadcast. While stressful and surely costly, the precautions and preparation taken for the magical flights that all of America was treated to was more than magical.

Best Christmas Showtunes!

Christmas is fast approaching (6 days!), and we couldn’t be more excited! Lights adorn almost every building, holiday movies are always playing on television, and Christmas music is constantly on the radio! But, for the theatre lover, this presents the question:

Should I actually be festive and listen to holiday music instead of showtunes all the time?! (gasp!)

But, of course, we wouldn’t want to do that. How could we possibly give up showtunes? (Especially since NBC got us hooked on Peter Pan again!) Luckily, there is a compromise. There are plenty of wonderful musicals that take place during the holiday season! Here is a guide for any theatre lover that wants to get into the holiday spirit.

“A New Deal For Christmas” from Annie

There is not a better show to get you into the Christmas spirit and uplifted for the new year! “A New Deal For Christmas” is Annie’s finale, and all problems are solved and everyone is blissfully happy. Mr. Warbucks is ecstatic to have Annie as his daughter, and the orphans are glad to no longer be under the rule of the vindictive Miss Hannigan! The whole song is about starting fresh and being positive! What better way to spend Christmastime?

Notable lyrics: “Fill every stocking with laughter, we haven’t got room for any more gloom– those happy days that we were promised are finally here!”

(Also, how excited are you for the Annie movie premiere on December 19th? We can’t wait!)

“A Turkey, Lurkey Christmas” from Promises, Promises

While Annie‘s Christmas song is the conclusion to a wonderful story, and is full of meaning and satire, “A Turkey, Lurkey Christmas,” is just plain fun. Most of the lyrics are nonsensical, but the tune might be the most catchy on this list! Also, Promises, Promises stars Kristin Chenoweth. And that is always a definite plus.

Notable lyrics: “Let us make a wish, and may all our wishes come true! A snowy, blowy Christmas; a mistletoey Christmas; a loosey-goosey Christmas to you!”

“Christmas Lullaby” from Songs For a New World

With The Last Five Years releasing as a movie at some point soon, we are all about Jason Robert Brown! Songs For a New World is so interesting because it isn’t set up like a normal musical; it is a series of songs that are connected in theme. This song is slower than the others on this list, but is beautifully sung and very classical sounding. It truly sounds like a lullaby!

Notable lyrics: “I will be like Mother Mary, with the power in my veins, to believe in all the things I’ve yet to be.”

“A Christmas Song- Reprise” from Elf the Musical

This musical, while popular, isn’t the most well-known as it only ran during the holiday seasons! Now this is obviously very festive; the whole musical is focused on Christmas! If you haven’t had a chance to see the movie (where have you been?) or the musical, the story follows Buddy the Elf, when he finds out that he is actually just a normal, mistaken human. He leaves the North Pole on a search to find his real father, and on the way, is determined to bring true Christmas spirit to everyone he meets! In “A Christmas Song- Reprise,” he finally succeeds in winning over a few hearts. Perfect for kids and adults!

Notable lyrics: “Just sing a Christmas song, and keep on singing all season long! Think of all the joy you’ll bring, if you just close your eyes and sing!”

Listening to these Broadway Christmas Showtunes make the holidays even more exciting! What are your favorite Christmas songs, showtunes or otherwise? Tell us in the comments!

The Magic of a Broadway Theater

by Sami DeSocio

There are few things that put a bigger smile on my face than the smile of walking into a Broadway theater. There’s just something about it, like walking into another time and another place. Some of these theaters have been around since the early 1900s (whether they be under a different name) and are still standing today!

The ticket areas are often nothing more than a small hallway with a few windows against the walls. Of course, when the big, gold, heavy doors open it takes the mind a minute to acclimate to the new environment. The lighting is soft, the seats are plush, and the columns holding the place are as sturdy as the stage being performed on. I love the smell of the theater, and its something that even some of my theater friends think I’m crazy for! But, every theater has a very distinct smell, one of history, dust, paint, and memories of who knows how many shows!

Sitting in the seats and taking a look around, I always listen to conversations around me, some make me laugh and some make me want to turn around and correct someone! But no matter what, I always make sure to tune into the beauty of the theater. Often a good 1300-1400 seats all the way up to what looks like the rafters of the balcony seats.

The architecture of these buildings is absolutely stunning. Some even have wonderful murals on the ceiling. The experience is just one that can’t be duplicated-no matter how hard you try! Not saying other theaters around the world can’t be beautiful, and aren’t beautiful, I have a beautifully stunning theater practically in my backyard with the Count Basie Theater. But, there’s something different about a Broadway theater that everyone needs to experience if given the opportunity.

You can feel the electricity in the room, both from the stage itself, waiting for the actors to come play, from the audience buzzing about the different actors in the show, other shows they’ve seen and their excitement over what’s about to happen, to the building itself, holding all the history of previous shows.

When the lights finally dim, and the announcements are over, there’s this great beat of silence allowing everyone to take a breath and prepare themselves for the ride they are about to be taken on! Even from the outside these buildings tell a story. They display a picture of the cast, glowing reviews, and some of them even play music from the show to entice people to come inside. When La Cage Aux Folles was revived a few years ago, the theater they were at had a disco ball in front of their doors. Priscilla Queen of the Desert had Will Swenson’s image wrapped around the outside columns with the music from the show blaring out into the street. From the minute you walk through the doors to the minute you leave, being in a Broadway theater is something that everyone should experience at least once!

What’s your favorite theater? What did you see?