Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/22/2003 08:14 AM PST

-Don't you just hate it when people do that? ;-)

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/22/2003 08:15 AM PST

Happy Birthday DR Sandra!!!

Posted by Ben @ 04/22/2003 08:17 AM PST

I don't hate it. I think it's exciting! It means the DAY has begun at HHW - and so the DAY has BEGUN!!

New Broadway? IMO - it is the New Broadway not only because of the economics that Mr BK has been pointing out, but that the producers have tried to appeal to EVERYBODY and in doing so have not pleased some of us (that is the Royal us - not the Dogpatch us'ens).

I hate audiences that act as though they were at a concert - but of course that is what some shows are: TOMMY for example. I hate Broadway audiences full of children who don't know where they are (fault of the adults, of course). I hate MOST shows based on other media, THE LION KING, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, etc. Hollywood is certainly getting its revenge for all the decades that it was bashed for botching up Broadway successes!

It is such a BIG BUSINESS now, that I can only say - if they want my $$$$ - just do a show I want to see. Don't TELL me I want to see it, I will find a show I want to see.

Hmmmmmmmmm.....this post is going nowhere, so I will stop. Let someone else step up to bat.

COPPER CANYON...isn't that Miss Hedy LaMarr?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 08:24 AM PST

Happy Birthday, Sandra Dear.
Happy Birthday to you.
To make your Birthday turn out good
We give this present to you.

Uh...where's..uh...nevermind

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 08:25 AM PST

OK - Now on to today's topic...

As far as show's getting trashed and then praised to the heavens on other boards... I don't read other boards, so I'm not familiar with that whole "process" first hand. -Or second hand for that matter. BUT...

Among my own circle of friends and acquaintances, there is quite the chat and buzz that comes with every opening on the Great White Way. I used to be privy to more of it - and used to look for more of it - but lately, any news I come across is more by chance than effort. Since most of my friends are in the "biz", they do, deep down in their hearts, want ALL shows to succeed. They want them to be a financial success. They want them to be an artistic success. They want their friends - and themselves sometimes - to be employed for a long time. Unfortunately, there are certain shows that open, that are of such low and low-brow quality, that it makes it hard to truly root for them whole-heartedly. -Urban Cowboy being the latest example.

As has been mentioned many times, producers today are a strange lot. One has to wonder what exactly makes them pick one project over another. -I have a friend who has a project "on the front burner" in Soloway's office, but nothing further will be done about it until the whole Urban Cowboy situation settles down - for good or for worse... well, for worse or for worst.

And I'm also of the mind that if a developing project has taken many, many years to get produced, and has endured many, many setbacks, then maybe the creative and producing team should take all the delays as a sign. A Stop Sign. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule... But, if anything, I will give credit to the writers for sticking it through to the bitter end.

Well, that's my morning rambling... I hope it made sense... I haven't even had any food or caffeine yet!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/22/2003 08:28 AM PST

All I can say is, Broadway audiences are fickle.

First we cry over the absence of plays on Broadway. Then when a new play opens nobody bothers to go see it. Or, people do go see it and spend all of their available time bashing it.

Or else we cry over the loss of the simple, fun musical comedy on Broadway. Then, when such a musical opens, nobody bothers to go see it. Or, people do go see it and spend all of their available time bashing it.

Or else we cry that Stephen Sondheim isn't represented on Broadway often enough. Then, when a Sondheim show opens (whether a new show or a revival), nobody bothers to go see it. Or, people do go see it and spend all of their available time bashing it.

And on it goes....

Meanwhile, everyone says that Disney is the devil, but the LION KING runs for years. So does BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. So does AIDA.

It's time to stop judging Broadway in the same terms we used half a century ago. The nature of entertainment has changed. The nature of media has changed. The economics of theatre have changed. To suggest that the "new Broadway" is better of worse than the "old Broadway" is beside the point. There is no valid basis for comparison.

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 08:37 AM PST

Hi all.....maybe more about B'way later on, but for now, the most important first....
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA !!

ta-da...drum roll...harp glissando...french horns....pantaloons....

and all things grand and glorious to SANDRA...yea!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/22/2003 08:48 AM PST

Dave is right, of course.

We wouldn't want to compare television or movies today with the same forms of entertainment of fifty years ago. I'm talking form NOT content.

If all entertainment was "better" then - that entertainment would still be successful today.

Never mind - today's topic is too difficult. My brain hurts.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 09:00 AM PST

How is it possible that Urban Cowboy is only playing to 17% capacity? I could see the capacity being low. But just selling tickets at the half price booth should give them a higher capacity than that?

And if it is true. Why aren't they discounting their tickets dramatically so at least the seats are full?

Jennifer (sorry i missed the chat - i had just come back from the doctors with a fever and sore throat)

Posted by Jennifer @ 04/22/2003 09:01 AM PST

Happy Birthday Sandra.

The problem with Broadway is that there are shows that appeal to regular theatregoers (AMOUR, SIDE SHOW, etc.) which the general public doesn't like and then there are shows for the tourists (MAMA MIA, the Eisner/Disney shows et. al.) that are hated by most regular theatregoers but adored by the tourists and it's the tourists that spend the money. Why do you think such crap as CATS or OH CALCUTTA ran so long? Of course there are some shows that are liked by both groups (THE PRODUCERS, HAIRSPRAY), but they are in the minority.

