NBC Broadway Special?- Page 5

[Bill Snibson]

Can we get Mama Morton a better wig? Just sayin’. She was fantastic otherwise.

[ACL2006]

uncageg said: "Kad said: "Devoting so much time to Antonio’s Chorus Line is odd."



Didn't he mentionearlier in the show that they were planning to bring it to Broadway? Maybe they are hoping it still comes.

"

 

John Breglio was going to bring the show over for a limited run, possibly for the Fall 2020. It sounds like Banderas still wants it to happen even though his next production is COMPANY(in Spain).

 

[ACL2006]

I also wonder who paid the performers & crew? Was it NBC? Each show's individual producers? Who decide what shows could perform? Did certain shows ask and get denied?

[Bill Snibson]

Typically the individual show pays. I’m pretty certain all of broadway was invited but dealing with all the logistics and costs we were left with only the handful. I get it...shows not wanting to spend money to fly their casts in or dealing with wardrobe issues etc. I’m pretty happy with the handful we got tonight. It satiated this appetite for the time being.

[Call_me_jorge]

ACL2006 said: "I also wonder who paid the performers & crew? Was it NBC? Each show's individual producers? Who decide what shows could perform? Did certain shows ask and get denied?"

I remember it was noteworthy NBC paid for the thanksgiving parade performances, so they probably also paid for the costs for these performances as well. Just a hunch.

[Mr. Wormwood]

It was nice to just see a glimpse of Broadway even though I probably would have been more critical of an event like this in normal times. I did think Tina Fey seemed not that interested in her hosting duties though.

[EthelMae]

Would have been cool to see West Side Story dancing in the street like the movie.

[Sutton Ross]

I doubt that show will come back, but would have loved to see the new cast of the movie, just as a fun preview even though it's not about Broadway. 

[unclevictor]

Well wasn’t that lovely? It made me miss bway much more than I already do! Performances were awesome! Interviews were great and Tina Fey rocks! Thanks NBC and everyone involved with bway for making this happen!

[Bill Snibson]

Its Scott Rudin. It'll come back for a month or so.

[sabrelady]

Liked this more than Grinch tho I do recognize the diff btween a full Show and a concert.

[SmoothLover]

Kad said: "I don’t know who this Brett Eldridge guy is or why he’s here but he sounds good."

Brett and Kelly Clarkson have crossed over from other shows including Christmas at Rockefeller Center and The Voice all which have been part of NBC. It is almost like NBC this fall season has had a rep company of sorts, but I think it all has to do with Covid and testing protocols and having to think outside the box. Kelly did all of her numbers in the same studio. Then NBC adapted them to varied programs. Brett by the way is a successful country singer.

I thought they did a good job with the program considering Covid. But the best moments were heartfelt performances by unknown faces. I wish more shows had been represented.

Given that Seasons of Love spoke to 2020, I would have had it be the finale with a Zoom montage featuring a large group of performers. 

My critical standards have been lowered given how Covid has made everything more difficult. The program was better than expected but lagged in the second hour. I think it might get an Emmy nod however for variety program.

This is off topic but Dolly Parton made lemonade out of a Covid lemon by appearing everywhere this season. A lot of her contributions were done in the same studio that she probably owns and is   close to one of her homes.

[dramamama611]

I enjoyed the spirit of the show very much, but was a bit let down by the choices.  (No matter how they may have come to be.)  I loved the little interviews though - the little stories of Bway memories be it at a first prodution or debut.

 

I did find it a bit odd, however, that they didn't keep the donation address on the screen at all times - even during an actual pitch.  Seems it would have helped.   

[HogansHero]

Jordan Catalano said: "Let’s just be real - none of these are going to sell tickets because nobody knows for sure when theaters will reopen so people aren’t going to be rushing to telecharge and buying tix. By the time we do have a definite date for reopening, this show and these performances will be forgotten and have no impact on sales at that time. Just watch the damn show and enjoy these performers getting to perform again."

I very much agree with the last sentence: this was just an entertainment in support of fundraising; relax and watch it and donate. (Or don't.) As to the rest, I very much don't agree. This is brand marketing and that's not a linear dynamic but it will nurture the brand and ultimately sell tickets. Coca-Cola advertising does not prompt you to throw on your shoes and rush out to the store to buy Coke. 

[yankeefan7]

"This is brand marketing and that's not a linear dynamic but it will nurture the brand and ultimately sell tickets. Coca-Cola advertising does not prompt you to throw on your shoes and rush out to the store to buy Coke. "

Excellent point and good example of brand Hogan.

