Where are Broadway's Leaders?

[macbeth]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 6:59am

This is an important Twitter thread started by longtime drama critic Peter Marks that I happen to 100% agree with. 

https://twitter.com/petermarksdrama/status/1273256286289887237

"Granted, this virus is wreaking an evolving havoc. But the Broadway's messaging structure is in disarray. Hard to believe, isn't it, but there are no visible spokespeople for Broadway, to keep the public and the media informed? It's like the Kremlin."

Why isn't anyone providing regular updates like Hollywood is, the West End is, etc. Where are the big producers? Jordan Roth? the League? Shouldn't someone be communicating with audiences and the industry?

 

Posted: 6/18/20 at 7:07am

Jordan Roth has been relatively quiet in Instagram. At least he’s not flaunting his rather unique fashion “sense”

[barcelona20]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 8:37am

What do you want them to say?  The answer is nobody knows anything.

[macbeth]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 8:59am

In other areas of entertainment and in the UK they're being transparent about when shows do and don't hope to return, changes that they're looking at for the economic model and for cleaning/safety. 

For example:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-is-Using-The-London-Palladium-to-Develop-Methods-for-Returning-to-Theater-20200528

We've heard that there's almost 2 dozen League committees - shouldn't there be more communication with the audience other than the September 'refund' date that we know isn't tied to a ticket return date. 

What are they doing day to day to plan for a re-opening? What's being looked at for those in the creative space - agencies, actors, stage hands, designers, etc. who are faced with the prospect of no work and no communication? 

Publicly at least, we seem to just be waiting for a miracle drug or for someone else to take the lead. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 9:06am

The head of the League did speak publicly on the subject and it was foolish (not to mention that it was not what folks apparently wanted to hear anyway. The League and/or its constituent members know nothing more than any of us does (as noted above) and any reopening update of necessity must come from authorities not the League. Peter is a great critic, but this is off-base. I'll attribute it to frustration on the sort of bad day that most of us are experiencing at least some days. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 9:38am

Anything they might talk about is simply a "what if." An exercise in role play. Since they arent even CLOSE to being a green light, it would be wasted breath.

What exactly are they going to day? We're working on it?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:48pm

macbeth said: "In other areas of entertainment and in the UK they're being transparent about when shows do and don't hope to return, changes that they're looking at for the economic model and for cleaning/safety.

For example:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-is-Using-The-London-Palladium-to-Develop-Methods-for-Returning-to-Theater-20200528

We've heard that there's almost 2 dozen League committees - shouldn't there be more communication with the audience other than the September 'refund' date that we know isn't tied to a ticket return date.

What are they doing day to day to plan for a re-opening? What's being looked at for those in the creative space - agencies, actors, stage hands, designers, etc. who are faced with the prospect of no work and no communication?

Publicly at least, we seem to just be waiting for a miracle drug or for someone else to take the lead."

 

Huh!? Have no idea what you're getting at but here's the most recent press release from the League: https://www.broadwayleague.com/press/press-releases/the-broadway-league-announces-summer-performance-cancellations-while-working-on-future-date-for-industry-to-return/

Hang in there dude...BWAY won't be open for another 8-10 months....

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:52pm

Deena Jones said: "Jordan Roth has been relatively quiet in Instagram. At least he’s not flaunting his rather unique fashion “sense”"

That's true nothing since April on his social media outlets not even his silly stupid fashion posts or flauting his life style out in the Hamptons....he's been silent through all of this as he's usually more vocal and supportive w/ BWAY.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 3:56pm

He's been called out for flaunting his sh*t on IG so.....I guess he isn't doing that while sunning himself in the Hamptons?

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 4:54pm

Sutton Ross said: "He's been called out for flaunting his sh*t on IG so.....I guess he isn't doing that while sunning himself in the Hamptons?

"LOL offices open next week-Monday in NYC...wondering if Jordan-Jujamcyn will be in their offices?

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 4:56pm

Nah. Life is TOO good on his diamond covered beach cabana!!! 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 6:13pm

Hogan, I found Charlotte St. Martin's interview (Deadline, I think?) kind of refreshing in its bluntness. And it proved the point that any kind of statement is kind of impossible right now: NOBODY KNOWS when Broadway is reopening, what it will look like, what the world will look like in a month or a year, when group restrictions will be lifted... It would be lovely if there was a leader to guide Broadway right now, but I think it could come across as BS or an annoying attempt to pontificate without fully understanding the subject.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 6:53pm

I agree with a lot of what you say. I thought her statement was foolish rather than refreshing though yes it was blunt. As you say, no one knows anything or can plan anything. Her statement was no different than many I have seen on here, except that she was speaking officially (and it was not appreciated at home). PS: ALW's "planning" is just the posturing of someone with an agenda. 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 6/18/20 at 10:16pm

I understand what you're saying but like others have said, there's just too much unknown. We're hearing a lot more from Hollywood because they are much closer to reopening. Some shows will likely be up and filming within the next month or so while others will obviously have to wait soon. So that's why there's more concrete details on things. Also, they can work around social distancing and other regulations to a large extent and we all know theater will have a hard time doing that on a large scale until distancing restrictions are eased. So sadly I think there's not many leaders saying anything because there's just not much to say yet.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 6:25am

There should be a leader with an opinion.  Simply saying "nobody knows" is not a good trait of a leader.  I wish there was someone who could speak honestly about whats going on in terms of when the theatre should reopen, and how it should reopen.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 8:15am

Broadway Flash said: "There should be a leader with an opinion. Simply saying "nobody knows" is not a good trait of a leader. I wish there was someone who could speak honestly about whats going on in terms of when the theatre should reopen, andhow it should reopen."