The internet boards have no effect because even the most popular site on the internet (HHW) doesn't have enough visitors to even make a dent one way or the other at the box office.

Regarding URBAN COWBOY, I am sure that it is being kept open in hopes of Tony nominations and a number on the Tony show for two reasons: this is the kind of show the summer tourists will enjoy and also the publicity will help the tour where audiences eat up this kind of crap. After all, the producers are not the backers and they get their weekly cut as long as the show stays open.

Of course the taste of the general public for theatre is the same as that for movies where things like "Anger Management" and Kung Fu films reign at the box office and tv where stupid "reality" shows and amateur talent contests top the ratings. And the public would rather see someone they know from television or films than a Broadway star. Despite the success of GUYS AND DOLLS it took the American remake of "La Cage..." to make Nathan Lane a household name, and nobody knew Bebe Neuwirth from her Tony winning Broadway career until she co-starred on a sitcom. Bernadette Peters is not a bankable Broadway name because of GEORGE M, ON THE TOWN, SONG & DANCE, etc. She is known from her movie and television appearances. It's like summer stock in the 50s & 60s... give people a television name or a B movie star and they will flock to the box office. Look at how THE GOAT increased business when Sally Fields took over. People like her, they really like her. And Paul Newman totally sold out an awful production of OUR TOWN. The CHICAGO and CABARET revisals aren't in their 5th or 6th year because of Kander & Ebb... it's all the stunt casting: see George Hamilton In Person; it's Dougie Howser, the princess of the mall singers, Mr. Cunningham and the Polaroid Lady live on stage. That is not to say that all these people are not talented; some are, some not. But to paraphrase Styne & Sondheim "You gotta get a tv or film name if you want to get ahead".

Another problem with the "new" Broadway are ticket prices. What ever happened to premium prices on weekends and lower prices on harder-to-sell weeknights? Why do prices go up on a regular basis for long run shows instead of being marked down as newer and fresher shows come along? And why are 90% of the seats at top price instead of a scaled house with higher prices for the best seats and prices decreasing as the seat location is less desirable?

Another thing - with few exceptions, you never know if you are actually going to see the advertised stars of a show since they all take off so much time for vacations or to do other projects. Merman, Martin, the Lunts, the Barrymores, Verdon et. al. rarely missed performances as compared to for example Broderick and Lane who averaged one performance out of eight when both were in THE PRODUCERS (after all the critics and award voters came naturally).
When I went to buy tickets to NOISES OFF there was a list of dates that Ms. LuPone would not be appearing because of "previous engagements" posted in the lobby, and when KISS ME KATE opened the newspaper ads featured a list of dates when Stokes would not be there.

I didn't mean to rant this much, but this is a topic dear to my heart. Thank God for off- and off-off-Broadway to quench my theatregoing needs.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/22/2003 09:21 AM PST

Happy Birthday, Sandra. We will have the party to end ALL parties. Floop for all!!!!!!

Posted by Kerry @ 04/22/2003 09:33 AM PST

Yes, WEL, thank God for off-Broadway. And also give thanks for the regionals, and for the National Tours. Thanks to the non-profits, the Universities, and the community theatres.

Bless Bravo, PBS and HBO. Thanks for the independent film industry. Thanks for the labels that have produced the thousands of cast recordings that we own and listen to regularly. Thanks to the publishers who produce the lovely keepsake books of the major shows.

Thanks to all those who make it possible for the general public to appreciate the art of theatre - especially musical theatre, which is so near and dear to our hearts.

Broadway is just one street. We shouldn't place all of our hopes and dreams in such a small piece of geography. Theatre is for everybody.

Instead of asking, what do we think of the new Broadway?, a more interesting discussion might be, what do we think of the current state of theatre in general?

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 09:38 AM PST

Oh, I almost forgot...

Happy Birthday, Sandra!

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 09:40 AM PST

Happy B-Day, Sandra! :)

Posted by Lulu @ 04/22/2003 09:41 AM PST

The Theatuh, the Theatuh - what book of rules says the Theater exists only within some ugly buildings crowded into one square mile of New York City? Or London, Paris or Vienna?

Listen, junior. And learn. Want to know what the Theater is? A flea circus. Also opera. Also rodeos, carnivals, ballets, Indian tribal dances, Punch and Judy, a one-man band - all Theater. Wherever there's magic and make-believe and an audience - there's Theater.

Donald Duck, Ibsen, The Lone Ranger, Sarah Bernhardt, Poodles Hanneford, Lunt and Fontanne, Betty Grable, Rex and Wild, and Eleanora Duse. You don't understand them all, you don't like them all, why should you? The Theater's for everybody - you included, but not exclusively - so don't approve or disapprove. It may not be your Theater, but it's Theater of somebody, somewhere.

Posted by Bill Sampson @ 04/22/2003 09:51 AM PST

I just asked a simple question.

Posted by Eve Harrington @ 04/22/2003 09:53 AM PST

You won't have to read his column tomorrow, Eve. You just heard it.

