"SPAMALOT" TOUR CHEATS LA/SF THEATRE-GOERS

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:52pm

Read this message and tell me what you think!

I personally think the whole Vegas thing is getting ridiculuos, and if it is true that AZ, CA and NV are being excluded from the tour because of the Vegas stint, that sucks!

Also, it means that even if you DO want to go to Vegas, with a 90 minute run time you won't get the same experience as the B'Way show!

I seriously think they are selling out true B'Way fans for a quick buck in Vegas!
SPAMALOT CHEATS LA/SF THEATRE-GOERS

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:53pm

Well, now it's obvious which national tour I'm seeing next year. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, here I come!

[loganp37]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:55pm

What is the usual running time for the Broadway show?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:56pm

Well think of it this way. The Las Vegas company will probably be able to attract much bigger names then a national tour. 75 percent of the draw of the Broadway production is the current cast, not the material, so I think it wouldn't matter much if the show were 90 minutes instead of 120.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:57pm

I have to disagreee - I don't see a name wanting to do 14 shows a week... and regardless of the material, you're being cheated on the experience of the show as a whole...

[whiskedaway]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:59pm

eh, i wasint very interested in seeing it anyway.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:59pm

Oh, wah.
But who is going to want to do this show 12 times a week? Will they have two separate casts? That just seems like a lot of show every week.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:01pm

Well, yeah, they'd probably have two alternating casts...twelve shows a week would certainly tire anyone out.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:02pm

It's 12 times a week, not 14, and if thy are building an entire theatre to house the "Spamalot" experience, they're going to have to fill seats. Maybe they'll have rotating stars or stars on shorter contracts.

Spamalot is 100 percent commercial, silly fluff. It's not like they are sending Les Miz to Vegas and cutting it down to 90 minutes.

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:03pm

I personally wouldn't want to see a shortened version of the show. They'd have to cut out something very funny. The whole show is funny from the get go (with little in the way of flab). It's a shame really. If they can run the full length Mamma Mia with an intermission, then they should be able to do the same for Spam.

I'm not so upset about the show not touring, as it would be a good excuse to visit Vegas. The shortening really is discouraging and quite honestly I hope it fails to catch on. I definitely won't be visiting that production.

[lildogs]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:04pm

It's show biz, folks...theatre people are lucky to have a job, considering the profit margins theatre has in general...

I see nothing wrong with a direct to vegas transfer: it keeps the show alive, actors employed, and the audiences are so drunk they don't care!

I have a friend who is about to head there and do We Will Rock You and though it may not be his first choice, he's working!

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:06pm

Bennett, I think you are missing my point. And if it is the case that part of it is fluff, then why the hell wouldn't they simply cut the stuff from the B'Way show? I mean, wouldn't the producers rather have a good show at 90 minutes than a okay show at 120? So if it's okay for Vegas, why not B'Way?

Second, if they are going to do a cut down version, they should not deprive the CA, AZ and NV markets from choosing to see the FULL version by restricting the tour from playing there. Why not let the market decide what they want to see?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:06pm

And I think there have been articles about how Disney and other major producers are looking to create more sit down companies in Vegas, making it a mini Broadway of the West.

Though cutting the shows admittedly isn't ideal, perhaps if the "plan" catches on, and people start going to Vegas just for theatre (as they do just to gamble, etc), they'll start doing full length productions.

You have to start somewhere.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:09pm

That's a specious argument. You can still have a Vegas theatre community, without depriving other markets of the shows. This is about ONE thing - MONEY.

And what about Mamma Mia and Ave Q? Those are both full length shows... And full length tours always played Las Vegas, just not at casinos...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:16pm

Avenue Q is being cut for Vegas as well.
I understand your point LA GUY, and yes, it sucks that the west coast won't get to see the shows as they are presented on Broadway. But you have to consider that all theatre on this level is commercial.

My point is simply that at least they are trying this approach first with shows like AVENUE Q and SPAMALOT which can still be enjoyable with a shorter running time, rather then taking more "important" works and slashing them to fit the 90 minute mode.

[whiskedaway]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:25pm

wait, avenue Q is being cut also? i thought they werent changing anything? god damnit.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:41pm

Bennett - read the article: (Avenue Q, which bows in late August at Wynn Las Vegas, is one of the few musicals not being trimmed to 90 minutes before it hits Sin City.)

And yes - theatre is commercial, but like I said, let the market decide. Have Vegas sit down AND let it tour to CA and AZ.

[lildogs]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:44pm

LAGuy, the "Vegas theatre community?" you sure you want to coin that phrase? just kiddin! Cmon, Vegas provides many performing opportunities and Spamalot is one of them...besides, if they do want to use name talent, Vegas is one of the few places who can afford them

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:44pm

That's the first thing I've read about AVENUE Q not being trimmed by half an hour.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:46pm

Lildogs - Again - missing my point. And I believe it was Bennett who was suggesting that these cut down shows would create a theatre industry in Vegas... And listen, I'm not against Vegas having shows, but I think when it carves out an exclusiev against a few markets in particular (unlike Ave Q which is totally exclusive), it just strikes me as unfair and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Updated On: 7/25/05 at 01:46 PM

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:52pm

Do you think Spamalot only sold because of its cast? Personally the material is good enough that I could care less who was in it. The only role that demands a great level of Talent is that of Ms. Ramirez's Lady of the Lake. The whole Tour/Vegas thing has become so political. If this pisses off theatre owners and managers in western road houses, Tony voters will begin to vote totally different. Which could potentionally end (or cut back on) voting as a road marketing tool.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:52pm

I think if SPAMALOT is really that viable of a title by 2007 (I'm not sure it will be), you'll probably see a tour go out to the West Coast after it plays in Vegas exclusively for a period.

The West Coast WILL eventually get the show in its full version. Just not as quickly as it might have without the Vegas company.


Updated On: 7/25/05 at 01:52 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:53pm

I think it is horrible that CA, AZ and NV will not get to see the full show because Mr. Wynn is bringing it to Vegas. I personally will not see any show cut from its original length. And especially not in Vegas. Just my opinion.

Updated On: 7/25/05 at 01:53 PM

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 1:57pm

I agree uncageg - it also begins a slippery slope. I know this is a ridiculous example, but would a producer allow his show to be "bought" exclusively for the sole entertainment of say, a Sultan, if he simply agreed to pay more than any tour could gross? Or is theatre meant to be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Mr. Wynn is beginning to become a like a King, with his little shows being his minstrels to entertain his court, at the expense of a wider audience.

[LA Guy]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 2:01pm

Bennett, Bennett, Bennett - you seem naively optimistic...

From the AP report:

"The agreement calls for "Spamalot" to play at Wynn Las Vegas for 10 years if the hotel-casino picks up a three-year renewal option. The cast hasn't been determined but the show is slated to open in 2007."