Is Broadway really considered the best?

I think it depends. When it comes to straight plays, I've seen many, many regional productions that were as good or better than the usual fare on BWay. This is why I no longer see straight plays on BWay. You can see something just as good regionally for 1/4 the price or less. Of course I live in a city that is swimming in theatre.

When it comes to musicals though, particularly those that call for a big production, only BWay has the bucks to have big casts, orchestras, sets and costumes. While the talent can be just as good regionally, and the shows can be really well done, you just can't compare with the production value of a BWay musical. Smaller musicals can compare. But the big ones are best left to BWay.

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No, not necessarily.

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I don't know about the best, but it's certainly the most commercial.

As the average Chicagoan and they will tell you that Chicago theater is just as good if not better than anything on Broadway.

After seeing Broadway productions of THE LITTLE FOXES with both Stockard Channing and the amusing Elizabeth Taylor, nothing will probably ever surpass the production I saw as a child at the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, Long Island. And that's because that night Regina was played by the amazing actress Geraldine Page. I've never seen a performance by an actress since then that was in the same league as Page's performance that night (and probably never will). I still thank my Mom for taking me. No it wasn't a Broadway house. In fact it was a converted barn at the time. But watching an actress give a stellar performance on stage made me realize Broadway isn't always the definitive venue.

I'd say though that as far as musicals go, Broadway seems to have it beat IMHO. I've seldom seen a replacement cast on tour that bettered the original Broadway cast. And most importantly, unless it's a sit down production of PHANTOM or WICKED one seldom sees anything comparable to the Broadway sets. Examples off the top of my head: original productions of SWEENEY TODD, NINE, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, SUNSET BLVD. and the amazing split second finale of CRAZY FOR YOU. A touring production playing a week to two weeks just can't economically mount nor tour scenery like its counterpart on Broadway (but then there are the Doyle productions that can play anywhere I guess).

However in rare cases I have found exceptions. After seeing KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN on Broadway with both Rivera and Williams (which I immensely enjoyed), I had the opportunity to see a regional production in Hawaii while on vacation there. The show had a small cast, a very limited orchestra and barely any scenery. Yet I was amazed that by the show's end I was nearly as moved by the production as I had been on Broadway. Without the glitz and razzle dazzle Broadway musical numbers, there was more emphasis on honing in on the story line. I can honestly say I enjoyed the show in granted, a different way but felt no less involved than I had previously.

So to answer your question, "Is Broadway really considered the best?", I'd say yes in most cases. But every now and then you'll find the exception, whether it be in a barn or regional theatre, that can be just as satisfying an experience as the Broadway one.

Updated On: 1/1/14 at 07:41 AM

Well, I've just returned from a week on Broadway. I saw 7 shows. It made me grateful, that I do my theatre going in the West End. Pippin & Glass Menagerie were the only two standouts. But what was very surprising, was the poor state of some of the theatres. The owners of the Neil Simon should be ashamed of themselves. It can only be described as a dump. It didn't look like it had been cleaned for years, never mind a coat of paint. Also, the audiences inability to watch a show without talking, eating and using their phones. At one performance I had to listen to a group from Texas, loudly discuss ever scene or costume change as if they were watching TV. Lastly, I thought it a little ironic. The theatre named after the greatest writer of 'original' musical theatre, is playing a jukebox musical.

As far as musicals go I think Bway usually takes the cake. BUT I saw Mary Poppins, with the original cast, and was pretty underwhelmed (the children were AWFUL). When it toured in my area I went along kicking and screaming but was blown away, and actually moved to tears at one point, by the touring cast. So, I suppose sometimes Bway musicals have their competition too.

from RC in Austin, TEXAS

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I think Theater'sBestFriend said it best. While there will always be the occasional regional or touring production you think might be superior to the Broadway version, on average and on balance, the finest theater in the country is being presented on Broadway.

I've always seen Broadway and the West End as peers, presenting the best theater in their respective countries. Having seen 14 or 15 West End productions over the years, they are certainly on a par with Broadway and I'd be hard pressed to say one is superior to the other. I did find it amusing that a Brit like lotiloti went to great pains to criticize the poor condition of New York theaters when a West End theater recently collapsed or was critical of a theater named after a famous author playing a jukebox musical when their theater named after Noel Coward, one of the great playwrights of the 20th century will have as its next production in February, a show about a group of male strippers and not particularly good looking ones at that. Pot, meet kettle.

Broadway and West End are considered the pinnacle of theater in the English-speaking world. This does NOT mean that theater everywhere else is a worthless pile of crap, and that everything on Broadway is perfect beautiful life-altering theater.

With Broadway's resources, history, finances, unions, and cache, the quality of theater will simply be better most of the time.

Can you still find great productions in regional/community theater? Well of course you can. Sometimes it can even rival what's on Broadway. But, in general, and for the most part, Broadway is considered the best in American theater.

In reply to the original question: Does Broadway always seem to have the best ideas and or talent rather than outside performance organization ..... NO!