25+ year theater goer. I used to be one and done but then:
1. Moved along in my career and received subsequent increases in disposable income
2. Moved to NYC and can get to most theaters in under 30 minutes
3. Researched and now utilize a number of discount options (TDF, TKTS, lotteries, rushes)
Fortunate enough to have arrived at the point where I'll just enter lotteries, even for shows I've seen, and then decide to go (or not) if I win. And if I have no plans for a given matinee/evening, I'll just pull up the TKTS app and see if there's anything that appeals. The joy of live theater is even though you've seen it before, every show has the potential to be different!
Makes sense- I am okay with where I am in my career too and also live in NYC. I use the discount options you mentioned too, but still haven't found a compelling reason to regularly see shows more than once. But perhaps something will change for me!
I'm generally like this. I do live in NJ, but definitely don't have unlimited funds to see shows or go into the city. But, there are a few shows I've seen more than once. It definitely is because I do want to see newer things instead. But, if a new cast seems interesting, I might go a second time.
Sometimes seeing a show a second time is about the magic of going with someone who has not seen the show before and getting to see how they react to it. There are a few special moments in Back to the Future that I knew I had to witness my family seeing. It was the best!
I´ll add that the first time seeing Hamilton in NY I was hysterical and had built up such a hype that I was gonna spend the whole time crying that I didn´t actually process what I was seeing. Take to West End in March this year after 5 years and I new the lyrics inside out, I was able to see and watch and enjoy what was happening. Also Hadestown now in London I was able to watch all the different characters and enjoy the piece much more. It´s a different experience
I live in NYC so my time isn't even as limited as some others, but I love seeing small productions too. I try to see everything on Broadway (if I can) and typically just once.
For sure! I live here as well so definitely luckier than people making choices on a week vacation but sometimes it just feels like so much is going on or after work I just want to lay on the couch lol
I’ve lived here for years and still never made it to Shakespeare in the park !
I see shows on Broadway just once. I usually see the show again when it’s touring in AZ as we have season tickets. That’s the only repeat occasion though. I’m with you though, on Broadway, I want to see something new.
I am not sure how I would be if I didn't live in NY, but I think I'd be even less inclined to rewatch shows if I wasn't in NY every day. Limited time and all
20+ year theater goer, who doesn't live in the city, so it's a commitment to go in.
When I was younger and had less disposable income, I was always one and done even with the shows I loved.
Now, in recent years, I have been much more likely to go and see a show multiple times if something strikes my fancy. A show can be the same cast and material, but due to the beauty of live theater, it can be completely different from performance to performance.
I still try and see every new musical released, but with finding the majority not to my tastes, if there is something that sparks joy in me, I want to see it again.
I don't even understand the question. If you like or enjoy something, what is the problem with seeing it again? Would you only listen to a song one time in your life and then never again? Would you only look at a painting or great artwork once and then never again? Would you only eat one slice of pizza and then never eat pizza again for the rest or your life? You lost me.
That makes sense! It really depends on the show. For example, every time I see Les mis I feel like I get something new out of it. A more simple show I will only see once even if I loved it
Yes, you are not alone! I’ve lived here for almost 11 years and seen hundreds of shows. There’s just so many to see always!
The only ones I’ve repeated is because a visiting person wants to or because I got a free ticket through work.
I’ve seen Wicked, Come from Away, and Phantom 3x, and then Funny Girl, Book of Mormon, and Back to the Future 2x.
I almost saw Hadestown a 2nd time bc of casting I was interested in, but didn’t get to it..probably would see that again though one day bc it was great!
I saw Book of Mormon for the second time earlier this month--- relative's request.
I've seen all the others you mentioned my classic 1x. Although Wicked and Phantom was sooooo long ago that I hardly remember anymore.
Right! So Wicked and Phantom I saw in high school a good 12 years before I moved here, so I wanted to see them again! And then the 3rd time was visiting fam for Wicked, and because I won lotto tix for closing night of Phantom(!!!)
They’re 2 shows I love so I was happy to see so much.
I am glad I saw BoM again this week with my visiting friends; it’d been 9+ years since I saw it and I’d forgotten a lot of the jokes. Still so fun!
Seriously! There are too many books in the world that I don’t have time to read things twice! Not many shows I’d rewatch either, movies I am more likely
When people say they reread the Harry Potter series every year, I’m always like….But how? And why?! 🤔
I could see me rereading them in like 20-30 years to relive the magic but in the meantime I have a huge list to get through! Ha.
