Shows which tour as 'Broadway Musicals' but not from B'way

[David10086]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 2:06pm

I have a question about productions that tour as "Broadway Musicals" (and in some cases even "Direct from Broadway" which never played on Broadway. This season, my local theater has booked 'Love Never Dies' as well as 'The Bodyguard' as part of their 'Broadway series'. Of course, neither one has played Broadway.

In the past few seasons, they have booked 'Dirty Dancing' as well as "I Love Lucy Live on Stage" as part of their 'direct from Broadway' series. I know it may be petty for some, but I'm curious as to how theaters get away with this by plugging these shows into their rather expensive 'subscriptions' ? Shouldn't they have a bit more 'truth in advertising' when promoting these seasons? I have had friends and relatives ask me if I've seen some of these shows on B'way, and when I tell them they never ever played on B'way they look confused - since the season was promoted as 'direct from B'way'.

Again, I know it's petty to some but any thoughts? 

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 2:12pm

The industry is using the term Broadway as more of a brand these days than an actual designation of anything specific. To more and more people, "Broadway" just means any musical or play anywhere, union, nonunion, New York City or not, 500 plus seats or not. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 5:16pm

I now live in NYC but when I lived in South Florida it annoyed me to no end the touring productions advertised as “Direct from Broadway” when they were non-Equity productions with not a single semblance to the original Broadway production. False advertising and countless people unfortunately had no idea so they judged the show based on this low budget production.

[David10086]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 5:16pm

That's what I assumed. It's just a 'term' now - which is confusing to many theatergoers. Yet this has been going on for quite a while - even when I was a subscriber in the 90s (and going to B'way as well). I couldn't understand why they would fill the season with 'fillers' and charge top dollar for the tickets! Most of them weren't B'way quality and should not have been included in an expensive subscription. Usually, a season which brought in 7 - 8 shows had at least 3 which were 'fillers' of minimal quality (and these fillers weren't always advertised  - they were noted as 'TBA'.  That's why - after about six or seven years - I ended my subscription. I didn't enjoy being 'duped'. 

[David10086]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 8:24am

BrodyFosse123 said: "I now live in NYC but when I lived in South Florida it annoyed me to no end the touring productions advertised as “Direct from Broadway” when they were non-Equity productions with not a single semblance to the original Broadway production. False advertising and countless people unfortunately had no idea so they judged the show based on this low budget production."

Exactly - and they get away with these cheap productions, and people think this is what is actually on B'way. I know I (and friends of mine) have gotten stuck with that so many times. And the ticket prices were as high as the real 'direct from B'way' productions!!! 

[morosco]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 2:14pm

I always wished that The Broadway League would create some type of official seal of approval that could be placed on all advertising for real Broadway tours.   

[DooWahDiddy]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 3:04pm

This is what the whole "Ask If It's Equity" movement is about.  Producers are making a fortune advertising their shows as "Direct from Broadway", while paying the actors/musicians/crew etc. paltry wages that Equity would never allow.  Trying to bring awareness to the audiences is key, because you're right, the average theatregoer doesn't know (or care) about the difference between Broadway and Off-Broadway, Regional or Community Theatre.  Yet, they're paying high ticket prices (for those areas) while getting lower quality shows.  Not in terms of the performers, plenty of non-Eq actors are great, but in terms of the production values.

So yes, keep educating the public and keep making sure these tours are legit before you buy your tickets!

[Demitri2]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 3:08pm

If it's still touring STAY AWAY from the RAGTIME tour based on the Broadway revival production. After attending theatre for decades, it's the first time I have ever experienced the performers singing to a recorded orchestra on tape (with 2 people backstage working additional synthesizers I was later told). I should've known something was amiss when, before I sat in my front row seat, I noticed no one was in the orchestra pit. Since tickets were in the same price category as any other tours I've recently purchased tickets for, I never thought I'd be subjected to this since it was never advertised as not having a LIVE orchestra. When I complained at the Hershey Theatre box office during intermission they suggested in the future that I call the theatre beforehand to see if there actually is a live orchestra. REALLY? Now I could be mistaken having never seen the revival production on Broadway. So my question is, "Were there live musicians performing in the RAGTIME revival when it played on the New York stage or were they singing along with a recorded tracks?"  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 3:47pm

Yes, the 2009 Broadway revival of RAGIME did have a full live orchestra: 

