Best play you've ever seen?

[jeezifonly]

To me, Best and Favorite are such personal and situational descriptors, I’d need way more limitations than just “a play” Because I worked in theatre, I saw a LOT of plays, including many that I heard 8x/wk while working, it’s hard to narrow it down.  

Pee-in-the-pants-funny: 
Noises Off,  
Broadway, 2001

Devastatingly tragic:  
Bent, CTG, LA 2015

American Classic:   
You Can’t Take it With You, Broadway 2014

Inventive Production:   
The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Nighttime  
Nat’l Tour 2017

Solo Performance:   
Happy Days (Dianne Wiest)    
LA 2019

GO SEE PLAYS, you guys!!!! 

 

[Manhattan]

Great list jeezifonly! 
 

i forgot how much I liked The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. 

[+ nycman]

On 11/29/2024 at 4:57 AM, jeezifonly said:

Happy Days (Dianne Wiest)    
LA 2019

I got to see her perform this at the Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn in 2017. One of my favorite actresses performing one of my favorite parts…."Oh, happy days!"

"Choose happiness every day, regardless of the circumstances."

[+ WilliamM]

"Legends with Carol Channing and Mary Martin 

Certainly not the best play,   but an A  plus cast

[AtticusBK]

Tossing in another vote for Angels in America w/ Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane; but also really loved the 2010 Signature Theater off-Broadway production w Zachary Quinto, Billy Porter, Christian Borle, and Frank Wood

Runners-up: The Normal Heart w Joe Mantello and Ellen Barkin (who should have been in the film instead of Julia Roberts imho) — the entire theater (of mostly gay men) was sobbing; August Osage County; Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance (another 2-part 7-hour gay epic)

Just saw Purpose directed by Phylicia Rashad tonight and highly recommend!

[mtaabq]

“The Little Dog Laughed” at the Desert Rose Theater in Palm Desert/Palm Springs. “Love! Valour! Compassion!” at The Vortex in Albuquerque. Not sure if it counts but “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” on PBS’s “American Playhouse” with Jessica Lange and Tommy Lee Jones (back in the 80’s) as well as the (somewhat) recent London version with Sienna Miller, which I saw at the cinema. 

[Alex Hawk]

“Boys in the Band” 2018 revival

”To Kill a Mockingbird” recent revival (saw with Jeff Daniels)

”Take Me Out” 2022 revival

“A Doll’s House” 2023 revival

“Topdog/Underdog” 2023 revival

An Enemy of the People” 2024 revival

“A Streetcar Named Desire” 2025 revival (Brooklyn)

 

I’m still relatively new to serious theater but have been making up for lost time since @sf westcoasterfirst introduced me to the magic of Broadway in 2018. If I had to narrow it down I’d choose Doll’s House, Enemy of the People, and Streetcar. All fairly stripped down productions, which is controversial but usually works well for me. I think it lets the playwright’s words really resonate. These productions effectively demonstrated the contemporary relevance of their older source material.

[Manhattan]

On 7/31/2024 at 9:41 AM, skynyc said:

Hard to pick one, but agree with BN above that Little Bear Ridge Road at Steppenwolf in Chicago right now is one of the best I've seen in awhile. Subtle and funny and heartbreaking look at two broken people trying to connect. Laurie Metcalf is amazing. 

 

Thank you for the recommendation! Just got tickets to see it in NYC. 
Metcalf is scheduled to do eight shows per week. I hope she takes good care of her health and doesn't miss my Saturday eve performance!