More shows should do like Les Mis. — Page 3

No, bringing back Les Miz has nothing to do with saving or killing Broadway. It is about celebrating its 21st anniversary. It is an important event for every Les Miz fan. If you are not happy, sorry about it.

I don't understand that. What's so great about a 21st anniversary? 20th, sure. 30th, sure. But longest running West End show? Why is that the reason to bring it back? On Broadway, Phantom is the longest-running. And I wish people would stop saying Les Mis is the longest-running musical. The Fantasticks holds that spot, AFAIK. Les Mis is the longest-running-musical that-had-a-broadway-sized-theatre-and-also-a-turntable-and-at-one
-point-starred-Colm-Wilkinson.

I myself am not so against or for the re-opening of Les Mis for a limited time. But they're doing it to milk a cash cow, not for some artistic or holy reason. Call a cow a cow.

Right.
"8 October 1985 - 8 October 2006
This October, Les Misérables will be 21 years young and will become the longest running musical in the West End."

They're celebrating it for being the longest running musical on the West End. Still doesn't make sense to me as to why that's the reason they're re-opening on Broadway.

Margo and many others share some insightful views on this. A few points I would add, if I may.

The vicious circle continues ... fewer investors willing to back new works that cost millions...fewer people willing to invest in $100 a ticket for new works...Broadway is becoming a smaller and riskier business for producers, investors and audiences.

This and the fact that there are many choices of fine entertainemnt, in other houses, off Broadway,in fine concert halls, Performing Arts Centers not just in New York but everywhere these days. There are wonderful offerings in the world of opera, ballet. There are major orchestra programs in literally every city in every country, not just the tri-state area surrounding New York. Some of their subscription numbers are huge and packages they offer are unbeatable.

In a nut shell....Broadway is far from the only game in town in its little 12 blocks of Manhattan. It is becomming a smaller and smaller part on the average theater patron's priority
list.

There are just too many wonderful things out there to enjoy. Investors, producer and performers who limit themselves to musical theater in New York are in for a long lean wait for the perfect wave to come in.

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Updated On: 2/21/06 at 03:41 PM