Piazza Tour?- Page 2

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:14pm

After all, doesn't the show itself take place in North Carolina, or am I forgetting where Winston-Salem is...

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:15pm

Can someone close this please? I'm sick of explaining myself.
Alright- for the last time
NOT YOU
I meant the people who are "Wicked" and "Rent" junkies. The teeny boppers. The obnoxious little girls that squeal at the stage doors. THEY wouldn't like it.
Adults I'm sure would enjoy it. It just wouldn't make a great deal of money because nowadays adults feel it is nescesary to take their children to the theatre.
If perhaps a "warning" was to be put up, for example
"THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA" MAY BE A BIT TOO MATURE FOR YOUR 10 YEAR OLD.
Fine. And I'm not saying all 10 year olds are immature. Just, please, try to understand.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:15pm

I think it would be well recieved in open-ended runs in major cities like Chicago and Seatle and LA.
Just sometimes, in little community theatres, maybe not you're own, maybe in another town, people would think- "Broadway! Ah! Big sets! Big noise! Yay!" and expect to see Wicked, which this show obviously isn't.
That explains it all I think.
Updated On: 12/21/05 at 07:15 PM

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:19pm

Well, jv, if that's what you meant, then we will certainly stop attacking you, because if you look at your original posts, they don't suggest anything of that sort, no offense.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:26pm

"After all, doesn't the show itself take place in North Carolina, or am I forgetting where Winston-Salem is..."

Well, it takes place in Italy. But, yeah, Margaret and Clara are from Winston=Salem, which is about 20 miles from my house. I spazzed out when I heard the lyrics in "The Beauty Is" that refer to it. It was amusing. But yeah. That's another reason it would work here.

Anyway, jv, I understand exactly what you are saying. What I'm saying is that there are PLENTY of people here who would bring in enough money for the tour. It's a perfect date show for Mom and Dad and any other couple interested in theatre. I agree that it's not Wicked or RENT (thank God), but that's part of the appeal to the crowd who DOES want to see it . . . if that makes sense. And I'm not sure what you mean by "adults feel it is necessary to take thier children to the theatre". It may ring true up in NY, but not around here. Theatre is what babysitters are for. LOL

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:26pm

"Your youth"

You son of a bitcH.

Teenagers are the same everywhere. Do you honestly think that every New Yorker under eighteen is well versed in theatre, art, dance and literature? We ALL have the same MTV channels, trashy magazines and pop stars. And those are the people that teenagers typically like. Geography is a location, not something that gives you the right to act or BE superior.

Here in Ohio, people like Wicked. There in New York, people like Wicked. And you know, it's the same with EVERYTHING else. Just because you grow up with broadway doesn't mean you appreciate, understand or like it any better than those of us in 'hick towns'. It's galling to hear that you truly believe yourself superior to suburbia.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:28pm

I live in suburbia.
Kids in suburbia don't like Piazza.
Stop the attacks. Cut the crap. This is nonsense.

[boxers7]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:30pm

I still don't think a tour would be feesable (sp?). I don't think that people would flock by the throngs to see this production. Granted there are the token theatre go-ers in each town, but with the size of this production I don't think touring would be such a good idea.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:31pm

There you go.
If it takes someone else to get my message out, so be it.
Thanks boxers!

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:31pm

I think Piazza would do well on tour, with the older crowd that attends the symphony and the like. Many touring venues have a large subscription audience, and if sold as part of a package, the show could fill a lot of seats.

I don't necessarily think, though, that the unique staging employed by the Beaumont, could be replicated effectively in "any theatre, USA", but there is no harm in making adjustments, while perserving the integrity of the show.

As far as the comment about which cities would appreciate this type of show, I don't think the people on this board are generally representative sample of the larger population, so its really hard to say where this show would work, and where it would not. Most of us are largely Broadway freaks, who enjoy an array of shows, and attend theatre as often as possible. By saying "I appreciate Piazza and I am in Hicksville, USA" does not necessarily mean that a lot of people in that area would agree. Just as the NYers saying they appreciate Piazza may not be indicative of the general NY sentiment toward the show. While NY has many theatre-goers, it can't be said that the majority of NYers make a habit of seeing many varied shows and enjoy them. Heck, I have NY friends who have seen maybe one show in their lives, by choice. Generalizations cannot be avoided, but I think we have to recognize the people this board attracts.

[aegeusrocks]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:32pm

Oh dear, you just got me riled up again, jv. I don't want to attack you, just stop making generalizations. I'm a kid/teen. Who lives in suburbia. I frickin despise MTV and all that crap. I absolutely adore theater and culture. Yes, I may be the exception to the rule, but I know a lot of other suburban teenagers and some kids who are just like me. If you stop making generalizations, it's a win-win situation.

