I'm in the middle of a heated and on-going convsation with a friend about the state of musical theater. An argument that has been going on for DECADES, regardless the fads that may be occurring now or in the 60s, 70s or beyond. Original shows are finding success, jukebox shows have found success, screen adaptations have found success, book adaptations have found success, satires have found success, family shows have found success, revivals have found success, revues have found success, sung-through shows have found success, and spectacles have found success. And all types of shows are still being produced. The state of musical theatre remains the same. Shows open, shows close, and the audiences determine the financial success of a musical based on what they want to see and critically acclaimed artsy shows may not recoup, but take their place in the musical theatre canon forever celebrated by enthusiasts and academics. The Golden Age came and went and still remains a minority period in the 100+ years of Broadway history much to the chagrin of those who lament the end of an era when an artistic period evolves in the same way it evolves in every form of artistic media. The only state of musical theatre is that it continues to exist and thrive both commercially and artistically. And while Broadway may be the commercial goal of musical theatre, it is not the singular platform for which every musical needs to determine its artistic (or in some cases, financial) worth. The Fantasticks, Godspell, I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, Forever Plaid and Altar Boyz are excellent examples of musicals that never required a profitable Broadway run to be successful.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian