#1
Posted: 3/26/08 at 4:40pm
Here is a topic of conversation... Just something I was thinking about when trying to find a time to see CURTAINS before it ends its run.
I am not sure how well educated in music theatre history posters on this board are but I find it distressing that shows now are either smash hits that make millions or lose money with very little in between. This is not a healthy environment for the music theatre.
CURTAINS is an ideal example. That started me on this train of thought. Here is a show that recieved encouraging fairly kind reviews although not raves. It was an entertaining evening in the theatre. Fun, amusing, and everything most people who see musicals want out of their evening. It had big produciton numbers, fun costumes, solid sets AND most importantly of all some solid good old fashion music theatre performances. Built around personalities. And a wonderful star turn by a celebrity with a passion and zest for musical theatre. Everything about this show was filled with good old fashion showmanship, skill, and effort. It ran over a year and to houses of around 80% give or take for most of the first year.
Here is the heartbreak. I believe that when this show closes it will have most likely have recouped little more than half of its initial investment!!! WHAT! that is terrible. It is sad that this business can no longer support shows like this. Something than get run for a year. make a little money. Entertian and make way for something new. This is the way it used be!
50 years ago a show like this would have made some money. Been considered a success even though it was not a classic and the music theatre cannon would have been richer for it. The Broadway of today either has something that loses money or hits and runs for 10 years. I miss the inbetween..
(PS- I am 28 years old so it is not like am some old guy talking about the good old days. I am just sorry I missed them)
I am not sure how well educated in music theatre history posters on this board are but I find it distressing that shows now are either smash hits that make millions or lose money with very little in between. This is not a healthy environment for the music theatre.
CURTAINS is an ideal example. That started me on this train of thought. Here is a show that recieved encouraging fairly kind reviews although not raves. It was an entertaining evening in the theatre. Fun, amusing, and everything most people who see musicals want out of their evening. It had big produciton numbers, fun costumes, solid sets AND most importantly of all some solid good old fashion music theatre performances. Built around personalities. And a wonderful star turn by a celebrity with a passion and zest for musical theatre. Everything about this show was filled with good old fashion showmanship, skill, and effort. It ran over a year and to houses of around 80% give or take for most of the first year.
Here is the heartbreak. I believe that when this show closes it will have most likely have recouped little more than half of its initial investment!!! WHAT! that is terrible. It is sad that this business can no longer support shows like this. Something than get run for a year. make a little money. Entertian and make way for something new. This is the way it used be!
50 years ago a show like this would have made some money. Been considered a success even though it was not a classic and the music theatre cannon would have been richer for it. The Broadway of today either has something that loses money or hits and runs for 10 years. I miss the inbetween..
(PS- I am 28 years old so it is not like am some old guy talking about the good old days. I am just sorry I missed them)
