Opinions of tours

[Westopher]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:28pm

I live in southern Connecticut, a 45minuet drive from glorious New York City. I now go to school in Orlando, FL (UCF) and am missing being able to go in dearly.
What are your opinons of the traveling shows? On par with Broadway? Only worth seeing if you can't see it on Broadway?

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:29pm

I do not support them...

[Kris2]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:31pm

You don't support tours in general? Or just non-equity/non-union tours?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:32pm

I think that may have been a joke because bt11 has a Bway tour website.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:34pm

I am hoping to have my web site, www.travelinbroadway.com, back up by 11/09/04.

[Kris2]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:34pm

My bad! ::takes it back::

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:35pm

It's okay. Sarcasm doesn't bode too well online.

And to answer the question, I think it depends on the musical, which sounds like a cliche, but here's my reasoning. There are certain musicals that rely on the spectacle value more than any genuine quality of writing/performing,etc.. (I'm not naming any names.) Because inevitably, tour sets needs to be scaled down for practical reasons, any show that relies on aesthetics will seem to lack on tour.

However, in terms of other shows that rely on solid acting and singing, be it equity or non-equity, I think tours and Broadway are more or less equal.

JMHO.

Updated On: 11/4/04 at 03:35 PM

[Westopher]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:38pm

Need more emoticons to convey that well

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:38pm

Can't really compare, since all the shows I've ever seen were tours, save Phantom as I saw it at the Pantages (sp) in Toronto. I think it depends on the cast, tho. Like when I saw Rent, I thought all the actors did an awesome job EXCEPT for the ones who played Benny and Maureen. Actually, my first impression of the Benny actor was "Isn't he supposed to be a *bit* more stuck-up then that?"

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:39pm

Fabala - Do you live in Toronto?
Are you talking about the current RENT cast?

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:45pm

No, I live in Pennsylvania. I saw Phantom on a class trip in seventh grade there- first show to be exact. As for Rent, I saw it back in February with Brian Gligor and Jamie Lee Kirchner.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:47pm

Will you be seeing the tour in Phillie next month?

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:53pm

Oh, I wish I was. I'm in college, with no car to boot...*sigh*...but I have a friend who goes to Penn State who said I could come visit her to see it again. Although I don't think that's going to happen until next year.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 3:58pm

You're missing out! People are about equal in their fanship of Andy Meeks and Brian Kilgor, but the rest of the current cast seems to be getting more accolades than the old Collins cast.

BTW - Catsnyrevival and Thespian_Geek will back me up on this - the current RENT tour is a shining example of some tours can be better than the Bway cast (at least, the current Bway cast).

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:02pm

Oh man, now I really wish I would be going. Why me?

For the record, the tour I saw in February was the first time I've ever seen Rent. And I would kill to see it again.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:06pm

If you liked it with that cast, you would LOVE it now. I went with a few Rent virgins who all had a blast. Why can't you go??

~~ sorry for the threadjack ~~

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:11pm

I know!!! Do you know when it's going to be playing there? Because if finals didn't get in the way, I could stay with my aunt who lives in Philly and just go home with her at Christmas...probably not going to happen, but hey, I can dream, can't I?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:21pm

I would love to see a show while it's still in workshops or previews.

And FC~
Dec 14-19 Philadelphia, PA Merriam Theatre
Dec 20-26 Baltimore, MD Hippodrome Theatre

You must go!

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:25pm

Shizznit! Can't!! Must wait until next year- whywhywhywhy?

*notices calender with Jan.7 circled*

Of course, the prospect of seeing Wicked very early next year makes it better. ^^

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:30pm

Before or after Idina leaves?

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:33pm

Like many Broadway "subburbs," living 30 mins. from Philly and 2 hrs. from NY allows you to see tons of tours on "Broad Street" and "Broadway". The touring circut is heavily covered in Philly.

In fact, BW.com could use another reviewer in Philly and almost had one. But that's another story.

Most of the equity tours I've covered or seen are equally as well done or almost up to par as Broadway. Of course, one can never duplicate "your" favorite cast...but they can't on Broadway either. Overall, these shows are fine. Occassionally sets are scaled back or direction might change for certain shows but overall they are enjoyable.

I can't say the same for the non-equity shows, which are controversally billed as "direct from Broadway". (An ugly topic of its own). Most Non-eq. tours pale in comparison to their hybred originals. Poor offerings in the past and present are Titantic, Cats, Oklahoma, and Oliver. Good expample of non-eq. tours past and present are Miss Saigon, Tommy and Music Man.

But thank god for tours and regional theater. How else would people who can't get to Broadway share the fun we have. That's why I support it. And this is just my humble opinion.

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:35pm

I heard she's leaving Jan. 9, so yeah, I'll get to see her. I have to talk the guy putting the trip together, but it'll be worth it. I've always wanted to go up to New York and see a show up there, but usually I had to settle with the "performances" during the Macy's Parade (missed last year's crop).

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:35pm

But I think the talent is usually equal on tour and on Broadway. Anyone disagree?

You've NEVER been to NYC?? Oh hun, you must PM me when you're about to go and I'll give you all the good tips!

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:38pm

Oh, I will, believe that! I've been thinking about it non-stop ever since I signed up.

Okay, back to the topic.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 11/4/04 at 4:44pm

Being that I live in Michigan, all I get to see are tours. HOWEVER, I support tours completely and think they're wonderful. Just in the last few years I've seen Thoroughly Modern Millie, Les Mis, Oklahoma, and Phantom of the Opera on tour and have been really impressed by all of them. I saw the Rent tour a long time ago and it was stellar (Benny tour, I think). I'm seeing Chicago, The Producers and Movin' out in the next few months, and I look forward to enjoying them. Tours rule!