Broadway Theater is doing well despite challenging economic times. Let me explain why I think this is true.I've read numerous articles regarding the state of the Broadway Theater during the current economic downward cycle. Some writers say the Broadway Theater is taking in less money in sales and some say sales are increasing. Still others are saying that attendance is down somewhat but that prices printed on the tickets have gone up. If this is true then it might make sense that the overall number of tickets sold might possibly be down a few percent but with higher ticket prices then maybe the end result is in fact that sales have increased. If you think about any of these scenarios then I figure that the state of the Broadway Theater is probably in excellent shape considering the times we are going through. Wouldn't you agree?
Broadway producers were able to keep the public interested in theater during the 2008-2009 Broadway season by having some of the big television and big screen star names in their productions. Susan Sarandon, Geoffrey Rush and Lauren Ambrose starred in Exit The King for a few months. Brian Dennehy and Carla Gugino were in a great play called Desire Under The Elms, one of my favorites this season. It didn't win any 2009 Tony Awards so the play couldn't garner more interest than for a few months. Angela Lansbury, Rupert Everett and Christine Ebersole are in Blithe Spirit for which Ms. Lansbury won a Best Supporting Actress in a Play Tony Award. Jeff Daniels, Marcia Gay Harden, James Gandolfini and Hope Davis currently star in God of Carnage, this years Best Play. Lauren Graham, Oliver Platt and Craig Bierko played lead roles on Guys and Dolls for several months. Faith Prince stars in The Little Mermaid. Nathan Lane and John Goodman star in Waiting for Godot. Matthew Broderick and Steven Weber star in The Philanthropist. Daniel Radcliff played in Equus, another one of my favorite actors. He has come a long way from his Harry Potter days and has grown allot as an actor. Allison Janney (The West Wing) stars in Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 The Musical. Many of these shows played well to the regular Broadway theater-goer, especially the tri-state area crowd, that almost always supports their favorite Hollywood actors when playing The Great White Way.When you think about it, people are able to see famous actors on Broadway for the same price of admission as a Broadway ticket usually costs. Sometimes, our company Applause, can even obtain discounts to some of these shows. If your interested, simply click on the current list of our Below Face Value ticket deals.
I think Broadway producers would help themselves continue their steady sales trend throughout 2009 if they keep trying to land "star actors". Right now this seems to be happening.
James Spader (Boston Legal) and Richard Thomas (The Waltons) come to Broadway this Fall in a play called Race, written by David Mamet. Laurie Metcalf (Rosanne) will star in Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound. Spiderman will feature songs by Bono and The Edge and will announce their cast shortly. After Miss Julie with Sienna Miller will come to town in September. Bye Bye Birdie comes to Broadway in September as well starring John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin and Dee Hoty. The Royal Family with Rosemary Harris, Tony Roberts, Jan Maxwell and Stephen Collins is coming in September also and is already garnering lots of interest. Carrie Fischer stars in a one woman show called Wishful Drinking. Superior Doughnuts comes to play New York at the beginning of October. This play was written by Tracy Letts, who also had written August:Osage County, a Pulitzer Prize winner for drama and also the 2008 Tony Award for Best Play. August:Osage County has played nearly 500 performances and closes on Broadway on June 28, 2009. Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth, Carolee Carmelo, Terrance Mann, Jackie Hoffman and Kevin Chamberlain will star in The Adams Family in the Spring of 2010. Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig (James Bond) will appear in a play called Steady Rain with an official starting date to be announced soon.
Think about it. All these very recognizable movie and television stars are going to appear on a Broadway stage sometime in the near future. Maybe this new way of casting a Broadway production has come to stay. I know from my experience as a licensed ticket agent for Broadway Theater, it is often the lavish, large scale musical or the "star name" talent that helps a Broaadway Show spread interest to the average theater-goer. And sell more tickets as well. Let's hope so.
If you are interested in keeping abreast of the what's going on, on Broadway or simply need to obtain tickets to a show, we welcome the opportunity to be of service to you. You can contact Applause Theater Service and open an account, join the mailing list and receive notices of current Broadway happening's. Our company information is listed below.
I hope this information is helpful to you. We hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Rich GladstoneApplause Theater Service
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