I was brought up loving the theater.
Back in Florida, Mom and I made it a point to see at least one show a year. We’ve seen multiple shows in New York, including Equus and 42nd Street, both of which were phenomenal (not that the others I’ve seen weren’t those two just stand out, along with Spamalot).
Upon moving to California, one of our goals was to see more Broadway touring shows. And of course, our timing was horrible, so we didn’t get started until late December of last year. As of now, we’ve seen three shows, with tickets for others already waiting for us (and the possibility for move very soon). Our theater of choice is the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, CA, a building with so much history built in, it makes every moment inside worth it.
So, in no particular order, these are the three shows we’ve seen at the Pantages.
Wicked (December 29, 2024)
Like many theater kids of my generation, seeing Wicked is a right of passage. I have wanted to see the musical on Broadway since it opened in 2003. We tried to get tickets whenever the tour would come to town… and never managed to score any.
I wanted to see the show so badly, I actively refused to see Wicked the movie in theaters, or when it came to steaming. I needed to see the show first.
Then last Christmas, Mom got us tickets. This came out of literal nowhere. I swear I cried for like ten minutes. Seriously, I had tried myself, and failed yet again! So she pulled off a major magic trick.
The show was glorious. The cast was on point, the young woman playing Elphaba stole every scene she was in. It deserved the thunderous applause it got with the end of every number.
And here’s the thing, I didn’t know what happened. Sure, I knew a few of the songs (what theater kid didn’t at least know of “Defying Gravity”?), but I didn’t know the plot. I knew the twists because I’d figured them out, but Mom didn’t. (She cried at one, it was great.)
It was surpurb, it was amazing, and it was a dream come true.
(The film was also amazing, we watched it the next weekend. Haven’t seen For Good yet due to Mom’s dislike of movie theaters post-pandemic, but as soon as it hits streaming… it’s coming.)
Hadestown (October 26, 2025)
Just… wow.
First, I should make something clear. I found out after the show that the show was actually non-Equity, which I know that many people have a massive problem with. I want it noted.
But holy shit.
I went into this show somewhat blind (knowing only the very basic premise… and again, a song, “Wait for Me”). This was another show I knew I wanted to see, but I didn’t know what I was in for.
The answer to that, by the way, is Megan Colton, who blew the show right out of the park. Playing Eurydice with a beautiful, haunting voice… Her solo in “Wait for Me (reprise)” is something that has still not left my head.
I need to see the show again.
Suffs (December 7, 2025)
And then there’s Suffs.
Suffs is probably one of the most important musicals currently touring right now. That’s not an exaggeration, that’s the cold hard truth. The show deals with the women’s suffrage movement, the historic wins and tragic losses, leading up to the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in the USA, which granted some women the right to vote.
This show frankly blew my mind. I saw it last night and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. There are so many parallels to what is happening right now in 2025. Every song and moment were gripping.
The entire cast is women. They portray some of the most courageous woman, as well as some of the most insufferable men.
It’s a thrilling show. It may be the best thing I’ve seen in 2025. Just. Wow.
In Conclusion…
I need to see more shows. I may be seeing Stereophonic at the end of December. And Spamalot again. And Beauty and the Beast next year.
Enjoy the Broadway shows, friends, they are worth it.