In Honor of the Tony Awards-What's the Best Play You've Ever Seen?

[suzannen]

The Tony Award nominations came out today so DH and I started discussing all of the plays we've seen and what our personal favorite Broadway productions were.

My choice, hands down, was "Les Miserable", the original NYC cast starring Colm Wilkinson.

For my DH, it was Zero Mostel starring in "Fiddler on the Roof."

So, in honor of the Tony Awards, what's your favorite play production (could be a touring company) and do you remember the leads?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I saw Fosse with Ben Vereen and Ann Reiking on Broadway and it was the best exp I've ever had...

I saw it again on tour and LOVED IT. it's probably my fave show... though not a play.

As far as musicals, I really enjoy Phantom of the Opera each time I catch it. Incredibly breathtaking.

But there are many many musicals that I love... I've seen very few plays - not enough to namea fave.

 

[Hillbeans]

I've seen both "The Boy from Oz" and "Wicked" - great shows. I think my favorite play was "Phantom" just because the music was so beautiful and powerful.

 

[Planogirl]

I have two favorites.

One is the King and I when Yul Brynner played the king. He was simply the best!

The other is Jekyll and Hyde. I loved the music, story and everything else about this one.

 

[Danauk]

For musicals I guess I would say The Witches of Eastwick for stage illusions and overall entertainment. But I do love the Phantom of the Opera and the Lion King for the music. I saw all of these in the West End of London.
For a play, an unknown play called The sweetest swing in baseball which again I saw in the West End last month. It starred Gillian Anderson (Skully from the x-files) and she was amazing. On stage for the whole play!
As for shows that I have been in I think I enjoyed Singing in the Rain the most (we hired in the real set from the West End with the big rain truck!!). I am doing the Sound of Music next which I am really looking forward to.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Theodore Bikel in Fiddler on the Roof!

Bobbi

 

[missypie]

If you want to be technical, most of the shows you describe are "musicals" (in Tony's parlance) rather than "plays."

 

[suzannen]

missypie,
Technically you are absolutely correct. Yet almost always when folks tell you about the best thing they've ever seen on Broadway, they tend to get most nostalgic over the musicals. Probably the whole "production" thing. It will be interesting to see if anyone's favorite is a non-musical.

 

[Hillbeans]

Well, I know the worst "Play" I saw was "The Allergist's wife".

It was dreadful.

 

[suzannen]

Hillbeans,
Mine was "Nick and Nora", also a musical, but one so bad it was only open for one week.

Planogirl, that would have been something to have seen Yul Brynner in the "King and I."

And, on a side note, "The Iceman Cometh" with Kevin Spacey was the LONGEST play I ever saw. It was extremely well done, but over 4 hours and my feet kept falling asleep.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

I can't choose a "best" musical ever. some of the ones I've loved include "fiddler", "Les Mis" and "42nd Street".

as for plays -- "Noises Off", "Lend Me a tenor" and "The Sisters Rosenzweig" top my list.

I've never seen anything on Broadway that made me cringe. just lucky I guess.

as for the nominations for this season -- "Wicked" for best musical, no competition there, but Hugh Jackman for "boy from Oz." for best revival...I preferred "fiddler" over "Wonderful Town" but I think "Wonderful town will win.

 

[Magix]

"The Producers" and "Dreamgirls" both in their LA runs.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

My favorite musical that I have seen was when the Lion King was playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. I just happened to be on vacation and had the chance to see it! AMAZING!

My all time favorite play is Death of a Salesman....I produced and directed it with a cast and crew of young people (ages 14-21) as part of a theatre company I started in high school. We staged classic plays with all youth casts and crews to raise money for charaties. We did:

Death of a Salesman (for the World War II Memorial Fund)
A Streetcar Named Desire (for the local spouse abuse shelter)
Waiting for Godot (for a local homeless shelter)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe (for a local mental health center)

And a few more...I have a soft spot for all of these plays.

Jungle Josh

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

ugh, "waiting For Godot." I had to read that and "No Exit" in college. not my cup of tea, I'm afraid.

oh, my. I'm starting to sound like Anna in "the King and I". my kids did that show at school with weekend.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

That late night, double feature picture show.......

"Rocky Horror Picture Show"

 

[Skywalker]

Oh no doubt about it - Les Miserables! That just can't be beat in terms of story, music and pure emotion. I've seen it three times (London, New York and Toronto) and it gets me every time.