LV Trims Avenue Q- Page 3

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/23/06 at 2:12pm

"how come a trimmed hairspray is fine, but trimming this is a sin?"

No one has advocated that cutting Hairsp[ray was acceptable. Most of the people in the U.S. is very much aware of NYC landmarks, therefore most people would have no problem following "There is Life Outside Your Apartment." There is no major justification for cutting this show other than the greed of having an open run in Vegas. The show is just barely over two hours as it is.

As for changes to the London production, that is a cultural issue, not a money one. Some references will just fly over the heads of the audience (one of the reasons RENT didn't do well there). According to Playbill.com, they are going to find a British equivalent to Gary Coleman.

[downtoearth]

Posted: 1/23/06 at 4:04pm

The show's artistic merit is being showcased in New York where it matters. Las Vegas theater doesn't matter at all, and I reiterate that the writers of the show are extremely lucky to have this outlet for making some extra side money. By your definition, the directors of every movie that ever appeared on network TV are "selling out."

Posted: 1/23/06 at 4:44pm

If the assumption is that cutting a show kills the art, then I'd say any show that moves into Vegas is "selling out". I don't think Vegas Theatre exists to promote art. It's purely money. If you want to open in Vegas, you have to cater to the money.

Note that one of the main reasons that they're cutting the show is so that they can move the 6:30 PM performances to 7 or 7:30. This way they can continue to do 10 performances a week. Again, a money issue.

By the way, I very much like "Fine Fine Line". But I always thought it was a weird act 1 closer. You really needed that "1,2,3,4,5,6...10 Minute Intermission" as a final laugh to get it into there.

By the way, anyone who saw Jeff and Bobby perform at Birdland, as they began to sing the song, Laurence O' Keefe (batboy) shouts out, "do the original version!" And they did.

It's basically Kate singing the entire song, and then saying, "Asshole" pissily.

I wish they hadn't removed that. Thought that was hilarious.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/23/06 at 4:51pm

Any show that plays in Vegas in an abriged format (at the request of the casino owners) is selling out. Period. Because it is all about money. In not one of my previous posts have I indicated any approval of cuts to shows like Hairspray and Spamalot.
Updated On: 1/23/06 at 04:51 PM

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 1/23/06 at 4:55pm

I'm with Bennett,

Better to cut than to close

Posted: 1/23/06 at 5:18pm

Although--and not necessarily with any of the shows that have opened in Vegas--sometimes you do see a musical and think, if they cut 15 or 30 minutes out of it, it might keep it trimmer and slimmer.

Not going to go into examples. But we've all seen a musical that we felt could lose a small chunk of it. I'm sure one or two musicals will open in Vegas and be better off in the sleeker version.