Sunday, February 28, 2010

A Passive Observation

Just a heads-up to the producing and advertising team of Spiderman: Turn off the Dark: This poster is still in Shubert Alley. For those that don't know, Shubert Alley is an alley (go figure) in the center of the theatre district between 44th and 45th street (along the side of the Shubert Theatre), where damn near every show on Broadway puts up a creative poster to advertise.

While passing through the other day, I did notice a distinct difference between the poster in the Alley and the image you see above. Instead of the words "Coming to Broadway," the Alley poster reads "Previews Begin February 25." I know this show has been on hold for quite some time, and maybe, just maybe, Spiderman on Broadway will be a reality in the coming year. However, the advertisers might want to take a minute to either put a new poster up or put something over the Preview Date That Got Away. But, given the problems over the past year, maybe there isn't enough money for that. But, on the bright side, I think that poster will make quite a collectible item for fans of Spidey or Broadway.

Hey! Here's an idea. Auction it off at the next Broadway Flea Market! Maybe there will be a huge superfan, fresh off Comic-Con, that will bid so high the producers will have enough money to possibly finish casting and start rehearsals. Just a suggestion.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Lovely Suggestions


Wanna show your significant other that you love them? Take 'em to a Broadway show. There are lots of great love stories on the Great White Way that'll surely make you fall in love all over again (or, maybe you'll get lucky for spending so much money on the tickets). Here are a few suggestions:

1. West Side Story--A story of forbidden love in New York City. Nothing says "I Love You" like a mix of beautiful music and choreographed, racist violence.

2. Memphis--See #1, but south of the ol' Mason Dixon with louder and faster music.

3. Rock of Ages--They sing Foreigner's " I Wanna Know What Love Is" in the bathroom stall of an LA Bar. That's love, 80's Style!

4. Fela!--If there's anyone who knows how to "love", it's a guy with 27 wives.

5. Hair--"The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical." Their words. Not mine. Peace, Love, and Boobies.

6. God of Carnage--If love isn't binding these couples, I have no idea what would keep them together. Or even in the same room with each other.

So, there you go. A brief sampling of the love spread in the theatre district nightly. Now, of course, there are many more shows that address that sought-after, longed-for feeling: Love. That's all Chicago's Billy Flynn cares about. In Jersey Boys, Frankie Valli is working his way back to you with it burning inside. I guess it just all depends on how you want your evening to end. Do you want a murder, a concert, or a rousing chorus of "Don't Stop Believing?"

Whatever choice you make, here's wishing all you lovebirds a Happy Valentine's Day.


Friday, January 22, 2010

Episode XXIX: A New Hope



At the risk of sounding repetitive, these are tough times. If the news of New Jersey in my last entry didn't thoroughly illustrate that, try this one: The proposed New York State budget for 2010-11 calls for a $9.6 million cut in arts funding . Remember that job list for the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey? Check out this one. That's for the Egg Theater in Albany, NY. No, it's not as big of a list of employees as the NJ theater, but under the new budget, The Egg would have any and all state funding eliminated. Last year, it got $540,000. You do the math.

Yes, it's a little morbid. But, facts are facts.

But, here's another fact (or maybe it's just a poignant cliche): Necessity is the mother of invention. Here's a passage from Howard Kissel's unauthorized biography of Producer David Merrick about the Theater Development Fund, a non-profit organization that aids the commercial theater here in New York, and across the country:
  • "TDF was born out of a sense of despair about the commercial theater, a despair more profound than the one that had inspired the issue of Theater Arts that outlined the Broadway theater's woes in 1940."*
This organization has been a staple in the New York scene since 1968 and it is the nation's largest performing arts non-profit. And it was formed to create a new model for theater operations in a dire time.

Well, I guess you could say that times are pretty dire. But, a light is peering through the darkness. There is a group of artists that are actively pursuing a new model of how we approach, perform, and manage theater and art. If you've been a long-time follower of the blog, I mentioned them in my second post ever. They are the Transcendence Theater Company and they are about to embark on yet another incredible journey. I could not possibly attempt to describe this as vividly as Artistic Director Amy Miller. So, please click on this link in order to go to their website and see the video describing the "Unstoppable Future Campaign." It'll take less than five minutes of your time to see what could very well be one of the greatest steps forward in the long, complex journey of theater. They are about to tour the country, conducting a series of interviews over the course of a couple of months, in an attempt to see what's working, and more importantly, what isn't, in order to create a solid future for artists and arts professionals . They are truly committing themselves to finding a solution, or more than one. And maybe sometime in the not-so-distant future, arts organizations won't have the rug pulled out from under them at the first sign of economic trouble. So, if you enjoy the video, and believe in their mission, you have the opportunity to donate and become part of the future. Just click on the "Donate" section of the website. Or just click here.

