Frost/Nixon at the Ahmanson

Has been a little while since I've posted to the blog as I think everyone has been leery as to the economy and how that relates to theater. Many readers out there are aware of my production company Dreampeddler Productions and our mission to not just fund theater projects but to be profitable in doing so. One of the intended shows in our initial portfolio was WEST SIDE STORY. Well, if you check out the grosses for the show, it has been in the top 5 shows since it opened. Looks like it will be quite a money maker.

Bottom line is, right now the trend is big title, less perceived risk by the ticket buyer. Heck, even GUYS AND DOLLS is selling tickets and they did not do well with the critics. But - Big Title = Ticket Sales.

Now for Frost/Nixon. The show was very enjoyable at the Ahmanson - but Stacy Keach was amazing as Nixon. What was most intriguing was he had to act for stage AND film. The play works its way to the final scenes which take place on a TV set with a live feed of the video playing on a large projection screen while the actors perform the scene below it. This is quite a challenge because acting for the screen is different than acting for the stage. But somehow, Keach was able to reach the back row with his performance while maintaining a very "still" performance for the camera. It was fascinating to watch, and he was dead on.

West Side Story Review in Variety

Well you don't get much better reviews than the one they published in VARIETY. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this show that holds a special place in my heart. I did a tour of this show a while back and it was an incredible experience. It was directed by one of the original cast members, Alan Johnson, and it was the first time a director demonstrated to a cast that every word, every dance step, every high note was written by the authors with a specific acting intention. This is not a show to use your own musical riffs (no pun intended), show off your own dancing style (stop popping the hip, Cassie), or improv your acting. It is all on the page so just don't screw it up. Who'd have thought that journey would actually be freeing as an actor? No worries about if you're "feeling" it or not, just do it! And when it is done right there is no other show like it.

The show opens in NYC in February and we'll see if the NYC critics love it as much as VARIETY did! I hope so.

dreampeddler

The Big Broadway Show is Back - 9 to 5, West Side Story, Shrek, and Billy Elliot

9 to 5... what a way to make a living... Ain't it the truth. After seeing the show I came away thinking it will do well on Broadway. Very strong title, well staged and choreographed, good performances and productions values. This is a BIG show and it delivers what a Broadway show should, an entertaining evening. You see where you $110 bucks went... Is it inspiring, No. Will it get super reviews and word of mouth, I don't think so... but the tourists not sure about what to see will be drawn to it and with Dolly behind it, it will sell tickets. It just depends on what the net is for how long it will remain open.

I really do believe "small" shows on Broadway are going to find it a challenge to stay open in these economic times. Many might find that exactly opposite what you would expect. Smaller shows, smaller budgets and operating expenses. But shows like Wicked, South Pacific, and the upcoming Shrek, Billiy Elliot, and West Side Story all deliver a BIG BROADWAY SHOW. When you're asking for Joe Plummer's 110 bucks, they better get 110 bucks worth of costumes, orchestrations, sets and dance numbers. With that in mind, it will be up to the producers to find ways to make these BIG shows stay budget friendly, and that will be the trick.

Dolly and her producers are probably changing their tune now to, "Broadway, what a way to make a living!"