What is happening to Broadway?

[onthewheelsofadream]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:10pm

Nicole Riche in starring Chicago?
Shrek the musical?
Rumors of Spiderman the musical?

I just don't understand.

What are everyone else's thoughts on this?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:13pm

Nicole Richie in Chicago is a RUMOR.
Updated On: 3/1/08 at 02:13 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:17pm

I don't talk to socks.

[george95]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:18pm

I dont think Shrek is any worse, idea-wise, than Lion King or Mermaid. At least Poppins has had a chance to become a classic movie. Who knows maybe in 40 years Shrek will be considered a screen classic as well.

But you do have a point--and I think that's why we need to go out and support Passing Strange, August, and the other less mainstream shows to keep Broadway from becoming Disneyworld North. (any more than it already has)

[onthewheelsofadream]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:21pm

See that's the thing I have heard almost nothing about Passing Strange and other shows like that.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:40pm

I'm still waiting for Disney's 1971 gem BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS!

[East Village]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 2:47pm

I think we're seeing the largest audiences in recent memory -- quite different for the 1970s where are one point 70% of the theaters were vacant. I also think we're seeing some of the highest standards for visual design and technical display than ever before.

As for aesthetic standards. Well broadway was never traditionally considered a high art form -- its origins were in vaudeville and spectacles. There has always been those who have raised the level of artistry in theater -- and those productions still continue to exist. In fact, I think we're seeing quite a bit more of that cross-pollination from higher disciplines onto mainstream stages -- as well as quite a bit more diversity. In addition, we're seeing quite a bit more successful, fun shows.

It's an incredibly exciting time for broadway right now -- as well as theater in general. Is it everyone's cup of tea? No, but it never has been.

Updated On: 3/1/08 at 02:47 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 4:18pm

I'd go see Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Broadway.

[Kasie]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 4:20pm

i just read about Nicole Richie in the newspaper.
my reaction was.....
hahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahh

ahahahha. :)

[kooky]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 5:39pm

hahahahahahahahaha - - - WTF!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 5:40pm

My question is, What is happening to Broadwayworld.com today?

[kooky]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 5:43pm

Yes, having trouble getting on! Hope all is well now!

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 5:44pm

Nicole Richie is hacking the site.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 6:17pm

Yesterday I was chalking it up to some kind of leap year glitch. But that wouldn't be it today... UGH!

[pli1018]

Posted: 3/1/08 at 6:49pm

I too would love to see Bedknobs and Broomsticks on Broadway. It's so underrated.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 1:23am

The better (and more accurate) question would be: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CULTURE?

As our culture goes (brain-dead, illiterate, morally relative, tone deaf), so goes our musical theatre. In either case:

DISASTER


Lola Delaney
A Midwestern City

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 2:08am

Passing Strange, In the Heights and A Catered Affair are 3 new, original Broadway musicals coming this season...plus The Little Mermaid and Young Frankenstein (which aren't original, but they are still new). Plus, there are tons of new, wonderful plays opening. I don't think anything is wrong with Broadway

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/2/08 at 10:22am

A CATERED AFFAIR is not original. It is based on a movie.