I have been going to the theater for almost 20 years. In that time, I think I have seen four shows twice: Cabaret, Hairspray, Forum, and Hamilton. (The last was not my choice, friend wanted to go. And it has been 8 years.)
Theater is expensive. And there are so many amazing shows to see that I always want to see something I’ve never seen before.
Although I might break that, because Ogunquit is doing A Little Night Music. I am so tempted to be like: “what are you gonna give me for a deal if I get like a season pass to the show? Do I get half off if you just sneak me in for A Weekend In The Country?I’ll leave at intermission.
It was good. We happen to be there on the final performance of Miguel Cervantes. So that was wild. We had zero clue. It just happened to be the date that worked for us. And I kept trying to figure out how she paid more for Hamilton than I paid for Merrily before we went. 💀
If I love it enough, I like to see it again after years have passed. I change enough in the interim that its meaning and effect on me will inevitably have changed too, and I find that a really rewarding experience. But I definitely do not ever go back to the same show in the same season. I don't think I've ever seen the same cast or production twice, just the same shows (and not necessarily on Broadway), which adds another dimension to contemplate re: how the show hits me now, how I might interpret it differently, etc.
When I saw the Book of Mormon a man in front of us said he’s seen the show 8 times. That’s a lot of money.
I saw Dear Evan Hansen twice on back to back days.
I’ve seen Spring Awakening twice.
I don’t think I’ve seen any other show more than once live.
Shows recorded live for TV is another matter. I’ve seen Hamilton and Newsies maybe 10 times each. I’ve seen Falsettos and Company around 4 times each.
>When I saw the Book of Mormon a man in front of us said he’s seen the show 8 times. That’s a lot of money.
Not necessarily. Lottery tickets for Book of Mormon are $40. Which, I get it, it's still a decent chunk of money. But pretty manageable for a lot of people. Especially considering that BOM has been running for like a decade, so the guy could conceivably be spending 40 bucks only once a year, to get to 8 times in total seeing the show.
There's also a lotta people in NYC who get free tickets to shows. People who work in the industry or adjacent industries, friends and family of performers, etc.
Maybe. But he was an older gentleman that didn’t look like he’d care about lottery tickets. We were sitting in seats that cost about $800 each. I was under the impression that he happily spent a lot of money to see the show multiple times from that distance which was Row B.
I generally don’t. Most of what I’ve see more than once I saw for free. The few shows I’ve paid for more than once were for specific cast changes or someone going with me. No matter how much I love a show I would always rather see something new and I’ve never seen every single thing that’s playing at any given time
I am actually truly trying, for the sake of my bank account, to cut back on seeing a show multiple times (unless my favorite actor is in it, in which case all bets are off) but I love seeing the same thing more than once and picking up on slight changes in line deliveries and all that. Plus sometimes shows are just better on other nights, like if you hit on a night where everyone had a great day and is in a great mood and it's just *different*.
The first time I saw Hadestown I loved it so much that I knew I needed to see it again as soon as possible, and as luck would have it I was in NYC again two weeks later so I saw it again. No regrets!
Same here. I am going to see Stereophonic for the second time tomorrow with my husband (saw it solo the first time and adored it) and I’m pretty sure it will be the only Broadway show I’ve ever seen a second time.
Yeah I get that since shows are so expensive, you want to see new things. I think the only shows I’ve seen multiple times are moulin rouge, color purple, and little shop.
For MR, that’s just a fun fucking time and I know it’ll make me really happy. I saw it the second time on my 30th bday cause I wanted to do something I knew I’d enjoy and my third time I went, I got taken with work. I’m thinking I’ll go see Aaron again since it’s been four year since I’ve seen him in it.
For color purple, Cynthia’s performance was life changing and it was closing the week of my bday so I went on my bday (there may be a theme here!).
For little shop, I saw Groff first and had to see Jeremy too. So that was more to see different people in the role. I have a rule to see my faves in anything they’re in.
I’m a person who loves rewatching or rereading things in general, so I think that does have an impact. But with Broadway, there are so many shows and coming in from out of town there’s only so much I can see. So I rarely revisit them.
The exceptions tend to be: a new cast, seeing it with someone who hasn’t before, it’s one of my favorite shows and I have to see it once more before it goes (I did this with Merrily), or it’s one of my favorite performers.
And I think when something tours it’s different too—like I saw Sweeney Todd on Broadway but when it eventually tours I will see it again in my hometown
I rewatched How to Dance in Ohio because I won the lottery and I just really wanted to support them.
