There are four plays running on Broadway

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 9:30pm

When was the last time that there were only four plays running on Broadway?

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 9:33pm

Wow, I didn't realize that...

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 9:35pm

I remember the summer a few years ago when there was only 1 play running (Golda's Balcony, I think).

[mikem]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 9:37pm

I think there is a slowdown for plays at the end of summer every year, although this year is particularly bad. All four currently running plays (Old Acquaintance, Year of Magical Thinking, Frost/Nixon, and Deuce) are scheduled to close by Aug 25 at the latest, so from then until Mauritius and The Ritz start in September, there won't be a single play running on Broadway. Most years, the Tony winner for Best Play is still running into September, so I don't know when the last time was that there was a complete blank on the play side.

Updated On: 7/25/07 at 09:37 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 9:43pm

And when The Year of Magical Thinking closes on August 25 there will be ... 0 plays on Broadway.

Although Mauritius at MTC and The Ritz and Pygmalion at Roundabout each begin around mid September.

[Lefou]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 9:50pm

Its an incredibly sad situation really, however, today's average theater goer is looking for a good song to come out of the theater humming rather than a good plot line....hopefully someday people will give a straight play a chance.

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 10:04pm

It all has to do with ticket prices. I love straight plays, but I don't feel I'm getting my money's worth at the ticket prices they're charging today for a regular play. Somehow musicals feel more expensive, and thus more worth the price.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 10:15pm

Well, except for the occasional phenomenon straight play smash, it's pretty easy to get discounts for new plays. So cost should not really be considered a deterrent.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 10:41pm

i honestly feel like these days, it takes a major star to turn audiences into stepping into a play on Broadway. everyone is too busy being a starf*cker to care about the actual dialogue and plot of what they are seeing.

[TapTapTapioca]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 11:02pm

I think Frank Langella, Vanessa Redgrave and Angela Lansbury are pretty big names and they are all on TKTS.

Updated On: 7/26/07 at 11:02 PM

[being.jeremiah]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 11:57pm

Just saw Frost/Nixon, wonderful piece of theatre.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 1:10am

I love straight plays. Most times I prefer to see a play over a musical but this season was such a disappointment. Especially this summer. Here's hoping next season fares better.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/26/07 at 1:26am

Just last summer, at one point History Boys was the only play running after Inishmore closed and before Jay Johnson opened.