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Return engagement: Are musicals better the second time?

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Repeat offenders is the term of art (in my book, anyway) for theatergoers who see shows again and again. You know, the “Wicked” tweens and their eager-to-please moms, the “Spamalot” crew of Monty Python obsessives, the global army of “Mamma Mia!” dancing queens, etc.

In this Sunday’s Arts & Books section, I look back on musicals I’ve seen more than once and, to my surprise, reversed my verdicts. Yes, even critics have second thoughts.

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Rewinding my long history of theatergoing, I think the productions I’ve experienced the most are ones that I worked on, either as a student or professional dramaturge. I’ll never forget an “Othello” starring Michael Potts and directed by Anna D. Shapiro at the Yale School of Drama, which I attended numerous times, each one better than the previous.

But as I recount in this essay, revisiting big splashy musicals has been more of a roller-coaster ride. Sure, it’s no fun when the dazzle dips, but what a treat when the ho-hum suddenly becomes unexpectedly thrilling.

--Charles McNulty

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