Thread by @SeanNyberg

🧵Saw the fabulous cast perform Moulin Rouge the Musical at Seattles Paramount Theater this evening.
It's very good, not my all-time favorite, but easily the most fun show I've seen.
Here are some thoughts on aspects unrelated to the SHOW, but first here's a pic of the stage
1/20

First, I want to talk about this kid sitting in the row in front of me.
I say kid, but I have no idea his age. Could've been 14 or 25 for all I know. But he was young and was sitting next to his Mom
Skinny white guy, black rimmed glasses, and a "good for a young guy" haircut
2/20

I became obsessed with this kid halfway through the first Act. He was SO expressive and was in COMPLETE awe of everything happening on the stage.
A dramatic light cue, or partner dance work, or a costume change - and he would turn to his mom with his mouth agape, in awe.
3/20

During the bigger numbers, like "Chandelier" into "Roxanne" he had both hands covering his mouth and he would rock his head back and forth.
Overwhelmed and having some religious experience.
He kept looking at his Mom as if to say "ARE YOU SEEING THIS MAGIC TOO????"
4/20

Let me be clear, he was NOT distracting. His gestures were clear, but they weren't super big. He also kept his head still, which is good theater etiquette.
He would rotate to see his Mom or nodding, but he wasn't moving his head left, right, tilting, at all times.
5/20

I couldn't have even imagined how much he was able to heighten the show for me.
After a dramatic music crescendo he mouthed slowly "THIS IS SO F**KING GOOD"
Mind you this kid is a skinny white dude w/ his Mom having an out of body experience.
6/20

Honestly, it seemed like this was his first show and maybe this dude has always had that theater bug but was too shy to admit it.
It seemed like that. So he was having a very important realization about himself throughout the 2 1/2 hour show.
7/20

My fiancé, my sister, and her friend were all watching him too. He was in front, but down a couple seats, so we could see his profile. It didn't distract anything, it really helped for me to remember that feeling of "HOW DID THEY DO THAT!?!?"
8/20

I wanted to grab him after (they exited an opposite way) and be like "Dude, whatever spark you felt during that show, you HAVE to feed that and nurture that. Here's $100,000. Go to New York, see all the shows, get an apartment and meet theater people and them mold you.
LOL
9/20

NOW, BEHIND US was a group of ladies. Probably housewives, out for a fun night.
Saw the sexy dancers and were LOVING it, like housewives do, especially with some wine.
Fishnet stockings on the ladies and on one dude, men flirting with the girls AND the guys.
10/20

You know, the stuff that make Housewives feel naughty. But, for a gay man it's like what we see our friends where to go shopping. LOL
Anyway. All that is fine, but, then they did the unthinkable.
They sang every song!! Out LOUD! Like it was a participatory show.
11/20

THAT nonsense is NOT okay. It ruined about 15 minutes of the show. Took a minute to realize they were actually singing, then hoped they would realize how bad that is, then hoping the people next to them would say something, FINALLY I had to turn and 'correct' them. lol
12/20

In conclusion: If you're overwhelmed by an amazing show, cover your mouth in amazement, mouth "this is so fucking good" to your seat mate, let your jaw hang open in stunned astonishment, and look back to your seat mate all you want, as if to say "ARE YOU SEEING THIS TOO?!"
13/20

That is all wonderful and great. It doesn't draw a ton of attention to you and if someone does see you and they want to continue to watch, it's all positive, it's sweet, and it's REAL.
Totally heightened my experience.
14/20

On the flip side. Never, never, never SING the songs from a musical from your seat during the show.
Don't even whisper the songs, it's almost worse.
a. no one is impressed w/ your voice, even if you were good, no one cares
15/20

b. we all know the songs Karen. We all listened to the soundtrack before the show. Some maybe once or twice, but most of hundreds of times.
NO ONE is like "Whoa, Karen knows the words to songs available everywhere and anywhere for a show she's known about for months!"
16/20

Singing, speaking the words, crinkling candy wrappers (unwrap them before the show starts if you MUST have them), SLOPPING ice around your near-empty cup, and any electronic noise (watch, phone, etc), SHOULD NEVER BE HEARD!
17/20

Whisper something to your frend/date, react verbally when necessary (Laugh at funny, "oohhhhh" during an 'ohhhh' part, even let out a "WOOOOH!!!" after a fierce number. But make sure it's an appropriate time and an appropriate show.
This show had many "WOOOH" moments
18/20

I want to hire that kid and bring him to every live show I attend or to films like "Avatar: The Way of Water."
Seeing his face in constant amazement was infectious and I caught myself mimicking him.
Which was good, it kept me from slapping the singing bi**h behind me!
19/20

If anyone from the cast or crew of #moulinrouge sees this, I wanted to commend you all. It was a wildly entertaining and beautifully acted theatrical experience.
Thank you for sharing your talents with us, it was a magical evening.
20/20