summer season part 1

So, the Broadway season is officially ended. The numbers are in. Things are looking good. Everyone seems excited. Though, if you go to Ken Davenport's blog, you'll see that attendance was actually down again. Two years in a row. What isn't down is ticket prices.

Then, you look at the summer movie season we are currently in. If you are keeping tabs on it, you see the excitement generated. Just the other week, I went with two friends, both theatre lovers, to see STAR TREK. They left the screening just over the moon. I could name countless other flicks I have only heard amazing notices about, coming from the public.

How do we get to a place where people are excited about seeing theatre? Where they need to see the newest show that is coming out? Where they will follow that playwright and go see whatever he is working on? How do we get it beyond the already-ingrained New York theatre community? How do we keep them, but still branch out?

I get looked down upon for enjoying 9 TO 5. But I tell you, I had a blast at that performance. Everyone in the audience did. Isn't that what we should care about, too? Shouldn't we want an audience to leave with their hearts racing? Whether it was a jubiliant musical, a dark historical drama, or a pounding new work; they should leave feeling something. Theatre can reach so many people if we just allow it to. People should leave and say "and THAT is how I want to leave the theatre!"

Do you always have to cater to the public? Of course not. But don't we also have an obligation to give them something they will remember? It may not always be 50-50, but it's a relationship nonetheless. And any relationship takes support and care on both sides.