But actually - I value the opinions of many (some) people on here, esp. for early preview responses if I'm on the fence about a show (ie - Hardbody). I don't think this site affects the majority of the theater community but it's always nice to have a forum of like-minded individuals.
we have our famous figures and our celebrities- respected characters like Pal Joey
You wanna know something? I always wanted to be a character on Smash. Like Jordan Roth, only with a musical number.
So now that I'm a "famous celebrity," I'm gonna have Shaiman and Wittman write me a song--a swell song too.
I'll have them write me a song with a boy to work with--someone like Wesley Taylor, someone who can lift me up, show me off. Oh, hell, I'll have them write me a song with two boys.
It'll frame me better....
Think big, PalJoey, think big....
I'm gonna have them write me a song with a whole bunch of boys.
As far as previews go it's singularly informative. But, of course, you have to know how to separate the reliable posters from the rest. Several of the top ones have already been named.I'm sure the majority of the big time Broadway and West End players check in here regularly.
IMO - BWW is important only in the aspect that it is online advertisement for theatre shows and Broadway performers performing in other types of entertainment. (Concerts, Movies, TV etc). I highly doubt that opinons or topics discussed on the message board really matter to Broadway producers,directors, actors etc. Broadway shows have out of town tryouts and previews to get audience reaction so checking out the message board for reaction to show is really not necessary.
Jordan, I wouldn't take that as a compliment. The respected characters are mentioned in another sentence. :) A bit of wit is ok, especially to keep things shallow, but it really doesn't add anything if you do it for years and years and years. It gets tiresome.
Try to develop an attention span bigger than that of a goldfish. Oh, one more tip; If you think that the general masses are just as clever and witty as a veteran theatre queen on a board like this, you might want to change your world view.
Now, back on topic. What is your view on this matter? How much influence do you think this board has in the business? Because all your reactions in this thread so far are only about side issues, as always.
I think that more people in the business watch this board than we could ever imagine. It is human nature to be curious to see what people think of you, or your production. I think the internet is still very much underestimated.
I love your ode to "Chicago", PJ! from RC in Austin, Texas
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
This is a very interesting discussion. Thanks to dargquegk for starting the thread and to all of you for participating.
I wish that I could remember the source, but a few months ago I read a piece listing the top power brokers on Broadway. Broadwayworld message board posters was on the list, maybe at about 37. (Sorry for the vagueness, but middle age strikes yet again and I just do not remember.) Reading preview threads here, I have been struck by the many astute comments and suggestions about how to improve productions and specific feedback about what delights and what falls flat. I would think that these comments would be a great resource to savvy theater professionals. Of course, one needs to separate the wheat from the chaff and ignore posters whose sole motivation is to trash a new production.
" Jordan, I wouldn't take that as a compliment. The respected characters are mentioned in another sentence. :) A bit of wit is ok, especially to keep things shallow, but it really doesn't add anything if you do it for years and years and years. It gets tiresome.
Try to develop an attention span bigger than that of a goldfish. Oh, one more tip; If you think that the general masses are just as clever and witty as a veteran theatre queen on a board like this, you might want to change your world view."
And I'm still waiting for your opinion on the importance of Broadwayworld to Broadway. Because you have posted 4 times in this thread and none of them were about this matter.
And then you have the nerve to blame others for "talking about things that had absolutely nothing to do with anything being discussed".
Updated On: 4/14/13 at 10:04 AM
This from the person that thinks Glee is high art.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
THANK YOU, dramamama! If you hadn't said that, I would have spent all day wondering what I did to piss off some kid I'd never even said 2 words to. But he's just pissed because of my signature.
And that's ok.
And you want my opinion on this site's importance? Sure, why not.
I would imagine many in the Broadway community avoid us like a plague. We're scary and snarky (and butt hurt, in Dave's case). We are free to outwardly and nastily hate, unlike critics who have to stay within some parameters.
Isn't it a valid question to ask someone to actually respond to the subject matter instead of making repeated off-topic responses, dramamama?
The reason this board is becoming increasingly irrelevant is (IMO) too much time is spent makes "witty" jokes and infighting, insulting and name-calling. It is increasingly difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Sure, some actors read this board, but the smarter ones don't, and are certainly too smart to respond. A few producers will have their interns read and alert them to anything interesting, but the creatives aren't trolling the board for ideas.
Musto and Riedel, on the other hand, likely do, on days when they can't think of anything to write about.
In other words, this board is a tiny little world mostly unto itself, ruled over by a handful of regular posters. It's very clique-ish. Trolls are allowed to roam free, by and large.
Is this board important to Broadway? Not really, imo. It's mostly important to those who post here.