Friday, March 26, 2010
Play revivals carry baggage
Variety: "Opera has its ABCs ('Aida,' 'La Boheme,' 'Carmen), and the repertoire for classical ballet doesn't include many works beyond 'Swan Lake,' 'Giselle' and 'Sleeping Beauty.' Broadway has developed a similar case of repertoire ossification when it comes to staging a classic play from the 20th century that can turn a profit."
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2 comments:
I think this is absolutely true not only for Broadway but for regional and smaller companies as well. There really is pressure to do more of the same just because you can predict a profit, especially these days when so many theaters are closing their doors because they're bankrupt. In a lot of ways it's sad that even on larger scale shows on Broadway there isn't much risk-taking in terms of new works or revivals that would be artistically more fulfilling, but don't guarantee a sell out. Even smaller companies locally have the shameful productions in their season.
Naomi is absolutely correct... Even high schools and colleges are in this rut. I would love to see new, unfamiliar scripts being done, but instead it's the 'old faithful' shows whose names are known. Especially for educational institutions, this is the time to work on something new to grow, but instead there is too much of redoing old and worn shows.
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