BroadwayCon 2020

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 1/24/20 at 4:06pm

saw no one has started a discussion thread, popped in today and boy did it feel a bit sad, the programming is lacking and the marketplace has lost some big folks from past years (no bcefa or playbill!)

not sure how much longer this event can sustain itself to be honest...

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/20 at 4:32pm

Life will still go on, don't you worry.

[Kea4]

Posted: 1/24/20 at 4:34pm

I'm looking for a Sunday badge, if anyone is selling for cheaper then $80. I've never been, so I have nothing to compare it to. I'm mostly going for the SIX panel on Sunday since I'm a massive fan, but also have some other programming I'd like to see and to check out the marketplace.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/24/20 at 5:08pm

If you don't have Playbill or BC/EFA on board, that really speaks volumes. In all honesty, Broadway actors do so much charity and public appearance work this Broadwaycon seems like overkill. Honestly, it has to cut into BC/EFAs bottom line since they also host events that charge for meet and greets, etc. Id rather give my money to them than a Con. There are lots of opportunities for theatre fans with this expensive event. I'm never at a loss for things to do involved with theatre. 

[Marianne2]

Posted: 1/24/20 at 6:33pm

Yeah, for the 5th year, this sort of seemed to be an afterthought year. I am enjoying what I have seen and done. But, I was wondering why so much seems sparse.

Also not liking the badges. I understand wanting to make them easier to recycle. But, I ended up getting a new one in the first hour because the thing to hold it onto my lanyard ripped. I am not the only one that had this issue either. And now it's bending. I really don't want to end up replacing it every day.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/24/20 at 7:50pm

Year three was the one that felt sparse to me (the second year at the Javits, when it was evident they'd rented way more space than needed). BCEFA is still in the BroadwayCon playbill, though, so I suppose they were involved in some way.
The vendors are definitely more sparse than last year, but maybe there will be more tomorrow? I don't think there are some who do all three days and Saturday is usually the big one.
First Look was a lot of fun, even if Alex Newell was made to vamp bewilderingly many times. I was in the back (eating) during the Moulin Rouge spotlight and I haven't seen the show (nor am I prioritizing it, but I don't hate the idea or anything), but it was a lot of fun! Aaron Tveit is a pretty good moderator. BroadwayCon Feud was the funniest part of the day for me. Rob McClure is fantastic as a host.

[AuroratheGeek]

Posted: 1/25/20 at 10:39am

I went for the first two years, then stopped for two and went back yesterday.  I hung out in the MainStage all day which was pretty good. Thoroughly enjoyed the First Look panel (happy to preview stuff that I now must see, or now won't bother with), and the performances at the Jukebox and the kick off were great.

 

That being said, nothing for Saturday and Sunday seem like must do's (except for the cabaret) so I just bought a one day pass.

 

You would think they would be able to start on time, since they've been doing it for 5 years. They opened the main stage seating an hour after they planned, and lots of panels started late a result. 

 

Found very few things of interest in the marketplace which was a shame (but good for my wallet). 

 

I would really like to see them get some people for panels who aren't necessarily in a show right now to pull people in. We have decades of shows to mine from, and I found the panels that didn't focus on the "hot new thing" to be the most enjoyable. Would love to see more panels featuring people who aren't actors too! 

[Marianne2]

Posted: 1/25/20 at 4:33pm

I'm finding myself enjoying it more today. I guess I'm finding more things to check out.

One thing I am noticing, I think the Broadway Podcast network is playing a huge role in this because a lot of sessions seem to be recordings for that. But, I did find The Wrong Cat Died to be hilarious.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:25am

I was there Saturday and had a blast as always. My big marketplace find was a souvenir program of the Bernadette Peters FOLLIES, which I saw, for only $10. I snapped it up right away.

My favorite panel was the one with the three playwrights in the morning (shocker, I know) and the Mrs. Doubtfire one was also very good. But perhaps the highlight of everything was hearing Len Cariou tell stories from his legendary career. Apparently he slept with Lauren Bacall and got high with Sondheim. It was hysterical.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 10:10am

The Len Cariou interview was so charming and I was dying at the joint story. And how he stressed the importance of naps at his age!

[Perchance-2-Dream]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 10:15am

LizzieCurry said: "The Len Cariou interview was so charming and I was dying at the joint story. And how he stressed the importance of naps at his age!"

Agreed! The Len Cariou interview was the highlight for me! I went on Saturday (first BroadwayCon actually) and this was the event I was looking forward to most!

[Marianne2]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 10:58am

I agree that the Len Cariou interview was great. Also loved hearing from Donna McKechnie and her bringing Baayork Lee in on her interview.

I went to a bunch of the diversity panels, which were all interesting. And surprisingly, the one about long running off-Broadway shows was really interesting. Christine Pedi led that discussion and had Catherine Russell, Gerard Allessandrini, and Tom and Michael D'Angora. I know people like to crap on Catherine Russell a lot here, but I give her props for everything she does because she did seem genuinely passionate about what she does.

And Melissa Errico is such a doll. I was fortunate enough to get a pass for her autograph session. And then I went to her panel after that.

I actually think having the opening and then first look sessions in a row was a smart idea this year. Because that meant only 1 insane line all weekend versus the 2.

As a general pass holder, I still will go to the next. But, I think if the autograph and photo sessions stay so skimpy for gold or platinum pass holders, I would be slightly annoyed to pay so much for guaranteed things and not getting a great selection. I actually only entered after they added Melissa Errico and the Moulin Rouge cast. I wouldn't have entered at all otherwise.

[UnwoundFantasies]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 9:24pm

I was there and have been there with a vendor in the marketplace for the last 4 years (every broadwaycon besides the first!). This year was truly underwhelming and lacking. I didn’t go to any programming as I was in the marketplace the whole time, but from friends who did, and people I spoke to, it didn’t seem like there was much to see. Especially geared towards the younger audiences, which is the majority of attendees. I agree with a previous comment that they have all of Broadway history to mine from and could really get some awesome panels and people (ex. I really loved in the heights reunion from the past). It really seemed like there was nothing beyond this current season to showcase. Even the photo booth and autograph choices were so sparse. I found myself saying who? at the majority of people. I can’t imagine how disappointed I would’ve been if I had paid to attend.

In terms of the marketplace, playbill wasn’t there last either, as well as 54 below or broadway.com. I’m so curious to know if there was a fallout of some sort as these big organizations have 0 involvement, when they were involved the first few years, not even any advertisement for it from these sites. I have also heard from broadway actors tell me they’ve been to broadwaycon once and “would never” go back again, so it seems to not be a pleasant experience for the talent maybe. But the marketplace was dead this year, you could just feel the crowd was so sparse except maybe on Saturday. It was so disappointing, last year was quiet but nothing compared to this year.

Broadwaycon has a lot of potential but it just seems like a missed opportunity at this point. I’m just frustrated lol

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 1/27/20 at 10:47pm

I hope that it's kosher to include this from the con:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OMpA6QMCcJ0&feature=youtu.be