*Howard Kissel. David Merrick: The Abominable Showman, p. 273. Copyright 1993.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

At a theater near you....maybe...


As promised, I will try to get the bad news out of the way early in the year, to make way for lots of good news (and there already is some--but, more on that later).

Last month, an article in the NY Times illustrated just how difficult it is going to be in the non-profit sector this year, especially across the pond in New Jersey (of course, in this context, "the pond" is the mighty Hudson River). Feel free to read it here. For the hyperlinkophobes, here's a brief summary:



  • The incoming NJ Governor, Chris Christie, sent a memo to the outgoing governor, Jim Corzine, requesting a freeze on all "discretionary spending" in order to try and buffer a ginormous deficit that Dirty Jerz has racked up in the last years (and by that, I mean more than one governor's term). The amounts of this freeze include "some $12 million for about 200 arts groups--including grants of up to $600,000 for 26 local theaters that are crucial to their financial health."

Now, let's keep in mind, that this blip on the economic radar has existed for a while. So, non-profit theaters across the country have seen their donations and funding dwindle over the last couple of years and they have had to cut corners accordingly: First they had layoffs and combined positions (which often means double or triple the work for half the pay), then they tighten for the future with smaller budgets: which means smaller casts, crews, and anything else that requires "capital" (which is the big-boy word for "money"). They have already cut themselves to a shoe-string budget. Now, if they do not get this state funding (that they budgeted for) in time, it could literally put them out of business. Click here. That is the staff list for the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, now in it's 47th season. In the Times article, Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte called this freeze "life-threatening" for the theater. If their doors close, that staff list will not exist. I know it doesn't seem like many people, but, they could soon be among the too-many in this country without gainful employment. Furthermore, this would "trickle-down" (I thought I'd use that term in its true context--more often than not, poverty is what "trickles down") to the many actors, scenic designers, composers, directors, crew members, and other contracted workers. So, a small staff list suddenly becomes a lot larger when you consider a single season at a non-profit theater.

Furthermore, one man's "discretionary," is another's "necessary." To say that I get a little put-off when the arts (and in this instance, I mean any and all--including, music, theater, painting, sculpture, etc.) are the first to take the fall for baby-people mishandling lots and lots of money to cause a financial collapse is a bit of an understatement. In addition to the performance season, many of these theaters (not just in NJ, but all over the country) have robust education programs, giving students avenues to express themselves and achieve a new level of comprehension. These theaters give back to their communities. They encourage creativity, unity, and a sense of purpose, for both adults and children. To deem that funding "discretionary," as in "you know, if you feel like it," is a downright shame.


This situation further exacerbates a prevalent criticism of regional theaters across the country. Regional theaters were created to explore new works, encourage untested artists, and essentially be a local theater for local artists across the county, independent of the commercialism of Broadway (read more about it here). However, for many years, a number of regional theaters have been going the safe route: picking marketable shows (often with smaller casts) for their subscription base and attempting to get "stars" to headline productions. So, they are becoming, in essence, the opposite of the spirit in which they were created. A very recent NY Times article showcased playwrights and their ability (and, more importantly, inability) to break in via the regional circuit, as the playhouses are choosing more proven shows that will fill seats (read about it here). And, again, administrators say that it comes down to dollars. They need popular shows because they need patrons to buy tickets and come see the shows. They cannot take the chances of the past because their revenue streams are not what they used to be. Donors aren't donating as much and governments are not funding as much. With costs of living (renting, producing) rising and unearned income (meaning donations, etc.) falling, it becomes an un-artsy math dilemma. Therefore, you are gonna see Jackie Mason's newest one-man show over a cast-of-75 version of Showboat.


These problems have been around for many years. However, the added pressure of The Great Recession has really brought this to a tipping point. Will we see the end of many a theater that, in some cases, are a community's only resource for culture? Well, that remains to be seen. But, unfortunately, we may see it sooner rather than later.


