Caroline--Why did it close?

I haven't seen the show, but heard LOTS of positive things about it, not just from this board, but reviewers and such.

My question is posed to those who know the show? Why do you think it closed? What about it didn't attract an audience?

I was looking forward to seeing it in December, but of course, that was before I had heard it closed. So, what went wrong?

The wicked fans.
they hate caroline or change.

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OK SUM,

I have to admit, that actually made me laugh.

But, really, my question is a serious one that I am curious about.

Somewhat like Sunday In The Park With George only more black people.

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hey, Audra was in SITPWG...

Well joeyjoe that makes one.

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Because God hates me.

I strongly diagree, LuvURBatBoy.
Not about gayness, by all means. GAYGAYGAY YAAAYYYY!!!!
but we need depression.
i believe.
-d.b.j-

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"the wicked fans
They hate Caroline Or Change"

The caroline or change fans
they hate wicked

My theory is that at least 75% of a shows success is based on the logo. It doesn't always have to be a fun eye candy color logo, it just has to be genius. Kinda like the logos for CATS or MISS SAIGON. If Caroline had used a big penny with Tonya's face on it and "Caroline, or Change" at the bottom... it might have ran longer...

I'm also of the opinion that Caroline was a work of art. The brilliant way the songs interwove; and the music stayed true to its gospel/r&b roots. Then when Caroline delivers "the line" to that little boy. It was like someone hit me in the chest. My partner Jimmy gasped out loud.

That was a moment of transcendent theatre.

"Lot's Wife" played like a freight train; much better in context than when sung on a talk show or awards show. Tonya Pinkins' voice was pretty strong the night I saw it (recently). But then the story just seemed to stop. The last song about the girls being the daughters of their mother -- I guess that's a true statement but it wasn't what the musical was about, IMO.

(These artists are way above me as artists so I do not mean my comments to mean I could have written a better show than they.) But I'm just saying, I felt unsatisfied.

Lastly, I went to see "Caroline" for the exact reason I think a lot of people didn't. I loved the logo. I thought it was provocative and evocative. I also wanted to see something hailed as a "work of art" that was "difficult." But then, I don't know that I would have brought my parents to see it.

I salute the producers for taking the risk. I bow at the feet of the creators for ripping my heart out at least once that night.

Steve
It's Reality Theatre. The gay marriage musical that exposes everything. THE BIG VOICE: God or Merman?

No need for me to rehash the brilliance of this show. Anyone who has seen a post with my name attached knows how I love it.

I'm going to have to agree that its the tourist issue. Although I am a NYC tourist, not everyone likes various forms of theatre. Most folks want to be entertained and the easiest way is the spectacle. Not saying spectacles are evil or anything because they're not. It just occurs to me that last season I heard so much about Hairspray but very little about Urinetown, which I've heard was a much smaller show (please correct me if I'm wrong). Same in this instance. There was tons of press concerning shows like Wicked, but not as much with Caroline. What press that was out there cast it as the "serious" while casting Wicked and Q as the fun shows. And as far as the logo, I was actually attracted to it. But then again I tend to be drawn to the unconventional.

I'm kind of rambling now though so I'll stop now and just say it will be missed.

"But then the story just seemed to stop. The last song about the girls being the daughters of their mother -- I guess that's a true statement but it wasn't what the musical was about, IMO."

Well, first, let's be clear that while Emmie was certainly a daughter, little Jackie and Joe were definitely sons.

Secondly, the entire show was about a woman who felt trapped because she had no options and the anger and desperation she felt because of it. She couldn't change her situation because she had four children to support, couldn't quit a dead end job she hated, couldn't go to college to improve herself like her friend Dottie because she couldn't read, couldn't find a man, couldn't join any protest marches, couldn't do anything except, in the end, learn to accept her lot in life, slam down the iron on every aspect of herself that hoped and dreamed for more and left her crazy and depressed, knowing that by negating herself and her desire to be more than she is, she's giving her kids a chance at a better life and a better future. That last scene is crucial because it completes the entire arc of the show -- Emmie finally stops resenting what her mother isn't, sees her for how extraordinary a person she IS and understands the sacrifices Caroline is making on the behalf of her and her three brothers.

By accepting her fate, by destroying the parts of herself that wanted so desperately to be able to change (which is what she does in "Lot's Wife") and by staying in that damn basement rather than running away, Caroline is making sure that her four kids will have a chance to achieve all of the things she couldn't. Emmie coming full circle and being able to proudly sing "I'm the daughter of a maid" and the three of them singing that they are "the children of Caroline Thibodeaux" powerfully hammers home everything that this show is about -- that the Martin Luther Kings and Fannie Lou Hamers weren't the only heroes, but that common everyday people who made enormous sacrifices on behalf of their loved ones were heroes as well, every bit as worthy of the praise and honor and the pride of those who lives they touched.

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Updated On: 6/5/05 at 07:26 PM