Otherwise I almost never watch shows more than once because I can’t afford it. I can’t afford all the new stuff I want to see this season, no way I’m going t duplicate.
I prefer to use my money to see something new. I can't think of a show I've seen twice, honestly. Granted I am limited by what shows pass through my city and my visits to NYC are far enough apart that I wouldn't be able to see most shows twice, but if given the choice, there are very few shows I'd pay to see again. Now a pro-shot is another story, and I'd rewatch quite a lot of shows if they had a pro-shot.
I generally can’t afford to see the same show live multiple times, even if I really want to. I’ll rewatch a proshot multiple times if I really love the show, but generally once is enough for me. I’m not big on rewatching films or rereading books either. I always feel like I’m wasting time that I could be experiencing something new.
I will, however, listen to the same cast album 500 times until I get it out of my system.
I will say 90% of the shows I see are new shows...and there is a handful of shows I repeat...Wicked, Chicago, Little Shop of Horror, Les Miz, Miss Saigon are my most seen shows....some shows I've seen on Broadway and then on tour (Hadestown, Funny Girl, Cats, Phantom, Hairspray)...most of the new shows I see are part of my Broadway series here in Phoenix/Tempe..I only get to Broadway every few years so no real chance of repeats...
I've also only seen shows once but that's because of a lack of disposable income, Broadway is just expensive. I don't have a lot of luck with lotteries and don't have the time to often do rush either so that already limits the options for seeing shows again for cheaper.
That said I would love to see quite a few shows repeatedly bc I hyperfixate on things. If I find something I like I obsessively and repeatedly listen to/watch/read it again and again until my brain decides it's enough and moves on.
Most of the time if I’m seeing a show a second time, it’s the touring production, so not quite the same, but same idea I guess? The only show I’ve seen twice on Broadway is Aladdin, and I wasn’t thrilled with that show either time I saw it. There are some I would see again if I had the time and funds since I either enjoyed them SO MUCH or it’s been so long I don’t remember them (ie Wicked and Lion King). Overall though, if I go to NYC, I’m seeing something new.
I tend to only go to shows more than once if I’m going with different people. Otherwise I try to see new shows. Having said that I absolutely love the touring production of JCS in the UK at the moment so will have seen it 3 times by the time the tour ends.
I rarely can afford to see the show at all unless we get a pro shot so no but if there's access I will absolutely rewatch things. Otherwise the cast album must suffice
I too live in NYC and I tend to see shows once. It may be a generational thing. Younger people grew up with the ability to watch the same movie over and over and over again. For those of us who were kids when streaming, DVDs, and even VCRs were not yet a thing, you saw a movie or a show once, for the most part.
Maybe! I definitely had VCRs growing up and then DVDs later, but when I was young, we didn't have the means to spend money quite so freely.
Not that I am made of money now, but certainly it's not only money that stops me. In order words, if I wanted to, I could afford to see the same shows a few times. I just don't want to, mainly.
I used to see shows multiple times when I was younger, but now that I'm in my 40s, I realize that whether I saw a show once or three times, it's really not very different in terms of my memories of it. Now I only see shows more than once are ones I get free tickets to.
Due to the expense, I usually only see a show on broadway once. I live in Ohio so each show adds $100 hotel room food and gas getting here on top of the ticket.
I do have season tickets in cleveland and Akron so many shows get repeated. If I can’t find someone to go with me I occasionally see the same show twice in the same day.
I’ve stopped going to community theater shows if I have already seen the musical before.
When I lived near NYC I’d try to see new shows each time because the option was there. Living on the fringes of the tour circuit I try to see anything that comes through town that interests me, which often means the same show repeated. I only get to see about five shows a year, so I can’t be too picky.
I don't -- even though I do live in NYC. Too much money and other shows or just other ways to spend disposable income. That said, to each her own! I did see the Ben Platt concert twice tho.
I’ve only seen a handful of shows more than once. It’s just too expensive. Recent exceptions were the final performance of KA, and the 20th anniversary of Wicked.
I've only seen a handful of shows more than once. Most recently, I've seen Hadestown 3 times and want to see it again. I saw Next to Normal and Spelling Bee a ton in college because I had the free time to do in person rush or lottery with friends.
I've also seen Harry Potter a few times, I wanted to see each new cast, but after COVID, I saw it one more time to see the truncated version, and that's enough for me.
Other than that I really try to prioritize seeing new shows because so little time to many amazing shows.
