wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd — Page 2

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#26

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:44am

Hahah well, we'll see about BKLYN. I think BOMBAY is a far better show than BKLYN, from what I've seen. Why IS BKLYN still running?!

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#27

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:49am

Matt,
A Lot of shows that are running, are running for Middle American Broadway illiterate people. I recently saw 42nd Street, and for the first time ever seeing a broadway show, there was absolutely nothing to talk about in references to that show. I want to see shows that can start a conversation - one that can make you think, and talk about for hours. I want to see "Dancer in the Dark" on Broadway. Bring more intelligence to the stage instead of lame, superficial, simple shows like Phantom or Mamma Mia. The reason why Sondheim shows don't last, or Caroline or Change is because they make you think. Look at Ragtime. It was an amazing show (my opinion ofcourse), and Once on This Island. Where are they? I'm a supporter of Broadway, but, honestly, to me, shows that transfer from the West End aren't what Broadway is to me. And Movin' Out? Sorry, but Twila Tharp needs to take a class in simultaneous choreography. I probably would have liked it better if Stroman or Calhoun, or even Cilento would have choreographed it. Her moves don't match the music or the lyrics. I just can't understand why that show is still on. Oh yeah, because of Familiarity! If people didn't know Billy Joel, or his music, the show would have closed after previews. And that is my point - People want to see Familiarity. "The only thing they like is what they know" = Sondheim "Putting ti Together"
Justice has spoken

"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive. "Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot." "No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one." Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.

#28

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:50am

I really enjoyed Bombay Dreams. I actually paid twice to see it.
Loved the dancing. I really did and love old Ballywood movies, so I found it very clever.
It was not Caroline, but a fun evening out.
Very sad it is closing.

#29

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:51am

I agree, again. IT's sad that crap thrives on Broadway.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#30

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:52am

Well, Brooklyn does have a low breakeven (I think it's been reported as $275,000), and they have been performing well above that every week since opening. But between the usual falloff in business for all shows in January and the various shows clamoring for the Plymouth, I would be surprised if it's still there a month from now.

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#31

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:54am

Who says the shows you don't like are "bad" or that Taboo was "amazing"? Like I said, just because you don't like a show, doesn't make it "bad" or "crap" or that it should close and the shows you like should remain open. Success is not necessairly an indicator of a good show (nor does it indicate a show is bad, either), but it does indicate that there were enough good qualities to keep audiences in attendence for whatever reason that made them popular. Caroline was an amazing show, but it is not popular with tourists or families. I don't think anyone really expected the show to have a long run because its audience is very limited. To expect Broadway to suddenly change into a haven for strictly intellectual or edgy musicals, then it will be a first. Broadway has always survived on the popular fun shows and always will. Rather than hoping for everything to close, why not just be thankful for the shows that did get the opportunity to run (because hundreds never do) and applaud the successes and mourn the losses? But what you're asking is for Broadway to become something it has never been and you would rather it be destitute than successful.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#32

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 10:58am

Again, that's not what I was getting at. And by me saying TABOO is a good show is nothing else but my opinion, obviously. I know what you're saying, but I wasn't saying the opposite, you misunderstood.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#33

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:05am

"And Movin' Out? Sorry, but Twila Tharp needs to take a class in simultaneous choreography. I probably would have liked it better if Stroman or Calhoun, or even Cilento would have choreographed it. Her moves don't match the music or the lyrics. I just can't understand why that show is still on. Oh yeah, because of Familiarity! If people didn't know Billy Joel, or his music, the show would have closed after previews."

It's easy to say "I would have liked it better if...". That applies to everything and accomplishes nothing. Twyla's choreography was actually quite brilliant and diverse. As for familiarity.....how many long-running ballets have played on Broadway? Contact is the only other one I can think of (though it was three short ballets) and it didn't have live music. Movin' Out used familiarity to bring an audience into a ballet that would normally not attend ballet and it worked. That is quite smart and it may open the door for more dance works in the future. And for those not acquainted with dance performances, it does get them talking. We are not the majority audience nor will we ever be.

Personally, I never want to see Dancer in the Dark on Broadway. It was the most depressing film I ever saw and I would never want to be put through that again. But then, that musical would also be using familiarity as well. People know the film and people know Bjork. It's really not any different.

"IT's sad that crap thrives on Broadway."

It's sad that snobs crap on Broadway shows.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#34

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:12am

"I know what you're saying, but I wasn't saying the opposite, you misunderstood."

Actually, I didn't misunderstand, but I was pointing out that most of the shows you call crap are top-grossing shows on Broadway. That is why I said success is not an indication of a good show or bad. It just means that it is popular, which means there has to be something the show does particularly well.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#35

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:13am

Popular doesn't always mean good, everyone knows that.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#36

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:15am

Actually, Dancer in the Dark isn't as familiar as you think. You saw it. I saw it. Many other Bjork fans saw it. But half of America didn't hear about it till the Oscars, and the other half still haven't heard of it. It was not a mainstream Blockbuster hit. That would be like saying that "Girlstown" is familiarity, when the truth is, maybe ten people saw that film.

