<p>tracy, your post does remind me of one show that I should have thought of as a favorite of my own kids, because they were both in Annie together at our local theater. D1 played Pepper and D2 played Annie. Actually, their dad got into the act and was in the show too as he figured when else would he ever get to be in a show with both daughters. My girls were 11 and 13 at the time and so that one was quite memorable and I guess earlier I was thinking of older age shows D2 was in. </p>
<p>I almost forgot, but D1 used to be in many musicals too but doesn’t have a career in that field. So, thinking back on her shows, hmm, well, can’t pick one but maybe playing the lead in the school musical when she was in sixth grade, playing Sister Margaretta in Sound of Music, dancing in Anything Goes, 42nd Street and Evita, and her first musical ever at age 5, an orphan in Annie.</p>
<p>Would love to hear what people think of Ghost…saw it last weekend, and while I had issues with the gratuitous use of video, the special effects were stunning, and the talent incredible. Definitely worth seeing, if nothing else for Caissie Levy’s voice and the absolutely amazing live special effects.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>D’s performance in Hairspray her freshman year of HS. She was out of school with mono for a month and thought that she’d miss auditions. We videotaped one from her sick bed (actually her sick sofa), and she got the part. She really came into her own in that part and it’s when I really realized that yes, MT would have to be her major in college.</p></li>
<li><p>Purlie! Saw it at a regional theatre as a very young child and was fascinated because I had never seen an all black musical before. Would luv for D to play Lutiebelle someday. </p></li>
<li><p>Yul Brynner on Broadway in The King & I. Found out that he would be leaving the show and begged my dad for tickets. Mind blowing. Eventually named my first pet Brynner.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My favorite performance my girl has done is always the last one - haha. Recently she was Annie in AGYG and she was so wonderful. So many people said, “That is the perfect role for her,” and I had to agree. It was a chance for her to show her comedic side as well as her feisty and sweet side too. It was also a bit of a relief after college auditions to have music to sing that was not TOO challenging. :0)</p>
<p>ANYTHING GOES is my favorite show for sure - partly because of my daughter’s reactions throughout and also because of Sutton Foster. It was our first trip to NYC this past summer and we’d been looking forward to it for ages. My girl is tall like Sutton and so has been a real inspiration to her (for obvious other reasons too!) . . . when Sutton walked out on stage for the first time, I heard my girl gasp (makes me teary-eyed just thinking about it). And then when they got to “Anything Goes” . . . the look on my D’s face . . . well, I will never forget that. Then “Blow Gabriel” . . . what’s not to love about the entire show? I’m still amazed at the level of fitness that it took for SF to dance that entire number and still sing like she did. Unforgettable really. Like many of you, we loved Joel Gray too, but we really loved Jessica Stone as Irma. So good. Like Tracyvp, we got to see Daniel Radcliffe in HOW TO SUCCEED - that was quite a thrill for my D as well as she grew up obsessed with HP. Of course it didn’t hurt that he was fabulous - we were so impressed by how much he put into that role - no resting on his laurels for him!</p>
<p>Besides SF I would have to say that my favorite performance of an MT actor is Julie Andrews in THE SOUND of MUSIC. She’s just so lovely in every way. The movie had been out quite a while by the time I was old enough to appreciate it, and when I was little I knew all the songs by heart. Honestly, I think my elementary music teacher had us sing at least one of the songs in our concerts every year! TSOM is probably a big reason my D ended up loving musicals so much. We wore out video tapes of it at our house when she was little (that and THE LION KING!) . . . it’s also a family tradition to watch it at Christmas time. Ironically, TSOM was the first mainstage musical my daughter was in as Sister Sophia. :0)</p>
<p>^^It’s funny but when my kids were VERY little, they would watch certain musical movies over and over again…Sound of Music and Oliver (I recall D1 just being a tot and craving both of these) and also Newsies. Both my girls were infatuated with musicals from toddlerhood! D1 was in her first professional musical at age 5 and D2 at age 4 1/2! It was one of many things they enjoyed, but it ended up that for D2, it became her life.</p>
<p>And oh, of course, the Disney films were all coming out when they were little, Lion King, Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast…</p>
<p>Our kids were all so fortunate to grow up during a golden age of Disney movie musicals. Hoorah for Alan Menken!!</p>
