Is this season exceptionally depressing?

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 8:57pm

Is it my imagination, or is this turning out to be one of Broadway's 'off' years? Aside from Namo's picks of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE and THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME, the raves for Jackman, Kristin & Idina Menzel (but razzes for the shows they all star in), there is so little that sounds worthwhile or 'must see'.
Aside from the already-here AVENUE Q or the soon-to-reopen I AM MY OWN WIFE, what is on the horizon --- and NEW ---that has a modicum of positive buzz?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 9:15pm

The theater season is still young. Many shows are still scheduled to open and many of the most interesting shows are geared for spring openings so they can be "fresh" for the Tony Awards committee.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 9:25pm

Yep, it's turning into the season of the performance, not the show. Not the first time (remember Bernadette in SONG AND DANCE anyone? Liza and Chita in THE RINK?) We've been through the "is the Diva worth the price of the ticket?" syndrome. My fear is, a year fromnow we'll be stuck with a revival-heavy season (gee, that's never happened, has it?) because everyone will be gun-shy re new material. And THAT's never happened before, either, has it?

But it is early, as astute minds here have noted. And hope springs eternal, especially in the spring, when Tony winners tend to open.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 9:34pm

You're right Auggie, it's Groundhog Day.

Posted: 11/5/03 at 11:28pm

I think, with the exception of that Farrah Fawcett vehicle, that it's turning into a pretty strong season for plays. Despite some flaws (what show doesn't have them?), I found The Retreat From Moscow to be an incredibly riveting play; one that doesn't attempt to create something completely new and avant-garde, but rather takes a well-known story (a son struggling with the dissolution of his parents' marriage) and making it seem new and exciting.

Despite more backstage drama than All About Eve, The Violet Hour is also an amazingly good show. Greenberg may be the next playwright to look out for as a future Miller. If anything, it's fascinating to see his progression from Take Me Out to The Violet Hour.

Golda's Balcony was absolutely breathtaking, especially for a one-woman show (I'm generally wary of one-person shows).... And who can't wait to see Kevin Kline play Henry IV?

Right now is the perfect time for those of you who have seen Millie 49 times to go see a play....

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 11:29pm

My birthday's February 2, in other words, Groundhog's Day!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 11:31pm

The kiddies around here, they ain't interested in the plays what don't have singing.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/5/03 at 11:34pm

I enjoy plays and I am a "kiddie" (once again can we use a different word for teens. It is kind of insulting. We don't call you names you would not like). I just tend to enjoy musicals more, because I am musically oriented. Now that I am maturing I am appreciating theatre in general! Plays on Bway on excellent and extremely enjoyable.

Updated On: 11/5/03 at 11:34 PM

[lc1965]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:07am

I think it's actually pretty exciting to have all these theatre open! A depressing season would be when nothing opens or when everything that opens is a revival. This season we even have shows that are not based on books, films, fairy tales, whatever. They are simply original. Taking chances in the theatre -- what a concept!

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:13am

I saw Caroline Or Change the music was wonderful, the singers all very talented. I saw it in previews so I need to go again. It is worth the trip.
I also saw Golda's Balcony which was the best one woman show I have ever seen.
Updated On: 11/6/03 at 10:13 AM

[sheekala]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:16am

This is an interesting season, if ten years ago you told me we'd have musicals about, Peter Allen, Boy George and the witches of Oz I'd of laughed you out of Joe Allen, but indeed we do, I only wish they were a little more successful in their execution.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:20am

I'm more into more shows being thrown up there to see what happens instead of one or two shows being brutally focused on trying to be 'mega hits' and losing whatever creative spark they might have in the process. While it's possible none of this year's shows may turn into legendary works, the odds of finding legendary works increase when there are more shows getting their chance on the boards. Most classics aren't perfect but have something intangible to them that makes them great. And its audiences that find that spark, not marketing people or producers.

[sheekala]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:27am

Wicked would of been (or could still be) a classic if only certain music and book changes actually had taken place.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:13am

I totally agree, sheekala.
There is so much that REALLY could have worked had some serious re-writing taken place.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:18am

11, point taken, but I actually didn't mean chronologically aged "kiddies." Although, the reference about musicals over plays was something that has stuck in my memory after Billy Lawlor posted it. Will try to be clearer next time.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:24am

Yeah but isn't it true that ANY less-than-successful show would be better if rewriting had taken place? It's sort of like when sports team point out they would have won if the other team hadn't scored more points than they did.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:36am

I am glad you understand!

[sheekala]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 11:49am

For the most part that's true JPoppa, but some shows sadly are or were doomed right out of the gate, very often because the entire concept and structure of the show is flawed.

[qpidsangel]

Posted: 11/6/03 at 12:55pm

I liked plays way before I liked musicals, it took me a long time to warm up to musicals but I did. When most people think of Broadway they think of musicals not plays. But yea this past year has been ok, But definetly not life changing or anything, and I am happy because I am finally going to see RENT on Sunday. It's about damn time, since it opened in 1996 right? haha lol. But that's what I had to say and btw I am 18.