Update: AIN'T NO MO extended thru December 23! Yay!- Page 4

[Robbie2]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:02pm

I find this a big turn off and we and our friends have no plans or desire to see this.

Calling it BLACK AF!?
Someone explain what's this all about?
Keep fighting and joing the fight??? We just getting the battel started y'all 

 "We still fighting! Thank you @willsmith & @jadapinkettsmith for believing in this work and joining the fight! And thank you to every single person who has shared my letter and it's call to action. Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket or sponsored someone, that is the work! We just getting this battle started y'all, let's GOOO!! We gonna keep fighting till it Ain't No Mo!  

??? What

Updated On: 12/10/22 at 08:02 PM

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:04pm

And yes, given the rise antisemitism--and outright Nazism--in the world today, attacking a Jewish play, seemingly with the argument "Black plays are suffering because white people just want to see those Jews!" is...questionable at best.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:05pm

Curious about which performance they bought out?

 

Also, Telecharge now has tickets on sale through Feb. 26. Unless Telecharge didn't get the memo about their new closing date.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:23pm

This sucks. I went to college with one of the cast members who was making her Broadway debut. I feel really bad for her.

I think the unfortunate takeaway here given the upcoming closings is that at least in this economy, Broadway is just not a financially viable place to produce “weird art” if it doesn’t appeal to white audiences. The theatre industry has become much more welcoming to BIPOC artists and plays but audiences…not so much I guess.

I have a feeling though that if this is revived in twenty years it will be a big hit. We are in the middle of a huge demographic shift in the country, but it’s still in its beginning stages. When the boomers are gone and Gen-Z kids are the new dominant Broadway audience, it will be a totally different environment…in a good way.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:23pm

Maybe I should be resigned to the notion that the internet is broken and intelligent discussions cannot be had. That's unfortunate if true.

I've been around a fairly long time and in that time I don't think I have ever met a playwright who aspired to have only some people like their play. I have also never met an actor who only wanted one type of person to applaud their performance. I don't think Fiddler was written only for the enjoyment of Jewish people even though there are things in it that go over the heads of gentiles. I don't think Angels was written as a gay fantasia with the intent that it would only appeal to gay people although I think it is a richer experience for gays. And I don't think any black playwright I can think of wrote their plays hoping that non-black people would not get their plays (and that includes the very talented Jordan Cooper). 

What I see here is some people posting things they don't know anything about (including but not limited to incorrect information) and other people having trouble making their points because of what I earlier called "noise." I also see a lot of oversimplification of complex subjects. The core complexity is figuring out how to make the theatre more inclusive inside and out. And yes I know there are some on this board that love the status quo ante.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:26pm

HogansHero I think you nailed it.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:42pm

MemorableUserName said: "SouthernCakes said: "So the answers no then… it’s not selling better."

You didn't ask if one was selling better than the other. You asked, "is Piano Lesson selling the same way?" The answer was yes, and presented with the evidence of that, you decided to pretend you asked a different question than you had. Unfortunately for you, most of us here are capable of reading comprehension. Nice try, though.

"

You can fight me on semantics all day. I don’t care. The facts are the facts. 

[Ke3]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:56pm

This is what I meant when I said in a different thread that conversations on this board about race are always thrilling. Most of you are white and your conversations about race betray that. Why does it make you feel uncomfortable, that something is described as "Black AF"? It's a majority Black cast with a Black subject matter. Yes, it's really Black. And yet something that simple gets responses like "wtf this is so off-putting". I wish you guys would stick to the rivers and lakes you come from because listening to both sides of this discussion drone on about things that clearly know nothing about while the artists of color are stuck in the middle not being seen as you know, artists, but instead avatars for whatever sweeping generalizations you all want to make about culture today. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 8:56pm

Robbie2 said: "Kad said: "I live up in Harlem and if you were going by visible advertisements, you would not know this show existed. No ads on bus stops or subways, no window cards in shops or other small businesses, nothing."

Btw, do you see any shows advertising in the hood?"

