Sure, but the Nederlanders own many theaters in many cities including Broadway in Detroit. Broadway in Tuscon, San Diego, North Charleston, Los Angeles, San Jose.
So, there is more to the number of shows that start in Chicago than the Nederlander influence. "If/Then" started in Washington, DC, in a non-Nederlander theater, but is in a Nederlander theater on broadway. They own 4 theaters in Los Angeles, but no where near the number of shows have their pre-broadway tryout in LA. Chicago has been a "theater town" for decades and the infrastructure that history has created has been what attracted the nederlander organization and the shows. Detroit used to be a "theater town" with more major theaters and theater seats than NYC in the 50's and it was a regular pre-broadway tryout location back then, but has lost its theater going public.
LA is certainly not lacking in actors or rehearsal space or theaters, but it is not a "theater town." And thus lacks the audience willing to see new works in the numbers to attract pre-broadway tryouts in great numbers. Seattle is becoming a "theater town" and has seen several major try-outs in recent years without a Nederlander theatre.
Updated On: 1/13/15 at 02:17 PM
