#76
Posted: 5/6/10 at 10:21pm
Just my two cents on the regional productions conversation...I never went to many regional productions until I moved to Denver 19 years ago. Prior to that I saw Broadway shows and touring productions. In Denver I got very involved with the, Tony winning, Denver Center Theatre Company (DCTC) as a chair for one of their organizations. I now write for BWW Denver. Somewhere in this thread someone mentioned that they review theatre in London. Well, I don't think that gives you a one up one anyone as what I have done does not give me a one up. I enjoy theatre period. Whether I am there to just see a show or review it. (And that's why I have been involved in the theatre here) I had not been back to New York to see a show for 13 years but I saw 13 years of tours and regional theatre. I can agree with besty that you can in fact find regional theatre that is as good as or sometimes better than what you see in NYC. The DCTC, with the exception of very few productions, has put on stunning productions. Both large and small. I really realized this after I started going back to NY twice a year to see shows in 2004. I realized how lucky I was to have such a wonderful theatre company in my city and a great facility. Last year I saw a fabulous production of "A Little Night Music" at the Central City Opera House here. They had a full orchestra and smaller sets. All pieces were moved onto and off stage and they used swaths of fabric. It was beautiful. I so wanted to see the revival on Broadway this season. I love the music and wanted to see how this production campared to what I saw.
As far as judging a show from video clips..I don't think one can judge an entire show or its cast from a few clips. BUT, when a show or a movie puts out clips or a trailer it is usually to advertise to get people into the theater. Judging by that clip, I would still see the show if I could simply because I like the show. I did the same with Hot Feet (And we know how that show turned out!) but I am a huge EWF fan so I went. What I don't get is why they used clips from the 1st production to push the current one. That reminds me of what they do with touring shows here. We get commercials featuring the Broadway production and cast. Granted, the touring shows are pretty close to if not at times identical to the touring productions but it still annoys me that even by the middle of the tour we are seeing the Broadway cast in the commercials. (And granted, the casts do change during a tour) But when Wicked was here and they were advertising it, people thought the original cast was going to be here with the show.
So I agree, big or small, I look for a show to connect with me in some way. Whether it be on an emotional level or just entertainment. I enjoyed both productions of "Sweeney Todd" and did not feel that the original was overblown. Overblown was Miss Saigon and even CATS. I really feel that those big spectacles that came over from London are a big part of the reason NY theatergoers and tourists want big shows. I have seen them all and enjoyed most of them but aside from a few, they aren't really done well anymore (In my opinion) and that's why a lot of them don't last. But some do. Just my random thoughts.
As far as judging a show from video clips..I don't think one can judge an entire show or its cast from a few clips. BUT, when a show or a movie puts out clips or a trailer it is usually to advertise to get people into the theater. Judging by that clip, I would still see the show if I could simply because I like the show. I did the same with Hot Feet (And we know how that show turned out!) but I am a huge EWF fan so I went. What I don't get is why they used clips from the 1st production to push the current one. That reminds me of what they do with touring shows here. We get commercials featuring the Broadway production and cast. Granted, the touring shows are pretty close to if not at times identical to the touring productions but it still annoys me that even by the middle of the tour we are seeing the Broadway cast in the commercials. (And granted, the casts do change during a tour) But when Wicked was here and they were advertising it, people thought the original cast was going to be here with the show.
So I agree, big or small, I look for a show to connect with me in some way. Whether it be on an emotional level or just entertainment. I enjoyed both productions of "Sweeney Todd" and did not feel that the original was overblown. Overblown was Miss Saigon and even CATS. I really feel that those big spectacles that came over from London are a big part of the reason NY theatergoers and tourists want big shows. I have seen them all and enjoyed most of them but aside from a few, they aren't really done well anymore (In my opinion) and that's why a lot of them don't last. But some do. Just my random thoughts.
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
Updated On: 5/7/10 at 10:21 PM
