Questions for Roxy, Dollypop and any other loooong time theater patrons - Page 4

[Hellob]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 12:10pm

HogansHero said: ""It is about bragging rights"

 

It's not about f****ing bragging rights. A lot of people have waited a long time for a musical that is actually this good. I saw it the first time (as did many here) for peanuts when no one knew what it was. And as many others have said, the hype is no hype. You don't like it (or, to be more accurate, you don't think you would like it). Great. It happens. But do not dare tell me or others here that we are cattle; that's just ignorant. 

 

"

I could be mistaken but I don't think that he's necessarily begrudging anyone here personally but this is the audience so the thoughts land here. I totally agree that the show is great and most of us love it but there are people out there who are going for the sake of going. They are the cattle, not you. I've had friends text me after seeing Eminem or Oprah, etc had gone and now HAVE to go. That's cattle. It's the same with cronuts, Apple products, the crazy milkshakes at black tap, etc. While we all have the right to get into the show however we choose, we all probably find something that others do crazy. Someone who doesn't mind standing in the cancellation line for 8 hours or spending $1500 on SH might deem someone insane doing the same for an iPhone. :)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 12:11pm

According to Hogan, shows like this do not entail bragging rights. I did see the original ACL & Chicago. I preferred Chicago but enjoyed ACL as well.

 

By the way, we need to send out a search party to find Dollypop

Updated On: 2/19/16 at 12:11 PM

[Hellob]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 12:14pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "Regarding ticket prices, $40 for a ticket to CATS in 1982 was definitely an exorbitant outlier in the ticket pricing norms of the time. I know my center orchestra seat to a Saturday matinee of A CHORUS LINE in 1975 was $15. If you want to calculate the inflation since then, I think that would be a more legitimate mean starting point.

 

 

 

The insanity surrounding getting a seat to HAMILTON will tell you exactly what it was like trying to score a seat to ACL back in '75, with the one major difference of the outrageous costs of dreaded premium seats you have today. But the endless lines for any cancellation tix at each performance, the strategies for when to snag a place on line, the gamble of dealing with a 3rd party broker, all the bragging rights once you actually saw the show-- yeah, the whole experience in 1975 was pretty much a match for today.

 

"

It's $66.05 today so a mega steal for a groundbreaking and must see show. Do you know if they upped the price every few months like Hamilton? 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 12:19pm

Once the nominations are announced, prices will rise. Once they get the awards, ditto. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 12:47pm

Roxy is confounding fantastic word of mouth and bragging rights. 

I have never criticized anyone for liking or disliking any show. What I have leveled harsh criticism toward is people who suggest that, because they did not like a show, others did not really like it even though they say they did. And I dump even more criticism on people who don't even have a legitimate basis for liking or disliking a show because they have not seen it. But furthermore, I have never criticized anyone for deciding not to see a show for any reason. There is a logical disconnect that escapes Roxy. 

Are there people who go to shows because of WOM? Of course. Are there people who don't like the shows they saw based on WOM? Of course. This happens to me all the time. But bragging rights is not why people go to shows they have heard about: they go because they want something to love and hope this might be it. To persist in having a chip on your shoulder because you can't see something seems akin to an irrational jealousy reaction. In case you haven't noticed, there are a boatload of folks who think Hamilton is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and there is a broad excitement about the show that we have not seen in many of our theatre-going lives. How can someone claim to be a lover of theatre and not think that is a good thing? 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 1:22pm

 

I'm glad not to be included.

 

To paraphrase Miss Adelaide, "I may be old, but I'm not old as all THAT."

 

 

Updated On: 2/19/16 at 01:22 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 1:26pm

You left out the sneeze.  

