A tradition that runs in my family is purchasing the annual Bass Concert Hall pass to the theatrical performances performed by the national tour casts of Broadway productions. The pass may be on the pricier side but it does not disappoint with its multiple show offers. You will get to see eight shows with the package and my great expectations were exceeded beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
One of my favorite productions I have ever seen at Bass Concert Hall was the second show of the eight in this year’s show package and it was absolutely life changing. Most students, including myself, already know the story due to reading and analyzing it in past school years, but even going into it knowing the book, The Outsiders had some of the best talent I have ever seen. They turned the classic story into a hit musical and absolutely did the story justice. The soundtrack is unbelievable and I personally listen to it often.
I also loved the national touring cast of MJ the Musical. It told the story of Michael Jackson and I thought the mashups and sound were absolutely brilliant. My favorite part of that show was the song Thriller, where the audience discovers the true monster he was running from. The lighting, special effects, and choreography was spectacular!
Another reason Bowie students should specifically purchase one of these passes is the connection building it offers among people. I have bought the pass the last three years and over time I see more and more of my friends or just people in my class coming to see one or multiple of the shows. Before the show, during intermission, and after the show, I personally love to build those similar interests of excitement or curiosity for the show through communicating with students. After the show, we got to get signatures from the cast members, and we still love to talk about it to this day. Due to these interactions, I have gotten to know more people and build my friendships through our shared memory of the show.
Lastly, one of the best experiences I have ever had with my friends was getting a backstage tour due to our connection with the Bowie teacher Ruth Narvaiz. If you purchase one of these passes and know her, she always updates students on offers she gets from these productions. For the Outsiders, she was able to update us on a meet and greet for one of the main characters. But my personal favorite offer she gave us was a backstage tour, offered by the production of Moulin Rouge. Me and a handful of other students got to see the costumes, makeup/wig room, and got to go on stage. It was so much fun and a memory I’ll never forget about the Bass Concert Hall pass.
I hope to buy one of these passes in the future to continue building connections. So even if you don’t purchase the annual pass, you should still go experience one of the many shows Bass Concert Hall has to offer because I promise it will not disappoint.
