Are any of these shows trying to find a house? Allegiance??? Bodyguard? Charlie and the chocolate factory??? Side show? ...is that a possibility? Is Rebecca still trying? King Kong?
Side Show isn't scheduled to open at the Kennedy Center until this coming June, so don't expect to see them on Broadway until at least next fall, if it is even decided to go that route.
Bodyguard going to Marquis-although il Divo review, Holden demonstrated no love. Charlie and CF-seemed to have issues in London per NYT Allegiance-will George Takei sell tix? Is the subject matter interesting enough? Is there an untapped market of Asian-American theater goers? I don't see many in most audiences. Will Asian tourists have sympathy to Japanese-American experience given history?
For any show to succeed it needs to gar far beyond any one ethnic/interest group.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
It STILL could have been a hit with that demographic...but one demographic won't make a success.
Additionally, if an ethnic story has interest ONLY to its own demographic, it's not much of a story. I can enjoy a story about gay characters even though I'm straight IF it's a good story. At the root of any production must be the story.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I saw earlier versions of Allegiance in readings, but not what went up in San Diego, so I'm not sure of the current state of things. But there is definitely the potential for a great show in there. They are releasing a mini-album soon, and their site still says they are eyeing 2014.
Thanks lc, I realize my post could be construed as offensive with broad generalizations, didn't intend any offense.
I wasn't offended at all, don't worry. I should hope that Allegiance brings out a market that feels that maybe Broadway isn't for them, but Broadway coming to their hometown area is. I don't know enough about Allegiance as a show (other than I've heard good things from friends, Asian and otherwise), but dramamama is right. I should also hope that plenty of non-Asian American tourists would decide to go see it.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
A good story is a good story. As another poster (sorry, i don't remember who) mentioned in another thread, Fiddler on the Roof is wildly successful, and probably not only because of a specific interest in turn-of-the-last-century Russian Jews, but because of an interest in compelling human stories. The WWII internments certainly have the makings of a tragic story right off the bat, and if combined with a compelling individual-level story, I can't think of any reason why audiences of any ethnicity wouldn't want to go and see it.
I presume Phantom is referring to HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME? That'd be a bigger theatre for it than I'd have assumed if that's the case...
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
I also heard Holler If You Hear Me was looking at the Palace. Also "Diner" is about to have another short 2 week workshop after having 2 previous ones and. After 2 scheduled dates to open on Broadway I wonder if this is the final workshop before Broadway?
I don't know why I had assumed HOLLER would be a more modestly-sized production, but if it truly is big enough to take the Palace then, frankly, I'm looking forward to a big 2Pac marquee right next to the other big billboards at TKTS.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
If the San Diego run is any indication, I would think George Takei being in it for a Broadway run will be a very good thing. The audience reaction to him the two times I saw it was pretty cool to see. I was never a particular fan of his, but he was very good in this show....really good. Having Lea Salonga be a major part of it has to be huge as well, if not more so.
"Is the subject matter interesting enough?"
I don't know if is or not for most people. But having a couple huge names associated with it will likely make large numbers aware and become interested - and if the story is good, then the show could survive beyond the departure of those stars.
"Is there an untapped market of Asian-American theater goers? I don't see many in most audiences."
I don't think an untapped market is necessary (if Asian-Americans are indeed untapped as far as Broadway goes). I think the story is compelling for all. Note the San Diego audiences (I was a part of) were not atypical theatre audiences.
I reckon that 'The Bodyguard' will not happen on Broadway now on Broadway, it had a solid 4 months in the West End, then the box office died a death, it is still playing there, but its days are numbered.
Don't think 'We Will Rock You' will happen on Broadway either, Queen isn't well know in America.
I think it's safe to say that Americans have caught up to Queen, though their records never sold here the way they sold back home. With WE WILL ROCK YOU on tour this fall here, surely they'll be getting a good sense of how they'll play on this side of the pond.
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.