Posted by Bill Sampson @ 04/22/2003 09:54 AM PST

Now, that's what I'M talkin' about. These are excellent well thought out posts. The 17% gross for Urban Cowboy was reported, as always, by Playbill and is, as far as I can tell, accurate. I'm sure they're papering as much as possible to at least have a few bodies in the seats, but 17% of capacity is tickets sold, most of which, one can presume, it from TKTS.

And just where is our birthday girl. Surely her mother didn't make her go to SCHOOL on her birthday.

Posted by bk @ 04/22/2003 09:59 AM PST

So 17% capacity is tickets sold - but some people might be there using "free" tickets, is that right?

'Cos the Palace sure is a big theatre to only have 17% of the seats occupied.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 10:14 AM PST

Remind me to tell you about the time I looked through the wrong end of the camera.

Posted by Bill Sampson @ 04/22/2003 10:15 AM PST

Remind me to tell you about the time I looked into the heart of an artichoke.

Posted by Margo Channing @ 04/22/2003 10:41 AM PST

URBAN COWBOY is not at the Palace. It's at the Broadhurst.

Usually there are two different percentages given: percentage of capacity (If a theatre seats 1000 people and 170 tickets were sold or given out that would be 17% of capacity); and percentage of Maximum Gross (If all seats were sold at full price for example making the gross $300,000 and the actual gross was $51,000 ---taking all discounts into account--- then there would be a 17% Gross). I'm not sure which figure was 17% for URBAN COWBOY, but it was probably the percentage of the gross with a higher percentage of capacity.

BK - When are you posting details about the Jersey show - time, address, admission fee - so we can check out the train schedule and make our plans? As I said yesterday, anyone who wants to join us and go in a group should click my name. By the way, the sour gummies are ready.

And since I recently watched ALL ABOUT EVE again I really don't need to read the script online.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/22/2003 10:53 AM PST

It is 11 am Mountain Standard Time, and the birthday girl just woke up. Since Career Exploration is over, she doesn't have to be to class until noon.

My thoughts re Broadway: I have no thoughts. I doubt I'll ever get to NYC to see a show on Broadway, so my opinions don't much matter. I see the tours. I do, however, support my local theaters.

Posted by Laura @ 04/22/2003 10:57 AM PST

WEL,

The Chiller Convention information (including directions to the show) can be found at:

www.ChillerTheatre.com

Dates & Times:

Friday - April 25 - 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday - April 26 - 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sunday - April 27 - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Posted by Kevin @ 04/22/2003 11:15 AM PST

William, I found your long post very interesting. It was nice to know I'm not the only person who didn't like Cats. You may also have explained why I heard our Ashland production of Noises Off was better than the New York show. Has anyone ever been to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival?

Posted by Jane @ 04/22/2003 11:16 AM PST

Let me also mention right here on this web page that the Chiller Convention will be held at the following location:

Sheraton Meadowlands
Rt. 3 East (across of Giants Stadium)
E. Rutherford, NJ
(201) 896-0500

Posted by Kevin @ 04/22/2003 11:27 AM PST

Jane---
In NY, CATS is one big joke. You and I were far from the only ones who hated it.

NOISES OFF was actually very good here, but I imagine your production was quite good as well. The play is so well-written that it is hard to do a bad job. Actually I think the best production I ever saw of it was by a community theatre group in Las Vegas in the mid-80s.

Keven - Thanks for the info.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/22/2003 11:30 AM PST

I just looked up the convention site. I thought that New Jersey transit went there but the site says to take a bus and then a cab. Is anyone driving there from NY that can give us a ride?

BK - Check your bio on the list of guests. It says you will be publishing your first novel at the end of June. You should get that corrected.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/22/2003 11:39 AM PST

Count me among those who is not a CATS-fancier.

And given the mixed reviews that Ms. Lupone received for NOISES OFF, maybe her absence from the production wasn't such a bad thing?

And, WEL, much APPLAUSE to you. I bet you can guess why. ;-)

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 11:49 AM PST

Hopefully the driver won't be quoting the ALL ABOUT EVE script all the way there.
*-D

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 11:52 AM PST

Somesnowyeveninginfrontofthefire.

Posted by Margo Channing @ 04/22/2003 11:53 AM PST

Cats is brilliant. Many stories, many musical styles, many wonderful effects that bring a book of beautiful poems to life.
What more could you ask for?

Posted by CatsFanNowAndForever @ 04/22/2003 11:58 AM PST

Kevin - thanks for the Chiller link. OMG - what a bunch of stars.

Dear Reader Susan, BK, Julie Adams, Carol Lynley, John Saxon, AND Rowdy Roddy Piper!

Somebody keep the noise level down, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 12:07 PM PST

Uh - the Broadhurst is an awfully big theatre to have only 17% of the seats filled. Thanks, Bill. Gross or seats - it's still empty.

I was looking at too many things. Maybe I should get that new thing called Windows so that I can have more than one screen open at the same time.

Has anyone tried that yet?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 12:21 PM PST

CatsFan,

I am glad that you like CATS. It just isn't my cup o' tea.

