BKLYN Hatred and Shilling

[jharris]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:09pm

I don't post often... but I couldn't resist in this case.

Sitting back watching the daily responses for BKLYN is mind blowing. Tiny Toon and others on this board are simply shilling this show beyond belief. It's almost humerous... if you're trying to help the show I truly believe it's backfiring. If you want to shill a Broadway show... do it in non-theater websites (although, I think shilling anywhere is foolish and unethical). People on this board are not going to be tricked into buying a ticket from your "OMG - Brooklyn is the best" posts. BroadwayWorld readers are not stupid people.

As for the hatred of the show, I see similar motives. I've never seen such hatred of a show by some of you. It seems many people on this board are really looking forward to this show closing. I find that disgusting that people in the theater community wish bad on ANY show. You may not like the show... but to sit there and actively bash it hoping it closes is just not right. Whether your just sick of the shilling or involved in a competing show... there is way too much hatred on this show on this board.

The show is not a great show (or really good for that matter)... nor is it a bad show. That is why it plays in a smaller Broadway house and you can scoop up tickets for $50. I think the reviewers had it right... the story is weak and the performers (some, but not all) are strong.

I hope this show does stay around... as with all of the other shows that are currently playing. The Broadway market is struggling badly. The shows that are performing (5% of shows) are charging an arm and a leg for tickets... everyone else is struggling to get by. The gap between the "haves" and "have nots" is growing... so I'm not wishing bad luck on shows that need the help.

Ah... finally off my chest. :)

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:10pm

There is one show we all hate every year. Last year it was Wicked the year before that it was Dance of the Vampires this year it is BKLYN, it's a cycle.

Updated On: 12/28/04 at 12:10 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:14pm

Remember when we all hated Wicked? Man, those were the days. Boy the way Glenn Miller played, Songs that made the hit parade... geearohlazallredgrape, Those, Were, the Days.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:14pm

GOD I missed you, Namo.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:16pm

I see Brantley munchin
A Vampire luncheon
The years may have flown
But the memory stays!
Like the hopes that were dashed
When BKLYN crashed!
Ya ha ha ha!
Those were the good ol' days!
I'd walk a million miles or more
To see the gross receipt for
Those Good!
Ol!
Days!

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:18pm

"I don't post often..."

You joined today, so it's difficult to post when you aren't signed up to do so. Haha.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:20pm

oh, bonsing - you beat me to that!

Well, better BKLYN than Wicked

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:23pm

I still think Brooklyn gets more hate than Wicked did.

Wicked still has a large group of fans here.. And Brooklyn has like what 5 fans here?

Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind which is the better show.. (Wicked)

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:23pm

But those fans are loud and angry.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:25pm

And they poke me with wittled down popsicle sticks.

[mallardo]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:42pm

I really don't get the hatred either. I had no expectations of this show - due mainly to what I'd read here! - and yet when I finally plunked down my money and went, I had a great time. I loved the cast - ALL of them. Who's the weak link? - and found the concept to be simple but effective. It's a fable after all and the story line certainly justified the songs. The staging was smart and inventive, the set and costumes terrific. Why can't people relax and let the show come to them instead of going in with a list of grievances they're determined to fulfill?

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:44pm

I like BKLYN but I gotta say...Wicked is like 1 million times better!! wooo Defy Gravity!!

[Tiny-Toon]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:47pm

hahah..
My name up in lights (FAME!)

[jharris]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:49pm

Well, it's my first post under this log-in. I can't find my other one! :)

One other peeve... ENOUGH comparisons to Wicked and RENT. Jeeeeeeeeeeezus. They are all VERY different shows... and, most importantly, BKLYN simply isn't as good nor does it need to be. That can't be debated.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:49pm

I don't think so many of us hate BRKLYN. We are just responding to the never ending shilling. I've not seen it, nor will I as I live in Oklahoma and if I make to it to NY anytime soon there are other shows I'd rather see. But most of us agree, based on reviews (in depth reviews, not sill OMG BRKLYN is like totally awesome postings) we have read, or own experiences, that the show is of low caliber. Performances may be great, but the show is lacking. After reading endless postings bragging about a poor show while much better shows get little attention, it's hard to not want to see it gone.

[Trisky]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 12:55pm

I will admit up front that I can't stand Brooklyn and find it to be a blight on American musical theater. That doesn't mean I wish anyone out of a job, it simply means I wish they were all employed by better shows or that the writers would have done more with the material they came up with. That said, I don't understand this particular reasoning:

"I hope this show does stay around... as with all of the other shows that are currently playing."

Does this mean that no show should ever fail just because it managed to get itself to Broadway? I'm sure the first story I ever wrote when I was in elementary school was well intentioned that doesn't mean anyone should be made to suffer through it now just because it was created. Though Broadway may be suffering financially matters won't be helped if the only thing that continues to be produced are shows such as Brooklyn. If people see that this show makes money then there's really no motivation for upping the ante, just put any old thing on a stage and let it stay open just because it managed to get to a stage. I think there has to come a point where a show simply doesn't deserve the spot it currently occupies.

Again, I don't wish them out of a job, but to say it should stay open just because it's there doesn't make much sense to me.

[crp2000]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 1:09pm

Why is it that anyone who posts something positive about a show that the 'majority' of you seem to dislike, they're immediately attacked and labeled a "shill"?? Seriously, how p*ucking hard is it to simply IGNORE the threads/posts about BKLYN (or Wicked, or RENT, etc.) and move on to something of more interest to you??

[jharris]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 1:11pm

Good point Trisky... and I've thought of that.

But Broadway houses are commercial properties and their first interest is not artistic talent. It CAN'T be with the fees associated with putting up a Broadway show. So, by Brooklyn closing... it in no way shape or form means we are going to get a better caliber production. Over 90% of shows never make their money back... so, personally, I think that speaks to the kind of work that is put on stage.

As for BKLYN in particular, I think of this show in a different light from others. When you look at the backstory of a homeless street performer bringing a show to a Broadway stage with the help of top notch talent (Calhoun & McDaniel), I think it's something the Broadway community should support.

If you ask me... it speaks more to the creative energy Broadway stands for than another Disney show selling on it's name alone.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 1:26pm

CRP..I actually enjoy reading real reviews, even the ones I disagree with. But when I'm hoping to get a review with substance and instead get a half million postings that say nothing more than BRKLYN Rocks, it gets annoying. Especially since it is generally the same persons posting it over and over.

[Toon]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 1:45pm

There is one show we all hate every year. Last year it was Wicked the year before that it was Dance of the Vampires this year it is BKLYN

I really would not put Wicked in the same category with Dance of the Vampires and Brooklyn. The hate for the last two seems to be the vast majority. The Wicked hate was more for the constant adoration by overzealous fans than the show itself.

[crp2000]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 2:33pm

My only point is that any and all postings one considers to be 'without substance' can be ignored and overlooked.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 2:43pm

amen Ebonic!

stupid people... SOME of us aren't that stupid.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:05pm

Namo - "geearohlazallredgrape"

That is EXACTLY what I always thought she sang!

Thank you for that.

[OperaGhost]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:41pm

I completely agree with trisky.. you go girl Updated On: 12/28/04 at 03:41 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/28/04 at 3:49pm

I don't remember Wicked being compared to Rent - but w.e.

Well, comparison - that's what they do at the Tony's. Are you against the Tony's? HMMM?