Meet Marlene, one of the regular theatergoers that was chosen to be a part of the Broadway.com Word of Mouth panel for the 2011-2012 theater season!
How far do you live from Broadway?
I live in Manhattan. Two miles? Maybe less.
What do you do for a living?
I'm retired, but I once was a director of continuing education programs.
What's the best part about your job? And the worst?
Retirement! I'm now the CEO of me...and I love it. So many wonderful things to do; especially living in the middle of NYC. And when my frequent flyer points build up, I get on a plane and go to Paris, London or Barcelona! The worst? What worst? There is no worst.
Who first exposed you to Broadway?
My mom took me to see a show for my birthday and I have been going to Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway ever since.
Any special childhood theater memories?
En route to see Oklahoma!, my mom confused with me so many names: Laurie, Poor Judd, Celeste Holm, Rodgers and Hammerstein. I didn't know who was who or what was what. I wondered if that Rodgers person was the cowboy with a horse named Trigger!
What do you love about Broadway?
How wonderful to be part of a live audience watching live actors perform. Some plays make me cry or laugh; others make me feel sad, glad, mad or scared. A Broadway show virtually takes me away to another place and I vicariously become the person on stage. Some shows make me think or cry or hum, long after the curtain has come down.
Have you ever acted? Had aspirations of being on Broadway yourself?
NO!
Who do you like to go to the theater with and why?
My daughter (we catch up with each other before and discuss the play afterwards), a friend (a social evening is always nice) or solo (often it's just simpler to buy a ticket and just go!).
What are some of your all-time favorite Broadway shows?
Death of a Salesman, All My Sons and most anything else by Arthur Miller... Fiddler on the Roof... My Fair Lady (I took my daughter; it was her first show)... Next to Normal... A Chorus Line
Why should Broadway.com viewers listen to your opinion?
I'm smart, can articulate decently, sometimes I'm even funny (though not too often!). I will review many aspects of the production: acting, script, direction, costumes, sets, even amplification (sometimes it's awful!)
What was your reaction when you found out you'd been chosen for the panel?
Delight, surprise, and feeling and very lucky!