I saw CATS just recently, when I ushered for it. I had ushered just the month before for SUGAR, which was mediocre in its best moments. So when a friend asked me to give my opinion of CATS, I told him, "The only way it could have been worse would have been if Rum Tum Tugger had been played by Tony Curtis." ;-)

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 12:37 PM PST

Re: "Cats" -- begs the question be re-formatted, BK. All those Tonys, all that money and a record-breaking run and it gets ZERO respect. Why IS that? Kept dozens of actors employed for years and years and years.

Just a huge joke, is it?

Dip me and fry me.

Just how much of a show's success is based upon the attendance of New Yorkers? Has anyone ever guesstimated that?

I remember proposing to a theater group that we do "Fiorello" -- we had some folks who'd have been perfect in the major roles and we had a great band at our disposal and a decent theater. I was told it was not the kind of show that would do well outside of "New York" any longer...that no one but a New Yorker would know who Fiorello was..and that Hollywood never made a movie of the show for just that reason.

Harrumph! It's still GREAT theater! And one hell of a musical!

What's "Hairspray" doing, boxoffice wise? How about "La Boheme"?

What compelling reasons are there to see "Urban Cowboy"? I've read nothing about it except that it's doing poorly. (I travel to "that" site rarely, so negative a place is it).

And now for something completely different...AND IMPORTANT!

Now it's shouted...highest hills...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SANDRA..even told the golden daffodils....

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/22/2003 12:39 PM PST

The trouble with CATS is that every number goes on three times as long as it should and much of the music sounds alike. It got the awards because there was no real competition that season. It made money and ran in NY because foreign tourists didn't need to understand English to see it.

I don't have the exact figures but HAIRSPRAY is still almost capacity but LA BOHEME is doing disappointing busines although no way near as bad as URBAN COWBOY.

Jrand--- Windows is highly overrated. The only reason I switched is because they no longer make programs for DOS. Windows may work better internally but give me me mouse-less DOS where I can type in a command instead of pointing at a picture any time.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/22/2003 12:50 PM PST

OMG, Bill. DOS - what was everyone's first computer?

I had a Tandy 1500 with a great Operating System and word processing system. It was fun...and a BIG 28.k modem...LOL. No internet!

5 1/4 inch floppy disks. OMG...dot matrix printer! I love computers!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 12:59 PM PST

I cannot ever recall a muscial playing to 17% capacity. Class Act, which did poorly, usually played to around 30%, which, of course, is horrendous.

Re Cats: I saw it quite late into the run when Liz Callaway was doing it. I didn't care for it at all, but it is interesting to note that like Phantom when it opened it was the hottest ticket in town (NOT with tourists either), it had a pretty terrific cast, and was considered quite innovative by most who saw it. The years have taken their toll, but at the time it opened and won its awards people really did like it.

Posted by bk @ 04/22/2003 01:04 PM PST

Funny thing about tourists and Broadway.

BTW, I like the CATS cd, but don't/didn't particularly like the show.

And when I go to New York, I like to see shows that I haven't seen on tour. So I haven't seen Les Miz OR Phantom on Broadway.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 01:09 PM PST

First off...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR READER SANDRA!!! I hope you have a great day.

Secondly, I GOT A CALLBACK FOR THE TOUR OF MUSIC MAN! I have to sing on Sat. afternoon for the Quartet. How exciting! So many callbacks, so few offers...haha!

Posted by Jason @ 04/22/2003 01:10 PM PST

Happy Birthday, Sandra!

Waiting around for hoped-for Tony nominations. So stupid. If the show's a bomb, it's not going to make on bit of difference. I remember the same wishful thinking for that mediocre MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Well, it got 6 Tony nominations, and closed within a month after it won no awards. The nominations (and lack of awards) made NO difference at all in bringing the show to the attention of the public. It was a show few wanted to see, and I suspect the same is true with URBAN COWBOY. The indifference is deafening.

BTW, I follow the attendance percentages in VARIETY each week with GREAT interest. Just a nerd, I guess, but I've always found it fascinating seeing shows go up and down.

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/22/2003 01:50 PM PST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA! Keep those missives coming! That's YOUR gift to us.
------------------------
RE: BROADWAY - I throw this question out to those of you in the know...

Haven't there been some Broadway shows in the past that got bad reviews yet were kept open long enough to become a hit?

It seems to me that there are always ulterior motives out there to muddy the situation. "Let's keep it open so we can qualify for the Tonys." "Let's keep it open so we can keep our jobs." "So what if it's not as good as it should be, the dumb audience doesn't know the difference!" You sort of can't blame those who happen to be cast in the show. After all, its their bread and butter.

One of the reasons I don't see many shows anymore is that I don't want to be disappointed. I can't tell you how many times I believed the ads and reviews of a show and went only to feel lied to and cheated--that it was really ARTIFICIAL hype drummed up by some pr person or producer to make their money back. In the past, I might've taken a chance on a not-so-well-reviewed show if it had a a decent admission price but the investment now is so out of my reach that I won't even attempt to go.

Posted by Donna @ 04/22/2003 01:51 PM PST

WEL's claim that CATS had no competition for the Tonys sent me checking the Tonys website. Man, he wasn't kidding! What a slow year on Broadway.

