And before I head to slumberland...
As for knowing shows before seeing them... Isn't this akin to seeing a show for a second.. third.. or fourth time... or even more? I've seen Sweeney Todd more times than I can remember - fortunately - but each time that "realization" comes in the last scene, I'm always right there with Sweeney as he's discovering it for the first time. And the many times I've cried during Don Quixote's final "Dulcinea"... Or the belly-laughs I get from the axe-passing scene in Noises Off... And the "gasp" at the end of act one of Proof.
Yes, there are people who like to be totally surprised when they go to see something - not listened to the cast recording, not read the script, not read the reviews, etc.
Yes, there are people who like to go in with some sort of preparation for what they are about to see.
And, more often than not, there are those people who first fell in love with the show from the original cast album - or even a televised/taped broadcast - or just a script - and then get to go to a theatre to see the show live on stage - in NYC, in LA, in Chicago, at a college, at a local community theatre, or even a high school! And the magic begins again!
And if the "ideal" way to see a show is just to go in "blind" - twists or no twists, then I have a feeling audience attendance would be way down across the nation. Not good for playwrights, not good for composers, not good for actors, not good for musicians...
And, finally, DR Panni, thank you for mentioning Andras Schiff. He's one of my favorite pianists - his Bach playing is extraordinary! *Actually, some times it overwhelms me since his voicing is at times too good, too clearly delineated, my mind goes into overload listening to all the nuances in each of the lines. I first came across his playing via an album at the Arlington County Public Library. It paired Bach's Goldberg Variations with Ginastera's First Piano Sonata - how I LOVE that piece! (And I played it too on my graduation recital - <pat on the back>) Interesting pairing, and great playing. Hmmm.. I always keep meaning to see if his Ginastera has ever been released on CD... I guess I know where I'm browsing over to after I finish this...
And to all a Goodnight.