"Nobody knows" is the honest truth. That's what's going on. There will be plenty of time to discuss reopening before there is a reopening but for now a good trait of leadership is to avoid misleading people. Moreover, leaders should speak facts, not opinions. What is it that you are expecting right now?

[Kad]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 10:38am

Listen, when there is a COVID or Black Lives Matter gala, Jordan Roth will be first in line to attend, with an all-new couture ensemble.

And when Broadway resumes, don’t worry: Scott Rudin will be there to shut down any community theaters doing the old adaptation of Mockingbird.

Updated On: 6/21/20 at 10:38 AM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 11:01am

Andrew Lloyd Webber is the only leader I see.  He has actually tried to have a conversation about the future of theatre, and constantly talks about the importance of it, and is a huge champion and advocate of the art form.  He has come up with innovative new ways to change the theatre so that it can reopen.  He has donated a lot of money over the years to the arts and music education.   He has released good content during these times, and started The Show Must Go On so people can enjoy musical theatre from their homes, while raising money for the actors fund.  Everyone else in the business is just wack, and more people should aspire to be like him.

Updated On: 6/21/20 at 11:01 AM

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 11:16am

I think it's extremely hard to have a leader right now because the only thing we know right now is the phases that NYC is. That does not mean there are any concrete plans for opening Broadway any time soon.  They have to be 100% sure that they know which direction they're going in, how they're going to handle things before they can make any sort of announcement. I think they also have to see how NYC handles the next few phases, and make sure there isn't another influx of COVID cases. If they say something before NYC is ready, I don't think it would bode well for whoever it is. Patience people. 

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 12:50pm

Like others have said... there's nothing to report. What exactly can these theatres do differently when they re-open? Most shows can't survive on 50% occupancy so Broadway isn't going to come back until it can fully come back business as usual and that's not going to be until after the new year unfortunately.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/21/20 at 1:50pm

Broadway Flash said: "Andrew Lloyd Webber is the only leader I see. He has actually tried to have a conversation about the future of theatre, and constantly talks about the importance of it, and is a huge champion and advocate ofthe art form. He has come up with innovative new ways to change the theatre so that it can reopen. He has donated a lot of money over the years to the arts and music education.He has released good content during these times, and started The Show Must Go On so people can enjoy musical theatre from their homes, while raising money for the actors fund.Everyone else in the business is just wack, and more people should aspire to be like him."

He is delusional Tory. I wouldn't be so fast to advocate that as an aspiration. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 6/22/20 at 1:16pm

HogansHero said: "Broadway Flash said: "Andrew Lloyd Webber is the only leader I see. He has actually tried to have a conversation about the future of theatre, and constantly talks about the importance of it, and is a huge champion and advocate ofthe art form. He has come up with innovative new ways to change the theatre so that it can reopen. He has donated a lot of money over the years to the arts and music education.He has released good content during these times, and started The Show Must Go On so people can enjoy musical theatre from their homes, while raising money for the actors fund.Everyone else in the business is just wack, and more people should aspire to be like him."

He is delusional Tory. I wouldn't be so fast to advocate that as an aspiration."

I don't know if it's delusion or wishful thinking, but I agree that it isn't an aspiration to have, when there are still so many unknowns. And while he does come across as sincere about his love of theater, there is still that aspect of self-interest. And it should be pointed out, that he gets too much credit for the "Show Must Go On" series. Universal, as the distributor for these recordings, is responsible for the series. He even stated it outright it was their decision when it was officially announced.

 

[IAMREADING]

Posted: 6/22/20 at 3:17pm

Producers spoke to Vanity Fair on background and since we don't really have any timeline for a vaccine yet, etc. I guess there isn't much more to say https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/05/broadway-struggles-with-how-it-can-reopen

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/22/20 at 3:29pm

Fosse76 said: "I don't know if it's delusion or wishful thinking, but I agree that it isn't an aspiration to have, when there are still so many unknowns. And while he does come across as sincere about his love of theater, there is still that aspect of self-interest.And it should be pointed out, that hegets too much credit for the "Show Must Go On" series. Universal, as the distributor for these recordings, is responsible for the series. He even stated it outright it was their decision when it was officially announced."

I agree. No reason to discount that there is a part of him that, like all theatre-goers, is eager for the return of live theatre, but it cannot escape our attention that he is also one of the largest stakeholders.