Tours vs. Broadway

I have been lucky enough to see a few original Broadway casts. Living and growing up in LA, it was my biggest dream to see an original Broadway cast rather than tours. Of course, I loved the touring casts, they were almost always absolutely phenomenal. Still, because I was never able to see the original Broadway casts I always wondered how the touring companies matched up with the OBC. Sometimes, like in the case of Rent, Mary Poppins, and Next to Normal, a couple of the original cast members would tour with the show, which was always an added bonus.



Now, the only show that I have seen both on Broadway and on tour is Cinderella, and I think there are some definite differences in the productions. When I saw Cinderella in October of 2013, it was the first show I had ever seen on Broadway. It was the first time I had ever been to New York and I was beyond excited. I then saw the touring production in April of 2015 at the Ahmanson Theatre, I was just as excited and loved to be able to share the show with my mom, who was not there in New York the first time.



Can I just say how obsessed I am with Rodgers and Hammerstein? Like, has there ever been a more perfect cannon of work by any other composer(s)? Their music is absolutely astounding, it is just so beautiful and powerful, and some of the most pure and classic showtunes that have ever existed.

My thoughts on the show itself was that it was a nice show. Now, the book was fitting for the story. What I mean is that it reads like a children's book. It doesn't have much meat to it and seems to only work towards getting the moral point across. I did like that Douglas Carter Beane added to the story by having the Prince's eyes opened to the injustices happening in his kingdom. However, it was visually beautiful. William Ivey Long's costumes are some of the most stunning pieces of art I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. The sets that Anna Louizos created were beautiful and transported you into this fairy tale that seemed almost effortless.





When it comes to the audiences of the productions, I think Los Angeles audiences received the show better. Maybe it was because I saw the Broadway production in October on a Monday and the house wasn't filled, but the audience just seemed very polite and clapping only after songs, not having much energy. The LA production was a Saturday night and I very clearly remember seeing a girl in her teens sitting in front of me who was BEYOND thrilled to be seeing the show, she was LIVING for Marie and was dressed in a beautiful blue dress that resembled Cinderella's. The audience in LA was just filled with so much more energy and excitement.

Now, while that's the only show I have seen in both New York and LA, next month I will be seeing another. In November I am seeing Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Darren Criss and Lena Hall. When I saw Hedwig on Broadway, I saw it with Darren Criss and Rebecca Naomi Jones, and I am so curious to see the differences between Yitzhaks. Im also curious to see Lena Hall, particularly because she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress and, to me, that roll doesn't seem to warrant an award, considering the rolls it was nominated against.

 


I am so excited about the coming productions I saw on Broadway that I fully intend to see in LA when they finally arrive. Shows like Hamilton and Something Rotten are the ones at the top of my list.

This all being said, I love seeing different casts and productions of shows (obviously, I'm seeing Hamilton in Chicago). I love seeing what different actors and directors do with the shows, the visions they take on. I love seeing the creativity that comes out of the minds of these actors and directors. I just love theatre and will continue to support it as long as I can.