But the Tonys are not necessarily about rewarding art anyway. They are at least partly about promoting the show that has the best touring potential. And say what you will, CATS has been touring forever, and people still keep coming back.

The tourist trade is only part of the reason why the show is successful. The fact that the show is "family-friendly" also serves in its favour. There are very few shows that parents can bring their children to, and CATS offers enough cutesy stories and lavish spectacle to amuse children. Many people will tell you that CATS was their first musical.

Of course, if the show is intended to be a kids' show, then that just gives all the more reason to make it shorter. The show runs about a half an hour longer than it needs to, and could easily be trimmed by reducing the amount of repetition IN the songs, and repetition OF songs.

Still, some people seem to love it. The production that I saw was a touring company, and many who saw it with me told me that it wasn't as "magical" as the original tour. (For the life of me, I couldn't imagine what could have been magical about a bunch of gypsies in legwarmers and clown makeup, singing "mungo-jerry and rumple-teazer..." for two and a half hours, but I digress...) Still, even in this less-than-stellar production, many in the audience seemed to be enthralled.

Go figure. Just a matter of taste, I guess.

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 01:54 PM PST

Happy happy birthday to Dear
Reader Sandra!!! Break out
the chips and frosting!

As for the current state of
affairs on Broadway, I find
most of it pretty ridiculous.
Now, I certainly don't know
much at all about the financial
aspects of a Broadway
production, but things like this
current Urban Cowboy fiasco
make no sense to me
whatsoever.

As Dave said, people grouse
about what is missing on
Broadway, and when whatever
they say is missing does
arrive, it's ignored and/or
badmouthed. This, I think,
comes down largely to our
conversation of bad meals a
week or two ago. Some
people just live to bitch about
things, and these people will
find fault with whatever is on
Broadway, even if it's precisely
what they've been screaming
for.

And as for those other silly
websites, I tend to avoid them
like the proverbial plague (far
worse than the boubonic
plague, just under-publicized).

Like Laura, I've never been to
Broadway, and know what I
know from tours, community
theatres, and recordings (plus
what I hear from fine folks like
we have here at HHW). But I
assure you, I will most
certainly not be "one of those
tourists" who comes to see
the big name, regardless of
show quality and such. And
when I do make it to NYC
(looks like I'll make my first trip
back there in just a month or
two), you can bet Urban
Cowboy will be at the bottom
of my list of shows to see.

Posted by Jed @ 04/22/2003 01:54 PM PST

Jason,

Seems that the good vibes are working! We'll keep 'em coming on Saturday....

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 01:56 PM PST

Congrats, Jason! Snag one of
these tours and you can bet I'll
be in the audience when you
hit Seattle!

Cats... bleccchhh. My opinion,
of course.

Posted by Jed @ 04/22/2003 01:59 PM PST

GOOD LUCK JASON!

I like CATS (the recordings) but I've never seen the show live. I was real disappointed with the video because they cut one of my favorite songs, "Growltiger's Last Stand." At least it did have "The Awful Battle of the Pekes and Pollicles and The Marching Songs of the Pollicle Dogs" which is otherwise only available (as far as I know) on the Australian cast recording.

As far as my first computer, I had a Texas Instruments 99/4A. It had all of 16 kilobytes memory...total. If I wanted, I could've paid another $200 or $300 for more memory. I didn't. One computer (sort of) that I worked on in high school (class of 1984) was a Vydek Text Editor. It was this big giant word processing machine (and nothing else) that used 8 inch floppy discs. It had a daisy wheel printer that could print 500 wpm. That was the coolest thing ever (up to that point in my life).

Posted by George @ 04/22/2003 02:06 PM PST

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA!!

Posted by George @ 04/22/2003 02:07 PM PST

Have any of you seen "La Boheme"?

It seems to me that the music of Puccini done up in a great production like this with young, talented performers would be a natural on Broadway -- it's extremely melodic and poignant and filled with showstopping moments.

It can't have had its only great performances here in San Francisco!

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/22/2003 02:44 PM PST

Happy Birthday DR Sandra.

Re "Cats". I loved the show in London and saw it twice. To me it was entertaining. It was not a musical as such but an entertaining way of presenting those wonderful poems from my childhood. Maybe the "theatre in the round" helped.
The show was staged here in OZ in a "normal" theatre and really lost atmosphere as a result.

Is it just "trendy" to dislike anything that is such a success as the ALW and Les Mis blockbusters? They have their place as do the Disney shows. I thought Rent was a waste of my money but there is room for that too. But then I loved "Passion"! What do I know?

All the best to DR Jason.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/22/2003 02:52 PM PST

I was laughing just a minute ago, because I watched All About Eve last night, after my ever-lovin' der Brucer went to bed. (He has this strange thing against films filmed in black and white.) The timing with today's posts was absolutely perfect!

Add to the list of hits-on-Broadway with the-Theatah-crowd when they opened: Les Miz. Is it tired now? Yes. Was it tired when it opened? No. If it had been, it wouldn't have become the must-see show for the tourists that it turned into. It's the NYC theater regulars that create the buzz for these tourist traps, which the NYC theater regulars then complain about. As far as I'm concerned, they bring it upon themselves.

