I got to see the original workshop at the Public Theater. Till that point, my whole theatre experience had been musical revivals in summer stock and dinner theatre, so a show about the lives of my friends and myself was a revelation.
The first Broadway show I was taken to as a child, and while I don't remember the stars, I have a very strong memory of wanting desperately to be Eddie Hodges (the original Winthrop).
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
After eight hours of breathtaking performances, I didn't want to leave the theatre. I sat there crying, wishing for four more hours. And, Roger Rees, I loved him forever after.
A Man of No Importance
This powerful and touching show (starring the aforementioned brilliant Roger Rees) really affected me. I went back to see it three times.
Private Lives with Maggie Smith
I actually became a cliché during this production; I was laughing so hard, I fell out of my seat. Hard on my butt, but a joy I will never forget.
I was truly transported by the story and BD Wong. We (three close friends and I) couldn't stop talking about it for two hours. What a great evening in the theatre should be.
While I loved both the original and revival, the evening I'll never forget was the concert for The Actors Fund. Lillias White, Audra McDonald, Heather Headley, Norm Lewis and Billy Porter — a true "dream team" of the American stage.
Angels in America
As with Nicholas Nickleby, I had no awareness of time passing. Tony Kushner's writing leaves me speechless and wanting to listen for hours.
1776 and The Rothschilds
Even though I knew the history represented by both these shows, I was on the edge of my seat hoping for the "happy ending." Also, they began my lifelong jealousy of Paul Hecht, for getting to play John Dickinson and Nathan Rothschild, two of my favorite roles in musical theatre.
