CMU School of Drama


Thursday, November 27, 2008

Macy’s Parade Provides Promotional Lift to Beleaguered Broadway

Bloomberg.com: Arts and Culture: "Broadway went from “In the Heights” to “Under the Sea” in front of the entrance of Macy’s in New York, as the city’s beleaguered theater industry sought to sell itself to a national audience."

5 comments:

arosenbu said...

I never really thought about just how much performing in the thanksgiving day parade cost. Or the tony's for that matter. The shows that performed on thursday morning did a good job, but I can't imagine how hard it is to walk down broadway in their costumes. I wonder if they only perform in front of macy's and then are done. I hope that the performances draw in new audiences. I know they always make me want to see the shows like into the heights....

NorthSide said...

I don't watch parades, but I'm surprised Broadway hasn't jumped on board the Macy's day parade a while back. Yes, I understand vacation time is precious for theatre employees but it's bigger publicity than their Broadway on Broadway events. Not to mention, it sells to a broader audience so you can bring in people who normally don't consider themselves theatergoers. In a world that is used to movie trailers and tv commercials, Broadway needs to find more ways to sell themself nationally than just broadway.com or word of mouth

Anonymous said...

This year more than others there definitively seemed like more shows were showcased. Aside from seeing santa, my favorite part of the Macy's parade is watching all of the Broadway productions perform. I think its smart for all involved, plus it adds some more substance to a parade other than bands and balloons... which are good too!

JIsrael said...

I don't really see how this will provide a big change to the ticket sales of these Broadway shows. Not that many people watch the parade closely, and the people who pay attention to this part probably are already theatre fans, who had watched the Tony's earlier in the year. It may draw in a few more audience members, which can't hurt, but I don't know if it is worth the cost in the end.

Katherine! said...

I love watching parades and especially teh Macy's Thanksgiving Parade because of the Broadway performances. They all did a great job this year. As as for arosenbu I am pretty sure they just perform in from of Macy's as a way to do something before the parade reachs Macy's.