Hippodrome 2007-2008: Old, New, Bizarre, Leaves Me Blue

This morning, the Broadway Across America 2007-2008 season was announced for Baltimore's Hippodrome Theatre.  Announcing the shows were Rob McClure and MinglieChen from the Broadway Company of Avenue Q.  McClure as Nicky and Trekkie Monster, and Chen as Christmas Eve announced the line up, which includes the 2004 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Avenue Q.  He also sang "I Wish I Could Go Back to College", and she sang, "The More You Ruv Someone" from the show. A multimedia presentation about the rest of the line up was also presented.

Ok, the announcement was less than 12 hours old, and some of you had already weighed in. Some of you say you will not be subscribing to the Hippodrome season, some of you will.  Many question the selections and are mystified at the exclusions.  Well, me, too.

For all of the excitement the current season generated - all first national tours, decent add-ons, and the oldest show was Wicked - perhaps it was a fluke, after all.  Hopes that perhaps Baltimore was finally earning back its reputation as a first tier theatre city seem dashed.  Heck, even The Lion King's long promised return (it is going to the Kennedy Center instead) leaves Charm City without a notable blockbuster.

But, theatre fans, let's be fair.  The folks at the Hippodrome who schedule this stuff are competing with many other theatres for the same fifteen shows.  And since some of them are bigger (Chicago comes quickly to mind), it only makes fiscal sense to save Baltimore for later seasons when you are the producer of Jersey Boys.  Then, too, the lack of touring plays explains that void - both of this season's non-musical offerings, Twelve Angry Men and Doubt, are it for next season, too. 

On the other hand, some of the smaller, relatively new shows that are launching or in the midst of a new tour (Light in the Piazza, The Drowsy Chaperone, Sweeney Todd) would seem a perfect fit here, maybe even actually launching here, like The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee did this season…  Then, too, like it or not, Baltimore does not have a "cultural breeding ground" reputation, which might make producers and schedulers alike skittish about bringing in more artsy shows like Chaperone, or more cerebral offerings like Sweeney or Piazza.  And yet we can argue that as long as the lowest common denominator is pandered to, the cultural bar will never be raised.  But the bottom line is the bottom line.  Remember, both DC and New York easily accessed from here, costs not withstanding, so all is not lost.

Five of the seven shows are either based on movies or have had very famous movies made of them.  One of the shows is a staged circus.  Only one is an original Broadway musical.  But let's be as positive as possible.  This line-up might just surprise us.