I live in Harlem too (Hamilton heights) and yes we do get ads of Broadway shows. Death of a Salesman has been heavily advertised during the Harlem week back in August I think. I still see large posters on the bus stops. I saw The Piano Lesson posters as well. 

[veronicamae]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:10pm

gibsons2 said: "Robbie2 said: "Kad said: "I live up in Harlem and if you were going by visible advertisements, you would not know this show existed. No ads on bus stops or subways, no window cards in shops or other small businesses, nothing."

Btw, do you see any shows advertising in the hood?"

I live in Harlem too (Hamilton heights) and yes we do get ads of Broadway shows. Death of a Salesman has been heavily advertised during the Harlem week back in August I think. I still see large posters on the bus stops. I saw The Piano Lesson posters as well."

Yes, there were many shows that participated in Harlem Week, including The Lion King, Topdog/Underdog, Death of a Salesman, and The Piano Lesson. Shows also advertise on the LINK/free WiFi monoliths around the city - I regularly see Lion King's in East Harlem.

What an odd way to ask about if we see advertising in our parts of the city though.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:14pm

So white people, stop talking about race because we don't understand, should not have opinions and are far too privileged (Jew's, gays etc, went through nothing, we don't understand)

But it's also white people's fault for not going to see the play...the one we shouldn't have an opinion about, understand etc because its not about our 'race'

 

OK, got it. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:15pm

But we keep beating a dead horse of making Broadway more inclusive when it’s pretty damn inclusive. The prices for Aint No Mo are VERY affordable and readily available. 
 

 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:28pm

SouthernCakes said: "But we keep beating a dead horse of making Broadway more inclusive when it’s pretty damn inclusive. The prices for Aint No Mo are VERY affordable and readily available.


"

They’re affordable because nobody’s buying. Because not a lot of people know about it, or, if they are, they are not compelled to do so. I’m not even sure what you’re trying to argue here. 
 

And yes, Broadway shows are regularly advertised in Harlem and other uptown neighborhoods. Even Shakespeare in the Park advertises up here when that season rolls around. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:35pm

SouthernCakes said: "But we keep beating a dead horse of making Broadway more inclusive when it’s pretty damn inclusive. The prices for Aint No Mo are VERY affordable and readily available.”

Exactly. The theatre industry — since it came back from shutdown anyway — has become quite possibly THE MOST inclusive environment one could hope for. But the people who make theatre and the people who attend theatre are not making the necessary Venn diagram at the moment.

And yes, of course this is about race. White people still make up 80% of the country, and a show like ANM that actively says, “This show is not for you, it’s for us” is probably not going to have a long run (although this sudden closure is pretty shocking). Pass Over, the Slave Play reboot, Chicken and Biscuits, For Colored Girls, A Strange Loop, KPOP, and now Ain’t No Mo’: all financial flops with at least some critical acclaim. Sad but true.

 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:37pm

Just saying there are affordable options to a lot of shows. I don’t think price is the issue. Or accessibility. 
 

Audienced are just skewing older and whiter because I don’t think the younger generations care as much for live theater. 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 9:48pm

Well, with a few notable exceptions, Broadway post-reopening has been littered with flops, from critically acclaimed (see: Dana H / Is This a Room) to critically dismissed (see: Diana). 

[Ke3]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:05pm

songanddanceman2 said: "So white people, stop talking about race because we don't understand, should not have opinions and are far too privileged (Jew's, gays etc, went through nothing, we don't understand)

But it's also white people's fault for not going to see the play...the one we shouldn't have an opinion about, understand etc because its not about our 'race'



OK, got it."

You do realize you pulled all of that out of thin air, right?Where did I say other marginalized groups don't exist? I said discussions about *race* specifically get completely circular. Where did I say that the circular nature of the argument comes from "too much privilege"? But of course that's where you mind went because as I said, these discussions simply become proxy battles in the larger culture war. 

