Josh Lamon plays agent Sheldon Saperstein in the critically acclaimed new musical comedy The Prom at the Longacre Theatre. Here, the singing actor, whose Broadway credits also include Hair, Elf, Finding Neverland, and Groundhog Day, recalls some of his favorite theatregoing experiences.

Patti LuPone in Gypsy

(aka, Legacy the musical) Holy moly. I first saw the show at Encores! Bought a fancy seat front row center and then went to see the revival twice. I love you, Patti. Marry me?

John Cameron Mitchell as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway
There is nothing comparable to seeing him live as Hedwig. It was like watching God create the earth. It was so magical, the woman next to me kept filming on her cell. I went to point at her phone and ask her to stop but accidentally slapped the phone out of her hands. Don’t feel bad about that.

Mary Testa in Queen of the Mist

Yes, this was Off-Broadway. But holy boozeballs. Nothing beats a Michael John LaChiusa score with a Mary Testa twist. It was perfect theatre.

Sierra Boggess in The Phantom of the Opera

Sing for me my angel of friggin music! I was team Phantom all the way. If I could live inside her mirror and yell at her to sing on command, I so would.

Carolee Carmello as Mrs. Pennywise in Urinetown and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd

Is there anything this goddess can’t do? She gave a genius performance. In both shows. I worship at the idol.

Keala Settle in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

I always say the ensemble makes the show. One “over it” performer will kill it for me. This was the first time I saw Keala in anything. She was in the ensemble, and she stole the damn show. I remember thinking, “She’s gonna be a star.” And now she is. Ensemble folk rule.

Betty Buckley in Sunset Boulevard

This woman has been my queen for ages. I will never forget watching her move down that staircase. She was so fragile yet also dangerous. I even got a pic with her at the stage door. Still have the program signed. And maybe a bootleg.

Bob Martin and Beth Leavel in The Drowsy Chaperone

Beth can do anything. Literally anything. And Bob...it was like watching me. It was like he sneaked into my lonely musical theatre-loving brain and wrote the show just for me. That’s how I felt when I saw it. I’ll never forget it.

Josh Gad in The Book of Mormon

Literally the funniest performance I have ever seen. I watched him in awe thinking, “How do you learn how to do that?” Watching Josh do comedy is like watching a magic show.

Tonya Pinkins in Caroline, or Change

Her performance was a master class. You could feel her anger, you could feel the intensity of her sorrow turn into anger, you could see and learn from the growing pains of change that we all have to adapt to.

Watch excerpts from The Prom below: