The Cubby / Xanadu Campaign: What Does Broadway Think About It?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 6:49pm

Hello. I've been laughing along the various Cubby segments on YouTube. Many people "get it", while a few don't. I am curious as to what "Xanadu's" competitors for Best Musical: Cry-Baby, In The Heights and Passing Strange might think of Cubby and his efforts. Aside from the people who have aleady given testimonials, what do people in the Broadway community think of Cubby Berstein and his Tony campaign for "Xanadu"? Just wondering.... from RC in Austin, Texas... Landing shortly at JFK tomorrow morning...

P.S. YES IT CAN!!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 7:55pm

Well... I'm wondering if people in the Broadway community think it is funny and ingenious. Perhaps "Xanadu's" competitors are gnashing their teeth thinking... "now how come I didn't think of that?" For the most part, people here on BWW seem to luv it. What do others think of it? from RC in Austin, Texas

[antiandrewx]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 7:58pm

I think it's entertaining, but I don't think it's going to effect the outcome of the Tony awards at all. The kid is a little annoying though. (For the record, I'm rooting for In the Heights.)

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 7:59pm

Honestly, they probably laugh at it but feel a little sorry for the Xanadu folks because they aren't going to win.
Avenue Q's campaign worked because it painted the show as a scrappy Rocky type against a huge corporate juggernaut that got mixed reviews (Wicked).
Unfortunately, Xanadu's main contenders (Cry Baby should be thrilled to be nominated) are even more homegrown and little-show-that-could-ish than it.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:02pm

When I first heard of it I thought it was stupid. Then I watched the videos and I now think they're hilarious and am a suscriber to the Cubby youtube account.
But, like one of the posters above me, I don't think it should have ANY power over Tony voters. It should be all about the SHOWS, not youtube videos.
However, Cubby is an interesting way to bring Broadway to the youtube generation.
I don't know how Broadway bigwigs think about this, but there's my thoughts.

Updated On: 6/9/08 at 08:02 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:06pm

Some bits of it are humorous, but I feel most of it is just unfunny. I don't understand the hype behind it, but each to their own, I suppose.

[Elphie3]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:12pm

I want to know what Cubby will post if "Xanadu" looses - b/c of course it will be the first time that Cubby has ever lost...

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:18pm

Personally, I think its a bit of overkill. "Xanadu" is a good enough show to stand on its own, without being thrown in people's faces.

It received great (and well-deserved!) reviews, has a great cast, a brilliant book, and is extremely fun !

Dont think it needs Cubby.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:18pm

I think it's getting a message out there, albeit to a limited audience. In my opinion, all the nominees have drawbacks:

1. Passing Srange -- It's somewhat specialized, doesn't have a very cohesive book, and would probably be lost without Stew.
2. In the Heights -- The book is just downright awful and the music (though good) has somewhat limited appeal for Broadway audiences).
3. Cry-Baby -- Almost a "fill-in" contender. (Catered Affair is too specialized and does not have a good score, period, ergo Cry-Baby's nomination).
4. Xanadu -- Going against it is the source material, which, once theatergoers get past that, is irrelevant. It's loads of fun, does what it sets out (entertain) to do brilliantly. However, being a favorite of the gay community may stand in its way. I've sentdozens of initially reluctant theatergoers who, once they've seen it, go back for second helpings. Certainly my choice, but, then, I'm not a Tony voter.

In the end, probably a crap shoot.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:26pm

I don't like it. I really think that the whole campaign just sort of cheapens the award process.

That being said, I am rooting whole-heartedly for In The Heights.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 8:54pm

<< 2. In the Heights -- The book is just downright awful and the music (though good) has somewhat limited appeal for Broadway audiences).
>>

How would you know about the book when you didnt see the Broadway production, Ed? There have been numerous changes since the off-broadway run.

"Xanadu" << However, being a favorite of the gay community may stand in its way >>

Why should it? If the Tony voters feel that the show is better than the other nominated shows, it should win.

Its entertainment. I know NUMEROUS straight people that loved "Xanadu".
Updated On: 6/9/08 at 08:54 PM

[Boq101]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:00pm

i find everything about the campaign humorous except for cubby, little boy needs to be a little more...anything. he doesnt cut it for me.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:07pm

I said it in the other Cubby thread (ONE of the other Cubby threads)--and several posters agreed with me:

I still find Cubby himself grotesque and repulsive and unfunny, but with the participation of Nathan and Cheyenne and Annie and Patti, the campaign has become witty.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:16pm

I find it generally annoying across the board, but I do think Dyllun is hot.

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:19pm

Guys, the question is what does BROADWAY think, not what us shlubs think.

:)

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:25pm

To be fair, five of the letters in my name are also in Broadway, and they come in the same order, so you can see how I'd get confused.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:29pm

I'm rooting for In The Heights but I'll be most interested to see how this show actually affects the awards ceremony. And I'll be seeing In The Heights (and Gypsy) no matter what the outcome. Thank you and goodnight.

[winston89]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:40pm

I never saw any of the Cubby videos until I saw a taping for one on Friday night on my way into Xanadu. I dind't find it funny or cleaver at all. I feel that if the producers think that the show is good then it should let the show stand on its own.

I don't find this to be the same thing as the Avenue Q "Vote Your Heart" campaign. I feel that Q would have won without that campaign becuase when you get right down to it it is the better show compared to something like Wicked. And it showed people that you don't need something like special effects onstage to be a Tony winning best musical.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:42pm

I was basically responding to the OP, and the comment that most of the BWW community seems to luv it-

As far as Broadway itself-- I can see where they MIGHT find it a bit amusing, but can see them laughting AT the whole thing.

[ahmelie]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:50pm

To be fair, five of the letters in my name are also in Broadway, and they come in the same order, so you can see how I'd get confused.

*sits and thinks for a minute*

OH! BRODY!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:54pm

most of the BWW community seems to luv it

Actually, the opposite seems more to be true.

[harris007]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 9:57pm

i wonder if cubby were a 19 year old ina thong if you haters would still be hating

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:00pm

No one is "hating" harris. This was a thread asking for opinions, and we gave ours.

And if Cubby were a 19-year old in a thong, I'd still find it annoying.

[sally1112]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:04pm

Many Broadway stars must be in favor of the spots because they keep getting big names to do the spots.
It makes me wonder, are they doing the spots just to be a part of "it" and have fun, or are they really pulling for Xanadu to beat out the other nominated shows.
I never thought that producers of the other nominated shows could view the participants in these videos as campaigning against their shows, but that is a possibility.

[NYCboy2]

Posted: 6/9/08 at 10:10pm

horrendous!