And Joseph Mankiewicz, using Bill Sampson as his mouthpiece, couldn't be more correct in assessing where good theater takes place, both 50 years ago and now. I've had as good, and often better, times enjoying shows away from that gritty square mile, and the best times I've had within that square mile have been with shows that came from elsewhere and were transplanted.

Unfortunately, even the out-of-town tryouts aren't given a chance to do what they're supposed to these days, because if even a whiff of Broadway-bound is attached to a show, the nay-sayers invade like weeds. A show might as well open directly on Broadway, and get the strangling over with all at once.

What we need isn't a New Broadway, but a different idea of where theater exists, now more than ever. We need shows to originate in Seattle, or San Diego, or Dallas, Chicago, Denver, Atlanta. If it plays well there, then take it to another city and see if it takes root there as well. Let a play work it's magic in several different plots of ground, and then and only then take it to Broadway, the harshest soil of all. This method might bruise a few New Yawker egos not to be the first to see a show, but I'd bet the shows would be the better for it. Look at Metamorphosis, which played in Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles before even thinking of making the move to NYC, and off-Broadway at first at that!

If we want a national theater, let's take it to the nation.

Posted by S. Woody White @ 04/22/2003 02:57 PM PST

Is it just "trendy" to dislike
anything that is such a
success as the ALW and Les
Mis blockbusters? asks
Tom from Oz. In some circles,
yes. But I don't think that that
is the reason behind the
distaste for these, or any other,
shows voiced around here. As
I said, I do not care for Cats at
all, but I don't give a hoot what
others may think of the show.
When I saw it, it simply did
nothing for me, musically or
otherwise. Conversely, I did
quite enjoy Les Mis, and would
happily see the show again.
I've read multiple comments
on this board by people who
are rather sick and tired of
Fiddler, saying it's really been
overdone lately. This may be
true, but I simply love the
show, having seen numerous
productions and planning to
see many more over the years.
In the words of BK, that's what
makes horse racing.

Posted by Jed @ 04/22/2003 03:54 PM PST

A post from the other day made me start thinking about THE PAJAMA GAME. I really enjoy that show. I know it first of all from the movie which I saw on tv as a kid. Then, of course, I bought the LP. And then I saw a production in a Community Theatre - and then I directed a production of it.

It's just so much fun. And I came to so many shows the same way...Lil' Abner, Silk Stockings, all of the R/H shows. And I heard most of them thanks to the Columbia Record Club who offered cast albums regularly. And if my parents didn't want the regular monthly selection, we could take turns choosing an alternate. I always chose the cast album....Bye Bye Birdie, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music.

The money taken in by "theatre" on Broadway is miniscule compared to that taken in "on the road" and in community, professional, and semi professional companies across the country.

If THE PAJAMA GAME was revived on Broadway with a talented cast (NOT stunt casting) - and a director and design team who understood the show and didn't "update" it just to put their particular stamp on it - I would be there in a minute.

Would I want to see THE PAJAMA GAME directed by Sam Mendes with Bernadette Peters as Babe? Probably not. Am I being unfair? Look, here in town, I can look at the theatre, the director, and the cast, and I will know exactly what I am going to see. Same thing in NYC on Broadway. The difference is in financing - and we PLAN on closing the second Saturday of the run.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 04:03 PM PST

Break a leg, Jason -

"The schoolboard will now present a patriotic tableau....what??? The schoolboard will NOT present a patriotic tableau. Some disagreement about the costumes, I guess..."

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 04:04 PM PST

Happy, Happy Birthday, Sandra!

I disliked Cats intensely, the one-and-only time I saw it...except for the makeup. I just think Broadway, in an effort to compensate for the initial investment, is going to price itself right out of business. The ticket prices are insane.

As the price of movie tickets also creeps up, I no longer go to see every film I can and have become more selective about what I have an obsession to see. Now our Gov of Nevada wants to levy a tax on movie theatre tickets and video rentals, too. Greed is greed, no matter how it is spelled.

Posted by KT @ 04/22/2003 04:04 PM PST

It must be embarrassing for the actors to play to such small houses. I wonder if there have been more people on stage than there are have been in the audience. (is it an equity rule that if there are indeed more people onstage than the audience the performance can be cancelled?

Happy Happy Sandra!!!

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 04/22/2003 04:26 PM PST

Jrand: re The Columbia Record Club - you are going to LOVE Kritzerland, that's all I can tell you.

Posted by bk @ 04/22/2003 04:44 PM PST

Jason: Congrats on the callback. Hope you get it and spend some quality time on the road. Come back to NYC with some cash in the bank and not have to work coat check at The Met.

Ron: Hairspray had a few low weeks but it's now bounced back up to the 90-100 capacity. La Boheme, however, is not doing well in NY. It's not doing as badly as UC but it's playing to between 50-60 percent houses according to Variety. It opened to great reviews but has not gone on to sold out houses anymore. Just shows you that great reviews can't keep a show open or make it do great business

Re: Cats. I am part of the group that doesn't like it. Not because it is or was trendy not to like it but because it doesn't appeal to me. I don't dislike with the intensity that I disliked some other things, Song and Dance, Starlight Express - I'm really not an ALW basher, those are just two of the shows that came to mind. Then there is Tony and Tina's Wedding and that whole genre of theatre, which leaves me cold. But it was a huge hit and is just now closing after running since 1987 or 1988. Anyway, I am rambling now but just want to say before I leave, that, like Tom of Oz, I too loved Passion!