• September 11 - 23: The Wedding Singer:  This show has its fans and its detractors.  Personally, I loved it all three times I saw it.  It is not exactly the same as the movie, and the songs are a riot, especially if you are a child of the 80's.  Every tune should remind you of the likes Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and Culture Club.  How good this will really be depends on the casting of the leading roles.  And it is a fresh, First National tour…
• November 6 - 18: My Fair Lady: This chestnut should keep the senior set happy at Sunday matinees.  It is a classic, and reportedly way too expensive for a Broadway run.  On the plus-side, Trevor Nunn is directing, two time Tony-winner Matthew Bourne choreographs, and the tour is based on the hit London revival.  Plus, it will feature the original British leads, Christopher Cazenove and Lisa O'Hare.  British actors tend to be good…
• December 11 - 23: Avenue Q:  The little show that could, and DID!  The winner of the 2004 Tony for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score is easily the most witty, fully realized new concept show in years, this adult Sesame Street is everything it advertises - full of fun, full of heart and full puppet nudity.  It is nice that the season includes something just for the grown ups.  Plus it'll fire up that old Wicked vs. Avenue Q debate!  For my money, it is THE reason to subscribe.  And it is the First National Tour…
• January 22 - February 3: Cirque Dreams:  This could be very interesting, though the debate will rage as to how appropriate it is for a Broadway series.  It reads like Tarzan - jungle setting, aerialists… throw in some sleek costumes and muscled men and we have something to please the Mt. Vernon set!  (We are so over Hairspray and La Cage aux Folles…)  What will be interesting is just how "adult" it will be…
• February 19 - March 2: Disney's High School Musical:  There will be no doubt as to how "adult" this will be - it is family entertainment at its Disney best.  What we know: it is hugely successful with the tweens, the teens (and a lot of adults too embarrassed to admit that they watch the Disney Channel at 3AM); it is a Disney show, so the talent and production values will be high.  What we don't know: how will the kids, old enough to realize that the actors in the stage show are not the ones they love in the movie, react to the casting - if they are unhappy, it could get ugly at the 'Drome; will the kids like the new songs added from HSM2?  True it comes out well before the show gets here, but if lightning doesn't strike twice, the fans will hate half the show.  And Kenny Ortega will not be choreographing the tour, so the dances might not be the same as the ones the kids have memorized.  My guess?  It'll be huge, and the kids will be polarized.  The young ones will love it, the older ones will hate it, and the parents will be thrilled at having another family outing.  (I keep hearing this will end up on Broadway, so maybe this will be a pre-Broadway engagement!  Exciting…)
• March 25 - April 6: Camelot:  This other old chestnut from the same writers as My Fair Lady is interesting.  Starring movie actor Michael York (and if we are lucky, Rachel York will still be Guinevere by next March), this show was popular in its day by default - the Miss Saigon is to Les Miz as Camelot is to My Fair Lady concept.  Ever since its inception, Camelot has been criticized for being too long, too confusing, and just plain dull.  Subsequent revisions and endless tours (it has played Baltimore professionally at least twice before) haven't improved it, but have given it the aura (if inaccurate) that it is a classic blockbuster.  It isn't.  Like The Wedding Singer, it will depend on casting, and like My Fair Lady will depend on production values - neither show would survive Chicago-like downsizing.
• April 29 - May 25: The Color Purple:  The Oprah show breezes into town for what appears to be a longer run than the rest.  Less than two years into its Broadway run Purple is relying on stunt casting (American Idol's Fantasia stars there soon) and repeated guesting on Ms Winfrey's show.  It seems even the book club set is having trouble keeping it going in the Big Apple.  Still, the source material, Alice Walker's riveting novel and Spielberg's award-winning film are first rate, so the show has excellent roots.  Not only is it the First National Tour, but it will be the East Coast premiere of the touring company!  DC doesn't get everything first…

Special Attractions:

• And hoping to cash in on Hairspray: The Movie of the Musical, Hairspray: The Musical Based on the Non-Musical Film will be returning for a week, October 16 - 21.  Depending on how the new film fares, this third Baltimore run could be big.  If the film ain't so great, Hairspray fans may want to return to see what made the film possible in the first place.  And the debate will surface again, as it does with every stage to screen adaptation - which is better, the musical or the movie?
• Not shying away from the disaster that was The Awesome 80's Prom, the Hippodrome is looking to use its M&T Pavilion space for a show… Menopause: The Musical of all things, starting June 27^th and set for what is hoped to be a 6 month run.  Wonder how M & T Bank likes that title?  I'll keep my mouth shut on this one…

So there you have it.  Was it worth the wait?  No blockbusters, true.  But each show is a new production, not one that has taken five years to get here.  Each offers at least some entertainment value, and it should appeal to a wide variety of audiences. (I picture MUCHO single show sales and group sales for others.)

Seven Show packages are now on sale to the public and can be ordered online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; by phone at 1.800.343.3103 Monday- Friday 10 am-6 pm or in person at the Hippodrome Theatre Box Office. Ticket prices range from $154 to $612 for the seven show package. Current Subscribers will be receiving renewal packages shortly. When purchasing season tickets prior to June 1st, ticket holders can take advantage of the 50% payment plan allowing half of the payment to be deferred until July 2, 2007.  Group reservations are now being taken for individual shows.  Groups of 20 or more should contact 410.837.0110. 

At any rate, it is what it is, whether it makes you happy or disappointed.  If you don't like it, don't subscribe - nothing speaks louder than an empty theatre.  If you do like it, buy one - nothing speaks louder than full theatre seats.  Need a little more to chew on?  There's always CENTERSTAGE, RepStage, Everyman, etc.

All shows, performers, and dates are subject to change.