New YouTube Video Attacks Broadway Bigshots

Here is a video from someone named "ModPop" that attacks the domination of Broadway by Shubert/Nederlander/ATG and demanding more jobs/being paid better/more artistic freedom (it is a half-hour long):

https://youtu.be/fvMqfT4Lm1Y?si=pmmEGptg6_5Mco1M

Some of what he brings up may be familiar to many of you, including the alleged overemphasis on musical revivals and jukebox shows. He also seems to have a belief that Broadway should be more like off-off-Broadway, as if this is what the majority of theatergoers want. And honestly, I don't think breaking up the Shuberts is going to change anything. This is commercial theater, not LaMama. Finally, he sure has an obsession with "Chicago" and WTF is that he's covering Scott Rudin's face with?

They should just turn the August Wilson into a permanent vaudeville house and let people socialize and linger around the theater. Have a new show every week

Crusty Bagel said: "They should just turn the August Wilson into a permanent vaudeville house and let people socialize and linger around the theater. Have a new show every week"

YES!!!! A literal tourist trap to section off the people that want the Broadway "experience" but not actual theater. A nonstop chorus of tap dancing acrobats in skimpy outfits. A confetti cannon going off every twenty minutes. A random celebrity trotted out centerstage to pose for photos and possibly belt some ALW. For a VIP upcharge they'll turn your phone into projections so you can second screen without missing any of the action. All the M&Ms and wine-in-a-souvenir-sippee-cup you want. Exit through the gift shop and be sure to check out the full selfie-studio in the lobby. Pedicabs blasting Empire State of Mind are conveniently waiting right outside to usher you to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

I mean, there a several shows that have been open for multiple years that are none of those... so... like... yeah.

Maybe we get budgets under control and shows wouldn't need to run sold out for 2 years to turn a profit...

Updated On: 8/7/25 at 02:43 PM

He also makes contradictions. He blames long running shows for taking up space, and how they are somehow preventing new work from being produced, but then complains about so much turnover on Broadway. I roll my eyes anytime people just blame everything on the landlords.

Crusty Bagel said: "He also makes contradictions. He blames long running shows for taking up space, and how they are somehow preventing new work from being produced, but then complains about so much turnover on Broadway. I roll my eyes anytime people just blame everything on the landlords."

Just as blockbusters make smaller films possible (of which there should be more, and companies should stop playing predatory games on theatrical runs to get more money and pushing out smaller films for more of their own screenings) long running shows allow you to finance smaller shows that are likely to not run as long, but have the potential of becoming a hit because of smaller price tags. It's all very give and take.

EmceeHammer said: "uncamark said: "And meanwhile at the other 40 Broadway houses, Beckett, Ionesco, Adam Guettel musicals, performance artists and hip-hop shows that aren't Miranda attract nothing but crickets."

Can I interest you in a $700 ticket to a likely sell-out production of a Beckett revival coming this season?"

And why are those tickets $700 and "Godot"'s likely to sell out? And would it be such a hot ticket if Keanu wasn't in it? Whoah!