Favorite Things Friday - Musicals

Who doesn't love musicals? The feeling you get when you're sitting in your seat and the lights go out and then the curtain lifts and TADA the musical begins...it gives me chills just thinking about it. I went to my first musical, Les Miserable, when I was 10-11 years old. Leading up to the big night my dad would play the soundtrack over and over again so that I would know the songs when we went to see the show. It was a magical moment. I've seen Les Mis 6 times since then...2 more times in New York, twice in London, once in Boston and once in Witchita, Kansas just last summer! It is hands down my favorite show, probably because it was my first that I saw, or the first that I knew all the words to, but I never tire of seeing it and I cry every time.

My parents were really great about taking us to see musicals as we grew up. We usually went at least once a year as a family. I wish I had kept track of all the plays that I've seen - I'll try to list them all below at the bottom of this post - I'm sure I'll be missing a few.

Jon and I saw numerous plays when we lived in Boston. We tried to go every year. Living in NYC surrounded by theater it's hard not to go see a show (although the prices make you think long and hard before you go...) I've seen 8 shows since I moved back here just 2 years ago. Most recently Jon and I saw South Pacific on February 13th. It was our big Christmas present from my parents. We loved it (there is nothing like a dame...nothing in the world...)! It's playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center and the theater is set up so that literally there is not a bad seat in the house. The coolest thing about the theater is that the stage moves back so that you can see the Orchestra while they're playing! The show was lighthearted and fun at times and more serious at others - the perfect mix for a good musical.

Next on our agenda: Phantom of the Opera on Friday, March 13th. This is Jon's favorite musical and we've both only seen it once. In December I stumbled upon a buy one get one free ticket promotion for Phantom so we decided to splurge and see it again. I can't wait.

List of Shows I've Seen (not all musicals & seen in various locations including NYC, Boston, Providence, London, Witchita & Oklahoma City)

Les Miserable
Phantom of the Opera
Miss Saigon
1776
The Lion King
Pal Joey
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Producers
Cyrano de Bergerac
Pygmallion
Avenue Q
A Chorus Line
South Pacific
Brigadoon
Death of a Saleman
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to th eForum
Peter Pan
Evita
Tommy
Mamma Mia!
Damn Yankees
Billy Elliot
Guys and Dolls
Jersey Boys
Rent
Bring in the Noise Bring in the Funk
Stomp
Blue Man Group
Hairspray
Urinetown
Blood Brothers
The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged
A Chorus Line

That's all I can think of off the top of my head! Not too shabby!