Touring broadway shows in the D.C. area question

I live in DC one half of the year and NYC the other, and it seems to me that DC's theatre scene is, with a few exceptions very polar. Either it's something so avant garde that it's almost ridiculous or it's strictly for the white hair crowd. Also, the people who live 'in' DC are for the most part either the politician-related crowd who don't care for theatre, or else very poor. The commuters who would be the theatre-going audience seem to live largely in Maryland, or are rich enough (and there are an absurd amount of trust fund millions in MD) that they will just fly up to NYC. This is all speculation, but it's just what I've noticed in my time there.

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I've lived in DC for 10 and a half years (used to live in NYC) and I will say I am baffled as to why we don't get some tours. I have been expanding my horizons and seeing plays and/or musicals being presented at Ford's Theatre, Arena Stage and Signature Theatre. I have been very happy with the things I have seen as of late. I also attended Terrence McNally's trilogy of plays at The Kennedy Center last spring.

I work near the National Theatre and it seems to be more dark now that it was when I first moved here.

I saw the non-equity tour of Hairspray (excellent) and the recent Evita tour (dreadful) at the Warner Theatre a few years ago.

On a side note, the audiences here are a fickle bunch. American Ballet Theatre was here a few weeks ago and all of their performances were deeply discounted. I paid an average of $35 for 3 performances and had great seats. Whereas, the Miriinsky and Alvin Ailey companies were completely sold out.

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Updated On: 2/20/11 at 07:23 PM

I had great seats for DREAMGIRLS when it was to play The National in November and then it got canceled due to low ticket sales.

Sure, DC doesn't get a lot of tours but I see a show almost every week and I'm never short on options. Don't sell the DC theatre scene short; we have a lot of it and most of it is very good. There's something for everyone in all price ranges and in most cases, better than what you'd find in NY in the commercial houses. You just can't limit yourself to the Kennedy Center or even Arena. I don't think every show falls into the two bins: catering to the elderly or those who like experimental theatre. If you think that, you clearly don't go to much theatre around here. Sure there is Arena and Signature, but there is also Woolly, Studio, Theatre J, Forum, Constellation, Olney, Roundhouse and the list goes on and on.

I for one am glad we have a lot of regional/local theatre so I don't have to limit myself to the tours to get a theatre fix. They are likely to be watered down and tired. If I want to see a big Broadway show that appeals to the masses, I go to NY, and I do so at least once a month.

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