THEIR FAVORITE THINGS: Silence! The Musical Star Sean McDermott Shares His Theatregoing Experiences
By Andrew Gans
March 6, 2013
Their Favorite Things asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.
This week we spotlight the choices of singing actor Sean McDermott, the Broadway performer who is currently playing Dr. Hannibal Lecter in Off-Broadway's Silence! The Musical at the Elektra Theatre.
(Clicking on a name bolded in blue will take readers to that actor or show's entry in the Playbill Vault.)
A Chorus Line
 |
 |
|
|
"I saw the first national tour in Denver Colorado. A Chorus Line made me want to move to New York to sing and dance...and so I did." |
On Your Toes
|
|
 |
|
|
"My introduction to the Broadway stage came when I moved to NY right out of college in 1984 and saw On Your Toes with Lara Teeter and Natalia Makarova. Coming from a song and dance background, the show was not only thrilling but Dana Moore's performance was particularly exceptional. Clearly this was the start of a beautiful career." |
Burn This
|
|
 |
|
|
"John Malkovich burned that passionate performance into my memory to this day." |
The Petition with Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn
|
|
 |
|
|
"To see these two iconic actors at work, sitting in the front row with my sister, gave me an appreciation for what true acting is all about. And made me want to do more plays." |
Tyne Daly in Gypsy
|
|
 |
|
|
"Tyne Daly as Mama Rose gave one of the best performances I've ever experienced in the theatre. I saw her last show and was so sad to see it close as I would have gone to see her over and over and over again!!!" |
The original company of The Mystery of Edwin Drood
|
|
 |
|
|
"The original company of Edwin Drood I saw three times because I couldn't get enough of those performances. F***ing Betty Buckley, Howard McGillin, Patti Cohenour and Cleo Laine... OMG what a cast!!!!" |
American Idiot
|
|
 |
|
|
"The music, the set, the flying...very emotional. Saw it three times as well." |
Once
|
|
 |
|
|
"Once is a true gem. The fact that all the actors sang, danced and played the instruments was not only impressive but moving to point of tears, and that music...what a score. I bought the [recording] on iTunes that night and still have it on my favorites...love to sing to it. Steve Kazee, what a voice!!!" |
Venus in Fur
|
|
 |
|
|
"What can you say about Nina Arianda that hasn't already been said a hundred times? A.MAZ.ING!!! It was like...WOW tie me up!!!" |
Les Misérables
|
|
 |
|
|
"I saw one of the first previews of Les Miz while we were doing Starlight Express down the street and cried myself silly. Trevor Nunn, who was directing both shows at the same time, took his 'trains' just as serious as his 'French urchins.' |
Lily Tomlin in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
|
|
 |
|
|
"I was taken to see Lily Tomlin in The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe for my birthday. Best birthday gift ever...I will forever look at soup and art differently." |