Namo: my posts, yours, several others took this on last week, in response to the naysayers about the supposedly small numbers for Part One. I won't repeat our POV. But...
I had another glass-half-full reaction to the Perestroika numbers: the same syndrome happened on Broadway. Remember, Perestroika opened six months after Millenium debuted (and had sold out the Kerr, often). Many felt Part One was a wholly satisfying evening unto itself. When Perestroika came along, they said "but I already SAW Angels in America." To my surprise, even savy theatergoers thought they'd HAD the experience. They liked it, just didn't want more. It's the strength of Kushner's craft that Millenium feels as complete as it is. Perestroika did NOT have the same b.o. bump after the initial debut; the show had a decent run, but only survived one full change of cast.
So I think this dip shouldn't be approached in exactly the same way a 2nd night of, say, LONESOME DOVE would be evaluated. A certain percentage of HBO subscribers probably felt they'd invested sufficient time--and why not believe, as on B'way, that a large percentage appreciated it. I am still convinced the filmed play will have a long shelf life, repeated on HBO, and then available on DVD.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Updated On: 12/17/03 at 05:45 PM
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