The reach of Dear Evan Hansen- Page 2

[Mike66]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 12:51pm

Mike66 said: "If your point is that you think that this show is having some huge existential impact on America/Theater and "Culture", I will respectfully note that here in Ohio no one has heard of it, let alone thinks it has some message that informs their lives.

Raised on Musicals said:  Ohio has a population of about 11.6 million people. It's really interesting that with that many people, not one of them has heard of DEH  Thanks for sharing that amazing fact. 

To Raised on Musicals, and to those who behave likewise:

Over the 2+ years that I've been reading these boards, I am continually struck by the level of rudeness and sheer obnoxious behavior by many posters.  For much of that time, I convinced myself that it was "an in joke" or that the lack of civility was among a few people who had been friends for a long time and were 'razzing' each other.

But its not.  

Far too many posters feel this is their change to behave in ways which I assume they never would face to face.  

I started reading and posting because I enjoy theater and thought it was a great place to learn more, ask questions and share opinions knowing that the community shared the interest in Broadway and theater generally.  I didn't expect to be insulted anonymously most of the time that  I have the gaul to actually offer an opinion.

Since Broadway World provides this site in order to promote and sell things, maybe they should consider whether their mission is really be advanced by creating a place where folks act poorly and the rest of us have to put up with it.

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 1:26pm

One aspect of many shows that attain legendary status is a story that isn't set in the "modern" world. For example, Phantom and Les Mis are period pieces, and Lion King and Wicked are fantasies that aren't at all tied to the realities of the world we live in and hence are timeless.

One could argue that RENT is a period piece. However, some folks feel it's a show that hasn't aged well, and this may be at least partially because it tells the story of a reality that is no longer as relate-able to audiences (i.e., AIDS has become more of a chronic-but-manageable condition than the death sentence it was when RENT was created).

Similarly, the plot of Dear Evan Hansen is tied to the social media technologies of the moment. This is an aspect of modern life that is changing so quickly that the show could be rife with anachronisms in a few years. If so, continued success would depend on its either being perceived as a period piece, or being updated with new technology to reflect current trends.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 1:50pm

Mike66, with all due respect, I think the response, although sarcastic, was wondering how you, yourself, would know that the entire population of Ohio does not know about the show unless you know each and every resident of the state.

[Rainah]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 2:26pm

It's a good comment on Rent, and about contemporary musicals in general - is it even possible to turn them into period pieces? Period pieces are generally written with the understanding that the audience needs to be eased into the norms of the setting, whereas contemporary musicals are written with the understanding that the audience already gets it.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 2:50pm

Mike66 said: "If your point is that you think that this show is having some huge existential impact on America/Theater and "Culture", I will respectfully note that here in Ohio no one has heard of it, let alone thinks it has some message that informs their lives.

(and we have the second largest theater district in the country -- so don't get snarky.)

Sometimes the NYC bubble can be pretty much a world unto itself."

I live in Ohio, and I went to the second preview at Arena Stage.

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 2:51pm

Rainah said: "It's a good comment on Rent, and about contemporary musicals in general - is it even possible to turn them into period pieces? Period pieces are generally written with the understanding that the audience needs to be eased into the norms of the setting, whereas contemporary musicals are written with the understanding that the audience already gets it."

I agree, and I personally can't imagine RENT or Dear Evan Hansen transforming into period pieces in the public consciousness. I think it would be quite a leap.

I should have noted that RENT could only be a period piece today; it was contemporary when it was created.

Updated On: 12/21/17 at 02:51 PM

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 4:36pm

haterobics said: "RaisedOnMusicals said: "To me, this video provides a sense of the reach of DEH"

I don't know that the geodiversity of the people who send in a video, solicited amongst fans of the show's social media channels, can prove its broader reach. I mean, it is sold out, and demand is high, but it doesn't seem to be entering the cultural zeitgeist as much as Hamilton did. Not that it needs to, as long as they keep filling up the Music Box, they're fine..."

Fair. And at least you, unlike AfterEight understood what I meant about the broad reach of the show. From my own interactions, the show seems to cut across demographics of age, gender,race, religion, political orientation and sexual orientation. That's all I meant by the reach of the show. Obviously the video proves nothing but it's symbolic  

 

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 4:40pm

Updated On: 12/21/17 at 04:40 PM

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 4:44pm

Mike66 said: "Mike66 said: "If your point is that you think that this show is having some huge existential impact on America/Theater and "Culture", I will respectfully note that here in Ohio no one has heard of it, let alone thinks it has some message that informs their lives.

