Room at the Table for One More…
Though we know how these shows ultimately fared, it’s great to see how things have evolved a few years down the line… For a glimpse of the 2003-2004 Broadway season (just a few short years ago), check out Show Business: The Road to Broadway.
In addition to some gems from the four highlighted shows (check out the special features section), it’s amazing to feel the raw energy and see how much blood, sweat, and tears it really takes. Interspersed with the backstage footage from each of the four shows, there are informal critic ’round tables’ where they contemplate the fates of each show. (Critics sharing a meal and their opinions are the format for these discussions.)
And indeed, these informal critical discussions are the most fascinating part. It’s amazing how much criticism has changed since that season… Well, maybe it’s that the criticism hasn’t changed much, but audiences have.
We don’t rely on newspapers like we did (even just a few short years ago) — and they’re crumbling at an alarming rate. Due to their shrinking readership and revenue from ad sales, chances are (especially at smaller media outlets) that critics aren’t even “theatre people” now, but just people who got assigned to cover certain shows.
We all know that the internet is partially responsible. Audiences want to explore for themselves, instead of being told what is ‘good’ and what isn’t. They want to find their own way and form their own opinions. With a plethora of open discussion boards and social media networks popping up, it’s easy for every man and woman to have his/her say.
Broadway is finally tapping into that — understanding that a strong internet presence and presales can help shows generate buzz so they have time to get their feet under them until word of mouth follows. (Unfortunately, it’s driving marketing/advertising/PR budgets higher and higher, everyone clamoring to get their voices heard, but it’s also forcing these professionals to be just as creative as the creatives — which is never a bad thing.)
Just like no one could have seen Avenue Q transferring off Broadway again, or the juggernaut Wicked would become, it’s clear they didn’t really see the internet upheaval of criticism of the great white way — or else the critics wouldn’t have been featured as prominently as they were.
I value criticism, and it has a place at the table, but I’m glad we’re making more room at the table for the audiences (for whom the shows are ultimately written) as well.
–Sue
Add comment January 18th, 2010
