Museum of Broadway — Page 3

I didnt say going for free automatically makes you love something or keeps you from disliking something...just that it's not the same. I'm going to dislike a meal for free if the steak is tough. I'm going to hate it if I'm paying 50 bucks for it. Tempered, skewed...that's all that's said.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm basing my opinion on all the info the museum themselves have put out...not what anyone else here says. We aren't lemming, we all can judge promotional material and make inferences...and opinions.

HogansHero said: "TheatreMonkey said: "Just to play devil's advocate, anything setup similar to a "Broadway investment with recoupment schedule(s)" is indeed just that -- a "business venture". And, outside the world of academia, museums aren't the bastions of research they once were for the everyman."

I agree, of course, with that first part but I am having trouble figuring out what you are saying in the last part (and what I think I have figured out I don't think is right so... )

Is there any info on who is actually funding this thing? There is obviously some forces beyond the 2 "founders"?"

you can search Facebook and see the "co producers". They have their names on the "wall" inside the museum. They raised 12 million the same way as a Broadway show. Not sure thats how you should set up an actual business venture.

I wondered the same about the costumes, particularly as it looks like many are out in the open and easily within the reach of guests to touch. Not how I would expect ostensibly historic pieces of clothing to be displayed.

Costumes go through a lot more wear and tear than most clothing, so I have to imagine that a number of these have to be replicas.

Am I the only person a bit turned off that this is a FOR PROFIT business venture and not a non-profit venture meant to preserve and educate like most museums in NYC are?

Just morally speaking this should not be a for-profit venture. Yes I understand that one of the reasons why a Broadway Museum hasn't permanently existed in NYC is because no one was willing to simply donate enough funds to create one, but with the amount of money floating around the industry this just feels wrong. I could understand if they followed the Museum of Sex model and straddle the line between a for-profit and non-profit institution, but the more news/interviews I see and research I do the more this simply feels like a capitalistic cash grab targeting tourists and Broadway fans, instead of something actually meant to preserve and education the public on the history of Broadway.

Lola Getz2 said: "Rewatching the videos I noticed everything shown was musical theater related. Nothing dedicated to plays? O'Neil, Williams, Odets, Miller, Hansberry or Wilson or ANY mention of these classics that shaped American Theater History? Or should this be named The Museum of Broadway Musicals?

Another question: Are the costumes all from the original productions or are they reproductions? That Annie dress looks like it just came out of the costume shop today and not 45 years ago."



The tv reports I have seen have said that both musical and plays are represented equally.

uncageg said: The tv reports I have seen have said that both musical and plays are represented equally."

Equally? You would not know it from the many videos posted. But glad to hear, if true.

For anyone who has been, does the museum acknowledge the often overlooked contributions of the musicians in the orchestra pits at any point?

averagebwaynut said:
"The final section of the museum is entitled "Making of a Broadway Show" and it attempts to at least touch on the village of people it takes to put on a show. No one gets THAT much space --"

So would you compare this portion to "exit music" or the "final credits"? Some might feel compelled to stay and listen (or read), but most will just head for the exits?

A friend who's a NYC tour guide got a free press invite yesterday and posted a lot of pictures. It was definitely on the... spare side? Just the design of it alone -- seems like there are a lot of empty rooms/corners surrounding one item or screen? The Show Boat room was the coolest by far -- it was decorated almost entirely with book art/sculptures. Which looked great but...I'm not really sure why? There's no emphasis on writing or books within Show Boat itself? I mean, it's based on a book, but so are many shows. I just wasn't quite sure of the choice, but it looked very cool!

Updated On: 11/15/22 at 10:29 AM

Dollypop said: "I watched the video walk-thru and couldn't spot anything representing SHOWBOAT--a landmark musical."

It's Show Boat. Two words. As it is indeed a landmark musical, it's worth getting the title right.

Luminaire2 said: "From PlayBill:



“The Museum is offering $25 timed tickets and $35 flexible tickets on the first Tuesday of every month. Tickets can be purchasedby clicking here,and a portion of each ticket sold will be donated to Broadway Cares.”"

I can't imagine this place is going to be around that long to worry about the first Tuesday of every month.

taragel2 said: "Also, I'm not sure where but I believe the Show Boat wall with all the pages was to represent the constant versions and revisions of the musical."

Ah, interesting. My friend did note that with the roundish tree ring sculpture on the wall, the inner pages are Edna Felber's book with the outer pages being the book/sheet music for the musical."

A detail that will go over 128% of those who visit this museum.