<p>We could add to the list of favorites…</p>
<p>4) Your favorite song from a Disney musical.</p>
<p>For me (as of this minute) that would be…</p>
<p>4) My favorite – either “Out There” or “Heaven’s Light” from Hunchback or “If I Can’t Love Her” from Beauty and the Beast. D loved “Reflection” from Mulan and “A Change in Me” from Beauty and the Beast.</p>
<p>As with most of you, I have to just venture a quick answer to these questions, since on a different day my answers could be totally different. So many musicals, so little time. ;-D</p>
Favorite performance of my D is probably Madame T. in Les Mis because it was a wonderful experience for her to have to go outside the box and the cast and performances were amazing! However, she is Sandy in Grease this summer so that may change! ;)</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Favorite MT show is harder!! I loved Wicked, Lion King and recently adored Anything Goes!!! Such a wonderful dance show and Sutton and Joel Grey were superb. Couldn’t stop dancing all the way back to the hotel.</p></li>
<li><p>Fave MT actor has to be Sutton. She is a true triple threat and just lights up the stage. I wasn’t fortunate enough to see Idina or Kristen in Wicked or they may have taken this spot. I did see Alice R in N2N, however she is such a pre Madonna that I have trouble liking her. She was very annoying at curtain call trying to take all the credit for the show. I just can’t stomach her but she was amazing in her role.</p></li>
<li><p>And as for favorite Disney song so hard to choose!!! I love the Lion King soundtrack the most but I really love “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast or You’ll be in My Heart from Tarzan (but that’s cause I love Phil Collins).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I’m a student but I still felt like posting on here, so…</p>
<p>1) My favorite performance of mine will probably be next weekend! I’m playing the Baker in Into the Woods at school. I love the role, I think fairy tales are fascinating, and I auditioned on No More! I can’t wait to do our preview on Wednesday!</p>
<p>2) Favorite show would have to be Spring Awakening. My mom hated it, mainly because of the story, but one of my goals is to play Moritz (and hopefully professionally). The music is fantastic and I love the intense characters. I also just so happened to us one of Moritz’s monologues from The Awakening of Spring for auditions too! Hahahaha, that was very fun.</p>
<p>3) Favorite MT actor has to be Aaron Tveit. I saw him in Catch Me If You Can on Broadway and absolutely loved his performance. Another one of my goals is to sing Goodbye, including the high Bb, which is a little high for me right now. Unfortunantly, I’m not the same type as Aaron, which is why I wish I could see How to Succeed! Like Nick Jonas, Darren Criss, and Daniel Radcliffe, I’m a little short, dark hair, and skinny. Hahahaha it’s perfect!</p>
<p>4) Favorite Disney song has to be Under the Sea. Don’t know why, I just love it.</p>
<p>^^^Students are surely welcome!! This forum is for both students and parents (and others)!!! </p>
<p>Break a leg as the Baker in ITW…fabulous role.
(my kid played Little Red in 9th grade in her HS production and then musically directed a production of ITW at her college in soph year)</p>
<p>@musicaliowan - I’m pretty sure this forum is mostly for students since you are, after all, the ones who all this college stuff is about, so it’s perfect for you to post. Have a great time with your upcoming show!</p>
<p>Catch up time, I have to add my favorite Disney song. Has to be, without question, The Bells of Notre Dame in Hunchback. That guy has an amazing voice.</p>
<p>Curtain for Les Mis goes up Thursday night through Sunday. My daughter is a prostitute among other things and will be coming out on stage in her corset; some day I’ll get used to this stuff…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Favorite performance of my daughter. Really this is my favorite overall experience. It was her first professional show and she was 11 years old. “Sunday in the Park with George.” She was the only child in the cast, playing the part of Louise. My wife and I took turns driving her an hour each way for three weeks of rehearsals and then four shows a week for an eight week run. Seems kind of crazy but that time in the car created the foundation of the fantastic relationship that we have today. I still tear up when I hear the song “Sunday” which closes both acts.</p></li>
<li><p>Hard to pick one favorite MT show. I love everything Sondheim, with “Company” and “Sweeney Todd” probably at the top of the list. </p></li>
<li><p>Favorite MT performance. I saw Robert Cuccioli in Jekyll and Hyde. Stunning.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Adding favorite Disney song: Since my D was enamored of all thing “Princess” when she was 3, the Disney Princess CD was on a repeating loop every day in the car and every night when she was going to bed.