[HogansHero]

This is a back and forth play by play of the show that definitely has its moments...    https://www.vulture.com/2020/12/best-of-broadway-nbc-tina-fey-best-and-worst-moments.html

[SouthernCakes]

Eh. Wasn’t for me but glad you all enjoyed! Jukebox musicals and movie adaptions with bland scores, blah.

Wish we had gotten more variety but I get it. Weird times.

[Zion24]

i am glad they did this, and dont want to pontificate on whether anything sold any hypothetical tickets. hopefully this appealed to potential tourists all over the country who now cant wait to come spend some cash in NYC. i applaud the effort.

 

but what an odd selection of performances? Why pick five shows and have them each perform twice instead of letting any others grab a moment (including national touring productions, or shows with national touring productions, and promote the fact that they are currently on tour?) I am sure there are a million corporate/business reasons for this but I found myself fast forwarding through much of this. 

Aint too Proud seemed to be the only one who knew how to use the weird space of 46th street and find a song to connect to a moment. And sure, Jersey Boys and Chicago did their same ole shtick and again, if it sells, it sells, so great. (Natasha Yvette Williams deserves that moment to shine). The RENT performance was touching, though again, not really tied to any actual production people can go see, right? (Besides John Eric Parker, Caroline Bowman and Tamika Lawrence, very curious who the rest of those performers were?)

Im in the minority re Lauren Patten (she was one of few standout moments in the show itself, dont get me wrong)- that very intense, plot-specific song sounded good but seemed completely out of place with the rest of the night, and the hostility made little sense in a vacuum. So many other recognizable Alanis songs to choose- Hand in my Pocket woulda been perfect, and here, You Learn worked at the end.  Similarly do not understand Mean Girls' first song choice- theres a bunch of catchy numbers in that score. Mary Kate Morrissey sounded amazing but lip synched horribly (and i would have staged that number, not the other). 

as a broadway nerd this was underwhelming while appreciated. even tina fey seemed to be saying "dont expect any humor or wit from me tonight, im just reading these cue cards and trying to help." again, underwhelming but definitely appreciatd.  

[mmFan]

I've only watched the first 30 minutes so far (PVR'd it and will watch the rest with my daughter), but I must say it was so wonderful to see Broadway songs being performed again.

One question I have to ask...how did they logistically do this?  No one is wearing a mask.  And from the first performance of Jersey Boys, they certainly weren't social distancing.  Did the actors isolate so they could practice 2 weeks before?  Was testing done?  Just curious of the logistics.

[Wayman_Wong]

Bravo to NBC for devoting 2 hours to N.Y. theater. It was especially wonderful to hear so many stars - like Nathan Lane, Barbra Streisand, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Groban - reminisce about Broadway.

And I hope this special raised tons of money for Broadway Cares.

(Ratings-wise, alas, this slimmed-down salute to the ''Best of Broadway'' got only 0.5, just a tick below Wednesday's ''Grinch,'' also on NBC.)

As for the musical selections, I wish this special could've been more inclusive. Five shows - ''Ain't Too Proud,'' ''Chicago,'' ''Jagged Little Pill,'' ''Jersey Boys,'' ''Mean Girls'' - each got to do TWO numbers.

Were many more Broadway shows invited to perform, but turned down the chance, due to logistics or costs? Aaron Tveit (''Moulin Rouge!'' ), Brittney Mack (''Six'' ) and Rob McClure (''Mrs. Doubtfire'' ) got to comment about the shutdown of their shows, but none of them got to perform. The new musical of ''Diana'' was included, but this was a pre-existing video of Jeanna de Waal singing ''If'' from that show. If this special could use a video from ''Diana,'' why not a video (or B-roll) from ''Moulin Rouge!'' or ''Tina,'' etc.? 

Again, I applaud the spirit of this special, but I hope whenever N.Y. theater returns, we get a more dynamic, diverse ''Best of Broadway.''

[SmoothLover]

Again I think the lack of variety had to do with juggling Covid restrictions. All of the rapid testing that takes place and then reconfiguring if someone tests positive.

BTW who knew that Streisand was an usher? Although it sounded like she did it for 1 evening.

[LizzieCurry]

I was surprised when my (very suburban, boomer) mom told me how much she liked the Jagged Little Pill number. Normally she's not into any kind of music that resembles hard rock, especially in theatre.

[Wee Thomas2]

We enjoyed it. Far from perfect, but fun to see Broadway and performers singing and dancing.

 

Thought is was interesting that they blurred out the larger "Scientology" sign on that marquee

[Wayman_Wong]

Good news! This NBC special raised over $3 million for BC/EFA. Bravo!

https://www.playbill.com/article/nbcs-one-night-only-the-best-of-broadway-raises-over-3-million-for-broadway-cares-equity-fights-aids