Summertime and the Livin’s Easy

May 4, 2006 Author: Larissa | Filed under: Concerts, Music, Summer

For some reason lately I’ve noticed it’s really really hard for me to put in a full 40+ hour week.

I guess that means that summertime is peeking around the corner.

So what does that mean other than blockbuster action movies, vacations, and rooftop happy hours?

CONCERTS.

I’m a sucker for live music. In fact I’m a sucker for anything on stage.

Right now I have tickets to see O.A.R. and Jack’s Mannequin in July. I’m also looking at tickets to see Dave Matthews Band in Indiana (I’m going there for a weekend to visit friends) and probably KT Tunstall at the 9:30 Club in June. It will actually be the third time I’ve seen O.A.R. in concert, and the first to see Dave.

But man, there’s so much more. I want to see Chicago at Wolf Trap. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington at the Kennedy Center. Confessions: What Women Don’t Know and Men Won’t Admit at the Warner Theatre. I’d even like to see the Doobie Brothers or some other oldies like that at Wolf Trap. I offered to buy my parents tickets for their anniversary - so I can pretend I went. Haha.

I guess you can say I’m a concert/musical whore. I’ve seen so many. I feel in love with theatre at a young age, and continue to love it today.

So exactly how much have I seen?

Musicals
Phantom of the Opera
Rent (two, maybe three times)
Caberet (twice)
Cats
Whistle Down the Wind
Jesus Christ Superstar
Grease
State Fair
The Producers (sadly not the Nathan Lane/Matthew Broderick version)
Movin’ Out
Les Miserables

Still waiting to see: Evita, Wicked, Miss Saigon, West Side Story (love the movie version), Chicago
Apparently I have an Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rodgers & Hammerstein thing.

Concerts
Boyz II Men
Dru Hill (how funny, a little group called Destiny’s Child opened for them)
Usher
Eminem
Ludacris
Outkast
O.A.R. (twice - soon to be three times)
Rascal Flatts (my first and only country concert)
Ryan Cabrera
Rob Thomas
Billy Joel

Still waiting to see: Elton John, Madonna (yeah VP), Dave Matthews Band (because I feel you should go once), and I’ll admit it - I would totally go see Kelly Clarkson if anyone would go with me.

Other
John Leguizamo
Dave Chapelle
Jim Gaffigan (thanks KassyK!) at Improv
Aaron Karo (thanks Sara! Duh.)
Colin Quinn at Improv

So yeah, you could say I have a bit of an obsession for the stage. I’m probably forgetting a few too!

Granted, I know my laundry list of events isn’t nearly as bad as some people’s…but I like to think I’ve racked up a nice collection.

So, who should I make sure I see on stage sometime in my life? Ideas?

11 Responses for "Summertime and the Livin’s Easy"

KassyK May 4th, 2006 at 9:30 am 1

So Chicago is HANDS down one of my favorite shows of all time and of course the ultimates–RENT and TOMMY. Ahhh fabulousness. I actually saw Chicago with Robert Elrich playing the role of the main lawyer and he passed away shorter after the run so that was very bittersweet.

In terms of stand up which I LOOOOOVE–suprisingly, JERRY SEINFELD. Yikes I’m crazy with the caps today….but he is amazing live. Raunchy if you can believe it. And Jim Gaffigan. Hilarous.
Asian Mistress May 4th, 2006 at 9:58 am 2

Aha - Jim Gaffigan…the one I saw who is in those Sierra Mist commericals! Thanks for solving the mystery for me KassyK!
KassyK May 4th, 2006 at 10:21 am 3

HAHAH yes…everyone makes fun of me when I say how funny he is live…I promise…he is better than Sierra Midst dammit.
Pretty in Pink May 4th, 2006 at 11:08 am 4

Save all your money and go see Wicked! But make sure you read it first! It was sooo worth it!
Paige Jennifer May 4th, 2006 at 11:27 am 5

No matter what, make sure you catch KT Tunstall. Saw her in Philly in April and she sounds better live than on the CD. So good I’d ponder playing hooky to see her in DC.

As for DMB - plan on being one of the few people old enough to buy liquor. Fun but feels like an event sponsored by Abecrombie (did I even spell that right???).
Asian Mistress May 4th, 2006 at 11:52 am 6

I already got tickets for KT Tunstall…I’m very excited!
Sara May 4th, 2006 at 12:38 pm 7

How much did you LOVE movin’ out?

And also, I would totally go see Kelly Clarkson as well…

And don’t forget you’ve seen Aaron Karo do stand up
DC Cookie May 4th, 2006 at 1:05 pm 8

I could watch Les Mis every day. That’s by far my favourite.
Needtsza May 4th, 2006 at 9:23 pm 9

While I don’t have DMB tickets for Indiana, I do have em for Randell’s Island, NY if you’re interested.

two of em.

have a fun trip(s)
jo May 4th, 2006 at 11:30 pm 10

wow! that’s quite a list you’ve got going on… sadly i’ve only watched a few concerts. i love ‘em but the tickets are pretty expensive and the interesting ones seldom come to town. musicals are awesome. my fave is starlight express.
Stef May 6th, 2006 at 12:26 pm 11

I think you’ll really like Wicked and Miss Saigon, but I agree with PiP that you should read the book of Wicked first.

But really, you HAVE to go see Avenue Q! Funniest thing I’ve ever seen, both my Mom and I were dying laughing. Full frontal puppet nudity, and some power ballads that will make you cry.