Posted by Ben @ 04/22/2003 05:00 PM PST

LOL...BK - wasn't it wonderful to see one of those square boxes setting on the porch?

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/22/2003 05:03 PM PST

Dear and esteemed BK,
being a west coast small boy (like Benjamin) my earliest vivid memories of seeing a real production, in a real theatre, with an (oh my God) actual large in-person orchestra, was driving up from Orange County to downtown Los Angeles to see a production by the Civic Light Opera at the auditorium of the old Temple Baptist Church, right on Pershing Square. My stars, it felt so worldly and cosmopolitan. It was there that I saw the production of "Milk & Honey" with Molly Picon.

And Dear Sandra, you must be getting a little full of hamchunks as you celebrate all day. Tell your parents that you get to go wherever you want tonight for dinner.

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/22/2003 05:43 PM PST

Dear reader Jason,
I send truckloads of good and positive thoughts and wishes your way. I think your only conundrum will be as to which production you want to choose!
I have heard many many good and glowing things about you from dear readers Kerry, Laura, and Sandra, as well as the suave & esteemed BK himself.

Sing out Louise !!

Posted by MusicGuy @ 04/22/2003 05:48 PM PST

Thank you one and all, and also all and one (but not necessarily in that order). Today we had lunch at Earl's Mexican Restaurant. Then we went to the park and fed the chickens. And then I got a Cherry Coke at Sonic. Life is good.

Today in my Literature and Film class, we watched part of a movie version of Hamlet and laughed at the really cheesey special effects.

Posted by Sandra @ 04/22/2003 06:23 PM PST

Ben: My partner Colin and DR Jose are "Passion" fans too. I gather there are not many of us. I thought Jere's performance was terrific (the women were brilliant). Shea's Georgio really was the character that really grew in the show. As much as like Michael Ball, I don't think I would have enjoyed his performance in the role.
"Passion" was the first show I saw on my first visit to NY.

Have to agree with "Starlight Express". When I saw it in London I thought it was very dull and non involving theatre. IMHO the Broadway version of "Song & Dance" ruined the show. Bernadette Peters' recording is "unlistenable". Interesting to see the show is back in London.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/22/2003 07:05 PM PST

Wasn't it "Me and Juliet" that had that
wonderful song that went: "The
theater is dying, The theater is dying,
The theater is practically dead!" to a
joyous waltz? And isn't that show 50
years old? The more things change,
indeed!
Happiest of birthdays to Sandra.
Across two time zones I send my
love, and best wishes.

The problem with Broadway is that
money can not be made. Even the
crap usually doesn't sell. (TWO
examples this season!) People
complain about risks not being
taken, but then risky shows don't do
very well. "Def Poetry Jam" has been
limping along since October, and is
only still open because Russel
Simmons is determined to make it a
hit. "Medea" had its brief limited
engagement, despite being among
the best shows of the entire season.
(I wanted to see it so much!) "La
Boheme" is struggling, despite the
most hype since Star Wars. (Before it
even opened!) So is "Take Me Out".
So did "Topdog/Underdog" So did
"Amour." So did "Ma Rainey...."
although that had other problems as
well. Occasionally, a "Urinetown"
slips through the cracks, but that's in
the smallest house on Broadway.
Maybe the people who care and
have taste simply aren't a big
enough market. And that is why
"Irma la Douce" (a show which I
personally adore, and would love to
see revived) "Li'l Abner", etc. may
never return. Because they'd be
seen as too risky. And that's really
sad. Because I love Broadway, and
want to make a career there. I guess
I should hope that most of the good
actors flock to TV, so that I can have
all of the good theater parts.

That was suspiciously similar to a
rant, and I apologize profusely. Of
course, if R&H wrote the song above
in 1953, maybe we all have hope.

And of course, best of vibes to
Jason!

Posted by Hapgood @ 04/22/2003 07:44 PM PST

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA!

As far as Broadway is concerned, I don't really think there is all that much wrong with it. I mean, it's not one of those streets you hear about having massive potholes all the time so it must be paved pretty well. And even though it gets kind of crowded in the midtown area sometimes, the sidewalks are still wide enough to handle the crowds. In all honesty, I'd have to say the biggest problem with Broadway is that it runs at such an extreme angle. This can be very confusing, especially to tourists who can't understand why, if they're uptown, Broadway is way over on the west side, meanwhile downtown it's all the way over on the east side!

Posted by Ray @ 04/22/2003 07:54 PM PST

Columbia Records Club. . . gawd. . .
they held a special warehouse sale
in my hometown of Terre Haute
before the holidays each year for
employees and anyone who could
talk their way in. . . so many
Broadway albums -- good and bad --
were there for the picking at a buck a
piece. Sheer ecstasy for a budding
theater queen. . .

Never saw Cats. . . what was it
about?

Posted by Kurt @ 04/22/2003 08:03 PM PST

Add me to the list of those who love PASSION.

