Small, short and intermissionless shows - a bad trend for Broadway?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:33pm

I'll probably get slammed for this, but, I've seen, "Title of Show" and felt the perfect venue for it was off-Broadway. From what I've heard about, "Glory Days", same thing. There are intermissionless shows that work (i.e., Drowsey Chaperone and A Chorus Line), but to me those were full shows. Basically, these newer shows are charging Broadway prices for an intimate and short show that's playing in a venue that's too big.

What do you think?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:37pm

I feel sorry for the theater bartenders. Intermission is when they make their tips.

[maya5892]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:37pm

I think the format of the show doesn't matter as long as it is good quality.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:38pm

If, for some reason, GLORY DAYS were to get a TONY nomination...this would be the first year that three intermissionless 90 minute musicals were competing against each other.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:40pm

I too feel sorry for the bartenders. But I don't mind the intermissionless shows. I would not have wanted one for "Doubt". I think it would have broken the mood and the flow of the piece.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:45pm

If, for some reason, GLORY DAYS were to get a TONY nomination...this would be the first year that three intermissionless 90 minute musicals were competing against each other.

I know XANADU, but what's the third?

[Weez]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:47pm

I like one-act shows.

But I hate when people ram two one-act plays together and present 'em both in an evening with an intermission between.

No, I don't quite understand why either. :/

[blaxx]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:48pm

I guess s/he might be thinking that Catered Affair, Glory Days and Xanadu could all be nominated for Best Musical? Not to say it's impossible, but seems like a huge stretch.

[Calvin]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:52pm

That would require Passing Strange or In the Heights to be snubbed, which I highly doubt will happen.

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:53pm

I dont think its fair to say a show has to be a certain length to fetch a certain ticket price. If so, then a show that runs 2 hr and 40 min should cost more to see than a show that runs 2 hrs. 5 min.

It is however and interesting trend of which to take note. Certainly TV has primed all of us for shorter shows....and the bridge and tunnel crowd can see a show and be home before 11pm!

I'm not rooting for shorter shows, mind you. If it takes 90 minutes to tell a story, thats fine. If it takes three hours, thats fine too. As long as its a good show!

[shh282]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:53pm

I agree with Calvin - I think PS and ITH are shoe ins

next is Xanadu

then idk.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 2:55pm

I guess s/he might be thinking that Catered Affair, Glory Days and Xanadu could all be nominated for Best Musical? Not to say it's impossible, but seems like a huge stretch.

Ah, I see. I thought maybe I had forgotten if PASSING STRANGE had an intermission or not.

Yeah, I don't see any chance that all three of those will be nominated.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 3:02pm

I'd rather spend money for 90 minutes of a good show than the same for 3 hours of drek. And, as far as I'm concerned, all the full-length new musicals (possibly excepting Passing Strange) have been drek of the highest (lowest) order.

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 3:06pm

"If, for some reason, GLORY DAYS were to get a TONY nomination...this would be the first year that three intermissionless 90 minute musicals were competing against each other."

Why are you not sure that GD will get nominated, but seem positive about the other two? Aren't they ALL just guesses?

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 3:37pm

It doesn't bother me. If the quality's good, less is more. However, there are some one-act straight plays I have seen--THE RECEPTIONIST, for one--where I felt a little gypped for paying more than $50 for something so short. Write a curtain-raiser fer Chrissakes!

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 3:41pm

I think it's unfair to say that all one-act musicals should be off-Broadway. Look at Spelling Bee. It was perfect for the Circle in the Square, and I don't think there were many people who left their feeling like they paid too much for a show that kept them laughing the whole time. Sure, a one-act musical is a different experience, but as long as it's not tedious, it's actual better in some respects by not losing the illusion of the show in between.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 4:21pm

I dunno.

It works for Spelling Bee, it works for Xanadu.

But I really enjoy intermission. I like taking a break to take the show in and look through the playbill. I would have loved a second act in DROWSY CHAPERONE, I just feel like it could support it.

[osage08]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 4:25pm

I agree that it's wrong to judge a show based on its length but I am usually a bit hesitant before spending money (even while rushing) for a one act show. As long as it's a show that can hold my interest and attention, I enjoy longer shows. Of course there are exceptions. A Chorus, for example, worked fine as a single act show and I couldn't imagine it with an intermission.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 5:11pm

well, I feel if a show is only 90 minutes long, they shouldn't charge the full $111 price. It should be reduced to $90 or so.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 6:11pm

As long as people keep plunking down their bucks to see them they will keep coming & the prices will keep going up.

Updated On: 4/23/08 at 06:11 PM

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 6:26pm

They could charge per-minute. Xanadu would be about $89, and Les Mis could charge $175.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 6:28pm

does anyone remember what terrible flop, on Broadway, cut their intermission so people wouldn't be as inclined to leave???

I've heard the story several times. I just can't remember which musical did that...
Updated On: 4/23/08 at 06:28 PM

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 7:35pm

^was it "in my life" ?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 7:36pm

TDH, was it something that David Merrick produced? I vaguely remember reading something about that, too.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/23/08 at 7:44pm

i wish all shows and plays were only one act. I have trouble sitting still for a long time, and I hate intermissions.