THE STORY OF MY LIFE previews at the Booth Feb. 3 — Page 2

PRFRMR20, I respectfully disagree.

ALTAR BOYZ and MY FIRST TIME are a couple of the few exceptions.

It took ALTAR BOYZ more than three years to recoup. Not every producer can afford to be that patient.

The other shows you listed were not produced Off-Broadway recently.

The climate is different nowadays.

I saw WHAT'S THAT SMELL Off-Broadway last week. Received raves at the Atlantic and transferred to New World's 199 seat theatre for a commercial run. The theatre wasn't half filled.

Tourists don't know Off-Broadway exists. They visit NYC and want to see Broadway shows.

And as long as there are producers and investors willing to put these shows on Broadway, lucky for the authors, they will, and the shows will gain exposure and awards recognition even if they don't recoup.

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Updated On: 11/24/08 at 12:42 AM

Thanks for your respectful response!

To respectfully respond a little to your post:

1. In todays economy recouping is going to take time... should investors be putting money into the stock market or into long term cds, bonds, etc. It is like going to Las Vegas with your money to try to make a fast return on your money today.

2. There are plenty of unsuccessful small Off-bway shows but there are plenty of unsuccessful big Broaday shows as well. I am saying that based on the past small shows to have a life in NY and beyond (cds, music, regional) the majority, if not all, have been Off-Bway.

3. I agree that Tourists don't go to NYC to see an Off-Bway show. But tourists aren't what make an Off-Bway show successful. Tourists don't go to NY to pay $120 to see a 2 man show (no matter how artistically amazing it is). The small shows that are successful come from word of mouth in the theatre-going communities in NY, NJ, CT, PA and those who are visiting NY who "know" theatre. Though having tourist come is great, they are not the original target audience and thus having tourists be the target audience (Broadway) a small show on Broadway probably won't work.

4. Yes that is great for the authors. All I am saying is that especially today, it makes more sense to start off-bway and then transfer to Bway if it is a huge success (look at Spring Awakening, which happens to be closing sooner than everyone originally thought). Would you rather risk less money and invest in the "historically" smart next Off-Broadway show (Altar Boyz) or take a gamble and invest in the next Broadway flop (Glory Days). I would love for "The Story of My Life" to succeed even though I know nothing about it except for the Director and Cast, but moving it to Broadway seems destined for failure whereas starting it Off-Bway allows more options for a fruitful future

Well, you look at a show like SPRING AWAKENING, that started at an Off-Broadway non-profit, sold out, and moved to Broadway, and won a bunch of Tony Awards, and recouped.

Then you look at a show like GREY GARDENS which started at an Off-Broadway non-profit, sold out, moved to Broadway, won a bunch of Tony Awards, and lost every penny put into it.

Then we look at IN THE HEIGHTS, which started with an Off-Broadway commercial run, did not sell out at all, was considered by many to be a niche-show, was moved to Broadway anyway, and won a bunch of Tony Awards. The verdict is still out on whether it will recoup.

My point is you just never know what will stick. There is no set formula on what works and what doesn't.

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I think we are all on the side of art.

And art succeeding by getting exposure and recognition both critically and financially.

Art being given the opportunity to make a mark in the musical theatre canon and live on.

Like I said, there is no formula.

Each piece of art with each set of producers has a different potential of succeeding or failing on different levels.

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AMEN! Long live Art!

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 01:22 AM

Yero my Hero, yes, that's exactly what I meant by "COMMERCIAL Off-Broadway is dead."

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You better learn how to spell Richard Rodgers if you want to apply for an award named after him.

Grey Gardens seems to be off to a good start
with regional productions.


http://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/upcomingprodspro.asp

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 01:59 AM

Both changes were made...

1. As I said I don't know much about Grey Gardens. I knew it was at either Atlantic or PH and thought the wrong one because I was talking about SA as well.
2. I am not the author or the one who submitted. I participated as an actor in a staged reading at a predominant theatre in NYC and also sang on the demo recording. The show was submitted and we have high hopes for it. (The composer had a previous show that was a finalist for the Award)

Thank you for your corrections. In the words of Nathan Detroit, "Sue me." I am typing a lot and fast and it is late and I think I have made some very valuable statements/arguments that are far more important than to solely correct a missing letter.

EDIT: I meant to also say... that's great for Grey Gardens. But compare those 6 to:

http://www.MTIshows.com/show_home.asp?id=000240
http://www.MTIshows.com/show_home.asp?id=000191
and the every top regional theatre production of Altar Boyz!

I don't think that is a valid argument

Updated On: 11/24/08 at 02:13 AM

Yes!! February seems to be a pretty big month for Broadway. After seeing him in Rent, I am definitely signing on for this.

I attended Bound For Broadway at Merkin Concert Hall last week, where Will Chase and Malcolm Gets sang Mrs. Remington and The Butterfly. Two genuinely beautiful songs, sung by two outstanding performers. It definitely stirred my interest and can't wait for this show to open.

alisadm, if you're still interested in posting photo scans: http://www.picoodle.com/

I saw this show in Toronto in a professional production mounted with Brent Carver as one of the leads. I forget the other actor's name, but his performance outshone Brent's, possibly due to the nature of the role. I did feel there was some gorgeous music in the show as well as some lovely moments. I am aware much work has been done on the show since that time. Still, I don't believe the average Bdwy theater-goer is going to get much bang for his/her bucks. Like A Catered Affair, I think it will be appreciated and respected, but it all comes down to the bottom dollar, doesn't it? Hopefully this show will find an audience of discerning theater-goers who will keep it running, but....

Are there any audio or video clips of this show online? I'm dying to hear or see something from it (hopefully it'll help me decide between seeing this or Guys and Dolls)