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:18pm

Hellob said: "Hi- Since I know you to be a long time theater goer, I was wondering if you could answer some questions like a theater AMA

Ax

R1. Besides the well discussed behavior of the current audiences, what is the biggest difference between the past and the present theater audience?  As others have said, better dressed in the olden days.   I hate how they line up to go into the theatre.  I don't know when that started.  For at least my first 40 years of going, people just milled into the theatre, and there was never a problem.  What is it with these lines to 8th Avenue?  They are like Lemmings

 

2. Did shows usually offer discounts like they do now? What about lottery/rush? If not, when was that implemented?  twofers, as mentioned earlier.  For awhile, students could get an American Express discount.  That's about it.  BUT, you could get cheap seats back in the 60s, 70s, 80s.  Not sure when it stopped, but even if you couldn't get discount tickets, the cheaper seats WERE cheaper, not much more than the cost of a movie.

 

3. With the exception of huge hits with huge prices, do you think theater is more or less accessible now?  Less accessible.  I see average prices in the weekly gross tallies and I can't figure out how to get tix at those prices.  I remember thinking when I saw The Audience that young people could not see the show, because the cheapest tix were appx $85.  When I saw the 1973 production of A Moon for the Misbegotten, the cheap seats were $3.  Hell, the orchestra was only $8 vs. $145 or so now.  What else has gone up that much in price?  Theatre prices have gone up at least 15 times (forgetting about premium seats -- in 1964, I picked up center Orchestra seats for Hello Dolly for my parents for $9.60, they would be $450 now...that's 45 times).  I actually have less of a problem with the concept of premium seats than I do with the fact that for many shows there is no such thing as a cheap seat.  There should always be cheap seats, and you shouldn't have to rely on lotteries...you need to be able to plan for them.

4. Has there ever been something as crazy as the Hamilton fervor? If not, what is the closest example and how did people react?  The Hamilton craze is pretty amazing.  I think that Hello Dolly probably approached it in those days, maybe even Fiddler, but they did not reach it.  Back in those days, tickets were a lot harder to purchase...you didn't have Telecharge or the Internet, many people did not have credit cards (I am not even sure that credit cards were used for theatre in those days...I was too young to have one).  When a show like Hello Dolly opened, you could wait on line for 2 hours to pay with cash to get tickets, or you had to send in a mail order with a check, and you never knew where the seats were going to be.  I can remember some pretty amazing phenomena or a different type...Marat Sade and the Peter Brook A Midsummer Nights Dream were monster hits of epic proportions, probably largely due to the fact that they were limited engagements.  But they were nothing like Hamilton.

5. Has the change from majority original works from iconic writers and composers to jukebox and screen to stage tarnished the prestige of Broadway?   I personally don't think so.  While I would like to see more shows with good new scores, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy Ain't Misbehaving, Mamma Mia, Beautiful, and Jersey Boys.  I'd rather see a new musical, but if it is not a good musical, give me a good juke box musical.  Hell, a mediocre juke box musical is  in some ways more entertaining that a mediocre new musical...at least the songs are likely to be good.

6. Do the stars of yesterday outshine the ones of today?  In musicals, no.  I am not sure there will ever be another Barbara Harris, but it is not like she was in a lot of shows.  In those days, we had Zero Mostel, Gwen Verdon, a young Angela Lansbury...today, we have Nathan Lane and Audra MacDonald and Jessie Mueller, etc.  in drama, a different story.  Then, we regularly had Jason Robards, James Earl Jones, Christopher Plummer, Henry Fonda, Hume Cronyn, Colleen Dewhurst, Zoe Caldwell, Julie Harris, Geraldine Page, Irene Worth, Maureen Stapleton, Jane Alexander.  How many appearing today compare to that list: Cherry Jones.

 

7. Dismissing shows like "The Hamilton" and BOM, when adjusted for inflation are prices significantly higher (excluding premium seats)  see answer to #3

 

8. What are the moments/shows that had a big impact on you?

Every second of A Moon for the Misbegotten

Every second of Nicholas Nickleby

Angela Lansbury's chilling Rose's Turn in a great production of Gypsy.  She is still the best Mamma Rose I have seen

Zoe Caldwell in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Irene Worth in Sweet Bird of Youth

James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander in The Great White Hope

Sweeney Todd...everything about it, including one off he greatest Act 1 closing numbers ever

