Broadway Execs Plots New Platform to Challenge BroadwayHD

Alex Kulak2 said: "I really hope we'll see some new filmed content of New York productions. I get that the unions are standing in the way of filming most Broadway productions, but are the rules more lax for off-Broadway?

The Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago is streaming their production of Fun Home, and I'm pretty sure they had Equity actors in that production."

I would imagine that there would have to be some type of pre-existing agreement between the producers and everyone entity involved. I'm thinking like Lincoln Center but in a commercial environment.

I would think the same forces would be at play with any union house in NYC.

latitudex1 said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "I really hope we'll see some new filmed content of New York productions. I get that the unions are standing in the way of filming most Broadway productions, but are the rules more lax for off-Broadway?

The Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago is streaming their production of Fun Home, and I'm pretty sure they had Equity actors in that production."

I would imagine that there would have to be some type of pre-existing agreement between the producers and everyone entity involved. I'm thinking like Lincoln Center but in a commercial environment.

I would think the same forces would be at play with any union house in NYC."

Agree. Is it the $$$ preventing more shows?

CATSNYrevival said: "Still bummed BroadwayHD struck whatever agreement they did with Roundabout and filmed She Loves Me and Holiday Inn but not Cabaret."

Different years, though???

Also, was Cabaret ever professionally recorded at Donmar? I’ve definitely watched something before!

BroadwayHD did film major musicals recently such as Kinky Boots. Sure, it was in the West End, but it's still the same show.

Also, "Broadway on Demand" sounds like a fast cash grab for this pandemic. Where were these producers before this crisis? They definitely won't have any Broadway or West End shows to offer that BroadwayHD doesn't, it seems they're currently collecting international productions to get to the number 100 and then put "something" up there to get your $8. And obviously they can't film anything now. Just some greedy producers.

"The cabaret table setting/environment is about the only concept shared. "

This isn't true at all. I don't know how any one who saw both could say so. Obviously the video has been edited quite a bit. And they are VERY different, obviously, but there are many, many, many similarities. Alan Cumming's performance, down to specific line deliveries is almost identical. The set, costumes, the final reveal (both the back wall and his costume), and the concept for many of the musical numbers are all very similar... almost like a regional copy of a broadway production actually. So. They're very different but the notion they don't resemble each other closely isn't accurate.

Updated On: 4/15/20 at 02:17 PM

Hahaha. Sorry. Said with love! That probably sounded jerkier than I meant it.

I’d like to point out that unions are not “in the way” of commercially filming and releasing Broadway shows. The contracts are already in place to do this. Producers can do this if they pay for it. Whether or not it’s financially viable is as much (or as little) the fault of the potential audience as it is the unions’.

Updated On: 4/15/20 at 02:57 PM

jonartdesigns said: "I find broadwayhd to be rather hit or miss. I was REALLY hoping that they’d film Kiss Me Kate, which obviously did not happen, there are some notable older shows missing from their catalog and a lot of their “new” content is from the 70’s. However, there is a small trickle of West End musicals that are great fun, and exclusive (Toxic Avenger and Ruthless come to mind) that keep me from cancelling my subscription. "

I would have loved KMK, but they aren’t going any Bway shows since Holiday INN

Jordan Catalano said: "I’m so confused. So they want to start a new subscription service immediately and “hope” to have content in the future to beat BroadwayHD?

Don’t get me wrong I think BwayHD is, for the most part a waste of money since everything there can pretty much be found elsewhere and they never were able to live up to their initial promise of filming broadway shows, besides two roundabout productions. But this just seems like ill timing for something like this. "

I agree. I cancelled it after one month, on e I realized how small and tired the inventory was; the ones that most appealed to me were pretty easy to see without subscribing. I am amazed it is still open for business, unless It is really cheap to operate