WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
ORPHAN
Understudy Joined: 10/17/03
#0WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 2:37amWhat kinds of shows do audiences want to see on Broadway is the future going to be BIG spectaculars? Will audiences still pay for non special effects shows?
orphan
Over_the_Moon
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/22/05
#1re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 2:43amI will pay for anything with scantily clad chorus boys.
"what have we learned? Don't smoke... don't do drugs and don't sing 'Defying Gravity'." -CATSNYRevival
larry64
Stand-by Joined: 3/3/06
stage_door76
Broadway Star Joined: 1/18/05
#3re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 7:24ammoi aussi
"...But Kungurtseva reels off multiple fouettes and the tape is stopped so she can take a bow. The Jester, an abomination introduced to Swan Lake in Soviet times, extorts applause from the audience. The cuts don't help the storytelling, the production is bare bones and they go for the '50s-style happy ending.
The audience cheers like mad at the end. It's the Russian ballet, after all..."
#4re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:00amPeople pay for Chicago.....but because they expect it to look like the movie. But they love it anyway.
#6re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:23am
People (that is to say, those outside the theatre community) will pay to see anything they hear is good. It doesn't matter if it has spectacle or not. As long as it's good, people will come see it. The problem is that most theatre on Broadway right now is mediocrity wrapped up in a gaudy red bow, with a tag that read, "We really really really hope you like it -- Your Producers" But, of course, all it is is a formulaic, uninspired peice of mock theatre.
If only people would stop trying so hard to please everyone, they might please a whole bunch of people.
#7re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:27am
I agree with you, freeadmission. Wonderful metaphor.
BTW, Over_the_Moon, you took the words right out of my mouth.
"I believe that art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, to engage in a constant search for the truth."
- Barbra Streisand
springo
Understudy Joined: 4/25/06
#8re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 3:05pmFantastic musicals, and big stars.
CurtainUp
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/9/04
#9re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 3:18pm
depends on the audiences 
So many musicals on Broadway contradict each other, in terms of style. Some want spectacle, some want intimacy, some want fun tunes, some want deep lyrics, some want big stars, some don't care, some want kid-friendly, some want something for a date....I don't think you can pigeonhole.
Rosencrantz: "Be happy - if you're not even HAPPY what's so good about surviving? We'll be all right. I suppose we just go on."
- from Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
#10re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 3:28pm
Judging from the numbers and the shows that have done well recently, a lush and romantic or comedic musical.
Good points, however, CurtainUp... LOVE your icon, BTW 
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
jasobres
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
#11re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 3:46pm
One little word:
ORIGINALITY!!!!!!!!
"Ev'ry-buddy wants ta get into de act!"
- Jimmy Durante
"Breathe from your hoo-hoo."
-Kristin Chenoweth
logan0215
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/05
#12re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 8:46pm
I think a balance of originality AND classics
If London's Evita is succesful, it should be transferred to broadway. The same goes for Guys and Dolls. These are classic broadway shows that should stay open for generations to have a means of comparison of classical broadway to the newer projects.
Personally, I don't think AIDA should have closed either, Disney or not. If Woman in White's book was re-written, it could have the status of legendary broadway as well.
With a basis of legendary and classic Broadway shows available, I feel new shows will be welcomed and have something to live up to. I don't feel there are many long-running shows left on Broadway that had "set the bar" in their day.
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#13re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 9:12pm
"Tits and ass and quite a bit of fish."
And that is Spamalot in a nutshell.
#14re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 9:41pmLove, and a bit with a dog
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699
Cruel_Sandwich
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
#15re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 9:47pmQuentin Tarantino a-singin' and a-dancin'!
morosco
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/10/04
#16re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 9:51pmSeems like the trend is to appeal to the tourists and present them with something they're already familiar with.
#17re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:34pmShows that don't suck are pretty good.
Hear the words I sing: war's a horrid thing. So, I sing sing sing... Ding a ling a ling.
#18re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/18/06 at 10:24am
Ulla in THE PRODUCERS knows "... that audiences really love a G-string..."
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
luvtheatre11
Understudy Joined: 1/3/06
#19re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/18/06 at 10:39amOriginality, a good story and great songs. I think the score makes all the difference. But I think most people want just to be entertained. I like memorable tunes myself and a good show visually.
LittleRed00
Chorus Member Joined: 11/19/04
#20re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/18/06 at 10:45amNice reference, allofmylife.
"Isn't it nice to know a lot...and a little bit...not."
rocker05
Stand-by Joined: 11/20/05
#21re: WHAT DO AUDIENCES WANT TO SEE ON BROADWAY?
Posted: 6/18/06 at 10:53amNudity and Special Effects (pretty much describes Dracula, the nudity made it somewhat entertaining). Some come for the stories and music, but most want a spectacle in my opinion.
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