Stage to PageTheir Favorite Things: Matt Doyle Shares His Cherished Theatregoing ExperiencesWhich Tony winner does Doyle call “a legend and a master of her craft?”
By
Andrew Gans
June 01, 2016
Matt Doyle
Luke Fontana
Matt Doyle, whose Broadway credits include War Horse and The Book of Mormon, is currently playing Tony in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of the classic American musical West Side Story, which continues at the New Jersey venue through June 26. Here, the singing actor recalls the performances that most affected him as part of the audience.
Bill Irwin in
Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Bill Irwin
I have always been a massive fan of Bill. I couldn’t respect him more. I followed his clowning work and idolized him through high school before seeing him in this masterful performance.
Sutton Foster in
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Sutton Foster in Thoroughly Modern MillieJoan Marcus
We were all pretty blessed to have witnessed this one. I had never seen a musical theater performance so utterly open and free before her Millie. So playful and utterly fearless. Shook me to the core.
Jefferson Mays in
I Am My Own Wife
Jefferson Mays in I Am My Own WifePhoto by Joan Marcus
I followed this one around the globe. Was fortunate enough to see this performance on Broadway, in San Francisco and in London. I may have been unable to speak to him when I met him years later. #fangirl
Kelli O’Hara in
The King and I
Kelli O'Hara in The King and IPaul Kolnik
Well, Kelli in general. Her Clara in Light in The Piazza is up there for me as well…but I truly had never understood Hello, Young Lovers so deeply until I heard Kelli sing it. I sobbed. Yep. Third row, sobbing like a baby.
The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time
Alex Sharp in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimeJoan Marcus
Marianne Elliott is a dear friend of mine. What she created here is something I’ll never forget. The show also more than solidified my talent crush (okay, crush in general) on Steven Hoggett. A couple of geniuses at their best.
Anthony Rapp in
Rent
Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in RentJoan Marcus
One of the first Broadway shows I ever saw. I was just a kid and the original cast was still there. The show and Anthony’s guttural and visceral performance inspired me to go try out for my local community theater.
The Light In The Piazza
Victoria Clark in The Light in the PiazzaJoan Marcus
Adam Guettel…come back. Write everything. This score. These performances. Every note. Every nuance. Victoria Clark…Just typing about it gives me chills.
Sunday in the Park With George (Roundabout)
The cast of Roundabout's Sunday in the Park With GeorgeJoan Marcus
I saw this production more times than I’m willing to admit. When George turned around to see the blank canvas at the end and gasped, so did I. Technically brilliant production backed by an amazing cast. Jenna Russell’s Dot was phenomenal.
Doubt
Heather Goldenhersh and Cherry Jones in DoubtJoan Marcus
I was heading off to drama school when I saw this production. Needless to say, I arrived very inspired after seeing it. Cherry Jones rocked my world.
Rachel Tucker in
The Last Ship
Rachel Tucker and Michael Esper in The Last ShipJoan Marcus
I loved The Last Ship. Hoggett’s choreography was brilliant as always, and Sting’s score moved me to tears. It was right up my alley. I fell madly in love with Rachel Tucker, though. "If You Ever See Me Talking to a Sailor" is still on loop on my iPhone.
Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald
Autumn de Wilde
I could list…but we’d be here a while, and what am I going to say that hasn't been said before? She’s a genius. Every time I think I’ve seen her do it all, she surprises me again.
John Cameron Mitchell in
Hedwig and The Angry Inch
John Cameron Mitchell in Hedwig and The Angry InchPhoto by Joan Marcus
One of my favorite scores ever written. I didn’t have the privilege of seeing the original production, but I was so moved by Michael Mayer’s incredible direction in the recent revival. I saw nearly every Hedwig that went in…and, of course, I was stunned by John’s unbelievable work.
Betty Buckley in
Grey Gardens
Betty Buckley in Grey GardensLenny Stucker
Had the pleasure of working with Betty on Grey Gardens last summer. She’s a legend and a master of her craft. Although I won’t be able to join her this summer, if you’re in the LA area, you’re not going to want to miss this. Heartbreaking, honest and fully realized.