Bright Star's financial troubles

Or they could just, you know, close.

I'm guessing the producers are clinging to two things- a Tonys performance will hugely bump up sales and interest and the possibility of winning a major award, especially since they can basically say "the score/book/actress/whatever that beat Hamilton!"

We get one of these every spring. We know how it will end, but I'm always appreciative of the effort when it's a show with real heart or integrity.

Last year, I was glad knowing that The Visit would hang on until the Tonys, fully expecting the closing notice the following morning. I got to see it a few more times.

I didn't say it was scandalous. Just that it isn't financially smart.

I wouldn't put Bright Star in the same category as The Visit, artistically, though I guess some people would.

I don't think it's close to The Visit either--not in terms of craft, and especially not in terms of its significance to Broadway's history/community. Just meant to say it's another show that is smaller, more offbeat, and more artistically motivated than much of what we get on Broadway.

Updated On: 5/9/16 at 11:41 AM

If it "DOES have commercial appeal", then why isn't it selling?

Updated On: 5/9/16 at 11:44 AM

My brain...oy. Sorry.

Updated On: 5/9/16 at 11:48 AM

I thought The Visit (like the similarly poorly received The Scottsboro Boys) was an artistic gem that was too sophisticated for a mass audience to embrace; Bright Star strikes me as a hokey morass of cornball clichés. I'm slightly surprised that the tourists haven't taken it to heart - but I feel exactly the same about Tuck Everlasting. Perhaps hokum and plastic sentimentality aren't the draw they once were.

A Tonys performance certainly by no means guarantees elevated sales, but I do think an exceptional piece can help. For this reason, I have incredibly strong feelings on what bit of the show Bright Star must excerpt on the broadcast, but hopefully the producers choose wisely (namely, they choose to highlight the nominated and astounding Carmen Cusack).

re: newintown

I think the assessment of Tuck and Bright Star being avoided by audiences because they're hokey is sort of true, but I don't think it's so much that people are averse to sentiment. It's probably more of a cost/worth thing. There's just nothing about either that looks particularly current or exciting, to the extent that it would be worth spending $150. I was pleasantly surprised by Bright Star, as I think most who see it are, but it is not a show that really justifies a Broadway existence. I don't know what the answer would be for these smaller, simpler shows anymore.



I'm still devastated that I missed The Scottsboro Boys. One of my favorite cast albums.


One wonders if The Visit and Scottsboro could be more successful in the future, with just the right production or stars. It seems like K&E scores, chronologically, have taken more time for people to fully appreciate.

Updated On: 5/9/16 at 11:55 AM

Scarywarhol said: "One wonders if The Visit and Scottsboro could be more successful in the future, with just the right production or stars. It seems like K&E scores, chronologically, have taken more time for people to fully appreciate. "



I think that's absolutely true. The Broadway of 20 years from now will be blaming us for their failure.

I would imagine that any additional exposure that Bright Star gets, and the longer its run, will increase its chances for a good afterlife. Touring company, local productions, etc. that may be one of the thinks the money people are thinking.