Raised on Musicals said: Ohio has a population of about 11.6 million people. It's really interesting that with that many people, not one of them has heard of DEH Thanks for sharing that amazing fact.

To Raised on Musicals, and to those who behave likewise:

Over the 2+ years that I've been reading these boards, I am continually struck by the level of rudeness and sheer obnoxious behavior by many posters. For much of that time, I convinced myself that it was "an in joke" or that the lack of civility was among a few people who had been friends for a long time and were 'razzing' each other.

But its not.

Far too many posters feel this is their change to behave in ways which I assume they never would face to face.

I started reading and posting because I enjoy theater and thought it was a great place to learn more, ask questions and share opinions knowing that the community shared the interest in Broadway and theater generally. I didn't expect to be insulted anonymously most of the time that I have the gaul to actually offer an opinion.

Since Broadway World provides this site in order to promote and sell things, maybe they should consider whether their mission is really be advanced by creating a place where folks act poorly and the rest of us have to put up with it.

I wasn't the one who said that "no one in the state of Ohio has ever heard of DEH". If you make inane comments like that and don't expect to be called out on it, as others did as well, I feel badly for you. Sometimes "words fail" but they almost always matter. 
"

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 5:03pm

Sorry....I'm going to side with Mike, here.  OF COURSE he wasn't being literal.  How would any one person know that in ANY case?   I knew exactly what he meant.    

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 5:13pm

dramamama611 said: "Sorry....I'm going to side with Mike, here. OF COURSE he wasn't being literal. How would any one person know that in ANY case? I knew exactly what he meant."

Yes, of course he wasn't being literal and of course I understood that. The point was that he he could have made his point in a way that didn't prompt the kind of responses it evoked, including mine. 

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 5:31pm

Or, since you understood, you could have just chosen to respond in a different way.   I wrote a similar statement -- where I laid out perfectly what I meant.  Guess what, my comment was ignored.  So, really, people wanted to pick on the way he said it, not what point he was trying to make.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 6:15pm

dramamama611 said: "Or, since you understood, you could have just chosen to respond in a different way. I wrote a similar statement -- where I laid out perfectly what I meant. Guess what, my comment was ignored. So, really, people wanted to pick on the way he said it, not what point he was trying to make."

OK, I have much respect for you dramamama and it's a fair point. And the point I was trying to make is that we can all sometimes choose our words more carefully, or at least take a minute before hitting "post message" to think about the actual words you've typed and how they're likely to be perceived. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 8:56pm

haterobics said: "RaisedOnMusicals said: "To me, this video provides a sense of the reach of DEH"

I don't know that the geodiversity of the people who send in a video, solicited amongst fans of the show's social media channels, can prove its broader reach. I mean, it is sold out, and demand is high, but it doesn't seem to be entering the cultural zeitgeist as much as Hamilton did. Not that it needs to, as long as they keep filling up the Music Box, they're fine..."

I don't know how old you are, so this question may be too limited.  Has anything in your lifetime entered the cultural zeitgeist to the extent of Hamilton?  I don't actually think so, but again, I am asking a subjective and somewhat unimportant question.

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/21/17 at 11:58pm

Raised On Musicals: "From my own interactions, the show seems to cut across demographics of age, gender,race, religion, political orientation and sexual orientation. That's all I meant by the reach of the show."

 

So that's what you meant by the reach of the show? Then the same could be said of countless shows down through  the ages.

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 10:21am

I know we all love anecdotes around here, but to add onto the clearly hyperbolic comment about Ohio, I also live in a depressed midwest state and in a rural part of that state. The extent of musical theater knowledge many people have in my friend circle and beyond is Phantom and Les Miz. A few of them may know Rent or Wicked. That said, i have heard numerous people discuss Hamilton in the same way and express desire to see it. The same can't be said for DEH. It has some great songs and has struck a chord with many fans but like others have mentioned, it has not permeated to the non theater going population the same way that Hamilton has. Part of that may be LMM, his use of social media and his marketing brilliance. But part of it may be the content of DEH. Who really knows.....what are we talking about again?

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 10:37am

Jarethan said: "Has anything in your lifetime entered the cultural zeitgeist to the extent of Hamilton?"

