Tuesday, November 24, 2009
'Geeks' gets workshop
Variety: "'Band Geeks!' -- a new musical about high school marching bands and the group of misfits and wannabes that surround them -- will get a workshop production at Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terris Theater in Chester, Conn., May 13-June 6."
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3 comments:
This seems to be a new trend in musicals: socially-awkward teenagers in high school. Between Spiderman, Legally Blond, and even Glee, musicals are hitting a new interesting demographic that is crucial when it comes to marketing. Teenagers are perfect to infuse because they are psychologically still in a formative stage, so that a nostalgic cord can be hit 15 years later when they want to re-release/reboot a property. More importantly, teenagers are often on the cutting edge of communication technology and will probably spread word in new and interesting ways that marketing departments can't predict or keep up with. They are a keystone marketing group, and should be targeted more when it comes to how venues and theatres try to attract audiences.
This seems like an interesting concept for a show, but I'm not sold on the idea. I agree with Kevin's statement that there is an increase in musicals hitting this genre, but I wonder how much artistic value is in these shows compared to the writers being spurred (for some other reason) to write shows about teens in high school. Still, my biggest gripe with shows like these is they tend to play off of stereotypes that people have of high school and not what actually happens. I realize that the show probably isn't meant to be realistic, but then I wonder what the purpose of using that setting is.
I agree with what kservice pointed out, but he missed a crucial milestone of the high school musical genre: that behemoth franchise of Disney's, High School Musical. High school stories don't appeal to high school students, they appeal to the younger demographic of awkward tweens, waiting to grow up and afraid of not fitting in, being popular, and everything our entertainment media has promised them about the grades 9-12. Honestly, if High School Musical hadn't been a success, we would not have this sudden influx in the genre. Our awkward school stories would be limited to 21st Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the ilk; creative pieces that play on common adult experiences.
Admittedly, I know nothing about this new Band Geeks play other than is stated in the article. It could be a wonderful addition to musical theater canon. It could, however, just be a ploy to market to a single target audience and as thus would sell short as art.
Of course, as Wicked (and Twilight) has taught us, never underestimate the financial power of 14 year old girls in large groups.
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