Where is BLACK BROADWAY these days?- Page 6

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:42pm

Probably not many, because the marketing is *very* specific. I doubt many white people living outside Manhattan even *knew* about them before the Times article.

They occasionally come down here to North Carolina, and I've noticed that they're usually advertised on black gospel radio stations (who act as "media sponsors", yet another way the producers can save themselves a few bucks) and, if on TV, on shows that are pointedly meant to a black demographic. In some respects, it's like straight people not being aware of the diva drag queen that's touring the states and performing in the gay clubs: a huge following within the target audience, close to zero awareness outside it.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 3:59pm

You're probably right, but since I've lived in "minority areas" for the past 15 years, I still see alot of the marketing--especially when i lived in SE Texas...I was just curious.

[iheartamc10]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:30pm

Supply and demand folks. Its not called the Great White Way for nothing. When black producers come forward and put on shows that blacks enjoy, they'll go to the theatre.

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:53pm

I'm surprised my post actually revived this thread to this extent. I saw the article and remembered this thread instantly -- how ridiculously it started out and how the arguments and the tone changed as we went along.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 4:54pm

Really?! C'mon...It's more than producers. I don't think producers should put up chitlin circuit shows. People don't grow and learn that way. Have you seen those shows? There is no real dramatic arch. There is no great art. It's heavy on attitude and big women leaning back screaming. There was a joke where I went to school, that you always knew when one was in town because there were droves (busses) of african americans and not a white face to be found. Mind you this is Central Philadelphia. Why is that? I think black people would get into theatre just as much as white people if they were exposed to it. I love the idea of taking these kids in groups to plays like Shakespeare and even August Wilson or Arthur Miller. These are the plays I read in school. You learn about theatre AND how to act in one. That cultural experience is something that has to be cultivated at a young age and I'm not talking just people of color.

As far as shows "blacks will enjoy" what does that include? Would black people not enjoy August Wilson and Caroline or Change? What happened there? Why weren't busses of african americans coming to see those shows. The color purple is a hit not because it's something black people will enjoy, but because it had a name to it because of the film)and a HUGE promoter in Oprah. It was the same with A Raisin in the Sun. It had big names involved so people came. That's a good theatrical experience. We need more of that.

BTW whoever said black people are too busy looking for non traditional casting is just dead wrong. There just aren't enough black shows to go around (esp for people who don't lean back and scream. We'd like to do something other than just hoop hollar and moan) I'm sure there aren't black people turning away shows like Dreamgirls and Fences.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 5:18pm

Actually, there are people turning away from August Wilson in Detroit--they had to shut down a KING HEDLEY due to the weather and poor ticket sales.

And jazzy, i think you have alot to say, but people LIKE those inspirational shows--no matter how inept they might be--just like they like the outdoor drama, the passion play, etc. White people have their version too--it's called GREASE. :)

I don't think the "failure" of a CAROLINE or the success of PURPLE is all that simple. CAROLINE is a very difficult and avant-garde show, and Wilson is HEAVY (though brilliant) and alot of people A) Don't know the material well enough to risk $100 a ticket and B) They want to have a good time...and August Wilson and Tony Kushner aint't the place to find it.

THE COLOR PURPLE is based on a VERY popular film, attached to the most popular woman in the world (arguably), and it's a PRODUCT. People know exactly what to expect. Same with RAISIN, it's on the high school reading lists, and people can leave it feeling good--and go into the theatre KNOWING they'll leave it happy

And I think what Tom said does have validity--it's not so much that minority actors are looking for projects, they want to tear down the barriers of what the powers that be consider traditional. But I think that's more for established actors who can choose their projects.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 5:37pm

We have done all of the August Wilson plays except "Radio Golf". I think I posted earlier that on the night our organization had their Gala Night, the actors were so happy because on that night, they saw the most black people in the audience. Most other performances were 90% white.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/21/07 at 5:42pm

Hey, Wilson's MY favorite playwright--and the Signature Series here in NYC sells out in the first hour!

[ORPHAN]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 2:32am

There is one coming that is going to be a tour de force! Not all black but the leads are and it will be the one to watch for when it's announced. I think it will get a ton of postings and speculation. Watch and see. The announcement will come this summer I believe. Let's see.

[Justice]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 3:17am

deleted post

Updated On: 2/24/07 at 03:17 AM

[ORPHAN]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 3:51am

We must remember that many Blacks attend Broadway shows. However, most who do are affluent. The shows are an expensive form of entertainment. Black America and Black New York is still low to middle income. There is so much to do and watch on TV and movies that Broadway is just very low on the list. Producers produce for many reasons but the two most prominent reasons are 1. They believe the show is good and will make money 2.They are passionate about the show and have been attached to it financially or emotionally for so long. It takes 5-10 years to get a show to Broadway and that's the truth. Black themes were produced back in the 70s during a time when the average Broadway musical cost 2.5-4 milion. That has gone up to 10-20 million. Now can anyone imagine spending that much money to produce a purely Black themed show in the current internet post 911 paradigm? Broadway is only for shows with mass appeal now. Not a place to experiment. Times have changed. With that said... There is a show coming to Broadway that will surprise and delight everyone and has mass appeal that no one thought of but will be causing everyone on this board to say... Damn that's a great idea why didn't anyone think of that up til now!!! It's coming....

[ORPHAN]

Posted: 2/24/07 at 3:54am

We must remember that many Blacks attend Broadway shows. However, most who do are affluent. The shows are an expensive form of entertainment. Black America and Black New York is still low to middle income. There is so much to do and watch on TV and movies that Broadway is just very low on the list. Producers produce for many reasons but the two most prominent reasons are 1. They believe the show is good and will make money 2.They are passionate about the show and have been attached to it financially or emotionally for so long. It takes 5-10 years to get a show to Broadway and that's the truth. Black themes were produced back in the 70s during a time when the average Broadway musical cost 2.5-4 milion. That has gone up to 10-20 million. Now can anyone imagine spending that much money to produce a purely Black themed show in the current internet post 911 paradigm? Broadway is only for shows with mass appeal now. Not a place to experiment. Times have changed. With that said... There is a show coming to Broadway that will surprise and delight everyone and has mass appeal that no one thought of but will be causing everyone on this board to say... Damn that's a great idea why didn't anyone think of that up til now!!! It's coming....