ETA: I do understand your general message. My point is to get you to stop from making generalizations. Updated On: 12/21/05 at 07:32 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:35pm

Generally, most peolple wouldn't like the show across the country. You all do. You all love theatre and Broadway. You may want it to tour, but will it do well? No. There's always a possibility, but I don't think so. I hate most MTV too. I'd love to see it tour for you all. It just won't happen.
I'd rather see a movie made than a tour.
Updated On: 12/21/05 at 07:35 PM

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:38pm

"I live in suburbia.
Kids in suburbia don't like Piazza."

And kids in New York DO? Please.

"Stop the attacks. Cut the crap. This is nonsense."

Then don't start them.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:41pm

I live on Long Island.
How's that. An hour away by train.
I'm probably the only kid in my school with the CD.

[freeadmission]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:42pm

But there's also the fact that not all people who love theatre and Broadway and have seen Piazza actually liked it. That's the problem with all these generalizations (including mine): they're generalizations. There are always exceptions and sometimes more exceptions than we think.

Theatre-lovers as a WHOLE are an exception to the movie-loving rule. BUT, you will find theatre-lovers everywhere, which is why shows don't just stay in NYC, but go on tour.

As long as Piazza either goes one tour or releases the rights/permission/whatever, I'm good. I have to see this show somehow. I'd love to see it in NY, but a touring or regional production would suit my purposes just as well . . . or almost as well. LOL

[boxers7]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:43pm

Kids in New York are WORLDS different than kids in any other city in the USA. There are so many different types of kids in New York that there IS a large theatre fan base. I know kids at The Professional Performing Arts School who, every Wednesday go down to TKTS and see a show at night. I think it can be said that teenagers all over America won't be flocking to see "The Light in the Piazza" on a Friday night. If it does go on tour, it will be more of a draw to those familiar with the original novella and movie.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 7:58pm

Okay, New York may be the center of everything, but calm down guys. For one thing, people across the board come diverse, no matter where you live. Yes, in some areas of the country people lean more towards one side of the fence than others. But you know what? There are kids who go to performing art schools all over the country who see lots of theater as well. It just happens New York is a city where theater is extremely accessible. Hell, for a student, it's as expensive as two movies. And you know what? For every teenager who loves theater in this city, there are 50 who could care less. And a lot of people who saw it who are New Yorkers weren't THAT wild about it. In my experience the younger crowd likes it better than the older crowd. People who are life long theater goers. I don't get it either, but hey.

On topic, I dunno about any gossip about Piazza touring, but I think it would do fine. As people have pointed out, ticket subscribers alone would at least put people in the house, and lots of shows that go on tour aren't especially familiar to crowds. It's all about marketing. I think it would do to play up the artsyness of the show, actually.

I think Piazza has an extremely healthy future ahead of it. It's perfect for small theater companies, regional, community, etc... the music is difficult, but that won't stop people from putting on very bad productions of it. The italian is something that would probably discourage people.

Updated On: 12/21/05 at 07:58 PM

[jv92]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 8:01pm

About people getting their heads out of their asses, you must be referring to me. And I'm sorry.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 8:11pm

Ack, I'm sorry I was being an ass.

[wicked1]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 8:38pm

I would personally love to see it tour. I agree that most tickets would be held by subscribers so I think it could work. I don't think that it would interest everyone, but nothing interests everyone. I took a group of dance students to NY this summer & most of them wanted to see Chicago. I took one student with me to see Piazza and we both agreed that most of the other students were better off seeing Chicago. Most younger people today are just used to the "big" musicals so something like Piazza would be so different to them that it may turn them off. I understand what jv was trying to say and I somewhat agree. However, to generalize people when you have probably lived in NY your entire life isn't really fair to the rest of us. Don't forget, us tourists from Hicktown USA help keep theatre up & running as well!! (and some of us are actually big fans of broadway) New Yorkers can't sell out shows on thier own!

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 9:17pm

Yeah, actually, most people would agree that the audiences are 2/3 tourists nowadays anyway. It's not like it was. Although it never "was" in my lifetime.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 10:01pm

"Piazza is too good to tour. No one outside of New York or who hasn't listened to the recording or who isn't a fan of Broadway would like it, at least in my opinion."

Well that's ignorant. It managed to survive Chicago, before it ever went to New York.

[IssaMe]

Posted: 12/22/05 at 7:50am

Well, for whatever it is worth in this lively debate --- I've talked to bookers, regional producers, and theater marketing/subscription managers across the country (particularly in the midwest and the south), and while "Wicked" is the current rage among them, there is incredibly strong interest in "Piazza" both among the theater professionals and their audiences. It is a promising sign for future mid-level bookings for this show.