My favorite of those is “Part of Your World” from Little Mermaid. However, I always loved “Baby Mine” from Dumbo, too.</p>
<p>1- favorite performance- like another poster- the last show she was in! Although the ones that I love are 42nd Street, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Millie! The best part is knowing the ride isn’t over and there will be many more!
2-favorite show- lots- but anything with lots of dancing in it. I’m not as much of a fan of the operatic musicals like Phantom
3- I love the Broadway shows. We combined the college decision trip with shows and saw Newsies and Peter and the Starcatcher. They were both fabulous although Peter is such a different show and definitely not a musical. I saw How to Succeed with both Dan Rad and Nick Jonas, both great in different ways. Last year was a Broadway marathon and loved so many but if you’re there, see War Horse, another not a musical but amazing show.
4- Disney is always a favorite around here. My D also had where songs were on the CD memorized practically before she could talk and was always right. We would play the same song over and over again…Now we just keep going to the park over and over again but it’s great to watch your kid perform there. My favorite is probably Beauty and the Be Our Guest song!</p>
<p>This is a great thread!! But it is soooo tough to answer!! I will try to do my best. </p>
<p>1) Your favorite performance that you or your child was involved in, and why.
I was also an MT major years ago when dinosaurs ruled the Earth lol. I was in Mame, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, and Brigadoon. I think I loved Mame the most because it was my first experience in MT.
My favorite musical that my d has been in is Into the Woods. She played the Witch, and it is also my favorite musical in general. I just love Steven Sondheim’s score and the morals of the play are wonderful, especially for the Seniors heading out into the world.</p>
<p>2) Your favorite MT show that you’ve ever seen, and why.
I have so many favorite shows, but I have to say that I love West Side Story, Chicago, and Into the Woods the most. It’s all about the music, and all of these shows have fantastic scores.<br>
3) Your favorite performance by any MT actor, and why.<br>
I am a Bernadette Peters fanatic. I love the energy she brings to every role she plays, love her voice, and love her stage presence. She is just an all-round, happy, enjoyable actress to watch.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I have two MT kids. Favorite performance of Daughter’s: Beth in “Little Women” and Elle in “Legally Blonde.” As Beth, she was just radiant; as Elle, she owned the stage. Son’s performance: the dying Son in “The Civil War.” He made everyone cry in his solo song and held his own with the men in all the ensemble numbers. I watched both of my children die onstage that year!</p></li>
<li><p>Favorite show I’ve ever seen is “Parade.” It’s such a strange subject for a musical and yet all the emotions and characters draw the audience into the story. And the music is wonderful. I also have quite a soft spot for “West Side Story” and “Follies.”</p></li>
<li><p>Favorite performer is Norbert Leo Butz! He’s just so committed to everything he does.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>1) Into the Woods. It’s just an amazing play with an awesome story and it’s a lot of fun. I love the songs even though they’re really difficult. It’s quite the emotional roller coaster for the audience. </p>
<p>2) I’m starting to sound like a Sondheim fanboy, but Sweeney Todd. I was just enthralled by it, the songs are just awesome, and a good portrayal of Todd (like the touring company that came to Raleigh, or Johnny Depp’s in the movie) will break your heart. It’s one of my theatrical dreams to work on a production of this show. Okay, I admit it, I AM a Sondheim fanboy. </p>
<p>3) This has been mentioned before and it’s a bit of a stereotypical answer, but I’m sticking to it. Idina Menzel in Wicked.</p>
<p>1.) My D in Once Upon a Mattress as Winifred. It was a youth production and she was only 14. BORN to play that role! So funny in every performance! I also loved her as JoJo in Seussical last year. I’m sure that her turn as Penny in Hairspray in a few weeks will be my newest fave :)</p>
<p>2.) My D discovered the music to Wicked sometime around the age of 10. We spent the next TWO YEARS listening to almost nothing else in the car! We took our girls to NYC for spring break in 6th grade. Wicked tickets were purchased and I honestly don’t know if I enjoyed the show as much as watching my daughters watch the show! They were absolutely stars truck. Most fun ever!</p>
<p>3.) my favorite MT actor? F. Micheal Haynie. Watch out for him. :)</p>