Only One Play running come September!- Page 2

[JO125]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 4:39pm

Sorry BroadwayGirl, I did not mean to attack. When I compared to seeing movies, I was mainly referring to the genre/style interest of musical versus non-musical. I also was noting the many low cost options previously mentionned that are available for seeing shows (especially for young people). Utilizing these options does often make the theatre experience not much more expensive than a movie. I rarely spend $100 for any show, musical or otherwise, with such a variety of discounts and TKTS available.

Whatever you do, it is your money, and you should spend it on what interests you. So spend it on the musicals, or on one musical over and over if that's what you prefer. You shouldn't defend that decision to anyone here. We are all only stating our opinions and making suggestions based on the fact that you posted your preferences here. Again sorry if I came off as insulting--not my intention.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 4:48pm

Thanks. All of you guys have raised my interest in plays, however. Somewhere down the road I will see one. Probably not anytime soon, because, well I have $11. And before I see anyting else, Wicked is on top of the list.

[JO125]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 4:53pm

Glad to hear that a new musical is on the top of your list, BroadwayGirl. "Wicked" is on my list as well as many other musicals and plays.

My MTC subscription is already purchased. Can't wait for the Violet Hour.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 4:57pm

Now I am also a teenager. I have not seen many plays, but the few that I have, I loved! As for seeing something you know nothing about, I saw the first preview of Hairspray not knowing anything except the movie. I loved it!

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 4:59pm

What were the plays you saw that you loved?

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 5:00pm

House, The Miser, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Looking Over the President's Shoulder, and The Comedy of Errors.

[Hello Gorgeous]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 5:00pm

Yea my friend is seeing 'Little Shop' tonight, the first night of previews!

And yes, please tell us which plays you have seen!

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 5:08pm

"don't you realize plays are real theatre?? god go out and get some culture, see a play."

Of course they are "real theatre," because musicals are real musical theatre. There is a huge differences other than music.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 7:03pm

as the (hopefully) voice of reason, please realize that as a younger person, a musical can be pre-sold better because the music is available to hear prior to purchase. Very little of a play is available (unless you subscribe to American Theatre with its new play texts, or the play is a revival of a published work) to preview first before purchase. Musicals are more aggressively marketed, because the producers have put (usually) more money into them in the first place. Many young theatre fans begin in community theatre productions, and those community musicals use a lot more young actors than dramas or comedies (typically). It's natural that they might therefore prefer musicals. As to repeat visits, that is a phenomenon of identification, much like Deadheads (of all ages) who travel the country attending Grateful Dead concerts. It has nothing to do with rejecting new experiences, and everything to do with finding pleasure and security in something you enjoy and have bonded with (to fellow fanatics or the performance/cast itself).

i agree it would be nice if young people saw as many plays as they do musicals, but realistically at ticket prices, they want not only a bit more spectacle but also a different type of narrative than they find in television shows, movies, etcetera. i love plays and always have, but there are plenty of fully grown, ostensibly mature, friends that i can't get to go with me. And some are highly involved in attending or producing musical theatre! There are also many theatre people who look down on musicals.

The solution may be to let everyone evolve at their own pace. There's a lot of frustration inherent otherwise.

Updated On: 8/30/03 at 07:03 PM

[CourtneyM]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 8:13pm

i wasn't saying a musical isn 't real theatre, because it most certainly is. but i was saying that plays are also real theatre, some people think only musicals are real theatre and i want people to know that plays are too. i was not trying to be rude. it just drives me crazy when teens say they don't like plays because they are too young. i am a teen and i love plays.
also the people who said they don't like plays have never seen one so how could they know if they like them or not?
i'm not trying to push anyones buttons here, i was just stating my feelings on this subject.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 8:15pm

Of course plays are real theatre, that's common sense. I know what you mean, though. :)

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 8:46pm

courtney, who ever said they don't like plays?

[JO125]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 8:57pm

If the opinions expressed by the young people in these posts is reflective of the general teen population, it is very understandable why musicals seem to do better business and run longer on Broadway in general. Thus, only one play left on Broadway in September. It always appears that plays outnumber musicals offered on TDF. Unless a play wins the Pulitzer or the Tony award, or come with marquis names--i.e., Kathleen Turner in The Graduate, Edie Falco in Frankie and Johnny, the entire cast of Long Day's Journey....., they often tend to fall by the wayside. On the other hand, musicals seem to be able to last regardless of how well known the performers are.

Also, plays in general do not always have subject matter that is appealing to the average teen, and many seem to reflect more mature subject matter. As a parent, I would not be recommending plays with overt sexual situations or nudity to 13 and 14 year olds (sorry, I am conservative in what I find appropriate for young teens--that's just me), but I feel perfectly safe recommendinding Hairspray and Millie. I know my 13 year old son would have no interest in Enchanted April, though he loved Noises Off and Say Goodnight Gracie. He fell asleep during A Thousand Clowns (but then, I almost did too). In general, I just think that musical theatre tends to cater to a wider age range.