I like to see shows I like at least twice. The first time I watch it, I’m watching the entire production. If I like it, I watch it at least once more to look more closely at details from my favorite scenes, songs, actors, etc. I recognize this is a privilege I have, and I do make efforts to lower my costs, like rush and lottery.
I will revisit a show if there is particular casting I'm interested in.
I saw Hello Dolly! with Bette and Bernadette. No regrets.
I saw Funny Girl with Beanie and Lea. Only mild regrets, lol.
I used to be one and done. But then when shows began to close, I ran to see them one last time. Or if a star I loved was cast, it justified me going to see it again.
I can barely afford to see shows once
The only show I've seen multiple times is Avenue Q (3) because it was affordable last minute tickets to see with out of town friends
No, I, too, almost always watch a show once, and that's it. There are only two expectations: 1) something significant has changed since I saw it, like a rewrite or new scenes. 2) It's a local production, and I know someone in the cast. There are just so many other shows to spend money on, I want to see something new.
So much depends on your personal circumstances. I was in my early 20s and I lived in Manhattan. It was so easy for me to just go sit in a rush line, or try the lottery.
Also, people didn’t have nearly as much access to tickets and information as they do now. The first couple weeks of previews for something that would turn out to be a hit could be a ghost town with very deep discounts. I went to the lottery for a Wednesday matinee the first week of wicked previews and there were maybe 35 people vying for 30 seats, or something like that. And then if you didn’t win, they offered $50 seats for whatever they had left over.
In the months after 9/11 there were massive discounts. I think I saw cabaret for like $25 in the orchestra 5 times. The last rows of Les Mis and Phantom up in the mezzanine were priced at $20, and then you would go and the entire mezzanine would be empty and you would move down to like the third or fourth row.
And even today, between rush and lottery and TDF, living in New York, I can wake up and try for a show and if I don’t get it, no big deal.
I can't afford to go again and again to shows I enjoyed, I have to prioritize the stuff I haven't seen yet and really want to. But I'd absolutely do it if I could! It's so easy to miss all the details of a show the first time around. I really wish they would film all of them so people can rewatch for a fee. I don't live anywhere near NYC so I've missed out on a lot of great shows!
I’ll prioritize seeing a new show over seeing one I’ve seen before. But each new production of a show brings something different to the table, so I never mind seeing a show again.
I like doing thing I already enjoy. To me, that means rereading my favorite books, rewatching my favorite movies/tv shows, seeing the same broadway shows again and again. I'll order the same food I like at a restaurant, get the same ice cream flavor...Don't get me wrong, I try new things all the time. But I LOVE going back to what I know I love. I'm guaranteed a certain experience when I do that, and that's the exact experience I want. I'm leaving to NY tomorrow and will be going to about 10 broadway shows. 8 of them will be new shows I want to see, but 2 of them will be my two favorite shows. (One which I've seen 20 times - &Juliet, and one which I've seen 7 times - Hadestown.) Are there a ton of other shows I still haven't seen that can take those spots? Sure. But those shows make me happy / make me feel something / bring me joy and heartache and beauty and if I have the chance to see them, I will. I've also seen many shows multiple times simply because I saw them on broadway plus saw them on tour in my city.
(Location definitely plays a part. 19 of the times I saw &Juliet was because it was in Toronto for the pre-broadway run. I wouldn't have seen it so many times in such a short time frame if I lived in NY as I'd have seen lots of other shows instead. But...if I lived in NY, I'd have the opportunity to see it any time I want, so I'm sure I'd have seen it far more than 20 times by now.)
25+ year theater goer. I used to be one and done but then: 1. Moved along in my career and received subsequent increases in disposable income 2. Moved to NYC and can get to most theaters in under 30 minutes 3. Researched and now utilize a number of discount options (TDF, TKTS, lotteries, rushes) Fortunate enough to have arrived at the point where I'll just enter lotteries, even for shows I've seen, and then decide to go (or not) if I win. And if I have no plans for a given matinee/evening, I'll just pull up the TKTS app and see if there's anything that appeals. The joy of live theater is even though you've seen it before, every show has the potential to be different!
Makes sense- I am okay with where I am in my career too and also live in NYC. I use the discount options you mentioned too, but still haven't found a compelling reason to regularly see shows more than once. But perhaps something will change for me!
I'm generally like this. I do live in NJ, but definitely don't have unlimited funds to see shows or go into the city. But, there are a few shows I've seen more than once. It definitely is because I do want to see newer things instead. But, if a new cast seems interesting, I might go a second time.
