Boy, I miss live theatre! It must really be coming to a head within me because this has been a week of musicals for me.
Yes, I’m one of those rare men who LOVE musicals. The music, the singing, the storyline, the choreography, the dazzling sets, the mood-shifting lights. THE SPECTACLE! and how it affects you. Love everything about musicals.
In the past week, I’ve watched OKLAHOMA (the 1999 Hugh Jackman live London version), Carousel (the Live from Lincoln Center version), and the West End version of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. I loved them all for different reasons, But let me just say that An American in Paris was absolutely stunning. The choreography and set pieces, let alone the flawless performances, made it one of the best produced musicals I’ve ever seen. Truly spectacular. And Gershwin’s music is great. I would love to see it live!
But this wasn’t the end of my musicals for the week. I even watched that Netflix Dolly Parton musical that I can’t remember the name of. Yeah, I know, it’s not going to knock any of those blockbusters listed above off their pedestals, but hey. It was Christmas. There was singing. There was a storyline. There was choreography. So ’tis the season!
Now in my earbuds, I’m listening through the 1992 recording of The King & I featuring Julie Andrews, Ben Kingsley, and Lea Salonga. There’s a reason. I’m already plotting my first post-Covid musical, and I want to go back to one of the classics . I’m pondering how The King & I might play out in my particular setting. It’ s an interesting option, which I’m seriously considering.
What’s next for my viewing pleasure? I think I’ll keep working through the Rodgers and Hammerstein collection. Sounds like a plan.
How about you? What’s your favorite classic musical from Broadway’s golden era?
And what musical would you like to see first when the craziness of 2020 is finally finished?
Author Mark W Sasse 
11 responses to “A Week of Musicals”
From the Golden Age of Music- mine is Sound of Music, which also is my favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
Well, I miss live theater as well- just everything about it. The atmosphere, the two way conversation, the spectacle, the emotion, everything really. Gong to a musical is one of my biggest escapes. This has been the first year musicals I really wanted to see got postponed: Anastasia, Frozen, and Wicked- glad to learn that they were going to back to Charlotte eventually
Just please have musicals come back in time for Hadestown- touring to Charlotte October of 2021. I think there might be some advantage of that.
My blog is supposed to be mostly musical theatre focused, but somehow turned more bookish than usual
I really enjoyed Anastasia when I saw it a couple years ago. I still haven’t seen Wicked! Someday! I agree, the spectacle and emotion can’t be beat. I can’t wait to produce one again with my students.
So it feels like forever till I can see musicals again
You haven’t seen Wicked????? You got to see it.
I know! It’s been on my watch list for years, but as I live overseas, I don’t have as many opportunities. Someday!
I live in the US in a major touring city- so I have several opportunities to see a musical.
My journey with Wicked did not start in Charlotte. It started August 2006 at the Gerswhin Theater on Broadway- date with my mom
A favorite is hard to choose, but I can’t seem to pass up on an opportunity to see a performance of Fiddler on the Roof. I am looking forward to the day when I can head to the theater again. Also, I am the daughter, sister, wife, and mother of men who love musicals. You’re not alone.
Yes! I know I’m not alone. But I am a minority. haha! I love Fiddler on the Roof!
I miss it all. Covid became “real” to us here when Miss Saigon was cancelled in early March. We were so disappointed…little did we know what was ahead.
Miss Saigon is a great show! I know what you mean. I was producing a show in April and we went into lockdown on March 9. Naively I thought I’d still have time to do the April show. Ha!
I miss everything about going to the theater..dressing up, the drive, eating out, the shows.. ugh.
Oh, absolutely! I’ve been fortunate enough to see some great shows in some cool places: Phantom of the Opera in Toronto, Cats in London, Evita in Pittsburgh, Anastasia on Broadway, etc… and the whole evening, every part of the experience is wonderful! I second your ugh!