I am not saying that many of these teens are not mature enough to understand and enjoy these plays, but probably are not taken by the subject matter enough to try them. What might be helpful is if, rather than say "Go see a play", specific plays could be suggested that these young people might enjoy in order to give them that first taste of non-musical theatre. Broadway is limited at the moment, but how about off-broadway suggestions?

[JO125]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 8:57pm

Updated On: 8/29/03 at 08:57 PM

[CourtneyM]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 9:06pm

go back and read some old posts.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 9:12pm

I'll be brief.

When I was growing up and all through high school my interest in the theater was so great that I was checking published plays out of the local public library which I acutally read, both musicals and dramatic plays. Many of these were more than 20 years old at the time.

When I moved to NYC I saw any and everything that interested me and many shows that proved they ultimately did not.

It is distrubing to me to hear how today some people will choose to go to see the same mediocore crap over and over again. This isn't about subjectivity and liking a show, it is about a denigration and loss of intelligence!

To those of you who profess to love theatre but only know it because you've seen (FILL IN THE BLANK) over 3 times and nothing else--BALDERDASH! You're doing yourselves, the theatre and society a great injustice.

Yours for intellect on Broadway and in the audience!

Updated On: 8/29/03 at 09:12 PM

[JO125]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 9:40pm

Yes, Courtney I have read the old posts. On this crowded thread alone, I have read many generalizations of Go see a play. No one has said "I have seen ........and it seems to be something that can interest young people" Have I missed something? Because searching around the message board, most of the posts seem to deal with exactly the same musicals these teens seem to be focusing on in the first place. Someone on this thread suggested "Take Me out", but as a parent, no I would not suggest that to the younger teens (again that's my personal opinion). As a teen yourself, perhaps you can specifically offer some current titles. I've seen lots of titles thrown out which are not currently running. There does not seem to be much playing right now. Hopefully that will change shortly--with all the new plays coming.

Anyway, I made a suggestion. I thought this message board was about being helpful. I see plays. My kids see plays. I agree these youths should see plays. If I could suggest something specific, I would. Hey, how about Matt & Ben? I haven't seen it, but it seems to look interesting. And inexpensive enough. Anybody?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 11:02pm

Broadway Bulldog, I've seen more than Thoroughly Modern Millie. And I buy/download any cast recordings I can get my hands on. I go to the library and take out whatever cast recordings I can find,make a copy and take a listen. I'm not THAT narrow-minded that I only see Thoroughly Modern Millie and only listen to Thoroughly Modern Millie. That's not the case at all. It's not a crime for me to see that show multiple times. I don't think it's mediocre crap at all. When I put my money into that show, I know I'm putting my money into something that to me is worth more than $100. AS for plays, I'm certainly not your average teen, and I'll bet anything I could appreciate all of the plays out there for what they are and enjoy many of them. And heck, I'd be willing to sit through any of them too. I'd love to see a play, I'd rather see a musical, and I don't have the money to even see all the musicals I want to see. That's the bottom line. And if you want me to at least be exposed to some plays, give me a list and I'll go to my library and take out every play I can find and read them all. (I've actually been planning on doing that for a while, I just don't know what plays to look for)I'd be more than happy to.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 11:06pm

If I lived closer to the heart of Broadway (Baltimore is more like the armpit.) I would go see Take Me Out. It is supposed to be amazing.

[CourtneyM]

Posted: 8/29/03 at 11:51pm

i would reccomend enchanted april (for two more days anyway) long days journey into night (also two more days. but this might not be something you want to see if you have never seen a play because it is 4 hours), take me out (if you don't mind nudity), and the exonerated.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/30/03 at 12:00am

The first two you mentioned were always of particular interest to me, and unfortunately, I didn't have the money to see either. And as of right now I can't even make it to any of the final few performances. Take me out I would like to see, but wish me luck on convincing the parents to let me see that one, haha. The exenorated I get offers for all the time, so that could very well be a possibilty. Thanks. :)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/30/03 at 12:36am

B'way Girl....

If you insist on M's...try Moliere, for example
Read T. Williams, all his plays. Same for O'Neill.
Read E. Albee. Read. H. Pinter.

That's just for starters.

BB

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 8/30/03 at 4:06am

Jo..I believe I suggested Take Me out in one of my earlier posts.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 8/30/03 at 7:34am

Now, people always say that I'm obsessed with Hairspray. I love it, but I also love many other shows just as much.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/30/03 at 7:54am

Off Broadways Golda's Balcony opens on Broadway shortly. The reason for the lack of plays is simple: Producers have to cater to tourists who are a big part of their audience. When a tourist shells out his hard earned money he does not want to see dysfunctional familes but rather falling chandeliers & dancing girls. A pity that is the case but there it is.