Final Shows That Should Have Been Taped- Page 3

[elphieisperky]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 10:54am

1. Cheno last show (would have done anything to see this)
2. Les Miz last show (same as first)
3. John's last in Q
4. It would be cool if someone had a tape to Idina's last. I saw it, but you know, it would be cool. There was some thing on a website that had clips, but they weren't working.

[mikeonbroadway]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 11:41am

1. Yes you can, but you usually need some proof of why you want to watch the video...not just because you want to watch it. I had to tell them and then fill out a paper and show them my school ID...but they don't really follow through or ask alot of questions so if you made something up, i doubt they would know.

2. Illegal recordings of showswould hardly kill theatre (I don't have any, don't ask...I gave it up when I moved to New York.) People have been booting shows since the 70s or 80s and Broadway is still churning out those shows. And people are still going to see them. Like someone said earlier -- you aren't losing money when someone buys an illegal recording of something and watches it because they are a) more than likely someone who doesn't live within easy Broadway going distance and b) a broadway fan already -- since the average person isn't going to look very hard to find a bootleg.

When I used to trade, I lived 2000 miles from New York and waiting 2-3 years for the tour just wasn't enough...I had a bazillion rent videos but I still saw the tour and have still seen it plenty of times on broadway. Same goes with every other show I had on tape, I've seen it live...maybe not everyone is like me -- but I wouldn't go so far as to say bootlegs kill theatre. (they didn't kill movies and they didn't kill the music industry either)

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 2:12pm

The collection at Lincoln Center Library is quite extensive (and apparently there is a smilar collection in Washington - I remember hearing they taped all 6 of the Sondheim Celebration shows 3 years ago.)

To view a show you have to present a good reason for seeing the tape: a teascher, community theatre producer, student doing research etc. (In other words just showing up with nothing to do is NOT a reason.) I believe you also have to make advance reservations. Some shows are restricted and you need specal clearances from teh authors to view.

The collection began back around 1970. Not every show has been preserved but a good number have. Be aware that these are "archival" tapes, so not having the advanced video techniques used in commercial releases. It is mostly a 2-cam set up. And none have been cleared for commercial release.

Here's a secret not many know: In the Rodgers and Hammerstein archives are 16 mm films of the original productions of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN and SOUTH PACIFIC. Wouldn't they be wonderful to have a peak at!

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 3:13pm

I'd rather the first shows after opening be taped so as to capture the original cast. Otherwise we get "actors" like David Hasselhoff in Jekyll.

[hannahshule]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 3:29pm

What's the website to view the Lincoln center library? is it lct.org or something else? Thanks!

[TheatreManiac]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 4:01pm

I second that baddadnpa -- Jekyll & Hyde as well as other shows that ended with less than brilliant "stars" should have preserved the OBC. But since we're talking final shows, Little Shop, Aida & Bombay Dreams would start my list. And I'd doubt the professional recording of any Broadway show would ruin ticket sales. Most of us who are dreaming these copies existed are repeat offenders anyway -- after dropping hundreds of dollars to see shows over and over, yeah I'd like to sit in the comfort of my own home and enjoy the show. Especially shows that have closed with no prospects of tours or revivals.

[cliffarico]

Posted: 3/15/05 at 4:47pm

Oklahoma with Patty Duke as Aunt Eller

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 2:16am

I doubt the taping shows would seriously affect Broawday ticket sales. For starters, the videos would not be released until after the Broadway and first class tours were finished. (The Sondheim shows for example did not come out until a year or two after the shows had closed.) The videos would serve as souvenirs for those who did see the show and give the people who didn't a chance to sort of see what it was like. But as we all know, live theatre is best experienced live, and no video can ever replace that experience.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 2:31am

For the sake of discussion, there were some other opinions regarding how bootlegs affect (or would affect) ticket sales for shows that are running.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=308852#399118


PS. I totally concur that BFO's closing night should have been recorded.

Updated On: 3/16/05 at 02:31 AM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/16/05 at 3:24am

Hm, do you know if there's a cost or anything to view the films at the LC Library? And how far in advance would you need to reserve a viewing? I'd love to try it sometime.

~Steven