I played Guys and Dolls for the high school music when I was a senior. We had two drummer/percussionists, so I didn't do it exclusively. We had a lot of fun up in the pit, though. Yes, I said "up in the pit." Our auditorium does not have a true pit, so the orchestra was on lofts off to the side of the stage. We both survived all of the ascents and descents on the stairs of death.

I can't think of any music experience I've had that I loved more, nor can I think of one that I hated more. Especially at that level, the singers can't stay in time to save their life. The orchestra partially blocked our view of the conductor, and we had to turn awkwardly to see him. Fortunately, we couldn't really hear the singers too well. The conductor made us agree that if the orchestra was going to be wrong, we would be wrong together and with the conductor.

Musicals are strangely fun, especially in the pit. It's a strange satisfaction to be an integral part of the show, and yet to be completely invisible to the audience. We didn't even get to take a bow because we were playing at the end. Some people in the audience at our production thought that the background music was playing from a recording. Everybody else is running around in costumes and make-up, while we all wore t-shirts and gym shorts. We went to the cast parties, but we weren't exactly part of the cast. Something about that whole idea is strangely satisfying to me.

I would definitely love to play in a pit orchestra again, but I can't say pit orchestras are my goal as a drummer.

Ditto -  JC Superstar.  I bet that show would be a lot of fun to do.

At North Texas, I was the drama department drummer. Over the years, I have played many high school, college, and community theater productions. Lots of fun, great experience, and some good money at times. Shows include:

The Boyfriend
You're a Good Man, Chalie Brown
The Music Man
Mame
Oklahoma
Lil Abner
Company
Princess Alice ( an original musical)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (like Bart, I was the sole musician/composer)

Ended up doing some acting in minor roles (like the telephone repairman in Barefoot in the Park).
At the University of Nebraska, my involvement in shows led to a call from the dance department to improvise percussion accompaniment to a dance recital choreographed by a guest artist. That led to a steady gig accompanying dance classes, studied ballet, jazz and modern dance myself, and composed the music for a Masters candidate's Thesis recital.

Well, at the age of nearly 47 and a huge two years into my drumming "rebirth" after a 28 year hiatus that basically meant I was starting from scratch, I am just doing my first "pit" gig (it's not a pit, actually: the band is at the back of the stage).

We're doing "And the World Goes 'Round" the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb (who sadly died last year).

I am having an indecently good time doing it. The material is stretching me (both in reading and playing skills); I'm surrounded by hugely capable musicians of all ages (apart from the guy who steps in to play "Kiss of the Spider Woman" while the MD, who normally directs from the piano stool, sings it). Cast and players are of all ages, and it is the most gloriously meritocratic environment with, for example, a 14-year old 'bonist as highly-regarded as the MD in musicianship (his sight-reading skills leave most of us dumbfounded). The enthusiasm of cast and band is just so addictive it should be a controlled substance. We did over 12 hours work yesterday, with the day spent rehearsing and then a full dress rehearsal in the evening ... and felt I could have done more (though boy was I bushed when I unwound).

Three performances starting tonight. Bring 'em on!

I've only done "lower budget" pit work,--school, church, community theater-- but thoroughly enjoyed it.

It can turn a drummer into a percussionist in a snap!

I've played many stage musicals throughout my career starting with a minstrel type show while I was in the 7th grade.  That got me hooked!  Since then I have played in the following (although I'm sure I've left a few out):

You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
South Pacific
1776
Sweeney Todd
Grease
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Delusion of the Fury - Harry Partch

I have also had the good fortune to conduct the following:
Oklahoma
Guys and Dolls
Music Man
Man of Lamancha

Although being new to the drumming world I have not played in the "pits", I thought I'd relay a story my teacher told me just last week.

He was invited backstage at a Sunday matinee of "Movin Out", the Billy Joel musical on Broadway.  The drummer that day, Joe Bergamini had done a Tama clinic at the music store where I take lessons and invited him.

Anyways, long story short, he said the music sounded great and was a bunch of top notch musicians from famous bands around the area who do matinees while still being able to peform their night gigs.

Without hijacking the thread, I was wondering if anyone else had similar experiences, or if you were the local pros who got to do their night jobs during the day like this?