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[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 1:06pm

JohnPopa - I never considered any actor who transfers from stage to screen (large or small) selling out. They are still performing, just for a different medium. What I don't understand is why someone like Nathan Lane, who was not a huge star, gets such an obscene amount of money, while other leading actors such as Foster or Pascal only make a fraction of the amount.

tkts - "Keep in mind Broadway needs mega hits and a mega stars"

I disagree. Urinetown, Avenue Q and Smokey Joe's Cafe did well without being mega-anything. The only "star" in Hairspray is Harvey, but he's not well-known outside theatre audiences, but it's selling out on Broadway and on tour. Millie is still going strong and most people have no idea who Sutton Foster is. Taboo has Boy George, but is struggling. Dance of the Vampires was quite mega with a star at the helm, but failed miserably. Quality is relative. Many people think The Producers to be a quality show, while I believe nearly everything else on Broadway is better.

Posted: 1/7/04 at 1:21pm

Nathan Lane may not be a huge star in the flyover states, but he is INDEED a huge star on Broadway, and deserves the salary he receives, considering all the money he makes for various producers, etc. Nathan has that something extra ~ that star quality ~ whether one likes him or not; and that has tremendous value. This past fall I saw Nathan in Boston's Huntington Theater production of "Butley" and it was my favorite Lane performance to date - truly showcased his darker, dramatic side. People left astounded and eager for more.

[Karma76]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 1:27pm

what i meant by JUST happen (obviously blood sweat and tears everyone who has DONE anything in theater knows that) is they are looking to cash in on them and i think personally (and again message board my opinion) that it is forced theater. the show WILL be great casue they were in the producers....the producers just happened.

certain shows just get the buzz and do good and become hits. Rent, avenue Q start by being good theater and get bumped up...no one usually expects it, they hope. that is art just happening. to take the OBC of rent and carbon copy that sucess doesn't make sense is what i mean. It cheapens it.

They just signed on for the movie and now odd couple possible...i personally think they are going to wear out peoples "demand" to see them.

you think that broderick and lane teamed up in a few shows are going to save theater for children?? What they need to do is maybe take some of these proceeds and donate them to schools who are getting their music/theater and art programs cut! That is how we should save theater for our children.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 1:30pm

Marissa, I had a ticket for BUTLEY, and a familiy incident kept me from boarding the train for Boston. Sorry I missed it, but I have a strong hunch Nathan will bring it to NYC later this year for a limited run.

Funny Nathan is cherishable. Dark and angry Nathan is shattering. There is no one like him.

Posted: 1/7/04 at 1:42pm

Well said, MasterLcZ. Darker Nathan IS shattering. I am sorry to hear you missed the Butley performance, and truly hope it comes to NYC so you can catch what is truly a career-turning performance. My partner and I just sat there in complete awe - it's quite stirring when you realize you're watching a legend. No one compares.

[GladysBumps]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 1:43pm

What a freaking uninspired no brainer from a desperately dysfunctional playwright who is fast sinking in the quicksand to has been land. Of course they'd be perfect, but it's so obvious, it's almost as if they've already done it. Where is the element of surprise? I sincerely doubt either of the boys find the prospect terribly stimulating.

What, now that Simon has lost his touch, we're in for a rehash of every past success he's ever had? Wasn't the remake of "The Goodbye Girl" for TV stupid enough? What was the point of that? To get back at his ex-wife? What are this poor mans motives?
Pull yourself together, Neil!

Sadly,
Gladys

[tkts]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 2:22pm

Mister Matt--I must disagree. Broadway needs to have the mega hits and stars to keep new people coming to the theatre who might not have gone to see a Broadway show. Look at Griffin in Chicago. Maybe, just maybe, someone who came to see that show also went to see Take Me Out. Maybe, just maybe, someone who went to see Banderas in Nine because it was Banderas also went to see Urinetown. Maybe, just maybe, someone coming to see The Producers also will see Assasins. Without mega hits and mega stars raking in the money, how can I Am My Own Wife have a life?

This is where the new theatre fans are coming from and Broadway needs them to stay even somewhat relevant. The time of going to the theatre for the sake of going to the theatre is past.

[Karma76]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 2:45pm

Maybe Tkts but no necessarily. some stars are great. I am sorry but I do not think theater is going to go under unless we devote a musical to well knowns though. yes it brings some people in, but we underestimate how many people love the theater reagrdless who is in it.

ONE thing i do hate is when stars gets picture up on Sardi's a week into their performance while some stage vets wait eons.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/7/04 at 3:19pm

tkts - That's expecting a lot from maybes. Maybe, just maybe, a musical written by Harry Connick, Jr., directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, and starring leads-of-the-month Ebersole and Bierko will be a huge success. Broadway has survived many seasons without mega-anything. Mega-musicals didn't even exist until the 80s. There will always be stars and mega-shows on Broadway, but to say that Broadway "needs" them is to demoralize the smaller shows that have been successful despite their size or stars. It's like saying Avenue Q owes its success to Mamma Mia.