Broadway vs. Off-Broadway vs. ???? ... a Les Mis question

[bella cantato]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:30am

Hi all,

I have a question with regards to the recent Les Mis "revival"... with regards to the Tony awards.

Basically, what I don't really understand is how something becomes "on Broadway" vs. "Off-Broadway" vs. any other production in New York. Because Les Mis was intially "intended" (I use that term loosely?) to be the first stop for the new tour, I don't understand how it can also be considered for the Tony awards. I thought (and obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about) that shows considered to be on "Broadway" had to have something in their contracts, or be part of an association, or something. But who exactly determines what shows are on Broadway, vs. Off-Broadway, vs. any other theatrical production in New York? And how is it that a show can intend to be the first stop of a tour, but obtain "Broadway" status? Does it have to do with the theatres a performance is in? And how does this work with the Tony Awards- aren't only Broadway productions considered?

To anyone who can shed some light on my questions- I really appreciate it.

Thanks!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:36pm

Wait, what? First stop for a new tour? Where'd you hear that?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:51pm

Ummm... What in the WORLD are you talking about, bella cantato? Sources and quotes and links, please.

LES MIZ is back on Broadway. They say 6 months, but it will more than likely extend. Nohing "official" has ever been said about a "new tour" and this being the "first stop."

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:55pm

The differentiations between Broadway, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway lie within the size of the theater.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:56pm

And geography.

I had heard there were rumblings of a non-Equity tour starting as soon as the Broadway physical production was freed up, but certainly not in the context of the revival being the launch pad.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:58pm

Well, I thought the "within New York" part was sort of a given.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 2:28pm

I think 500 or more seats in the theatre and it is Broadway, 100 to 499 is Off-Broadway, and less that 100 is Off-Off-Broadway. My numbers may be wrong...Well, and they have to be in New York City!

[winston89]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 2:31pm

a Broadway theatre is determend by size of theatre not where its located. For example Linclion sp? center theatre wher light in the piazza played is located on the upper west side no where near any of the other Broadway theatres yet it is still one. That is the only theatre that is a Broadway theatre that is not in times square. But, Les Miserables is considered a revival in terms of Tony awards because of the fact that It closed three years ago. The rule for the tony award for revival is that there has to be at least a three year gap between the orginal production closing and the revival opening. This production is the only revival where it has been exactly three years between the two. And as said before, there were plans in the works to start up the tour after the revival ended. They were planning to use the same sets that are currently being used on broadway cus they are the tour sets and use non equity actors. But, It is probally going to extend on Broadway so who knows what will happen.