Duh Alert: Road Voters Confirm Tour Potential as Voting Factor
Our general inbox has been getting slammed today with copies of an article in today's The New York Times which talks about the success that not-entirely-successful Broadway shows like THE ADDAMS FAMILY are now having on the road, with that show for example earning $995,000 in Buffalo last week.
In fact, that city is considered to have one of the highest margins for touring shows, the market for which is as large across the country as Broadway itself.
The article delves into a thorny issue though, the long-held belief that road presenters, who make up at least 15 percent of Tony voters often vote with their wallets as well as their hearts. Here's what the article has to say:
Several of these road presenters said in interviews that touring potential was a factor in their Tony votes, but noted that they voted chiefly on artistic merit.
"I'm a human being, so to say how a show would play in Cleveland is not a factor in Tony voting would not be true," said Gina Vernaci, vice president of theatricals at Cleveland PlayhouseSquare, another prime destination for tours. "But Cleveland wants quality shows, artistically compelling shows, enjoyable shows, as much as New Yorkers."
Mr. Conte, a former banker in Buffalo and Shea's board member who became president of the theater in 2000, recalled admiring the Broadway show "Spring Awakening" but voted for "Mary Poppins" instead for best musical that year. He said "the tough love story," flashes of nudity, and dark themes of "Spring Awakening" were "not my thing," and he also did not envision the show as appealing to his subscribers. "Spring Awakening" went on to win the Tony for best musical; the show's national tour had a brief run at the University of Buffalo, but not at Shea's.
So, are they voting with their hearts, wallets, or both? Those interviewed for the article, seem to be striking as close to the right balance as possible -- what do you think about the rest?
Posted on: Saturday, December 24, 2011 @ 05:10 PM Posted by:Robert Diamond
I blogged last week about comedian Louis C.K.'s 'digital experiment' in which he filmed 2 new stand-up comedy shows, pro-shot, 6 cameras at the Beacon in New York City (cost = $170,000, covered mostly by live ticket sales) and decided to sell them online on a new web site (cost = $32,000) for $5.
7 Days ago he'd sold 110,000+ copies, for a total of $500,000... Now? He's broken $1 million and has announced that he'll be donating 25% to charity. Watch him talk about the success below on Jimmy Fallon.
From the UK Guardian... "A teenage juror, who interrupted a trial when he pretended to be ill so that he could go and see a London stage show, has been detained for 14 days, the Judicial Communications Office said on Thursday."
Learning what I have in the last 8 years of running BroadwayWorld.com, I can only imagine what the next 32 have in store before I catch up with the UK Guardian's Michael Billington. In a wide-ranging piece, the legendary critic answers reader questions on a variety of subjects ranging from his personal favorites, to how much he lets past productions into his mind when reviewing revivals, advice for those looking to get into arts criticism and lots more.
Comedian Louis C.K. has written on his web site this morning about the (successful) results of a digital content experiment that he's tried. In a nutshell, he filmed 2 new stand-up comedy shows, pro-shot, 6 cameras at the Beacon in New York City (cost = $170,000, covered mostly by live ticket sales) and decided to sell them online on a new web site (cost = $32,000) for $5.
His theory was that if he sold it himself for a low price, with no middle men, that piracy would be limited and naturally his share of the profits would be higher.
What'd he learned from the experiment? They've now sold 110,000+ copies, for a total of $500,000, resulting in a profit of around $200,000.
Wow.
And actually, he's now sold 110,001 since I just bought it as well.
During a performance last week, Spacey, the would-be Duke of Gloucester, singled out the phone owner and bellowed "Tell them we're busy!". The audience erupted in support.
The following night, he shone a laser light at some theatregoers who were heard to rustle and whisper within earshot of the king.
"Quick as you like [he] dipped into his tunic and withdrew a green laser light, pointing it at the offending audience members who, we are told, were suitably chastised," reported the Sydney Morning Herald.
Spacey has long been hostile towards misbehaving theatre audiences. As artistic director of the Old Vic, which produced the current production, he denounced noisy sweet wrappers and declared the theatre a "phone-free zone".
In Sydney for a 10-day run of the Sam Mendes-directed play, Spacey has attracted mixed reviews for his performances but consistently high praise for his rebukes.
In honor of last week's opening of SEMINAR on Broadway starring Alan Rickman, in which students are parting with big $ to study with a top writing instructor, the Wall Street Journal takes a look today at some real-life instructors around the city, who are at the top of their games...
Among them are Julliard's Drama Professor - Rebecca Guy, Columbia Journalism Professor - Samuel Freedman, and top Broadway vocal coach (and BroadwayWorld fave) Liz Caplan.
Yesterday, BroadwayWorld.com launched its new High School Student Center that contains listings for High Schools shows across the country. With that online, our regional show listings now contain 20,000+ upcoming productions, including high schools, colleges, regional theatres, professional theatres and more.
That got me thinking - what ARE the most popular shows being done around the country? (at least per our ever-expanding database).
They've got 7500+ miles between them, but Seattle and Australia are united this morning here on BroadwayWorld - as both regions have officially opened BWW Awards Voting!
Voting is now open for 5 of BroadwayWorld.com's 2011 Regional Awards with another 20 on the way over the next 2 weeks... First open are: Nashville, Philippines, Spain, Tennessee and of course the West End which closes later this month!
Print
Newest Entry 
Comedian Louis C.K. has .credit-tristramkenton.jpg)
As per the 
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
SPECIAL COVERAGE: All the 2013 Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF and More!
Gyllenhaal, Pine in Talks to Join INTO THE WOODS Movie?
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
BWW TV Exclusive: Prince, Lewis & More Remember Kevin Gray
Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio Join X FACTOR Season 3 as Judges?
STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS Beams Its Way Ahead of IRON MAN to Take Weekend Box Office
Rooney Mara is the Face for New Calvin Klein Scent
BWW Interviews: Deborah Boily Talks Cabaret, Career, and Concert
Adobe Creative Cloud FAIL; Suspends File Sync Service
BWW Reviews: 'And the Winners Were...' A Report Card for the Metropolitan Opera's 2012-2013 Season
BWW Reviews: FIAF Presents THE ULYSSES SYNDROME Celebrating World Nomads Tunisia
VIDEO: Must Watch - Mel Brooks AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS May 20!