God of Carnage - Super Funny - Super Expensive

The recent Center Theater Group mounting of the critically acclaimed God of Carnage was, in my opinion, a fantastically funny, incredibly enjoyable evening in the theater. But I can only wonder - who can pay $200 bucks for the orchestra seats? Only the type of white collar wannabe sophisticates the brilliant Yasmina Reza serves up on stage. I admit, I sat up in the Lodge for $75 bucks a pop.

I have always considered the Center Theater Group to be reasonably priced - but God of Carnage has established a new price structure for them - with many orchestra seats now demanding $200 bucks from your wallet before you can have the right to sit on it there. I know I am not the first to cry wolf here, but if we continue to escalate prices to see live theater, we will continue to diminish the audiences that come to see this vital form of entertainment. I'll say it plainly here, the night I saw the show, the audience was 95% white and over 50 years old - probably most over 60. Did anyone read the census numbers from 2010? 51% of all babies born in California are now Hispanic - and I would be hard pressed to say there was anywhere near 5% of anyone of Hispanic decent sitting in the audience.

It is no wonder that every subscription based theater out there (from Center Theater Group, to The Old Globe, to La Jolla) has put into place ways for their supporters to contribute to their favorite theaters in their wills. That's right, be sure to designate some of your estate to the shrinking endowments of these theaters. I hope everyone does, but the theaters better get big chunks 'cause that audience ain't gonna be around a whole lot longer... And once they're gone - so is the chance to get $200 bucks a seat.

I guess I wouldn't mind so much if every time I went to the theater I was guaranteed to laugh as much as I did at God of Carnage - or think as much as I did when I saw Parade at the Taper last year - but for every wonderful production, there are far more not so successful versions of The Color Purple, 9 to 5, Minsky's and the like. But that is the way of theater. For if it were easy to create, write, and produce a hit - how would we know how special the rare occurrences are when actors, writers, directors, designers, musicians, and all the others that contribute to live performances - are all working in tandem and striving to hit the same creative goal and message - and NAIL IT.

Maybe there is nothing to be concerned about at all. Perhaps theater will struggle as it always has - only to be saved by investing angels and the creative spirit to hold a mirror up to our world and demand everyone take a look. Perhaps theater is an acquired taste... Perhaps we just haven't yet figured out how to do live theater written in computer code... Or incorporate live tweeting with live theater in an enlivening, and engaging way. Perhaps we will. Until then, I guess my seats will just get further and further back from the orchestra.

Dreampeddler

For all of those in NYC May 17th, join Bruce Lazarus' networking event for his LinkedIn Group:

Group: Broadway Producers and Investors

Particulars are below:

Can you tell a compelling story that will touch, move and inspire your audience to take action? To give you the stage rights? To work in your organization? to invest in your show? To give you referrals? To tell your story forward? To buy tickets?

Here is your chance to polish up your case for action and let it shine.

Please come prepared to tell us a story that calls us into action for your cause (please limit to 2 minutes).

(Recommended reading “TELL TO WIN” by Peter Guber, CEO of Mandalay Entertainment).
Remember to bring your business cards.

Broadway Producers and Investors-Networking Event May 17th, 5pm - 7:30pm in NYC (Sardi's 2nd Floor, 234 W. 44th Street)

Dreampeddler

Prisoner of 2nd Avenue at El Portal

The Prisoner of Second Avenue at El Portal is quite enjoyable and worth checking out. It is the second show I have seen in the last few years that takes us back to the early 70's. It is amazing how many parallels come up with our current times:

1. Long standing unpopular wars


2. High gas prices


3. Energy concerns


4. Unemployment

It is fascinating to watch how relevant this play is to today. Jason Alexander is terrific and very funny. And I always love going to the theater and being surprised when you see a colleague up on the stage that you had no idea was in the cast. Ray Wills did Wonderful Town on BWay with my wife and he was a great surprise to see in the show - and very funny in his own right. He's made the move out to LA now and I wish him much luck! Glenn Casale, as aways, kept the pacing just right in his direction of this Neil Simon comedy. The show closes this weekend, so hurry on over!

Dreampeddler

The Next Fairy Tale

I'm hearing great things about this show... It will be at the Celebration Theater which won this year's LA Ovation award for their production of The Women of Brewster Place.

THE NEXT FAIRY TALE is the first world premiere production that was work-shopped, developed and produced fully in-house at the Celebration Theatre. THE NEXT FAIRY TALE will begin previews on Wednesday, March 2 and will open on Friday, March 11 and run through Sunday, April 24 at Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. Read more:

You can check out a few videos of the show here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Puggie87

Brian Christopher Williams Wins the LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins

And the winner is... Brian Christopher Williams, Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins, West Coast Ensemble at the El Centro Theatre!

Congrats to Brian! His play is wonderful, touching and very funny! Next stop is a production in the Bay Area late this summer.

For the full list of winners go here: http://www.ladramacriticscircle.com/awards.htm

dreampeddler

LA Drama Critic's Nominations - ANTIA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS - Brian Christopher Williams (writing) and Heather Lee for Featured Performance

Two shout outs to Brian and Heather for their nominations from LA Drama Critics Circle. Two very derserving artists!

