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

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]

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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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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