I thought that CATS was the weakest of the ALW scores until I recently tried to listen to the cast recording of STARLIGHT EXPRESS. Yikes!

Posted by Dave @ 04/22/2003 08:28 PM PST

Was there a "Starlight Excess" cast album? I thought the only album was the songs sun by "pop" artists.

"What is CATS about?" About three hours (seems a lot longer).

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 04/22/2003 08:52 PM PST

It must be sheer misery for the cast of "Urban Cowboy" to play to 17% capactiy. At least it is employment.
The New Broadway seems to be comprised of a sitcom mentality among theatregoers. They are there because they are in New York and it is a tourist attraction. Attention spans are shorter now and it can't be a production with any depth. It's a sad commentary on our times.

Posted by Dennis Clancy @ 04/22/2003 09:03 PM PST

Sandra...I'm so glad you had a good birthday afternoon! I love Sonic's fountain sodas...they always seem to taste better than anyone else's fountain drinks--especially their Root Beer!!

Thanks to everyone for their postive vibes...I think it must be working! I'm going to start making a schedule of days and times I need your vibes...haha! Tomorrow at 10 am EST I have my OKLAHOMA! callback, and I must say that I think I'm QUITE prepared. Its amazing how quickly those scenes came back to me. My callback for MUSIC MAN is Saturday at 1:00 EST. Any vibes you can muster at those times would be GREATLY appreciated.

Wouldn't it be a hoot if I got one of these tours and could actually meet some of you guys?

Posted by Jason @ 04/22/2003 09:33 PM PST

There was no American cast album of STARLIGHT EXPRESS, WEL, but there were two London cast albums, the original and a later revised one with changes incorporated from the Broadway version.

Posted by Matt H. @ 04/22/2003 09:51 PM PST

~~~~~~~~~ Sending positive vibes to Jason! I'm hoping for the Oklahoma tour, since that's coming to town next season. And speaking of "Starlight Express" -- it's coming to town next season, too, on the season tickets. And it was already here once BEFORE on the season tickets!

You'll have to excuse Dear Reader Sandra for the rest of the evening. She is in her room watching her brand-new color TV.

Posted by Laura @ 04/22/2003 09:59 PM PST

Happy Birthday Dear Sandra!!!

I have been errant from HHW today because I was flooded with scanning for a website that I am doing. I received a package today of press clippings and let me tell you.. I scanned until the cows came home.. over 100, plus color correcting, sizing, etc..

Anyway.. I hope everyone is having a blast... read you tomorrow!

Posted by Craig @ 04/22/2003 10:15 PM PST

"If Ben Affleck can be a movie star....

"...then I could be a movie star...!"

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/22/2003 10:48 PM PST

Jason: Don't forget to sign up for the "Down Under" in Australia tour. I think the next Broadway show to arrive here is "The Full Monty" later this year. They should be able to sell that as the film was so very popular here.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 04/23/2003 12:05 AM PST

Yes, Hapgood, that song was from ME AND JULIET. Some of its songs were included in the R/H revue A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING and some of the same ones have been shoe horned into STATE FAIR, the stage version.

I like the MAJ score including MARRIAGE TYPE LOVE and NO OTHER LOVE. Pretty tunes.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/23/2003 03:13 AM PST

The Urban Cowboy cast is working the streets, literally. A friend was on the TKTS line (the half-price ticket booth in NYC) to get a show and, as those of you who have been on the line know, various people work the line handing out flyers for restaurants, other shows, etc. Two of the dancers (one on each side) were at the booth going up and down the line urging people to see the show. That makes me sad.

DR Sandra, so glad you had a nice birthday. A brand new color television! Wow, DR Laura is one nice mommy (your daddy is probably pretty nice too :-0

Posted by Ben @ 04/23/2003 04:20 AM PST

Only those of us of a certain age have to add the word "color" before the word television.

Do they still sell b/w sets? I know the portable sets with 4" screens are available in b/w, but aren't all "in home" sets now color?

When we got our first color television set (from Sears) - it was delivered on a Saturday. The first show the man tuned in for us was 'The Midwestern Hayride' broadcast on the WLW station in Indy and originating in Cincinnati! All those dancers in their frilly skirts and all that mandolin picking. COLOR!!!!

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/23/2003 05:39 AM PST

Well, ladies and gents, its a perfectly gloomy morning in the Big Apple...the perfect day to audition for Jud Fry! I'm on my way out the door for the audition, but wanted to drop in and thank you guys, again, for all your positive Hainesie/Kimlet vibes. They help a lot!!

And now..."The floor creaks...the door squeaks..." and I'm on my way!

Posted by Jason @ 04/23/2003 05:50 AM PST

Hope I'm not too late...

VIBES! VIBES! VIBES!

Jason IS Jud!

Jason IS Jud!

Jose knows the keyboard book!

-Oops! ;-)

Jason IS Jud!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 04/23/2003 07:24 AM PST

Oh, what a beautiful morning to be sending out good vibes to Jason!

Posted by Dave @ 04/23/2003 07:38 AM PST

The day is out of my dreams.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 04/23/2003 08:06 AM PST

Chicks and ducks and geese better scurry...

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 04/23/2003 09:04 AM PST