Where will adults go

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/26/03 at 5:39pm

to find theatre, musicals and non?

The corporate producing entities have demonstrated they are constantly vying to appeal to the family and teen sets. It's a proven fact there are no single producers willing to gamble on their own taste.

Where do you envision that theatre for adults will originate and play in New York City--Broadway, off-, or off-off-?

Is there even a market for non-kiddie live theatre?

Maybe this should be a poll.

Yours for a better Broadway.

[macbeth]

Posted: 12/26/03 at 7:09pm

I think there are plenty of shows like Nine for example which are geared towards an older audience. I wouldn't consider Taboo to be a family show either. Revivals as well ie: Wonderful Town tend to have more of an adult bent in the crowd.

I do think that these days at least for a show to be a 'Blockbuster' that's certainly easier achievable by being able to reach the widest audience.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 12/26/03 at 7:39pm

I have been concerned about this issue for some time. Producers are reluctant to "gamble" on adult "serious" new musicals. They opt for the "easy sell" of musicals for a young audience or the proven product of a revival of a classic show. That is why most writers of serious musicals write more for Off-Broadway - Jason Robert Brown, William Finn, etc. It is discouraging for new writers to feel they have to aim to write commercial "pop" musicals and compromise with their artistic integrity or face years in the wilderness with no hope of a major Broadway production of their work. (Even established writers such as Kander and Ebb have struggled to get new shows to Broadway.)

Fortunately, Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman have succeeded in producing a show that is both commercially viable and artistically excellent. WICKED has an articulate, intelligent and thought provoking Book and the songs have crisp, witty and sometimes quite profound lyrics with soaring melodies while the score also has a blend of "rock" that provides it with the dimension of mass youth appeal. This show provides a sign of hope on the horizon.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 12/26/03 at 9:08pm

despite the Sesame Street connotations, AVENUE Q is not family fare. Neither, really, is URINETOWN.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/26/03 at 9:20pm

Interesting...but with ticket prices tottering at $100, what are the chances of kids and teens who can afford to support Broadway?

Unless, the producers come up with Broadway shows that will appeal to a 28-60 age group, the group who are most likey to afford dinner and a show on a regular basis, this same group will continue to support the tours that come to their cities and seek out other forms of entertainment, opera, ballet, concerts. And spend less time in NYC. Most of my theater friends in this age group, are hard pressed to see more than one or two shows in this year's line-up. They just are not interested in most of what's up there.

Updated On: 12/26/03 at 09:20 PM