For the full list go here: http://www.ladramacriticscircle.com/awards.htm

Congrats,

dreampeddler

New Year - New Networking Opportunities - LA Version

In Los Angeles this time! Join Bruce Lazarus' networking event for his LinkedIn Group:

Group: Broadway Producers and Investors

Particulars are below:

Broadway Producers and Investors-Networking Event this Wednesday 6pm in North Hollywood.

Please join Bruce and other members of Broadway Producers and Investors LINKEDIN Group for the quarterly networking event on:

Wednesday February 3rd

from 6pm to 8pm

at El Portal Theatre (http://www.elportaltheatre.com/contact.html)

Interested guests welcome. Don’t forget to bring your business cards.

Happy New Year to all.

Dreampeddler

New Year - New Networking Opportunities

For all of those in NYC Jan. 13, join Bruce Lazarus' networking event for his LinkedIn Group:

Group: Broadway Producers and Investors

Particulars are below:

Broadway Producers and Investors-Networking Event this Wednesday 5pm in NYC.

Please join Bruce and other members of Broadway Producers and Investors LINKEDIN Group for the quarterly networking event on:

Wednesday January 13th

from 5pm to 7:30pm

at THE TIME HOTEL (49th between Broadway and 8th Ave.) INC LOUNGE, VIPROOM.

Chris Raphael of the Really Spectacular Company will be offering us a complimentary glass of red or white wine on arrival along with a few complimentary appetizers from Serafina Restaurant at THE TIME. Interested guests welcome. Don’t forget to bring your business cards.

For those of you in LA there may be a west coast version of this meeting at a different time and location in LA.

Happy New Year to all.

Dreampeddler

Comedy Duo Hopes Social Media Power Will Secure Slot on Showtime

This is a great article for artists looking to capitalize on social media to get their shows picked up. It is always a challenge but sometimes you just have to stop waiting and start doing!

http://mashable.com/2009/12/30/ronna-and-beverly/

PARADE at the Mark Taper

A very well done production of PARADE at the Mark Taper. J.R. Knight is terrific as Leo Frank and the supporting cast delivers as well.

This production makes you think and is a "serious" musical. It reminded me of a production of RICHARD CORY that I produced at NYMF back in 2005 - and the struggle to get something "serious" to be produced on a large scale. Even though we won the NYMF Best Musical Award and sold out our limited engagement we have been unable to give it a life it deserves on Broadway. Launching "serious" musicals can be very difficult for many reasons: 1) Not many folks in this economic climate want to spend $80-$150 bucks to be depressed; 2) No commercial producer wants to risk millions of dollars on a "serious" show that will not appeal to the younger market (the ones who ask their parents to buy them tickets over and over again, i.e. Wicked) 3) No not-for-profit theater has any money at all to risk right now - they are just trying to make payroll if they haven't already closed their doors. Just those reasons alone make me depressed and in need of an entertaining "forget your troubles" musical!

But thoughtful pieces must continue to be done, and we have to continue to find a way to make it happen. If this economic climate is indeed about to change, and I hope it is, perhaps we will all want to start "thinking" again - and not just get through the day whistling happy tunes to distract us through our 60 hour work week!

dreampeddler

ANITA BRYANT DIED FOR YOUR SINS - West Coast Ensemble

Was at the opening night of Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins at the West Coast Ensemble Theater. It was my favorite play I've seen this year, and probably the best play I've seen since August, Osage County. I simply can't recommend this show enough. It is pure joy - funny, touching, smart and did I say funny?

Written by Brian Christopher Williams, he takes you through the coming of age of Horace Poore from 1969 - 1977 in lightening speed while sprinkling in the backdrop of the nation's political upheaval of the time. His writing is funny, economical and smart. But by the time you reach the end of the play you are fully invested in the characters he has carefully developed and you can't help but root for them all.

The center of the action and the heart of this play is the character of Horace. It requires an actor of extraordinary talents to drive this show and Wyatt Fenner is more than up to the task. A fellow graduate of the University of Southern California BFA program he draws you in with his charm and disarms you with his ability to deliver a sophisticated barb disguised in naivete.

The rest of the cast is equally sharp and delivers a true ensemble performance. There really is not a misstep in any performance. A nod also goes out the the director, Richard Israel. The show moves so quickly through time that it requires a very sure hand at the helm. Mr. Israel keeps the pace moving and never lets the action get stuck or linger in caricature.

The show is scheduled to go through Oct. 4th, but go see it as soon as you can. It certainly bears repeated watching.

Dreampeddler

Light in the Piazza - El Portal

Saw an absolutely wonderful production of Light in the Piazza last night. Run and go see it if you can as they only have 4 more shows this weekend before it closes. Stephanie Wall as Clara is just terrific as the slightly off daughter. Her demeanor is just perfect for the challenge of portraying an emotionally underdeveloped girl in a woman's body. Mary Donnelly Haskel who plays the mother is also a terrific actress. You can see her heartfelt struggle to stop protecting her fragile daughter and let her go into the world of the unknown. Blake McIver Ewing is also very charming as Fabrizio and the rest of the cast delivers as well.