The  original productions of Follies and Mame

Put on your Sunday Clothes and Hello Dolly numbers from Hello Dolly

A New Argentina from the original production of Evita

The last 15 minutes of Nine

And I am Telling You and Step Into the Bad Side from Dreamgirls

Jim Dale in Scapino...not sure I ever laughed so hard until The Producers

Patricia Routledge and Not on Your Nellie from Darling of the Day

Christopher Plummer in Cyrano

Maggie Smith warning how potent cheap music is in Privatee Lives

Rosemary Harris Having a nervous breakdown in The Royal Family

Barbara Harris in The Apple Tree...the greatest musical performance I have ever seen

Phil Silvers in A Funny Thing Happened

Anthony Hopkins and Peter Firth sparring in the amazing Equus, followed by an amazing performance from Richard Burton in Hopkins' role

Lillian Hayman singing her heart out in Hallelujah Baby, a very under appreciated musical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. If you could go back in time and bring back any show you've seen, what would it be?

The original productions of Follies, Mame, Darling of the Day and Cyrano with Christopher Plummer, and the revival of A Funny Thing Happened with Phil Silvers

Nicholas Nickleby, the 1973 revival of A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie for Zoe Caldwell's performance, the 197X revival of The Royal Family, The Great While Hope with James Earl Jones

 

That's all for now, but I might think of more. Thanks!!

 

ETA I don't know all the older members' handles who have been going for 40 years or more so if you fall into the category, I would love to hear your thoughts and I think many others would, too. : )

 

"

 

Updated On: 2/19/16 at 02:18 PM

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:27pm

Mr Roxy said: "Greased just proved my point. If he cannot be the star in the baseball game, he will pick up his ball, bat & glove & go home.

 

 

 

If the thread is not about Hamilton, it is irrelevant to many.

 

"

Hold up: you're the **** who brings up Hamilton on pretty much every thread you post on, irrespective of its content. Are you really that unaware of your actions?

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:28pm

Hogan's Hero said: " To persist in having a chip on your shoulder because you can't see something seems akin to an irrational jealousy reaction."

 

Hogan I agree that that is exactly how it comes off.  

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:29pm

I saw many of the moments you describe in # 8 & ditto for # 9 with 2 exceptions I did not see. Regretfully, this Broadway is long gone and is not coming back.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:31pm

"

 

Hold up: you're the **** who brings up Hamilton on pretty much every thread you post on, irrespective of its content. Are you really that unaware of your actions?

 

"

Of course he knows....it's been pointed out to him several times.  But of course, that's just bullies and braggarts.

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:34pm

Mr Roxy said: "Regretfully, this Broadway is long gone and is not coming back."

 

EVERYTHING evolves, change is inevitable. If everything stayed the same and stagnated then the world would be a pretty boring place to live in. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:40pm

Hogan you proved my point with your latest comments re your attitude

 

Let me state this clearly - I am not jealous not seeing Hamilton . My wife and I are on about half our annual income after we both retired. We have no intention of paying these prices under our current situation. It is not that important to us. If it is to you and others great. It is not for us. You also proved my point re ostracizing anyone who does not see the show. It is a ******* Broadway show . When the Producers opened it got raves. There were still people who did not like it . They were not crapped on than simply because they did not like it. There is no need to attack people who have a different opinion than you. You love the show - great. We are not seeing it and we are fine with it. Here is a question for you. You see Hamilton & walk out of the theater. You are crossing the street and you get hit by a speeding car and you die. If that happened, how important is the show or any show ?

 

I again repeat WE ARE NOT JEALOUS OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE WHO SEES HAMILTON. Go & enjoy yourself. Have I made myself clear. I certainly hope so

[HogansHero]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:42pm

Theater_Nerd said:

EVERYTHING evolves, change is inevitable."

That's true, as is the fact that the world includes some folks who insist on building a fortress out of nostalgia. 

 

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:42pm

With all due respect Mr. Roxy actions do in the end speak louder than words..even if those words happen to be typed.

 

You have consistently criticized "Hamilton", a show I might add you have never seen every single chance you get and berate those on this board who have seen it. 

