November 13, 2007
November 13, 2007
#1November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/18/06 at 11:51pm
THE LION KING turns 10 on Broadway.
Can you believe it's already been 10 years? I mean, it feels like CHICAGO has been there forever, but THE LION KING is thriving. And I don't mean financially. How is it that CHICAGO and RENT, two shows that, in my opinion, are written much better than THE LION KING and yet they are sooooo bad right now, and LK can still not only rack in the dough, but the show is in GREAT shape!! It was even in great shape before the transfer, I hear.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
COOOOLkid
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/15/05
#1re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:05amOh my...
"Hey, you! You're the worst thing to happen to musical theatre since Andrew Lloyd Webber!"
-Family Guy
BSoBW2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
#2re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:08am
I can't believe I saw TLK the weekend after it opened.
Now that's something.
Junior
Stand-by Joined: 4/12/06
#3re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:10amaww... I share a birthday with one of my least favorite shows... interesting...
ahlala552
Chorus Member Joined: 11/18/06
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
#5re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:42am
Rent is still doing business in the 70s most weeks, sometimes more, sometimes less. I wouldn't call that bad by any stretch, given how long its been open. Chicago is also pulling in good attendance, granted by stunt casting.
Even still, the weekly running costs for both shows allow for low(er than capacity) attendance on a somewhat regular basis.
#6re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:56amScrew attendance, I'm talking "shape" as in how GOOD it is.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
timote316
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/04
#7re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 1:09amAh, well, in that case, I agree with you re: RENT. I haven't seen it on Broadway in a year, but I can't say I was impressed with most of the cast when I did see it.
Theatreboy33
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#8re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:21amLion King is a machine, who's primary star was its director. As long as there are actors to fill the parts in her vision, it will continue to be a success. There aren't any roles in Lion King that require actors with any particular flair or stand-out quality. You basically need four or five lead actors who can manage stereotypical english or african accents and can sing decently and you've got a hit that just keeps on running. The other shows you mention, however, are built around the performances of the actors. Chicago in particular with its bare staging.
#9re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:27amI feel so old.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
broadwaystar2b
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/28/04
#11re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 12:39pm
Wow, I saw it with the OBC too
Where are my crows' feet to show for this...
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#12re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 5:58pm
"How is it that CHICAGO and RENT, two shows that, in my opinion, are written much better than THE LION KING and yet they are sooooo bad right now, and LK can still not only rack in the dough, but the show is in GREAT shape!!"
Simple: It's Disney, the movie was VERY popular, and it's a family-friendly show. Duh.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#13re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 6:06pm
Gosh Theatreboy it's so easy, you go do it. Really. Go.
I've seen the Lion King a few times during it's ten years and have never seen a cast that wasn't giving 100%. I won't say that it's the best show on Broadway by any stretch, but I have to hand it to Disney, they have put togther a first class show that is not showing it's age.
neddyfrank2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/23/05
#14re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 6:10pmThat is a year from now, why you posting it now?
#15re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 6:20pmYeah, um, it's only been nine years. Planning a party Capn? I'd love an invite!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
geekgirl06
Featured Actor Joined: 11/9/06
#16re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:01pm
OMG! That is unbelievable! And to think I saw it with the OBC. Now I feel old 
Dancing through life...
For the next ten minutes
#17re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:03pm
This makes me think of Ragtime.
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#18re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:05pmThe only people who care about the shape of a show are on the message boards. You think the tourists would know the difference?
#19re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:13pm^They will once they buy and listen to the "soundtrack!"
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
#20re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:24pm
When I saw RENT last month, the two "tourists" seated in front of me walked out.
And as I stood in line at TKTS, I got into a conversation with some tourists from Australia. They saw RENT the day after I did and thought it was dreadful. They were in line for tickets to BEAUTY & THE BEAST...I persuaded them to see AVENUE Q instead. (They had seen LK in AU and loved it).
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#21re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 10:27pmMaybe they walked out because they thought the show itself sucked. Same with the Australia tourists. Doesn't have to do with "quality."
Theatreboy33
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#22re: November 13, 2007
Posted: 11/19/06 at 11:53pmJoeKv, do what? What's with the attitude? Is what i said really that harsh or outwardly challenging?
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