#37

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:21am

"Popular doesn't always mean good, everyone knows that."

You're right. I never said it did. Popular is about appeal, which the long-running shows have.

More people saw Dancer in the Dark than Girlstown, but that's beside the point. I'm not saying Dancer in the Dark is AS familiar as Billy Joel, but a huge amount of people have at least heard of the film or of Bjork. I'm just pointing out that you complain about familiarity only if it is something you don't like, but dismiss it when it is about something you do like. If Dancer in the Dark were staged on Broadway, it would actually be less original than Movin' Out.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#38

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:22am

I've never heard of Dancer in the Dark. And I think Bjork is brilliant!

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#39

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:27am

Just because you know Dancer in the Dark does not make it "Familiar". I am talking about America's familiarity, not yours or mine. And I give shows a chance. I saw Caroline or Change without knowing anything about it, and I enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, those are usually the shows I enjoy the mose - when I don't know what to expect - Like Reckless with Mary Louise Parker. There's a difference between what is familiar to me than what is familiar to society. That familiarity is called "Commercial". So let me rephrase - Phantom, Movin' Out and Mamma Mia are Commercial shows. They belong on tour - not taking up theatre space in New York City.

#40

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:27am

I'm not here to dispute the way Broadway works or the exact reasons why the wrong shows become popular, but there's nothing wrong with people expressing those views if they happen to feel that way. I don't particularly care for a lot of the top-selling shows on Broadway right now, but I agree that most of them have a certain audiences and ought to run for a bit to give those audiences a chance to attend. I'm just happy that, out of the handful of shows that are truly bad, a good percentage are on their way out soon- either the 1st week of January or soon after.

I'm always one to argue for more intelligent material making its way to Broadway, though I realize that's become more the domain of Off-Broadway. I'm mostly inclined to disagree with Mister Matt on this subject and that's OK. One thing I fully agree with him on is Dancer In The Dark. I like Bjork and respect the movie, but I'd rather jam pens into my eyes than see a live theatre version of it. They'd have to pay everyone involved an extra fee to cover therapy and anti-depressants.

"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#41

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:36am

I want to see PARTY MONSTER: THE MUSICAL

or

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM onstage

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#42

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:40am

Oy. A vision of a production number entitled "Ass to Ass" just popped into my head.

"Gif me the cobra jool!"

#43

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:41am

REQUIEM wouldn't be a musical, it would be a play.

PARTY MONSTER would be a fabulous musical. And I would have to be in it!

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#44

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:45am

As if Les Miserables doesn't make you wanna slit your wrists at the end of the show - and look at Into the Woods. MAn of LaMancha is also depressing. Miss Saigon. Cats (just the mere fact that a show like that lasted on B'way for so long is depressing in itself) The list goes on and on with depressing musicals. The whole Jane Eyre score is one depressing number.
With the right choreography DITD would be a kick ass musical.

#45

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:46am

I love depressing things - they're the best. My favorite shows and movies are all depressing and dark.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#46

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:51am

"I want to see PARTY MONSTER: THE MUSICAL

or

REQUIEM FOR A DREAM onstage"

And there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't expect them to last very long.

"There's a difference between what is familiar to me than what is familiar to society. That familiarity is called "Commercial". So let me rephrase - Phantom, Movin' Out and Mamma Mia are Commercial shows. They belong on tour - not taking up theatre space in New York City."

Movin' Out and Mamma Mia are somewhat "commercial", but then, Broadway is a business, so it makes perfect sense. Phantom of the Opera was not a commercial show. But the commercial aspects of the show do not negate the its creative aspects.

"Just because you know Dancer in the Dark does not make it "Familiar"."

I didn't say it did. But the Golden Globe and Oscar noms, numerous international awards, and the star's fan base does make it familiar to many.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#47

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:55am

I'm not addicted to drugs, i'm addicted to glamour.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#48

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:57am

the drugs are just a nice blatantly obvious bonus then?

"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#49

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 11:58am

i dont get what you're saying.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#50

re: wow.. 6 Shows to close Jan. 2nd

Posted: 12/16/04 at 12:01pm

Les Miserables and Into the Woods all had positive messages of hope and love. Miss Saigon was the only show that you mentioned that truly had a depressing ending (though Kim's son does get the life that she wanted for him), but nothing as horrific as Dancer in the Dark. Your mention of Cats was just a unnecessary b*tchy slam and I don't know what you're talking about with Jane Eyre. It has some sad moments, but ends quite happily. Dancer in the Dark is a story in which nothing good ever happens to the protagonist and nothing positive ever results from her trials. It's message is no matter how much you love or trust someone, it doesn't really matter.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

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