A discussion needs to be had by the artistic community, and beyond, to try and find a solution. Many know how to complain about it, but few are engaging in fruitful dialogue. But, there is hope. A theater group is about to launch a nation-wide program that will attempt to create a new model for the theater community. And you'll find out all about them.....(Seacrest Pause)......in my next entry.





Sunday, January 3, 2010

It was the best of times, it is the worst of times.

On Broadway, usually the holidays are the best of times and January is the worst of times. And this year is no exception. A torrent of tourists tore up the theaters in December, but then Santa dropped a big shiny ball in Times Square and everybody took their toys (and money) and went back to Europe (lots of guests from "across the pond" were in the city this year, buying lots of Abercrombie and Fitch, eating at chain restaurants, and seeing the popular shows on Broadway because the Dollar is the new Peso). As the tourists go, so goes Broadway because stats have shown us that 63% of all B'way tickets were purchased by tourists (with 21% purchased by international tourists--You're welcome "Mamma Mia" and "Lion King")*. But, in January, the money is spent, everyone is burnt out, and New York businesses try to find a way to survive until the spring. And when you have a show running that didn't benefit from the "holiday pop," it might be time to pack it in. And so it goes for the following 10 shows that will be shuttering in January.** Now, some of these were limited engagements, but it still means an empty theater.



1. The 39 Steps--The comedy based on the Hitchcock thriller will be closing after about 2 years (and 3 different theaters). But, there is a very good chance it will pull an Avenue Q and reopen Off-Broadway. Check out that story here. See, there's already a silver lining. (Closing: 1/10/10)


2. Burn the Floor--While this was a limited run, it was supposed to extend until Valentine's Day, but alas, ticket buyers were not giving up the love. There will be a tour later this year. (Closing: 1/10/10)


3. Bye, Bye Birdie--This is a Roundabout show, with a limited run, and it extended two weeks to prolong the closing. But, it is, indeed, closing at the end of the month. What a shame. But, not really. (If this confuses you, please read this.) (Closing: 1/24/10)


4. Finian's Rainbow--This proves that the New York Times Review ain't what it used to be. This was one of the best reviewed shows of the year, across the board. But, it's Broadway life will be just over 3 months, if you include preview performances. This was not supposed to be a limited run. (Closing: 1/17/10)


5. In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)--While garnering a lot of positive buzz, this show couldn't arouse audiences to buy a ticket, and it will be all wet by mid-month. (See what I did there?) (Closing: 1/10/10)


6. White Christmas--Limited run. Genius producers. Expect to see it again in November. (Closing: 1/3/10)


7. Ragtime--There were high hopes for this simplified revival. But, I guess audiences wanted the big and splashy, as opposed to the focused and poignant. The closing date was pushed back a week, due to audience demand after the original closing date was announced. (Closing: 1/10/10)


8. Superior Donuts--It appears Tracy Letts couldn't recapture the dysfunctional magic of August: Osage County with his following effort. And not even David St. Hubbins could save the show. (Closing: 1/3/10)


9. Wishful Drinking--Another limited Roundabout run. And they added two weeks to prolong the closing of this as well. I'll drink to that. (Closing: 1/17/10)


10. Shrek--We knew it was coming, folks. The Ogre has left the building. And he's got alotta debt to pay. So, of course, you can let your freak flag fly at a theatre near you come this summer because this show is going on the road. (Closing: 1/3/10)



Yes, it is a little depressing. But, an empty theater is an opportunity for a new masterpiece to take New York by storm come spring. That's the ebb and flow, my friends. So, hunker down, bundle up, and look forward to the future.



*Stats brought to you by The Broadway League Study of the Demographics of the Broadway Audience for the 2008-2009 season.

**As of this posting date, these were the shows listed with a definite closing date on Playbill.com.

Thursday, December 31, 2009

"Life moves pretty fast."


"If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Ferris was right. This past month (and year, for that matter) has flown by. So, my posts have been a little, well, non-existent. So, my apologies for those who've been paying attention, but I was, indeed, swept up in holiday merriment. I do look forward to getting back to business in the New Year. Here are a couple of topics that I'll be addressing in the near future:

1. The January Casualties. There may have been a flood of tourists in New York this season, and most of them visited the Great White Way. But, some shows got no love and will not see Valentine's Day.

2. I know that this may not be a secret to many, but it is starting to become more official: Government funding for the arts is literally being described as "discretionary spending." Non-essential, if you will. And the non-profit arts establishments around the country are suffering. Without some help, 2010 may see the closing of many a theater and the loss of many a job.

