NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
MezzA101
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/23
#2NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
Posted: 12/15/25 at 9:39pm
This is such a strange article. Why does it focus on these two specific theaters? The writer seems to want to compare and contrast a theatre with a mostly liberal audience with another with a mostly Republican one, but doesn’t ultimately say much. I do somewhat agree with the Gulf Shore Playhouse lady however that you need to know your community (even if it is MAGA) and produce shows the people there actually want to see.
Sutton Ross
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
#3NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
Posted: 12/15/25 at 9:56pm
Kristen Coury, the Playhouse’s chief executive and producing artistic director, described her programming mantra as “up and known.” Translation: When deciding which shows to produce, she selects ones that are upbeat and well-known.
“We’re at a moment now where there’s a lot of poke-you-in-the-eye theater, like, ‘I don’t care what you think — this is good for you, and I’m going to make you feel like a terrible person, and you better buy a ticket anyway,’” Coury said.
“My first covenant is with the audience, and I care about what they think,” she added. “People don’t want to spend money on a show they don’t think they’re going to like.”
Besides living in Florida, Kristen is extremely wise. So many regional theaters around the Country put on shows that are boring and not known. Or, there are "world premieres" from tons of artists that aren't that great, simply because it's cheaper overall. Since Covid, so many regional theaters have closed because they don't listen to their audience.
What they don't seem to understand is really basic: Put well known, popular shows on that people want to see and the money will come. People want comfort these days and they want something they know. That isn't great for new artists, but right now that is just the state of things. Both of those shows mentioned are huge crowd favorites and that's been proven for many years now. Thanks for the article.
raddersons
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/14/13
#4NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
Posted: 12/16/25 at 7:33am
I can tell the woman from that Florida theater is a republican from 1,300 miles away. The way she talks about “agenda” in that specific Florida/right wing way. Blech.
I may dislike her and her taste but if that’s the attitude of the town she’s in, she’s got the right mindset to make that company’s sales thrive. Thriving artistically is another story, but if you’re in a conservative town like Naples it’s probably a lost cause.
#5NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
Posted: 12/16/25 at 10:53am
Exactly. In order to be financially successful, a theater company has to give its local audience what it wants. I have lived in major left-leaning cities but now live in Phoenix, and the theaters here that actually make money (and pay their artists a decent wage) are the ones that do predominantly family-friendly shows (mostly musicals), with only a handful of dramatic straight plays that are usually pre-vetted (and publicized) by successful Broadway runs. As someone who enjoys "edgy" straight plays, it's kind of a bummer for me personally, and I do see it as somewhat "selling out" artistically, but I completely understand why they do this on a economic level. In the digital age, if someone wants to watch people sitting around discussing important social issues, there are plenty of "prestige TV" options to choose from. This is sadly the new reality for the professional theatre world, and the companies that want to stay open will stop producing shows that no one wants to see.
SteveSanders
Broadway Star Joined: 3/29/25
#6NYT: As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds
Posted: 12/16/25 at 12:07pm
When serving on a few local performing arts boards over the years, I always found it interesting to contemplate ways to program a financial viable season while also offering some unexpected or more challenging fare. Given that audience development is both science and art, we need people who are experimenting with different possibilities and then sharing lessons learned.
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