Uplifting... Moving... Thunderous Standing O
by Emily on 5/16/24Hollywood Pantages Theatre - Los AngelesI did not know what to expect walking into this show other than my BFF said that it caused "the most emotional reaction she has ever had to a musical ever", which says a lot from a Columbia College Theater Major. It was absolutely spectacular. I can't pinpoint what it was exactly. The story, the acting, the music, the lighting, the simple set... the collective. I found myself be-bopping to the music, although it's not a soundtrack you would ever buy or listen to solo in your car, but I loved it and bobbed my head along and tapped my feet. I was invested in the characters and the simple set and lighting. The storyline was visceral, heart-warming and took me right back to 2001. It made me want to visit this city and experience the unwavering kindness that seems to be engrained in the Canadian people as a whole. I love musical theater. Typically, I casually stand for ovations, mostly because other do. For this play, likened only to Hamilton, I found my self one of the first to jump out of my seat with thunderous applause. I stood and clapped as the band played on beyond the curtain call. I didn't want it to end. I found myself calling my loved ones on my walk back to the car to tell them that they HAD to see this and how heart-warming and emotional this made me. I found warmth and camaraderie with another friend who had already seen it and experienced the same emotions, the same reactions and thrill of getting to experience it with a friend - albeit, not together. I went to this play solo, and I am so glad that I went but remorseful that I experienced this alone and not with a loved one... or even a casual friend. This was one experience that deserved to be shared with someone I really cared about so we could reminisce and discuss and bathe in the warm glow of awesomeness that we just experienced together. BRAVO COME FROM AWAY. BRAVO.