But, it is always darkest before the dawn, as they say (and, no, I cannot quote the source "they"). So, I'm looking for a brighter and happier dawn for the arts in this country and around the world. Stay tuned...

Until then, enjoy what you have in your life and celebrate the people who share it with you. Here's wishing you a very happy, healthy, wealthy, and bright New Year!







Monday, December 7, 2009

We interrupt theatre blogging (or recent lack, thereof) to bring you...


Movies that I look forward to every year and will watch EVERY time they come on during the holiday season.

I venture to say this will not be agreed upon by all of you. I try to defend my picks, but, you know what, sometimes logic escapes me. Some of you may not enjoy the holiday season at all-- "It's all a bunch of greedy commercialism, blah, blah, blah". And I agree, in part. But, the kid in me wins over the cynic in me this time of year. I even act like a kid. Just ask my wife. Anyway, if that's how you feel, perhaps you may want to skip the blog this month. Because I anticipate more holiday-themed entries. That is, if I take the time out of my Christmas movie viewing schedule.

I wanted to write this before all of the programs aired, as the holiday season seems to start earlier and earlier. I might have gotten it in just under the wire. Click on the titles and it'll take you to the imdb.com page for the movie. Some pages include times and channels for when these movies will be on during the month (You're welcome). Christmas Spirit Warning: This list goes to 11.

1. A Christmas Story--A gun. An eye. An icicle. A Christmas Miracle. It's the story of a boy's simple Christmas wish, told by an adult, for the child in all of us. Ralphie's relentless pursuit of his Red Ryder BB Gun is a great story in and of itself. But, told with the backdrop of the suburbs in the 1940s, it gives us fantastic characters to fill in this simple story. Scut Farkas and Grover Dill: You feared them. At 8pm on Christmas Eve, my TV is set and locked into a 24-hour marathon of this classic. And when I turn it off to go to sleep, I turn it right back on in the morning.

2. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer--My sentimental favorite. Well, I guess all of these are sentimental favorites, but Rudolph holds a special place in my heart. When Clarice starts singing "There's always tomorrow for dreams to come true," I melt like the Winter Warlock in "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" (we'll get to that later). A couple of misfits (Rudolph and Hermie the Elf/Dentist) are finally accepted by the society that shuns them and Christmas is saved by a glowing deformity! Plus, it contains one of my favorite bits of dialogue ever:

Yukon: This fog is as thick as peanut butter.
Hermie: You mean pea soup.
Yukon: YOU EAT WHAT YOU LIKE, I'LL EAT WHAT I LIKE!

3. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town--So, we got to it sooner rather than later. Taking a page out of the Rudolph Animation Handbook (both are Rankin/Bass productions), Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney provide their voices to tell us the evolution of the Fat Man. They give us the whole history, from Burgermeister Meisterburger outlawing toys to a message of peace on Earth. The characters we meet along the way, including the Burgermeister himself, Topper the Penguin, Mr. Warlock ("Winter, please"), and the Kringle family (Tanta, Jingle, Tingle, Wingle, et al.) are, in a word, ridiculous. But, the fact that they can throw in all these superfluous details and connect the dots of Christmas tradition is kind of a treat to watch.

4. It's a Wonderful Life--Be a holiday cynic all you want. But, if you don't like this movie, you need to ask Santa for a soul this year. When I was a kid, this used to be shown from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, basically every day, in color and black and white. Now, the networks are a little more sparing in the airing of this classic. A misplaced $8000 sends a good-hearted family man, with abandoned dreams, to consider offing himself until a simple angel comes to show him what the world will be like if he were never born. It makes us realize how many lives one person can actually touch, if only for a short while. The movie is perennially inspiring, and is very interesting to watch these days, as we are seeing plenty of Mr. Potters in our world. Plus, the end of the movie gets me every time. Yeah, Zu-Zu's "Angel gets its wings" thing is cute, but it's the inscription in the book that always makes me reflect on my own life (and cry like a toddler): Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends. (Ray's eyes = "Niagra Falls"--we'll get to that later, too).