I think the Hamilton comparison is more important in regard to its proximity to DEH, as far as the reach of social media and other factors. Once you start linking it to other big shows, in the pre-social media era, it gets a bit apples and oranges. Especially if fans submitting videos to form a megamix is sort of the proof point of reach here? I mean, no one could have possible done that for Rent or previous milestones. "Send your VHS tape, recorded in SP mode, to: Rent Video, 1556 Avenue of the Americas..." etc.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 11:55am

RaisedOnMusicals said: "dramamama611 said: "Or, since you understood, you could have just chosen to respond in a different way. I wrote a similar statement -- where I laid out perfectly what I meant. Guess what, my comment was ignored. So, really, people wanted to pick on the way he said it, not what point he was trying to make."

OK, I have much respect for you dramamama and it's a fair point. And the point I was trying to make is that we can all sometimes choose our words more carefully, or at least take a minute before hitting "post message" to think about the actual words you've typed and how they're likely to be perceived."

 

Sure (and thank you for the kind words) but that goes both ways.   Getting picky with his choice of words, the understood hyperbole, sidetracks communication, too.

 

What I find so interesting in discussing this is looking through my son's eyes.  At 17, he sees most shows with me, and has what I consider to be pretty good taste.  That it matches mine is coincidental  

He saw DEH 3 times (once off bway) and is "done".   Not because of flaws, but because he decided it was "enough".   Same thing with Hamilton.   Natasha, Pierre?  He saw 5 and was REALLY bummed when it closed.   It will be interesting, then, to see how this filters in with the current audience and their "need" to keep seeing it - or passing it on.  (ie. Wicked, Phantom...)

 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 12:12pm

Social media pretty much extends the reach of everything. You're fan of some obscure property? Great! So are thousands of other people, instantly connected by searching for a hashtag on Tumblr or a phrase on Youtube. And modern fan culture thrives on this- fans produce a staggering amount of content because it's a way to be seen.

Is Dear Evan Hansen a popular hit? Sure! Is it unique in its fandom even amongst musicals? Not really!

[After Eight]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 12:33pm

Jarethan wrote: "Has anything in your lifetime entered the cultural zeitgeist to the extent of Hamilton?"

Which only goes to prove that old adage, "where there's a way." The media hype machine sure had the will. Did it ever! And it certainly found the way. Like a bulldozer.

Not exactly something to cheer about.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 1:01pm

[michaelhale]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 2:45pm

I find this "I live in the midwest and no ones heard of it" a little like... Irrelevant. I live in NYC and could claim the same if I based the statement entirely on the idea that the people I know are an accurate sample size. Almost everyone I talk to at work didn't know the show before I started talking about it. (And plenty also didn't know Hamilton). Non-theater fans not knowing a show means very little, and if you don't hang out with theater fans then yes- they're likely to not know many, many shows. I'm sure there are plenty of theater fans in Ohio who know and love DEH and have been touched by it.

But also I agree with Kad on this one, the video is cool but Be More Chill has similar stuff and I wouldn't compare that shows reach to Dear Evan Hansen's. Dear Evan Hansen definitely has touched a lot of people, more than plenty of shows can boast, and I expect a long run from it based on it's still impressive sales, but it's not particularly special in the fandom department, and definitely not near the mainstream media property that Hamilton is (I doubt we we see another show like that for a VERY long time, though, so it's really not even worth noting.)

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 8:55pm

dramamama611 said: (in reference to DEH):





"It will have a nice, healthy run, not unlike the original Spring oAwakening, and then go on its way"

Spring Awakening ran just over two years before it closed. I'd be pretty surprised if DEH didn't run at least three years. And it could last much longer. I've also seen people here compare its run to that of Fun Home and Next to Normal, neither of which made it to two years. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 9:48pm

But running 3 years (which is spot on, imo) is a lot closer to the run of SA, N2N and Fun Home than a 10 year run.  I'm not trying to predict anything, it's just my thoughts.   If it runs 10?  Good for them.   

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 12/22/17 at 9:56pm

dramamama611 said: "But running 3 years (which is spot on, imo) is a lot closer to the run of SA, N2N and Fun Home than a 10 year run. I'm not trying to predict anything, it's just my thoughts. If it runs 10? Good for them."

Yep. I'd guess DEH will run 3-4 years. Five years, or 2000 performances, maybe. I'd be pretty shocked if it ran longer. But ya never know