For people that can't get to NYC very often...

[rorschach37]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:09pm

I just thought of a way people who can't quite afford multiple trips to New York to see the magic that is Broadway (myself, for instance) could possibly afford to see the shows from their very own home. My idea being that people could pay for a reasonable price ($20-$30 maybe) to see a performance live via satellite on the Internet. Of course they would have to pay to access it, and I am aware that it defeats the purpose of a live performance, but some of us live quite a distance away from New York. And as muh as I'd love to live there and see every show on Broadway night after night, it just isn't possible now. This could give people a chance to see the show even if it isn't live in front of them and they could at least be moderately satisfied rather than not seeing the show at all. Any thoughts? Comments?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:12pm

I don't think there'd be enough ROI to convince anyone to fund this.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:37pm

While this is a lovely idea...I think you will have to settle for listening to the Original Cast Recordings of the shows you want to see.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:39pm

There have been experiments with showing shows (and operas) "live" in movie theaters across the country. I haven't seen any advertised for a while- did the project go belly up already?

[sanda]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:41pm

Met is still doing it. I heard ad in classic music radio stations.

[gotham girl]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:47pm

good idea in theory, not just for out-of-towners but even some New Yorkers who are homebound or just can't afford the real thing. but i would imagine Broadway would have a problem with it if it cuts into revenue. not to mention, NYC tourism, souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels... yeah, not gonna happen. maybe for a show's closing night only?

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 02:47 PM

[byebyebaby12]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:47pm

They are still doing the Opera screenings. Actually, several theatres here just picked them up.

I would love this but it could get complicated with Equity rules and such.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:48pm

Also, it's not like most large cities don't have their own Broadway series or community theatre. People don't need to go to Broadway to see a quality production.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:49pm

It's not going to happen so stick to your bootlegs.

[PastorErnst]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:51pm

London's National Theatre will continue to screen its productions in select movie theatres during its 2010-11 season.

NT Live Updated On: 8/25/10 at 02:51 PM

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 2:58pm

The costs to clear the rights to air a show even once isn't affordable for many Broadway shows. Actor's Equity rules what gets to air, which right there just killed any idea of something simple like a one-time-only pay-per-view broadcast.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:19pm

They tried this before. I think it was called Broadway television Network. They were behind the tapings of Jekyll & Hyde and Smokey Joe's Cafe, among a few others. Initially they planned on taping shows as they closed for airing on pay-per-view, but I recall reading that they were planning to film other shows that weren't closing. I think they were planning on building a fund to pay the producers of shows who closed as a result of the airings. I'm guessing what they filmed wasn't profitable enough to continue with the company. But then again, they probably picked the wrong properties.

[TressaMay]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:44pm

There are some legal recordings of shows out there, like Rent, Chess and now South Pacific. If I were you, I would be grateful for those. I know I would be :-/

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 10:59pm

Whatever happened to this?

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway_Shows_To_Go_3D_In_Cinemas_Near_You_20090522

[Hest882]

Posted: 8/25/10 at 11:02pm

London's National Theatre will continue to screen its productions in select movie theatres during its 2010-11 season.

Yep, we--way out here in California--caught most of last season and are looking forward to this season as well. They're really great and quite a boon to those of us who love theater.
Updated On: 8/25/10 at 11:02 PM