No more plays on Broadway...

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 12:55am

After Saturday, there will be no more plays on Broadway 'till September 14th. That's kind of sad when you think about it.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:03am

It is sad how straight plays seem almost second rate to people anymore. Sad

[pab]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:05am

Actually the 13th (Mauritius), not that that makes this situation any better.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:12am

Has this ever happened before?

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 1:44am

That's a serious shame...

*moment of silence*

Yet, as you said, when September (and October!) roll around, we'll have a whole SLEW of great ones with not only incredible casts, but also great people involved behind the scenes and phenomenal material as well!

The old adage holds true: when it rains - it POURS!

In fact, when I come to NYC in November, i'm seeing two musicals and two plays...

and i've never seen a play before in my LIFE!

[jordangirl]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:30am

BroadwayBound02 ~ I know exactly what you mean. I've suggested a couple of straight plays to people on here before and they acted like I was offering them hemlock to drink. I wish people would step outside their safe little boxes and TRY something new. They might be surprised just how moved they are by "one of those things".

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 6:36am

Some people think thee are just 2 shows on Broadway- Xanadu and Legaly Blonde! On in recent weeks Vannessa Redgrave and Angela Lansbury, Frank Langella etc were across the road from each otherin straight plays but hardly a mention was made on here about any one who went. Thankfully London is a little healthier on the play side at the moment.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 8:32am

Hopefully we will have new plays on Broadway !

By Sept. we will have 1 new and 2 revivals

Mauritius previews start Sept 13


Pygmalion previews start Sept. 14


The Ritz previews start Sept.14


I can't wait ! - j*


Updated On: 8/22/07 at 08:32 AM

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 8:51am

I cant wait for Cyrano.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:09am

It's not just sad , it's pathetic.

Broadway has become a place where the rich can go and see shows that they already know the plots, maybe the songs and don't have to think.
It is also a place where audiences , instead of seeing as many shows as possible, now want to see the same show over and over again, and mostly happy musicals - once again - no thinking required.

There is innovative, ground breaking theatre out there that will challenge you and make you think - but its not on Broadway (Disney World once removed).
Updated On: 8/22/07 at 09:09 AM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:16am

Well, it's just been announced that August: Osage County by Tracy Letts is coming to Broadway in the fall. That will definitely liven the play scene up a bit and get people in.

You guys are so lucky!

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:21am

Very sad.

You are right Marc, if people went and stood in a rush line for a play instead of seeing "Rent or Wicked" for the 10th time, they might discover something wonderful.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:38am

And HOMECOMING starts previews Nov.23. Hooray -

And check out Broadway directors taking a crack at opera direction at the MET during the 2007-2008 season, too.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:39am

Scary. Bring on September!!

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:47am

WHERE ARE ALL THE MODERN DAY PLAYWRIGHTS?!?!?!

Actually that's not fair. I'm sure there is plenty of good material out there.

The problem more likely lies in the fact that the cost of a Broadway show has gone through the roof, and visitors do not want to take a chance on a new or unfamiliar work. They feel a lot safer investing their entertainment dollars in a "sure thing". Give them material they know and love and they will come!

Hmmm...Familiarity really DOES breed contempt! HAHA!

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:48am

I'm really excited for Pygmalion.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:51am

"I wish people would step outside their safe little boxes and TRY something new."

I always preferred musicals, but I gave a couple of plays a chance. I've seen Twelve Angry Men, Doubt, and I think something else. I was slightly bored.

When tourists pay tons of money, the reason they pick a "happy musical" over the play is because tourists want to leave the city happy...and generally don't you leave some musicals with a happy feeling? I'm not saying that there aren't plays that leave you feeling happy. There's just that sterotype of the "good, fun, musical comedy" that people are eager to see. In terms of spectacle, musicals are better, in my opinion. In terms of depth, plays are generally better. It's all about what you are looking for when you see a show.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:54am

"I always preferred musicals, but I gave a couple of plays a chance. I've seen Twelve Angry Men, Doubt, and I think something else. I was slightly bored. "

That statement makes me feel sad.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 9:59am

Oh please, this happens every single year. Plays run more accordingly to the "season". On this day one year ago, only two plays were running (History Boys and Lieutenant of Inishmore). It's always very dry, play- wise at this time of year.
Shouldn't we be grateful in some ways that plays have a much faster turnabout time than musicals on Broadway? I can think of a list of reasons this is optimal. And I don't hear anyone complaining that as of now, 16 plays are set to open later this season, while only 8 musicals are officially set. OMIGOD THAT'S ONLY HALF THE AMOUNT OF PLAYS!

[Act0r721]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 10:03am

rosscoe(au) - Get over yourself.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 10:10am

Piss off dip****..

[Smaxie]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 10:23am

>WHERE ARE ALL THE MODERN DAY PLAYWRIGHTS?!?!?!<

On Broadway.

Teresa Rebeck, Tracy Letts, Tom Stoppard, Aaron Sorkin, Conor McPherson and David Mamet will all have new plays on Broadway this season.

Broadway revivals will bring in works by Carol Churchill, Harold Pinter, William Inge, George Bernard Shaw, Terrence McNally, and Clifford Odets, among others.

For three weeks of no plays on Broadway, this season will make up for it with a vengeance from mid-September onward.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 10:30am

Good point, Smaxie. What an exciting list!! Eee.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 8/22/07 at 11:11am

I've never understood how people can like musicals but not plays or plays but not musicals. I have friends on both sides of the spectrum. Most of my friends that prefer plays have less of an interest in theatre than my friends who only like musicals.

I think the bottom line is that if you actually care about theatre at all, you care about plays and musicals. I try to catch every play on Broadway, although I admit that I missed Inherit the Wind and Old Acquaintance before they closed.

Posted: 8/22/07 at 11:15am

That pretty much stinks. I personally like musicals, but I would never turn down a chance to see a Broadway play. It's just too bad.