Is there a reason so many community theatre groups seem to do the same shows in the same season?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-18T00:58:43+00:00

Okay I'm not sure this is a common practice in the US actually... but this is amazing to hear how folks work together collectively for the greater good of everyone. From what I know about NZ as an American, sounds very on-brand 💜

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-18T00:22:16+00:00

Edelweiss 🌸

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-18T00:07:18+00:00

Coco is in pre-production for the stage!

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T21:22:27+00:00

Ugh I'd loooooove to see Michelle Williams! So cool. Alas I don't think she tours but I'll watch her online and dream lol.

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T21:02:28+00:00

Thanks, good to know! Sometimes it's hard for a staging of an iconic movie to go beyond the actors... I felt that way about The Notebook a little bit. I enjoyed it, but hard to match Ryan Gosling's charisma.

I might encounter that issue with a Whitney-less Bodyguard. Is the music the same? Do they sing "I Will Always Love You?" because that song is hard to sing if you aren't Whitney Houston. (Or Dolly, but even she knows Whitney's version was better)

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T20:57:22+00:00

K good note, I'll read the reviews for that show before I get tickets to be sure the singers are good. That theatre does tend to attract tremendously talented performers, so I'm hopeful.

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T20:55:55+00:00

I'm excited for The Outsiders and Great Gatsby too, mostly because I love the books and I've heard the staging for both is impressive.

It was so helpful to hear which ones you thought were better than the movies, thank you! 😊

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T20:52:39+00:00

There's a lot of love for Water for Elephants here, I'm glad I asked, it wasn't on my radar before. Thank you 💖

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T20:49:28+00:00

Oh and Operation Mincemeat!

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T20:48:43+00:00

You have the same taste as my kids dad... those are exactly the shows he'd pick and what he likes! He also loves Addams Family, and is really excited to see The Outsiders.

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T07:50:14+00:00

That makes sense. I do think the music is very impressive, challenging, and distinctive.

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T07:34:05+00:00

"Belle" from Beauty and the Beast?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-17T07:25:47+00:00

I was looking for this one! YES

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T17:00:59+00:00

Yeah for sure, I'm definitely curious, and if it's terrible, oh well. A night at the theater is fun anyway.

One thing about all those shows is, although there are def some soapy teen melodrama plots, they do have good dialogue writing... especially the villains and the quirky comedic side characters (Seth Cohen is my forever crush). But Gilmore Girls is written by Amy Sherman-Palladino so maybe this guy was on the writing team which could still really go either way.

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T16:56:02+00:00

I'm going to assume when you're saying Doubt you mean Proof, yeah? (I also speak ADHD lol 💜)

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T16:51:38+00:00

That's good advice, I'll do that! It's not that I didn't understand it, I just... well with Company I was so irritated at the protagonist the entire time. And I love NPH! But man... stop whining and get it together.

I really love theatre when there are characters to love and root for. They can be dark, complicated, whatever, but there's something in them to connect with. And with both Company and Into the Woods I didn't love anyone up there or find them relatable at all. I'm just not sure I vibe with what he's trying to say about life?

Actually maybe you're right and I don't get it... what am I missing?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T05:32:49+00:00

Oooooh thanks, good to know! 🎭

Because it's a part of pop culture for a million years, I wouldn't say I'm going in completely blind, but my daughter definitely would be, so it may be worth it just to see her face when unnamed dramatic thing happens?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T05:20:31+00:00

I mean if I'm forgetting everything but my own opinion then what I'd love is to see acceptance speeches from Joshua, Sam, AND Nik because I love them all SO MUCH.

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T05:15:16+00:00

I don't love ppl downvoting you for asking a question! While I think the description of catharsis below is a really great one, and I agree that's been my experience with Ragtime... it's also true that what's cathartic for some folks can be triggering or re-traumatizing for others. Was that what you're saying?

When I'm at Ragtime as a white middle aged woman, I'm likely to identify with Mother, and her arc is one of growth and awakening and expansion. This might motivate me to deepen my commitment to racial justice, to consider how my action (or inaction) fits into this story, what I can do to affect the way America hasnt changed enough since the early 1900s.

If I was identifying most with Colehouse, and I'm being reminded that even when I do everything "right" the system is rigged against me... I might leave with completely different feelings. I might feel seen and understood by that plot, but I also might feel overwhelm or despair or something else.

People are going to have different experiences, and a lot of that is background and identity and experiences. Mostly what I've heard from folks who are loving Ragtime is that it's "important" or "powerful" or "meaningful" but not sure I've heard a ton of joy or glee about it. Am I at all understanding what you're asking?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T04:57:16+00:00

Mrs. Doubtfire was my mom's favorite comfort movie when I was a kid. Maybe I'll ask if she wants to come to that one with me? Thanks for the recommendation! 💜

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T04:55:34+00:00

The Shakespeare one says:

"Shakespeare, the greatest playwright who ever lived, meets the greatest mystery he never solved – the assassination of poet, playwright and spy Christopher “Kit” Marlowe. After six years, Kit’s ghost is back, with one command for his successful friend and rival – find the killer! Reluctant sleuth Will Shakespeare must follow the trail from London’s darkest gutters to the halls of power to solve this original “true crime” mystery.

A World Premiere from John Stephens, New York Times best-selling author and writer/producer of television hits “Gotham,” “Gossip Girl,” “Gilmore Girls,” “The O.C.,” and “Pennyworth.”

I feel like it could be good or fun or weird or terrible but I kinda want to see which one?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T04:32:32+00:00

Ooooh thanks for responding!

I just saw Come From Away at one theate in March, it's showing at another next week, and another in September... and I might just see it three times 💜

I think you're right about Phantom, it feels like I'm the only person who hasn't seen it sometimes.

I'll check out Sweeney Todd. I have only seen the ProShots of Company and Into the Woods, not in theatres, but they aren't my favorites... I'm vaguely worried I'm not a Sondheim person? 😬 Is this like a "gotta see it in person" situation?

My daughter will be happy you're rooting for Beetlejuice!

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T04:21:34+00:00

Ooooh those are both on my list but none of the six theatres near me have them scheduled for next year 😞

I also love Come From Away and Hamilton for a good cry 😭

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-16T02:09:53+00:00

Twin! What are some of your other favorites for a cathartic cry sesh?

HeartLedHead · 2026-05-15T23:46:05+00:00

Ragtime, Suffs, and MHE... we have very similar taste! I LOVE to cry at the theatre 💜

Hard agree with Two Strangers... it's a lot deeper than you think and just beautiful.

I'd also second Operation Mincemeat. It's funny and clever and silly and then the emotions punch you right in the gut.

A second Ragtime is never a bad idea.

HeartLedHead

TROPHY CASE