| Did you ever have one of those days? You know the | | | | are laughing so hard you miss the next line, but a |
| one; the coffee spills in your lap before you get to | | | | seasoned performer will usually wait for the laughter to |
| work, the babysitter calls out sick and the cat throws | | | | subside before delivering the next line. The nice thing |
| up on the carpet. Are you picturing it now? I'll admit that | | | | about live theater is the pleasant surprises. For |
| there are some days that just can't be salvaged, but | | | | instance, you may go to see a show that you didn't |
| on many a day you could pop in a Broadway CD and | | | | necessarily expect to be humorous, but much to your |
| it will take you back to that very moment you first | | | | delight you find that there are many lines or a certain |
| experienced that show. The next thing you know you | | | | character devoted to comic relief. This is certainly the |
| are belting out your most beloved show tune at the | | | | case with Wicked. You don't go in expecting Glinda the |
| top of your lungs, dancing around the house or | | | | Good Witch to play the ditzy blonde, but some of her |
| replaying the dialogue to your favorite love scene. | | | | dialogue is quite amusing. Yes, theater can often give |
| Theater has a way of staying with you especially | | | | us many the opportunities to smile, and don't we wish |
| when you experience a good production. | | | | we had more of those? |
| Think about the time you saw your very first show. | | | | Broadway can also be a place to reconnect with the |
| Can you remember? Of course you can because it | | | | past. There are several shows out there that a child |
| probably made you feel good! Envision the | | | | can find extremely amusing and these are usually the |
| atmosphere as a whole; the stage, the surroundings, | | | | shows that the adults tend to want to see again and |
| the costumes, the lighting, the orchestra and the story. | | | | again. Reliving your childhood in those few hours can |
| If a production is done right you are ensconced from | | | | be magical. Mary Poppins is one of those productions. |
| the moment the curtain goes up until it falls. You are | | | | Probably because we are all familiar with the books |
| literally mesmerized from the time the first note is | | | | and the movie and the songs are such classics. It's |
| played. Do you remember how you felt the first time | | | | such a feel good experience to see these songs and |
| you saw the chain gang in the opening scene of Les | | | | characters brought to life on the stage. Many of us |
| Miserable or the revolving stage used throughout the | | | | hold this story close to our hearts and to watch it |
| performance. Breathtaking is the only way to describe | | | | unfold live in front of our eyes is truly an amazing an |
| the emotions felt when Jean Val Jean sings "Bring Him | | | | inspirational occurrence |
| Home." At the very moment the chandelier comes | | | | Yes, the theater can be many things to many people, |
| crashing to the floor in The Phantom of the Opera the | | | | but much rides on the actor playing the role. As |
| audience is drawn in. And when the Phantom sings | | | | wonderful as the whole experience is it can only come |
| "The Music of the Night" you are convinced that there | | | | to life by talented performers. The productions |
| is someone other than a monster behind that mask. | | | | ensemble is often credited with making or breaking a |
| The drama, the feelings and the emotions stay with | | | | show. But, when the casting is dead on so is the |
| you forever if you let them. | | | | performance. It is so uplifting to watch these people |
| A production doesn't always have to be tragic to | | | | pour their hearts and souls into a show and all for the |
| move you to tears. It can also be so outrageously | | | | benefit of the audience. These actors do this day in |
| funny that you find yourself laughing and crying at the | | | | and day out and have to "bring it" each and every |
| same time. Take for example The Producers and | | | | time. Knowing that how can one not be in awe? So, |
| Spamalot both hysterically funny shows that deliver | | | | the next time you are having one of those days think |
| dialogue with just the right amount of comedic timing. | | | | of that special performance; the one that no other can |
| This can also be a bit inconvenient at times since you | | | | rival. You'll feel better even if just for a little while. |