CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A little less glitz on Broadway this season

Yahoo! News: If Broadway last season was dominated by a glitzy Spider-Man, Broadway's new season seems to be shaping up more like his workaday alter ego Peter Parker.
A quieter, less risky year is in the cards, with fewer big movie stars hitting the boards and less razzle-dazzle in favor of more tried and tested material. Spidey's follies have given way to Sondheim's "Follies."

5 comments:

skpollac said...

Although I do love the amazing Julie Taymor and the "glittzy" stage, it is very refreshing to learn that Broadway is retracing itself back to its roots. True, not many big movie stars most likely means less ticket sales in this day and age, but it does open those roles for growing actors and actresses. Who knows, a new movie star may emerge from their first role on Broadway this season!

Ariel Beach-Westmoreland said...

I agree, this is refreshing! I'm not shocked that after the major sinking of costs into Spiderman the Musical, that Producers might be interested in taking a much more different approach. The costs of producing a broadway show may be high, but it may be wise to tone it down. Quality over Cost would absolutely be a refreshing change.

beccathestoll said...

So glad to see Broadway go "back to basics" as it were. The long list of shows coming feature not only a lot of veterans and respected STAGE actors, but also new playwrights, new producers (like Alicia Keys), and new ideas for productions (such as the revivals of Follies and Porgy and Bess). I worry that with so many new offerings, shows may be setting up to steal each other's audiences and kill business, but maybe after the Year of the Spiderman, the desire for some good old theatre will keep this season selling well.

Madeline M. said...

Reading this article brought me so much relief. Last years season absolutely broke my heart with it movie renditions and poorly thought out audience grabbers. Although Broadway will always be scratching to get butts in their seats and money in their pockets, I will always be in favor of going about that process artistically. Leave Shrek for the ice shows and 1980’s movies for the 1980’s. I would so much rather be hearing that people are dishing the dough to see Phillip Seymore Hoffman in the revival of Death of a Salesman than to watch actor number 30 get injured while flying to Bono’s new musical hit.

Scott E said...

I am so excited for this upcoming season! It is inspiring to see shows with good and original stories coming to Broadway. There just seems to be so much creativity returning to Broadway this season. It is so refreshing. I think that this is really a season to watch. Hopefully putting more original shows on Broadway will inspire others to do the same.