I've seen Frozen eight times. Here's why ... and why you shouldn't judge me

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 11:22am

When people ask WHY I'm going to see "Frozen" on Broadway AGAIN, I give them an answer. But it's not the full truth.


Here's the real reason - and why you should never judge anyone for the things they love.

I've seen Frozen on Broadway 8 times. Here's why ... and why you shouldn't judge me

I've prepared for your responses ... I think.

But in all honesty, I just hope that maybe this will provide some food for thought, whether you agree or not. A lot of (especially young) people can feel judged for the shows or things that they love, and when that love gets attacked, it's easy to think you're only commenting on the merit of the piece or the song or the movie or the person's tastes, but it can go a bit deeper than that. I wanted to throw my story out there as an example. Just something to keep in mind.

Updated On: 8/21/18 at 11:22 AM

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 11:37am

I'm so sorry about the hard times your family has had. I think one of the great things about theatre is that is helps you get through times like this in life. 

I think people should just let others enjoy things. If I don't like something, that doesn't mean that everyone else is required to hate it as well. I think there are times on this board where people feel like everyone haaaasss to hate a show as a group, and I don't think that's fair. 

There was a post on here about a girl who had seen Mean Girls 19+ times, and I felt the same way about that as well..If you enjoy a show, it doesn't matter what other people think. 

Who cares if people judge you? Do you, boo. Do you.

[BroadwayLuv2]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 11:44am

I loved frozen as well!  I haven't seen it that many times but I want to go again!  I thought it was a great show!!

[Kitsune]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 11:56am

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm also a repeat offender - sometimes even of shows that are traditionally looked down upon!

Raising a glass to the shows we love that get us through hard times, and to the fans who love them.

[labellaragazza1]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 12:13pm

As someone who has what many would consider a ridiculous obsession with Phantom of the Opera, I hear you. I'm in the "let people love what they love" camp.

When you find the show (or movie, band, song, piece of art, etc) that speaks to you, it is magical. My love of theater and Phantom in particular has led me in a lot of cool paths and to a lot of great people. We love what we love. I've had a lot of judgement, but I've also had people wistfully say they wished they loved anything as much as I love this show. There's nothing like the feeling of anticipation when you're sitting in the audience and the music begins to your favorite show, the one that has been your companion in good times and bad. 

I've certainly been a critic of some shows, but I don't begrudge people for having a different opinion on something that they view differently and enjoying something I don't. I'm glad you found a show that speaks to you on that level. Embrace it and enjoy it!

[Lot666]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 12:58pm

labellaragazza1 said: "As someone who has what many would consider a ridiculous obsession withPhantom of the Opera,I hear you. I'm in the "let people love what they love" camp.

When you find the show (or movie, band, song, piece of art, etc) that speaks to you, it is magical. My love of theater andPhantomin particular has led me in a lot of cool paths and to a lot of great people. We love what we love. I've had a lot of judgement, but I've also had people wistfully say they wished they loved anything as much as I love this show. There's nothing like the feeling of anticipation when you're sitting in the audience and the music begins to your favorite show, the one that has been your companion in good times and bad.

I've certainly been a critic of some shows, but I don't begrudge people for having a different opinion on something that they view differently and enjoying something I don't. I'm glad you found a show that speaks to you on that level. Embrace it and enjoy it!"

I'm right there with you.

[dearalanaaaa]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 1:08pm

Enjoy whatever you want as long as you're not harming people. When I first saw this thread title I thought you were a 15 year old who got hold of BWW and wanted to share experiences with us, and thought "well... Who cares??" And now I still kind of think that but it's a well written article! See what you want to see. Just be civil about it.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 1:09pm

It appears you like the show very much.  There's a certain show I like very much...and have seen it 22 times since 2011 (11 on Broadway and 11 on tour).

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 4:00pm

I’m a firm believe in seeing what you want as many times as you want for whatever reason you want. I’m also a firm believer in not letting others tell you what you should enjoy or not...no matter if they are “right or wrong”.

Life is hard and complicated enough. If something gives you pleasure, and you can find something to make you happy or content or make you smile, go for it.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 7:32pm

You really shouldn't see the same show over and over again. It really isn't a good idea.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 7:47pm

Treat Yo Self! 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 8:01pm

Of course you should see whatever show you want but here's the real question: why should you allow others to make you feel poorly over your life choices?  If I had friends that made me feel like crap (or even co-workers) about an innocuous choice I made, I'm pretty sure I'd just stay clear of them.

 

 

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 8:11pm

dramamama611 said: "Of course you should see whatever show you want but here's the real question: why should you allow others to make you feel poorly over your life choices? If I had friends that made me feel like crap (or even co-workers) about an innocuous choice I made, I'm pretty sure I'd just stay clear of them."