It's also lovely that the assumption in your post is that I cannot also belong to one of those other groups. I am for example, queer. I could easily have been a Black Jew. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:12pm

Are you sure songanddanceman2's response was directed at you?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:12pm

Kad said: "Well, with a few notable exceptions, Broadway post-reopening has been littered with flops, from critically acclaimed (see: Dana H / Is This a Room) to critically dismissed (see: Diana)."

Which is one example among the ones Baritone wrote. I don’t think older white audiences want to see these kinds of shows right now. Sad fact but the numbers are the numbers. 

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:19pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "SouthernCakes said: "But we keep beating a dead horse of making Broadway more inclusive when it’s pretty damn inclusive. The prices for Aint No Mo are VERY affordable and readily available.”

Exactly. The theatre industry — since it came back from shutdown anyway — has become quite possibly THE MOST inclusive environment one could hope for. But the people who make theatre and the people who attend theatre are not making the necessary Venn diagram at the moment.

And yes, of course this is about race. White people still make up 80% of the country, and a show like ANM that actively says, “This show is not for you, it’s for us” is probably not going to have a long run (although this sudden closure is pretty shocking).Pass Over, theSlave Play reboot, Chicken and Biscuits, For Colored Girls, A Strange Loop, KPOP, and now Ain’t No Mo’: all financial flops with at least some critical acclaim. Sad but true.

"

Well if this is true it;s really gross and depressing. We might as well only do revivals of Hello Dolly!

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:20pm

I mean… The Music Man is doing great business 🫠

Updated On: 12/10/22 at 10:20 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:51pm

SouthernCakes said: "MemorableUserName said: "SouthernCakes said: "So the answers no then… it’s not selling better."

You didn't ask if one was selling better than the other. You asked, "is Piano Lesson selling the same way?" The answer was yes, and presented with the evidence of that, you decided to pretend you asked a different question than you had. Unfortunately for you, most of us here are capable of reading comprehension. Nice try, though.

"

You can fight me on semantics all day. I don’t care. The facts are the facts."

You've cited no facts. In fact you did the opposite: look at the audiences! Yo discounted the various people of color here who said they saw Leopolsdatd. And you continue to harp on this ugly and frankly ignorant notion that Certain Groups really should be seeing Certain Plays. 

Why? Why is it ANYONES fault for not wanting to see Aint No Mo? On what planet should hoards of Good Citizens march themselves to see plays they dont want to? The onus isnt on audiences to simply show up because YOU think a play is worthy. And the suggestion that you will give a pass to those horrible theatergoers who will skip Aint No Mo for Piano Lesson, but you REALLLY have to raise your eyebrows about Those People seeing Leopolsdadt but not the avant garde edgy show from the Public-- it REEKS of a certain bias that I'm kinda shocked you'd spout off here so readily (and repeatedly).

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:53pm

Ke3 said: "This is what I meant when I said in a different thread that conversations on this board about race are always thrilling. Most of you are white and your conversations about race betray that. Why does it make you feeluncomfortable,that something is described as "Black AF"?It's a majority Black cast with a Black subject matter. Yes, it's really Black. And yet something that simple gets responses like "wtf this is so off-putting". I wish you guys would stick to the rivers and lakes you come from because listening to both sides ofthis discussion drone on about things that clearly know nothing about while the artists of color are stuck in the middle not being seen as you know, artists, but instead avatars for whatever sweeping generalizations you all want to make about culture today."

i, for one, would really enjoy watching you guess and fail at the racial makeup of the posters here. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 10:55pm

Y’all, one POC saw Leopolsdatd so it’s fine… lol

the facts: the grosses

And you’re really inferring a lot from what little I’ve said. Didn’t say any of that or imply any of that. Just stating what’s happening. By all means, play ignorant. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/10/22 at 11:04pm

One? Are you there? Are you suggesting POC arent seeing a play about the Holocaust? Why not? How utterly offensive. 

And as you're asserting this ugliness (as if the grosses are reported by race!) you're ALSO sniffing your nose at White audiences for not.... seeing a play in sufficient numbers. You're a caricature.

Whats my racial background? Whats yours?