Makes sense about the new cast and, even this, hasn't really compelled me.
Sometimes seeing a show a second time is about the magic of going with someone who has not seen the show before and getting to see how they react to it. There are a few special moments in Back to the Future that I knew I had to witness my family seeing. It was the best!
I´ll add that the first time seeing Hamilton in NY I was hysterical and had built up such a hype that I was gonna spend the whole time crying that I didn´t actually process what I was seeing. Take to West End in March this year after 5 years and I new the lyrics inside out, I was able to see and watch and enjoy what was happening. Also Hadestown now in London I was able to watch all the different characters and enjoy the piece much more. It´s a different experience
That could be true. I usually see most things alone or with my mom.
I like to see new stuff and often forego seeing my favorite show twice in order to see more new things. I've only see a few shows more than once.
I’ve only seen a handful of shows more than once. There’s just so many interesting new things I’m interested in and limited time/budget !
I live in NYC so my time isn't even as limited as some others, but I love seeing small productions too. I try to see everything on Broadway (if I can) and typically just once.
For sure! I live here as well so definitely luckier than people making choices on a week vacation but sometimes it just feels like so much is going on or after work I just want to lay on the couch lol I’ve lived here for years and still never made it to Shakespeare in the park !
Lol same and same re: (1) shakespeare in the park and (2) laying on the couch
I live in CA and am not super rich. So yes. I also see shows just once (if I’m fortunate) 🤗
I see shows on Broadway just once. I usually see the show again when it’s touring in AZ as we have season tickets. That’s the only repeat occasion though. I’m with you though, on Broadway, I want to see something new.
I am not sure how I would be if I didn't live in NY, but I think I'd be even less inclined to rewatch shows if I wasn't in NY every day. Limited time and all
20+ year theater goer, who doesn't live in the city, so it's a commitment to go in. When I was younger and had less disposable income, I was always one and done even with the shows I loved. Now, in recent years, I have been much more likely to go and see a show multiple times if something strikes my fancy. A show can be the same cast and material, but due to the beauty of live theater, it can be completely different from performance to performance. I still try and see every new musical released, but with finding the majority not to my tastes, if there is something that sparks joy in me, I want to see it again.
I don't even understand the question. If you like or enjoy something, what is the problem with seeing it again? Would you only listen to a song one time in your life and then never again? Would you only look at a painting or great artwork once and then never again? Would you only eat one slice of pizza and then never eat pizza again for the rest or your life? You lost me.
I didn't say it's a problem. Where did I say that? I just don't like to rewatch shows. I also don't reread books and almost rarely rewatch movies.
That makes sense! It really depends on the show. For example, every time I see Les mis I feel like I get something new out of it. A more simple show I will only see once even if I loved it
Yes, you are not alone! I’ve lived here for almost 11 years and seen hundreds of shows. There’s just so many to see always! The only ones I’ve repeated is because a visiting person wants to or because I got a free ticket through work. I’ve seen Wicked, Come from Away, and Phantom 3x, and then Funny Girl, Book of Mormon, and Back to the Future 2x. I almost saw Hadestown a 2nd time bc of casting I was interested in, but didn’t get to it..probably would see that again though one day bc it was great!
I saw Book of Mormon for the second time earlier this month--- relative's request. I've seen all the others you mentioned my classic 1x. Although Wicked and Phantom was sooooo long ago that I hardly remember anymore.
Right! So Wicked and Phantom I saw in high school a good 12 years before I moved here, so I wanted to see them again! And then the 3rd time was visiting fam for Wicked, and because I won lotto tix for closing night of Phantom(!!!) They’re 2 shows I love so I was happy to see so much. I am glad I saw BoM again this week with my visiting friends; it’d been 9+ years since I saw it and I’d forgotten a lot of the jokes. Still so fun!
Lotto to closing night of Phantom sounds epic!
I do this with everything: Books, tv shows, comics, movies, and especially Broadway shows (where the cost to see them again is quite high).
Seriously! There are too many books in the world that I don’t have time to read things twice! Not many shows I’d rewatch either, movies I am more likely
same and same! I rarely rewatch movies and never reread books. Maybe we're just a certain type of person haha
Exactly. I don't even have enough time to watch and read everything I want to the ONE time.
When people say they reread the Harry Potter series every year, I’m always like….But how? And why?! 🤔 I could see me rereading them in like 20-30 years to relive the magic but in the meantime I have a huge list to get through! Ha.