As I sat there watching, I kept thinking, just look at what talented performers can do with rich material. After seeing so many shows where the talent is on stage but the material is just not very good - it was refreshing to see such a wonderfully crafted show embodied by a talented cast. You simply could not help but get drawn into the storytelling. That is what great theatre is all about.

Link to buy tickets to the show is here. Use the code FACEBOOK for discounts.

Dreampeddler

Email Marketing - Do It

I have been doing quite a lot of email marketing for various theaters out here in LA - and it works. It is cheap (check out Constant Contact as one source) and it is direct to the folks who are interested in your theater. Let's face it, it is getting harder and harder to find sources for funding and the first thing in the budget that gets cut is advertising. Big mistake. You have to get the word out, you just have to be more creative in doing so.

There are more options out there in the social marketing arena (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.) but at the very least, get out those emails to your list. And if you don't have a list, start creating one now. Ask people to sign up after one of your shows or load up your personal contacts to get started. If you use Constant Contact, you can add a feature to your current website just to sign up for your email list - and they provide templates to start with that are easily adaptable to include your logo, colors and integrate great production shots of your shows.

If you don't have the time, hire someone to help. That's what we're here for.

The Apple Tree - Stephanie Fredricks

Hey everybody,

So Steph is getting incredible reviews out here in The Apple Tree. She is doing it at the Crown City Theatre in the Valley. They broke up the 3 act piece so that each act has its own director and leads. Steph stars in act 3 as Ella/Passionella. If you are out here in LA, definitely go see the show. Truly a lot of fun.

Check out her reveiews at:

Backstage

TolucanTimes

NoHoArtsDistrict

StageSceneLA

DonGrigware

To tweet or not to tweet - that is the question.

Okay, so I'm jumping on the Twitter bandwagon for 2 reasons. 1 - it seems kinda cool and you've got to stay with the communication times and 2 - if Twitter dies out, something like it will replace it. Let's face it, communication has been changed forever with this Internet thing. Heck, right now I'm posting this to my blogsite right from my blackberry while riding into the office where I'll check in on the redesign of my new project www.2MinutesWith.com which we are putting up using wordpress, an open source blogging software available for anyone to use for FREE. It's crazy out there just trying to keep up with it all. So my new goal is this - use my east coast mentality of jumping on mass transit to utilize the west coast problem of hours stuck in traffic to spend more time on the little screen to investigate all things digital. This is nuts. Gotta go get the iPhone so at least I can rock out while I break my thumbs!

Dreampedlr

No Way to Treat a Lady

Things have been quiet on the producing front for many producers out there. The economic climate is still pretty tight. However, every producer I'm talking to these days is open to partnerships and figuring out way to get things done. It hasn't always been this way. It used to be very difficult to get partnerships formed because everyone was trying to make the best deal or preserve their negotiating position. The dialogue now is much more open with most everyone sharing budget information and a real effort to make deals that help everyone involved. It is encouraging to see.

Off to see No Way to Treat a Lady at the Colony Theater in Burbank. I'll let you know how it is...

dreampeddler

Theater Blogger Social

So Ken Davenport is sponsoring the first Theater Bloggers Social in New York. Don't fret if you are not in NYC (which I am not as of this writing) as they are looking into ways of hooking up the social via a web portal. Date and time are:

1ST THEATER BLOGGERS SOCIAL
Thursday, April 23rd.
6 PM - 8 PM
Planet Hollywood
Broadway at 45th St.

For information on how to attend click here.

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.

President Obama Surrounded by Security and ARTISTS

We all watched it and I can only believe we have all been moved. The last line from my favorite movie, The Shawshank Redemption, echos in my mind, "I hope."

What struck me most though in his inauguration ceremony was not the wall to wall crowds of hopeful and inspired citizens, not the wall to wall security phalanxes and guards, not the back to back to back entrances or arguably the most powerful politicians in the world.

What struck me most was that for this most important and historic event, President Obama was surrounded by ARTISTS. Aretha Franklin (legendary singer), Itzhak Perlman (Violin), Yo-Yo Ma (Cello), Gabriela Montero (Piano), and Anthony McGill (Clarinet). All artists at the height of their careers and at the height of their abilities to express their talents. And again, "I hope."

"I hope" that we will understand the need for the support and expansion of the arts for our children and for our whole society. As we have seen on Wall Street, capitalism without oversight is ripe with corruption and creates a society that only focuses on profits and short term gains. We cannot continue to go down that road. We need education and discipline. And the arts represent that in so many ways. Just try to be an accomplished musician without discipline. Just try to write a play or musical without a keen respect for education.

In our capitalistic market and society, "I hope" to continue to find brave and forward thinking investors that are willing to take a chance on art. It is so important to have it in our society, the President was compelled to surrounded himself with experts at creating it.

dreampeddler

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