Goodbye, CORAM BOY!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 7:16am

This play was clearly one of the most spectacular to hit Broadway in years. It's too bad the producers didn't sit it out until the Tonys, but I know that this is an expensive show to keep running on such low grosses.

I really wish this show had gotten the Best Play nomination over FROST/NIXON, which is nothing more than a by-the-numbers History Channel special compared to the level of craft on display in CORAM BOY. I'm glad I got to see the show twice, and I wish the stunningly talented cast much future success! A special mention to Off-Broadway regular Wayne Wilcox for making a fantastic Broadway debut.

Updated On: 5/27/07 at 07:16 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:15am

Ok.. now I am REALLY depressed.... will be there today for the finale (

[bythesword84]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 10:50am

Its going to be a sad sad day

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:09am

Testing <------- Prepared with silver Sharpie

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:11am

I believe others have said it...good riddance to bad rubbish. May it open room for a better show to move into that house.

[TommyTunesSon]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:28am

There was a book in the 70's called "Broadway's Beautiful Losers" - add Coram Boy to the long list of such shows! The lack of a tony nomination in the best play category and I really believe that The Coast of Utopia was THE event play of this past season (too bad the show didn't wait to come in until this coming autumn), and somehow there always seems to only be room for one big event per season - I would have nominated Coram Boy over the dreadful Radio Golf myself.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:34am

I thought CORAM BOY was visually stunning and the choir was just phenomenal, but the story itself left a lot to be desired. That said, I enjoyed it and am glad I saw it.

Updated On: 5/27/07 at 11:34 AM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:38am

<< I believe others have said it...good riddance to bad rubbish. May it open room for a better show to move into that house. >>

And others have also said how amazing the show is, and how there is nothing like it on Broadway right now---

Personally, I would have nominated over both "F/N" (with all due respect to Langella, who is amazing!! ) and "LDL"
( I am a hyge Wilson fan, and love "Radio Golf")

[jochang621]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:39am

where else can you experience a cast of 40 people, as well as an orchestra decked out in powder wigs?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:42am

<< where else can you experience a cast of 40 people, as well as an orchestra decked out in powder wigs?
>>

Colonial Williamsburgh? :))

Posted: 5/27/07 at 11:45am

A great show, which deserves to be sold out. I guess it says something about what American audiences want, true some plays have thrived, Doubt, Coast for example, but Coram had a SOLD OUT run in London. Sad to see it go.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 12:53pm

This thread makes me so happy...

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:04pm

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:06pm

I really wish I could have seen this play. For a play that had a sold out run in London, it sure didn't go over well here in the states. Anyone know what factors made it so popular in London?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:07pm

I enjoyed the show. Not wonderful, but definitely an experience.

Anyone who thinks that FROST/NIXON didn't deserve that nod needs to have their head examined.

[amalou]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:11pm

I wish I could have seen it. I was actually planning on going soon but now it looks like I can't. Too bad. To those of you who really loved the play: I'm very sorry. It's sad enough when something you love closes but what makes it worse is when people constantly spew out "That's the business" and "it deserved to close" etc. I'm sorry guys!

[Bobby Maler]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:30pm

I love the diversity that is is currently seen on Broadway, so I would never root for a show to close just because I didn't like it, but Coram Boy hasn't been able to find its audience. It's a gift for us to be able to experience a play with this size and scale, and I'm glad that I was able to. I usually love epic theatre, and I went in with great expectations, but I agree with the critics who say that the story is shallow, going from plot point to plot point and never engaging me on a deeper level. The director was extremely inventive, though, and I'm so glad that there are more women directors on Broadway. I applaud the ambition and the efforts of all involved.

I thought Radio Golf, on the other hand, was masterful. Wilson doesn't shy away from asking the tough questions. It's a modern morality play and so relevant to our lives right now. The tragic flaw of the hero in this case is that he is too noble in a world that cares only for surface advancement.

[Sondheim Geek]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:56pm

Damnit! I keep putting off seeing it, and ... ahh, well.

What's moving into that house? Billy Elliot?

[Effie]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 1:58pm

It went over well in London because it's become a holiday season tradition for the National Theatre to put on a big, splashy, highly theatrical play based upon young adult literature. The two seasons before Coram Boy it was His Dark Materials. This season it will be War Horse.

Since there's such a wide variety of straight plays available to audiences in London, they don't expect thematic heft from every play they see. They don't criticize something for what it isn't and enjoy it for what it is. (Assuming there's something to enjoy. And in Coram Boy's case, there was quite a lot to enjoy.)

Just compare the two countries' reactions to Coast of Utopia. In London, they greeted it as the snoozefest that it was. In New York, the critics reacted as if artistic pretense alone makes a great play.

My one caveat is I saw Coram Boy in London. Perhaps it played better on the Olivier's thrust stage.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 2:03pm

THE COAST OF UTOPIA was a different production in London. You cant' compare the two, as I'm assuming you didn't see it on Broadway. It was brilliant.

Though you're spot on about New York criticizing CORAM BOY for being something it's not.

[Effie]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 2:58pm

Saw UTOPIA in New York. One of the marathons. Fled after part two. My well-versed, extremely intelligent, well-known in the theatrical community friend started each intermission conversation with, “I think I know what’s happening.” Not the markings of a successful play IMHO.

Yes, I realize I'm in the minority. And, no, I’ve got nothing against Stoppard. Loved ROCK ‘N’ ROLL. Liked HAPGOOD. (The only other two I’ve seen.)

[mint0621]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 4:20pm

Goodbye Coram Boy!

I enjoyed watching you three times (once in mezz, once rear orch, once front row)...and thoroughly enjoyed the unapologetic theatrical experience you are!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:02pm

Didn't Trevor Nunn do Coast of Utopia in London? Why didn't he do it over here?

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:39pm

is it closing already?! did i miss something?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 6:39pm

Yes I guess you did miss something, it is closing already.