Yep same! I’ve rewatched a few movies that have nostalgic value, but I generally prefer novelty to familiarity.
I have been going to the theater for almost 20 years. In that time, I think I have seen four shows twice: Cabaret, Hairspray, Forum, and Hamilton. (The last was not my choice, friend wanted to go. And it has been 8 years.) Theater is expensive. And there are so many amazing shows to see that I always want to see something I’ve never seen before. Although I might break that, because Ogunquit is doing A Little Night Music. I am so tempted to be like: “what are you gonna give me for a deal if I get like a season pass to the show? Do I get half off if you just sneak me in for A Weekend In The Country?I’ll leave at intermission.
I'd see Hamilton again if I won the lottery. I been trying pretty consistently for a long time!
It was good. We happen to be there on the final performance of Miguel Cervantes. So that was wild. We had zero clue. It just happened to be the date that worked for us. And I kept trying to figure out how she paid more for Hamilton than I paid for Merrily before we went. 💀
Same, never watch the same show again irrespective of how strongly I liked the show.
If I love it enough, I like to see it again after years have passed. I change enough in the interim that its meaning and effect on me will inevitably have changed too, and I find that a really rewarding experience. But I definitely do not ever go back to the same show in the same season. I don't think I've ever seen the same cast or production twice, just the same shows (and not necessarily on Broadway), which adds another dimension to contemplate re: how the show hits me now, how I might interpret it differently, etc.
When I saw the Book of Mormon a man in front of us said he’s seen the show 8 times. That’s a lot of money. I saw Dear Evan Hansen twice on back to back days. I’ve seen Spring Awakening twice. I don’t think I’ve seen any other show more than once live. Shows recorded live for TV is another matter. I’ve seen Hamilton and Newsies maybe 10 times each. I’ve seen Falsettos and Company around 4 times each.
>When I saw the Book of Mormon a man in front of us said he’s seen the show 8 times. That’s a lot of money. Not necessarily. Lottery tickets for Book of Mormon are $40. Which, I get it, it's still a decent chunk of money. But pretty manageable for a lot of people. Especially considering that BOM has been running for like a decade, so the guy could conceivably be spending 40 bucks only once a year, to get to 8 times in total seeing the show. There's also a lotta people in NYC who get free tickets to shows. People who work in the industry or adjacent industries, friends and family of performers, etc.
Maybe. But he was an older gentleman that didn’t look like he’d care about lottery tickets. We were sitting in seats that cost about $800 each. I was under the impression that he happily spent a lot of money to see the show multiple times from that distance which was Row B.
I generally don’t. Most of what I’ve see more than once I saw for free. The few shows I’ve paid for more than once were for specific cast changes or someone going with me. No matter how much I love a show I would always rather see something new and I’ve never seen every single thing that’s playing at any given time
I am actually truly trying, for the sake of my bank account, to cut back on seeing a show multiple times (unless my favorite actor is in it, in which case all bets are off) but I love seeing the same thing more than once and picking up on slight changes in line deliveries and all that. Plus sometimes shows are just better on other nights, like if you hit on a night where everyone had a great day and is in a great mood and it's just *different*. The first time I saw Hadestown I loved it so much that I knew I needed to see it again as soon as possible, and as luck would have it I was in NYC again two weeks later so I saw it again. No regrets!
Same here. I am going to see Stereophonic for the second time tomorrow with my husband (saw it solo the first time and adored it) and I’m pretty sure it will be the only Broadway show I’ve ever seen a second time.
Sort of, I usually see any favs extra on tour, but in general, I have zero problem with repeats.
Yeah I get that since shows are so expensive, you want to see new things. I think the only shows I’ve seen multiple times are moulin rouge, color purple, and little shop. For MR, that’s just a fun fucking time and I know it’ll make me really happy. I saw it the second time on my 30th bday cause I wanted to do something I knew I’d enjoy and my third time I went, I got taken with work. I’m thinking I’ll go see Aaron again since it’s been four year since I’ve seen him in it. For color purple, Cynthia’s performance was life changing and it was closing the week of my bday so I went on my bday (there may be a theme here!). For little shop, I saw Groff first and had to see Jeremy too. So that was more to see different people in the role. I have a rule to see my faves in anything they’re in.