Musical Coordinator: John Miller
Conducted by James Moore
Associate Conductor: Jamie Schmidt
Concert Master: Rick Dolan
Violins: Elizabeth Lim-Dutton, Cenovia Cummins, Ashley Horn, Una Tone and Kiku Enomoto; Violas: Maxine Roach and Debra Shufelt-Dine; Celli: Laura Bontrager and Sarah Hewitt-Roth; Bass: Jeff Cooper; Harp: Barbara Biggers; Woodwinds: Katherine Fink, Lynne Cohen, Jonathan Levine and Todd Groves; Trumpets: Timothy Schadt and Daniel Urness; French Horns: Patrick Pridemore and William DeVos; Trombones: Alan Ferber and Dan Levine; Tuba: Marcus Rojas; Percussion: Charles Descarfino; Drums: Rich Rosenzweig; Guitar: Greg Utzig; Keyboards: Jamie Schmidt and Sue Anschutz

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 3:49pm

The revival did indeed have live musicians when playing on Broadway. Producers already tried to find a way to get "virtual orchestras" on Broadway and that resulted in a strike back in March of 2003 that only lasted a weekend before an agreement was reached. Equity and IATSE both stood in solidarity with AFM during that strike.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 3:50pm

Thanks Brody. Appreciate your reply.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 4:08pm

"Producers already tried to find a way to get "virtual orchestras" on Broadway and that resulted in a strike back in March of 2003 that only lasted a weekend before an agreement was reached. Equity and IATSE both stood in solidarity with AFM during that strike."

And yet, in 2011, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert had only seven live players in the pit (in one of Broadway's biggest houses), with much of the score on tracks (Spongebob, in the same house, has 18). It's only a matter of time until most shows are played that way, as most audiences can't tell the difference between live instruments and recordings (in overamplified Broadway theatres).

[DooWahDiddy]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 4:20pm

Demitri2 said: "If it's still touring STAY AWAY from the RAGTIME tour based on the Broadway revival production. After attending theatre for decades, it's the first time I have ever experienced the performers singing to a recorded orchestra on tape (with 2 people backstage working additional synthesizers I was later told)."

That tour ended a long time ago, but yes, it's this kind of thing that needs to end, or at least producers need to be more upfront about, so audiences can then decide if they still want to go.

 

[cb981]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 6:15pm

Reading this thread makes me a little weary of seeing the Cabaret tour next month. I heard it was really good when the tour started, but it’s since gone non-equity. Hope it’s still good.

[David10086]

Posted: 1/14/18 at 10:05pm

DooWahDiddy said: "This is what the whole "Ask If It's Equity" movement is about. Producers are making a fortune advertising their shows as "Direct from Broadway", while paying the actors/musicians/crew etc. paltry wages that Equity would never allow. Trying to bring awareness to the audiences is key, because you're right, the average theatregoer doesn't know (or care) about the difference between Broadway and Off-Broadway, Regional or Community Theatre. Yet, they're paying high ticket prices (for those areas) while getting lower quality shows. Not in terms of the performers, plenty of non-Eq actors are great, but in terms of the production values.

So yes, keep educating the public and keep making sure these tours are legit before you buy your tickets!"

And this is why I cancelled my subscription years ago. Why in the world would I - or anyone - pay top dollar to see 7 'direct from Broadway' musicals, when less than half of that is actually 'direct from Broadway'?  Like you said - the acting is still commendable, but the production as a whole is awful.

To me, it's the same as buying a 'knockoff' of an expensive fragrance for the same price that the authentic expensive fragrance cost. The knowing fragrance buyer will know they've been ripped off from the first spritz. Whereas, the unknowing fragrance buyer will either be turned off by the brand name, wondering why in the world anyone would spend that much money on something that doesn't smell great, or use it thinking they are wearing the real deal. Same with the theater experience. 

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 5:40pm

David10086 said: "I have a question about productions that tour as "Broadway Musicals" (and in some cases even "Direct from Broadway"” which never played on Broadway. This season, my local theater has booked 'Love Never Dies' as well as 'The Bodyguard' as part of their 'Broadway series'. Of course, neither one has played Broadway.”

DooWahDiddy said: "This is what the whole "Ask If It's Equity" movement is about. Producers are making a fortune advertising their shows as "Direct from Broadway"...