5. Elf--I saw this movie in the theatre in 2003, and I immediately deduced the following: This is a classic. It's Will Ferrell at his most sincere. Now, I'm a fan of Will, so that helps. But, I know some people get sick of his schtick. If you have not seen this performance, do yourself a favor. You will be giddy. If Will, as Buddy the Elf, can get James Caan (Sonny Corleone, for those struggling with a mental picture) to believe in Santa Claus, I know he can sell you. Plus, it takes the whole Rankin/Bass animation and brings it into the 21st Century. Appearances by Bob Newhart, Zooey Deschanel, Peter Dinklage, and Peter Billingsley (Ralphie from "A Christmas Story") aid our hero in bringing Christmas cheer back to New York, and the world, "by singing loud for all to hear."

6. Christmas Vacation--Clark W. Griswold is on a quest for the perfect old-fashioned family Christmas. Hijinks ensue. And they are consistently hilarious. I've already seen this movie 3 times in the last week. One of the most quotable movies ever. Click here to refresh your memory. Clark's tirade against his boss at the end rivals his rant about the "pilgrimage to see a moose" in the original "Vacation." And, in the interest of dating itself, the yuppie couple next door (that includes a pre-Seinfeld Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) provide a wonderful late-80s foil. Too bad they didn't end the "Vacation" movies with this one, instead of this pile of trash.

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!--Yes, I mean the cartoon. A wonderful half-hour adaptation about the biggest hater in Whoville. He literally stole candy from a baby. However, he learns that you don't need material things to enjoy the holidays. You just need to be around those who make you happy. It makes my heart grow 3 sizes every time I see it. I actually want the cartoon to be longer when I'm watching it. So, having said that, I'm going to admit something. I liked the movie, too. And I will also watch that whenever it's on. I'm a sap. Deal with it.

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas--"Lights, please." Need I say more?

9. Bad Santa--A brilliant "anti-Christmas" movie. A foul-mouthed crook, who bleeds vodka, gets a job as a department store Santa so that he and his "little person" partner can wipe it out on Christmas Eve. But, our anti-hero doesn't count on a snot-nosed chubby kid, with an unusual desire for a pink elephant, and a bartender with daddy issues to come into his life. Throw in two comedic actors that left us too soon (John Ritter and Bernie Mac) and one that is still kicking and obsessed with making sandwiches (Cloris Leachman), and you've got a movie that the adults can watch after they put the kids to bed, sugar plums and all.

10. Scrooged--The best movie version of "A Christmas Carol" out there. I respect the classics, but this film pays homage to the original story (A live broadcast, starring Buddy Hackett as Scrooge--That is GOLD!--oh, and they have the Solid Gold Dancers too) while playing out its own version with TV network president Frank Cross (Bill Murray) at the center. It's so Meta. In my opinion (obviously), this is Murray's finest hour. A late-80s backdrop of commercialism and corporate greed frame this story perfectly, as we toggle between the "live broadcast" and Frank's "visitations." He goes from greedy douchebag, to needy douchebag, to schmuck (the Jews taught him that word), to not-a-schmuck (his words, not mine). If you haven't seen it, let me entice you: Bobcat Goldwait: Drunk with a loaded shotgun. Who's feeling the Christmas Spirit?

11. Just Friends--Maybe your definition of "Holiday Movie" is different from mine. But, there is snow on the ground and they celebrate Christmas in the movie. I include this movie based on my original criteria: I look forward to seeing it and will watch it EVERY time it's on. While I always enjoy Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris, I have yet to see them top their performances in this movie. Write it off if you want, but if you went to school in the 90s (or even if you just remember the song, "I Swear"), you've got to identify to at least part of this movie. Ever been put into the "friend zone?" Ever have ridiculous fights with your little brother? Ever get a socialite messed up on Vicodin, then let her play with blue toothpaste? No? Never? In any case, the Town Carolers wondering about town as our protagonist gets shot down in various ways produce that fuzzy Christmas feeling. Plus, it also contains one of my favorite lines in all of cinema:

Clark: Are you kidding? You're Chris Brander! You're Hollywood; you date models. He's Jersey; he skis in his jeans!

So there you have it. Yes, I know, there are no legitimate "Christmas Carols" or "Miracles on 34th Street." Don't get me wrong. I love those movies too. But, if I'm gonna pick based on the criteria, I've gotta do, what I've gotta do.

At worst, this list at least gave you a little insight into two fundamental areas of my character: I love the holidays and, during these times, I have a penchant for sentimental tears and easy laughs. Not a surprise to some of you, I know.

Hope the kickoff to your holiday season brings tons of comfort and joy.