I’m a person who loves rewatching or rereading things in general, so I think that does have an impact. But with Broadway, there are so many shows and coming in from out of town there’s only so much I can see. So I rarely revisit them. The exceptions tend to be: a new cast, seeing it with someone who hasn’t before, it’s one of my favorite shows and I have to see it once more before it goes (I did this with Merrily), or it’s one of my favorite performers. And I think when something tours it’s different too—like I saw Sweeney Todd on Broadway but when it eventually tours I will see it again in my hometown
I rewatched How to Dance in Ohio because I won the lottery and I just really wanted to support them. Otherwise I almost never watch shows more than once because I can’t afford it. I can’t afford all the new stuff I want to see this season, no way I’m going t duplicate.
I prefer to use my money to see something new. I can't think of a show I've seen twice, honestly. Granted I am limited by what shows pass through my city and my visits to NYC are far enough apart that I wouldn't be able to see most shows twice, but if given the choice, there are very few shows I'd pay to see again. Now a pro-shot is another story, and I'd rewatch quite a lot of shows if they had a pro-shot.
I generally can’t afford to see the same show live multiple times, even if I really want to. I’ll rewatch a proshot multiple times if I really love the show, but generally once is enough for me. I’m not big on rewatching films or rereading books either. I always feel like I’m wasting time that I could be experiencing something new. I will, however, listen to the same cast album 500 times until I get it out of my system.
I will say 90% of the shows I see are new shows...and there is a handful of shows I repeat...Wicked, Chicago, Little Shop of Horror, Les Miz, Miss Saigon are my most seen shows....some shows I've seen on Broadway and then on tour (Hadestown, Funny Girl, Cats, Phantom, Hairspray)...most of the new shows I see are part of my Broadway series here in Phoenix/Tempe..I only get to Broadway every few years so no real chance of repeats...
I've also only seen shows once but that's because of a lack of disposable income, Broadway is just expensive. I don't have a lot of luck with lotteries and don't have the time to often do rush either so that already limits the options for seeing shows again for cheaper. That said I would love to see quite a few shows repeatedly bc I hyperfixate on things. If I find something I like I obsessively and repeatedly listen to/watch/read it again and again until my brain decides it's enough and moves on.
What if there's a significant cast change. I admit I saw hello dolly three times and it was different with each Dolly
Most of the time if I’m seeing a show a second time, it’s the touring production, so not quite the same, but same idea I guess? The only show I’ve seen twice on Broadway is Aladdin, and I wasn’t thrilled with that show either time I saw it. There are some I would see again if I had the time and funds since I either enjoyed them SO MUCH or it’s been so long I don’t remember them (ie Wicked and Lion King). Overall though, if I go to NYC, I’m seeing something new.
I tend to only go to shows more than once if I’m going with different people. Otherwise I try to see new shows. Having said that I absolutely love the touring production of JCS in the UK at the moment so will have seen it 3 times by the time the tour ends.
I rarely can afford to see the show at all unless we get a pro shot so no but if there's access I will absolutely rewatch things. Otherwise the cast album must suffice
I too live in NYC and I tend to see shows once. It may be a generational thing. Younger people grew up with the ability to watch the same movie over and over and over again. For those of us who were kids when streaming, DVDs, and even VCRs were not yet a thing, you saw a movie or a show once, for the most part.
Maybe! I definitely had VCRs growing up and then DVDs later, but when I was young, we didn't have the means to spend money quite so freely. Not that I am made of money now, but certainly it's not only money that stops me. In order words, if I wanted to, I could afford to see the same shows a few times. I just don't want to, mainly.
I used to see shows multiple times when I was younger, but now that I'm in my 40s, I realize that whether I saw a show once or three times, it's really not very different in terms of my memories of it. Now I only see shows more than once are ones I get free tickets to.
Due to the expense, I usually only see a show on broadway once. I live in Ohio so each show adds $100 hotel room food and gas getting here on top of the ticket. I do have season tickets in cleveland and Akron so many shows get repeated. If I can’t find someone to go with me I occasionally see the same show twice in the same day. I’ve stopped going to community theater shows if I have already seen the musical before.
When I lived near NYC I’d try to see new shows each time because the option was there. Living on the fringes of the tour circuit I try to see anything that comes through town that interests me, which often means the same show repeated. I only get to see about five shows a year, so I can’t be too picky.
I would love to more regularly, but on a limited budget, I pick something new.
I don't -- even though I do live in NYC. Too much money and other shows or just other ways to spend disposable income. That said, to each her own! I did see the Ben Platt concert twice tho.
