Barry Weissler Announces Campaign to Return THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS to Broadway- Page 2

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/17/10 at 5:32pm

I have a question that's not loaded, even if it might sound loaded.

Am I one of the only few here who thought SCOTTSBORO was just a good-but-not-great musical? A lot of people seem to give a whoooooole lot of weigh to its strong use of conceptual irony, and I'll surely grant that in its favor. It's more challenging than traditionally commercially successful musical-theater fare.

But a good portion of the show does not operate strictly within that device. Most of the show operates in a straightforward, naturalistic style... and that's where I found it lacking. When it came down to it, the actors did more justice to the characters than the book and score themselves, which struck me as more than a little broad and overtly sentimental.and precious, respectively.

So, I liked it. It's a viable, entertaining, and thought-provoking bit of theater. But I didn't really get the raves.

[braces for crucifixion]

[americanboy99]

Posted: 12/17/10 at 7:01pm

Growl-

I'm in the same boat in a lot of ways. Not a huge fan.

But great for the Weisslers for trying. I hope they're successful. More people getting more work. Why not?

[A Director]

Posted: 12/18/10 at 3:25am

Barry and Fran couldn't get the public to see the show the first time, so what makes them think they can a second time.? If the show does return to Broadway, how many seats will be available for $99 and where in the theatre will they be located? Sounds like Barry is trying to pull the old bait and switch. Let the show RIP.

[singtopher]

Posted: 12/18/10 at 2:09pm

I agree with A Director. What is that old phrase? The definition of insanity is doing the same this twice and expecting the same result. Or something to that degree.

I didn't get a chance to see the show, so If it did come back I can see what all the hoopla was about.

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 12/18/10 at 4:58pm

Here's mud in your eye to those ridiculous protesters who didn't even see the show and who wouldn't know great art even if they did. Bravo Barry and Fran!

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 12/18/10 at 5:05pm

"I didn't get a chance to see the show, so If it did come back I can see what all the hoopla was about."

Singtopher, didn't you just contradict yourself? You're calling the Weisslers crazy (essentially) for trying again, but you're also saying that you would be likely to buy a ticket the second time around if it happens, therefore buying into their whole campaign.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/18/10 at 5:26pm

SCOTTSBORO BOYS was my most anticipated show this season, but I was out of the city for it's entire, brief run. I would be there in a heartbeat if it came back in the spring.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/18/10 at 6:16pm

Sincerely hoping this happens!

[RemlapLBC]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 12:19am

Don't say this. I'm looking forward to God of Carnage.

I could be wrong, but CTG isn't going to ditch a play with four actors for a big cast musical.

[singtopher]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 1:32am

CockeyedOptimist- In a sense I did, but that's not really the point. My point is that I don't see why re-opening a show that proved to be a financial bomb is such a good idea in the business sense. That isn't to say that I wouldn't appreciate the opportunity to see it for myself. Clear as mud?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 1:36am

Remlap, maybe its me...but WHAT are you talking about????

[jeffmiele]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 9:49am

i'm with you dramamama.. Remlap, please explain your post

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 10:47am

Singtopher, makes sense. You are perfectly willing to reap the benefits of their attempt though you may find it a bad idea financially. I hope it does reopen and that you get the chance to see it!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 2:03pm

I don't see why re-opening a show that proved to be a financial bomb is such a good idea in the business sense.

From a strictly financial point of view, you are correct.

Problem is the show did not generate much buzz when it opened to predominantly favourable reviews. Suddenly, when a closing was imminent, people began buying tickets and from the reports I have read here (and on the Cast Album group) those that did found it thrilling. The 97% fill (even at a discount) is the kind of house the show should have played to in the weeks following the reviews.

Restarting it will take a lot more promotional effort, and the Weisslers are no doubt hoping for Tony nominations to help. Considering the millions they have made from the CHICAGO revival, those two owe it to John Kander to at least try, even if it doesn't pay off.

[bwayfascination]

Posted: 12/20/10 at 3:42pm

If you bring the show back for a limited run in the Spring, garner some Tony nods and have a good showing for a limited run, won't that help the life of the piece in regional theater and such?

Anyway, I didn't get a chance to see this show and I really wanted to, so I signed up. I hope it works!

[nettapple]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 6:31pm

Under no circumstances should "The Scottsboro Boys" return to Broadway or any other theater stage. It was an ill-conceived racist show. Due to the insulting minstrelsy format, the serious nature of the injustices suffered by the Scottsboro men was presented in a terribly comical way. We must remember that these men were victims!!! Yet, the minstrel tradition treats them as jokesters and dancing buffoons. How racially insensitive can you be???!!! How can you miss this point?? If this had happened to your ancestors, would you have them singing, dancing, joking about it and wearing blackface onstage???

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 6:35pm

Funny, I saw the show and don't remember any of the boys being treated in a buffoonish manner.

[nettapple]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 6:56pm

A really bad, bad idea. This show brazenly touts racist imagery, jokes and stereotypes of black people. Then it has the nerve to have victims of racial injustice to sing, dance and perform buffoonery about it. This is an outrage!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 7:00pm

Yes, but it's an indictment of American racism.

[Pippin]

Posted: 1/2/11 at 7:04pm

Don't even attempt arguing with the sock puppet.

[jv92]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 1:02pm

Oh God, this idiot protestors have invaded our board? Did you even see the show?

[Kad]

Posted: 1/3/11 at 2:55pm

Why are they here NOW? The show's closed and there's only a slim chance of its return to Broadway.

"How can you miss this point??"

And the same can only be said of you.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 12:05am

It was very infuriating to hear about people who protested 'Scottsboro Boys,' especially if they hadn't even seen it. But in principle, how different is it than those folks on the Internet who ALSO criticize and condemn shows without seeing them? Thanks to the Internet, people seem so much more opinionated now, and can dismiss shows out of hand, based purely on gossip ('I heard it was bad'), or seeing video clips taken out of context.

In some ways, I'm more disappointed with the musical theater buffs who DIDN'T turn out to see 'Scottsboro Boys.' At least the protesters got to the Lyceum. Others couldn't be bothered to catch the latest work by Kander and Ebb. Look, I had my issues with the show, but the cast was great, and Susan Stroman directed and choreographed the hell out of it. Anyone who loves theater should've seen it. Most everyone complains about jukebox shows or the latest stage version of a hit movie, so where's the support for original musicals?

It took a closing notice to motivate some folks to get to 'Scottsboro,' but that belated burst of enthusiasm at the end was too little, too late. At least the Weisslers got the show to Broadway and ran it for over 2 months; they literally put their money where their mouths were. They took a risk on a new musical. Alas, not enough of us would do the same.

Updated On: 1/4/11 at 12:05 AM

[BwayTday]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 12:45am

Some people just don't understand the concept. Are they avoiding it, or are they simplifying it, or just being dense? I hope it comes back because I would really like to see this if I am in New York at the time, which I was not for the initial run.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 1/4/11 at 12:54am

Only someone who DID NOT see the show would perpetuate the argument that it is in any way racist. We had the same problem with protesters here goaded on by an ill-informed school board official who were calling SHOW BOAT (1993-94) a racist show when in fact it is just the opposite.

I wish they'd all go back and work on de Mississippi and leave the theatre district alone.