I saw BBAJ a fwe weeks ago when I was in NYC, and while I appreciated Benjamin Walker's charismatic performance, I found the writing very juvenile.
I thought SCOTTSBORO BOYS a far better show.
That said I am sickened that Broadway no longer seems to welcome original musicals. All we are left with are rehashes of popular films with name recognition, Jukebox shows built around pre-existing song catalogs and revivals of older hits.
I give producers full credit for trying. It seems a sound idea to try out a show off Broadway and work out the kinks before trying a full commercial run. Yet it always seems they sell the exact same number of tickets but with the higher operating costs of a Broadway house.
I blame the outrageously high Broadway ticket costs. People will only buy what they can feel reasonably assured of enjoying.
It's sad but I think it's all over for Broadway in terms of original and challenging new musicals.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com