 

You lack self awareness my friend. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:44pm

So do us all a favor, either a) stop posting about Hamilton (or else we will be left to believe you are in fact jealous and, after that last post, a little schizophrenic) or b) just stop posting here...period. 

[Hellob]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:44pm

For the sake of keeping the peace and encouraging more long time attendees to reply, let's just move on from the Hamilton debate here unless it's in regards to comparing the past sensations. 

Pal Joey, Hogans, etc, I'm not sure of anyone's age and experiences so if anyone feels they are in the category and wants to reply, please feel free. It's very interesting! :)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:47pm

Why did I think my last post would be ignored. It is hard to ignore it as every other thread is about it.

 

I will promise that henceforth I will not even look at a thread regarding it nor will I mention it by name. This is like a slow torture or the death of a 1000 cuts.

 

Continue going back and forth on this as I am finished with this thread which did not start out as a discussion about it but naturally turned into one. Cannot say I am shocked. See ya

[Hellob]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:48pm

Most of you have mentioned the twofer coupons. How were they obtained? Did all shows offer them or is it like today where only certain shows participate? 

[Theater_Nerd]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:54pm

Well now that we've gotten that out of the way...I am old enough to remember all the hype surrounding "A Chorus Line" when it started out at The Public and eventually moved to Broadway. I remember most people having that cast album in their record collection, even people who normally did not purchase cast albums. 

 

It was truly a cultural phenomenon. It was a very, very hard show to get tickets to. Back in the 70s there were still variety shows and many popular entertainers of the day would sing various songs from the show's score. "What I Did For Love" was one that was performed quite often.

 

I do remember that even Diana Ross included some of the songs from the show in one of her concerts around 1976 I believe. She performed "The Music and the Mirror", "Dance: 10; Looks: 3" and "What I Did For Love".

 

 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:57pm

Mr Roxy said: "I will promise that henceforth I will not even look at a thread regarding it nor will I mention it by name. This is like a slow torture or the death of a 1000 cuts.

 

 

 

Continue going back and forth on this as I am finished with this thread which did not start out as a discussion about it but naturally turned into one. Cannot say I am shocked. See ya

 

"

F*CKwod: you turned it into a Hamitlon conversation!  See your first posts on this thread. And while I'm entirely supportive of your promise, take it a step farther: don't mention Hamilton at all. By name or by the obnoxious-as-****-pseudonyms that you somehow believe are clever. 

 

Then, we have a deal!

 

[Hellob]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 2:58pm

Mr Roxy said: "Why did I think my last post would be ignored. It is hard to ignore it as every other thread is about it.

 

 

 

I will promise that henceforth I will not even look at a thread regarding it nor will I mention it by name. This is like a slow torture or the death of a 1000 cuts.

 

 

 

Continue going back and forth on this as I am finished with this thread which did not start out as a discussion about it but naturally turned into one. Cannot say I am shocked. See ya

 

"

You don't have to go. That's the opposite of what I'd like. Let's just not let the topic get away bc it's a volatile topic and I get where you're coming from but if it's ok, it'd be nice to focus on all of your interesting experiences instead of having a Hamilton debate. The show gets enough attention so let's talk more about the things that don't get the spotlight. For example, I didn't even know Superman was on Broadway, how did they do the flying? Wires, I assume but was it done well? Another thing, I'm assuming a show like that brings children. Did children behave much better than today's kids who talk, whine, squirm and walk the aisles? 

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 3:00pm

Gosh, it's crazy to think the cheap seats at a Broadway show wouldn't be much more than a movie ticket. Even here in Seattle it can be hard to find anything that's less than $30, unless you're a student or it's a preview performance. I'd love to see that kind of inclusive pricing brought back - theater for the rest of us, please.

[haterobics]

Posted: 2/19/16 at 3:35pm

Mr Roxy said: "I again repeat WE ARE NOT JEALOUS OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE WHO SEES HAMILTON. Go & enjoy yourself. Have I made myself clear. I certainly hope so"

 

But you will still turn every thread into a Hamilton thread by bringing it up directly or indirectly, and then complain that no one can talk about anything but Hamilton?