#1
Posted: 6/9/09 at 4:42am
Now that the dust is beginning to settle on an extraordinary night for British talent on the Great White Way (I have never understood where that name came from - is it to do with the lights?), I would expect to hear that shows are closing having failed to secure the patronage of the Tony Award.
The first of those is Neil La Bute's play 'Reasons To Be Pretty', which has just annnounced that it is to close on the 14th June.
Will '33 Variations' be next?
Many producers wait in expectant hope that their show will triumph and generate fresh interest and increase box office revenues. Failure to win a Tony will now begin the difficult thought processes of how viable a product do producers have and how well can they sustain it in a difficult market place, economically.
There is no denying that for many of the new musical's, '9 to 5' and in particular 'Shrek' the night was a disaster. 'Shrek' winning only 1 award for Tim Hatley for Best Costume Design. '9 to 5' came away empty handed.
'Shrek' has been heavily discounting (if the offers I receive in my inbox is anything to go by) is it struggling?
What the Tonys coverage did do, brilliantly may I add, was act as a window display for the depth and variety of musical fare on offer. The clip from 'Shrek' was a joy and simply amazing.
The disjointed clip I saw of '9 to 5' as part of the Opening sequence, didn't make me want to rush out and see it.
However, having said that to be featured on the Tony show may have a positive effect on ticket sales.
The overall coverage, ignoring the technical issues, was a wonderful and glorious variety show, a celebration of all that is great in American Musical theatre and theatre in general. (Olivier Awards, please take note!).
The coming days and weeks will be interesting, in seeing, which shows, if any, join the list of Tony casualties.
The first of those is Neil La Bute's play 'Reasons To Be Pretty', which has just annnounced that it is to close on the 14th June.
Will '33 Variations' be next?
Many producers wait in expectant hope that their show will triumph and generate fresh interest and increase box office revenues. Failure to win a Tony will now begin the difficult thought processes of how viable a product do producers have and how well can they sustain it in a difficult market place, economically.
There is no denying that for many of the new musical's, '9 to 5' and in particular 'Shrek' the night was a disaster. 'Shrek' winning only 1 award for Tim Hatley for Best Costume Design. '9 to 5' came away empty handed.
'Shrek' has been heavily discounting (if the offers I receive in my inbox is anything to go by) is it struggling?
What the Tonys coverage did do, brilliantly may I add, was act as a window display for the depth and variety of musical fare on offer. The clip from 'Shrek' was a joy and simply amazing.
The disjointed clip I saw of '9 to 5' as part of the Opening sequence, didn't make me want to rush out and see it.
However, having said that to be featured on the Tony show may have a positive effect on ticket sales.
The overall coverage, ignoring the technical issues, was a wonderful and glorious variety show, a celebration of all that is great in American Musical theatre and theatre in general. (Olivier Awards, please take note!).
The coming days and weeks will be interesting, in seeing, which shows, if any, join the list of Tony casualties.
Updated On: 6/9/09 at 04:42 AM