As an adult, yes, I have some measure of control about who I'm around, as well as the capability to attempt to minimize hurtful comments. But I chose to share my story, in part, because a lot of people who get judged for the things that they love or get hurt by these comments are on the younger side, and when they're in school or in sports or other activities, they don't have those same freedoms to walk away or necessarily the wherewithal to put up their own guards. Plus, a portion of the time, the people making those comments are adults. So a general awareness of how we frame these conversations is a good thing, I think. 

 

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 8:18pm

I can completely relate to this. If I see anything more than once people are SHOCKED. I get all sorts of reactions. One that sticks out in particular...

I had a pack of Wicked pins sitting on my desk, which were a gift. Someone walks by, sees them and says: OH MY GOD YOU SAW WICKED AGAIN?!

I say no, they were a gift. For the record, I've only seen it 4 times and it's been running for almost 15 years. 

This happens with all sorts of different people. 

I try to explain it as - how many times have you watched your favorite movies or seen your favorite bands? And most importantly, why do you care?

It's really strange.

Updated On: 8/21/18 at 08:18 PM

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 8:35pm

good for you illana-keep going and have a fantastic time. as someone whose been ridiculed by “professional” critics on this board for seeing shows they deemed “mediocre” i support going to shows as many times as u get enjoyment from them and screw those who judge others.
im going to les miz tonight for the 12th time after seeing it less than a week ago. why? because its a great show(to me-its not for everyone) and a strong cast.

[Anna Lan]

Posted: 8/25/18 at 5:13am

I can think of multiple shows I've been to many times for various reasons. Some I just liked enough to keep going over the years. Some young people in my life wanted to see, and I'm a sucker for taking an interested teenager to the theater. One show I don't even much like has been seen many times because guys trying to date me heard I liked musicals and thought they were being nice. It happens.

[chapie1968]

Posted: 8/25/18 at 2:45pm

Hey, do what YOU enjoy. You only get to live once.

Personally I have no interest in this because I can't get past Elsa looking like Elsa's grandmother or at least her mother. 

[bk]

Posted: 8/25/18 at 5:05pm

I've seen lots of shows multiple times - not because they "help" me or whatever that's about, but because there's something, usually in the production itself, that I enjoy.  Hello, Dolly - from the first time with Channing in the original national tour in 1965 - saw it multiple times because I studied the staging, which I found absolutely brilliant, and it was fun to see the various Dollys over the years.  A Chorus Line - numerous times for the same staging reasons plus knowing lots of cast members.  The original Pippin, numerous times to study the staging.  Nothing I've seen in the last three decades outside of Grand Hotel, made me want to see it even a second time.  Grand Hotel was not a great show, but it was a one-off miracle of style over substance, and that interests me.

In all of that, I have never felt the need to go public with these things and ask for validation or whatever is at play here.  That's what I never understand, this need to put everything in public, on social media.  How, I wonder, did any of us live through the dark ages pre the popularization of social media, which has really only been since these types of discussion boards first and then stuff like MySpace and then of course Facebook, Twitter, and all that other bushwa.  As the King would say, Is a puzzlement :)

[IlanaKeller]

Posted: 8/26/18 at 8:00pm

bk said: "In all of that, I have never felt the need to go public with these things and ask for validation or whatever is at play here. That's what I never understand, this need to put everything in public, on social media. How, I wonder, did any of us live through the dark ages pre the popularization of social media, which has really only been since these types of discussion boards first and then stuff like MySpace and then of course Facebook, Twitter, and all that other bushwa. As the King would say, Is a puzzlement :)"

I find it interesting that your points here are already addressed in the piece.

Briefly, 1) The point isn't seeking validation, but quite the opposite - assuring people that they already have all the validation they need for loving what they love and connecting with what resonates with them, and reminding people that they do not have the right to judge, whether intentionally or through careless commenting, what others connect with. No one should need to explain themselves in a search for validation, and no one has the right to demand they do or pass judgment - yet these same conversations play out time and time and time again.

2) The reason I "felt the need" to share my story is literally in an attempt to explain that people shouldn't have to. I have the hopes that the dialogue it has created will, again, reassure those who are being judged (and it happens ALL. THE. TIME.) and serve as a reminder to those doing the judging, whether they recognize it or not.

I don't know that social media has greatly impacted a culture where we like to judge others, nor one where people share their own stories and feel compelled to seek out connections - that's certainly happened since the dawn of time. But it's amplified the voices of those who are looking for a connection, as well as unfortunately those who have not-so-great motives. Luckily, it also offers a platform to get out messages of acceptance and positivity, and that's what I choose to focus on. I can tell you that the responses I've gotten have overwhelmingly skewed positive (including here, and thank you all so much for sharing your voices and experiences), and many people have said "thank you" because they see themselves in the piece. I share that not as a brag, but a bit of justification for "going public" with this and why I "felt the need" to do it.

If you have further questions, I'd love to continue the conversation.