I’ve only seen a handful of shows more than once. It’s just too expensive. Recent exceptions were the final performance of KA, and the 20th anniversary of Wicked.
We love seeing certain shows on repeat. Saw Waitress 7x, Once 4x, DEH 4x, etc.
I've only seen a handful of shows more than once. Most recently, I've seen Hadestown 3 times and want to see it again. I saw Next to Normal and Spelling Bee a ton in college because I had the free time to do in person rush or lottery with friends. I've also seen Harry Potter a few times, I wanted to see each new cast, but after COVID, I saw it one more time to see the truncated version, and that's enough for me. Other than that I really try to prioritize seeing new shows because so little time to many amazing shows.
I live in Jersey City and only go to shows once. The only time I considered going again was for Gutenberg but decided it wasn’t worth it.
I like to see shows I like at least twice. The first time I watch it, I’m watching the entire production. If I like it, I watch it at least once more to look more closely at details from my favorite scenes, songs, actors, etc. I recognize this is a privilege I have, and I do make efforts to lower my costs, like rush and lottery.
I will revisit a show if there is particular casting I'm interested in. I saw Hello Dolly! with Bette and Bernadette. No regrets. I saw Funny Girl with Beanie and Lea. Only mild regrets, lol.
I used to be one and done. But then when shows began to close, I ran to see them one last time. Or if a star I loved was cast, it justified me going to see it again.
I can barely afford to see shows once The only show I've seen multiple times is Avenue Q (3) because it was affordable last minute tickets to see with out of town friends
Honestly I live just far enough away I have to have a good reason to rewatch, which is a shame to me but my mother won’t rewatch shows so I get it.
No, I, too, almost always watch a show once, and that's it. There are only two expectations: 1) something significant has changed since I saw it, like a rewrite or new scenes. 2) It's a local production, and I know someone in the cast. There are just so many other shows to spend money on, I want to see something new.
So much depends on your personal circumstances. I was in my early 20s and I lived in Manhattan. It was so easy for me to just go sit in a rush line, or try the lottery. Also, people didn’t have nearly as much access to tickets and information as they do now. The first couple weeks of previews for something that would turn out to be a hit could be a ghost town with very deep discounts. I went to the lottery for a Wednesday matinee the first week of wicked previews and there were maybe 35 people vying for 30 seats, or something like that. And then if you didn’t win, they offered $50 seats for whatever they had left over. In the months after 9/11 there were massive discounts. I think I saw cabaret for like $25 in the orchestra 5 times. The last rows of Les Mis and Phantom up in the mezzanine were priced at $20, and then you would go and the entire mezzanine would be empty and you would move down to like the third or fourth row. And even today, between rush and lottery and TDF, living in New York, I can wake up and try for a show and if I don’t get it, no big deal.
I can't afford to go again and again to shows I enjoyed, I have to prioritize the stuff I haven't seen yet and really want to. But I'd absolutely do it if I could! It's so easy to miss all the details of a show the first time around. I really wish they would film all of them so people can rewatch for a fee. I don't live anywhere near NYC so I've missed out on a lot of great shows!
I’ll prioritize seeing a new show over seeing one I’ve seen before. But each new production of a show brings something different to the table, so I never mind seeing a show again.
I like doing thing I already enjoy. To me, that means rereading my favorite books, rewatching my favorite movies/tv shows, seeing the same broadway shows again and again. I'll order the same food I like at a restaurant, get the same ice cream flavor...Don't get me wrong, I try new things all the time. But I LOVE going back to what I know I love. I'm guaranteed a certain experience when I do that, and that's the exact experience I want. I'm leaving to NY tomorrow and will be going to about 10 broadway shows. 8 of them will be new shows I want to see, but 2 of them will be my two favorite shows. (One which I've seen 20 times - &Juliet, and one which I've seen 7 times - Hadestown.) Are there a ton of other shows I still haven't seen that can take those spots? Sure. But those shows make me happy / make me feel something / bring me joy and heartache and beauty and if I have the chance to see them, I will. I've also seen many shows multiple times simply because I saw them on broadway plus saw them on tour in my city. (Location definitely plays a part. 19 of the times I saw &Juliet was because it was in Toronto for the pre-broadway run. I wouldn't have seen it so many times in such a short time frame if I lived in NY as I'd have seen lots of other shows instead. But...if I lived in NY, I'd have the opportunity to see it any time I want, so I'm sure I'd have seen it far more than 20 times by now.)
If I have smoked before a show, I definitely am interested in seeing it sober too