 

I was getting ready to buy a “cheap-seat” ticket to “The Bodyguard” (for lack of something better to do during that week) and remembered this thread. I checked the website linked and it indicates that the tour is Equity. Despite the fact that it never played on Broadway, does this mean the tour’s production values are going to be lacking? Has anyone seen this show? 

http://www.actorsequity.org/NewsMedia/touring_main.asp

 

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 6:07pm

It’s a transfer from West End, so don’t worry about the production value. It burns if you sit too close to the stage. Actually, I think it is overproduced to a laughable extent. It’s a fun night out nonetheless.

Updated On: 1/15/18 at 06:07 PM

[Tom5]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 6:54pm

   The producers of these falsely advertised shows must have been thinking along the lines of the movie 'Real Life' when Albert Brooks decided to fake his documentary saying, "What are they going to do? Put me in movie jail?"

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 7:52pm

"I was getting ready to buy a “cheap-seat”ticket to “The Bodyguard” (for lack of something better to do during that week) and remembered this thread. I checked the websitelinked and it indicates that the tour is Equity. Despite the fact that it never played on Broadway, does this mean the tour’s production values are going to be lacking? Has anyone seen this show?"

The production qualities are fine. The show itself?  Not so much. But for a cheap seat ticket - if you love Whitney Houston songs, go for it.  Deborah Cox can sing the songs well - when she feels like it, apparently.   Jasmin Richardson was excellent.  Prior thread on tour - so you can go in warned:  Bodyguard (US tour)

 

Updated On: 1/15/18 at 07:52 PM

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/15/18 at 9:07pm

Dancingthrulife2 said: "It’s a transfer from West End, so don’t worry about the production value. It burns if you sit too close to the stage. Actually, I think it is overproduced to a laughable extent. It’s a fun night out nonetheless."

ggersten said: "The production qualities are fine. The show itself? Not so much. But for a cheap seat ticket - if you love Whitney Houston songs, go for it. Deborah Cox can sing the songs well - when she feels like it, apparently. Jasmin Richardson was excellent. Prior thread on tour - so you can go in warned:Bodyguard (US tour)"

 

Wow. Thanks for all the comments and the link. No, never been a huge Whitney Houston fan, but I could probably sit through a show if the price was right and the show, for the most part, wasn’t getting panned so badly. Even if I did go, I’ve never seen the movie, so I wouldnt be able to make lost comparisons between the two.

However, after reading some of the comments here and in the linked thread I may just hold off now since this is the week before I go see “Waitress” and I’d rather use that money instead on some souvenirs from that show and maybe a nice lunch beforehand. THANK YOU for the tips! 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 8:49am

I saw The Bodyguard at Paper Mill Playhouse where the tour launched. The show itself is cheap and cheesy beyond belief. That being said, I thought Deborah Cox sang the hell out of the songs, and she was a joy to watch. If you're not a Whitney Houston or Deborah Cox fan, though, there is really nothing to see here.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 12:19pm

I had never heard of Deborah Cox before this. I’m definitely taking a pass on “The Bodyguard” and will just catch up on some movie watching that weekend instead.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/16/18 at 3:37pm

I can't recall seeing any non-Equity or non-Broadway touring show in Chicago advertised as "Direct from Broadway".  Broadway in Chicago is the brand name of the production company that brings in most of the tours and tryouts, much like its national counterpart Broadway Across America.  Even way back, before it was Broadway Across America, PACE Theatricals produced the "Broadway Series" for most of the markets.  For decades, "Broadway" has been an adjective for musicals that have been produced on Broadway (as opposed to movie musicals or Off-Broadway musicals), not necessarily a specific Broadway production.  Nowadays, Broadway in Chicago and Broadway Across America leverage "Broadway" as a brand name for their companies, but as in the cases of the tours of Annie, Sound of Music and 42nd Street I saw, I do not recall them being advertised as "Direct from Broadway" (which shows are currently advertising this?) or being specific Broadway productions.  We definitely get "Broadway-bound" pounded into our skulls for tryouts in Chicago, whether they land on Broadway or not.  And I've seen Broadway tours transition to non-Equity and continue to tour with essentially the same production, charging less for single tickets than their original run (In the Heights, American Idiot), so I don't consider those to be "non-Broadway".  I love seeing talented non-Equity performers get exposure that is usually only reserved for those living in NYC or the minuscule percentage of performers who can benefit from Equity in the rest of the country.