NYTimes.com: Often, it really is better the second time around. Occasionally, the thrill is gone. And then there are those instances – and they are the rarest — when it all seems exactly the same. I’m talking about revisiting a play or musical, which I seem to be doing a lot of these days. Of the 14 shows opening on Broadway this month, there are 7 – count ‘em 7 – that I’ve already seen, either Off Broadway or out of town. In most cases, these productions have the same stars (if not the same entire casts), the same directors and even, more or less, the same scenery, though sometimes it’s been rescaled.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Theater Talkback: Second Helpings
NYTimes.com: Often, it really is better the second time around. Occasionally, the thrill is gone. And then there are those instances – and they are the rarest — when it all seems exactly the same. I’m talking about revisiting a play or musical, which I seem to be doing a lot of these days. Of the 14 shows opening on Broadway this month, there are 7 – count ‘em 7 – that I’ve already seen, either Off Broadway or out of town. In most cases, these productions have the same stars (if not the same entire casts), the same directors and even, more or less, the same scenery, though sometimes it’s been rescaled.
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2 comments:
I really liked this article. It really gave a nice perspective on how seeing a show for the second, third , or more times can still be an enjoyable experience. There are so many factors to consider that could change how someone interprets a show. I especially liked how the author saw a show in one city and didn't really love it. Then when she saw it on Broadway, it was much better because of the changes and transitions it had made simply from more experience doing it. I think that's why Broadway will live forever because the shows can be a different experience each time for various reasons.
Too often, criticism IS taken as gospel and it can RUIN a production if a critic is overly negative and enough people (who understandably don't want to 'waste' their time & money on a 'bad' production) take that review as the final word.
I, for one, truly appreciate Brantley's assertion that criticism needs to be taken with a grain of salt & with the knowledge that it truly is only one person's opinion. I think this article shows why he is one of broadway's most prevalent critics.
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