BWW Blog: Chelsey Robichaud - Opinions on Streaming

BroadwayHD made an announcement last year that they would begin to stream live performances of professional productions from all over - Broadway, West End, you name it.

Now, streaming is a verb that applies not only to television shows, but to Live Theatre.

Theatre history was made when BroadwayHD streamed "She Loves Me" live from Broadway. Broadway fans took to the internet with hundreds of hashtags as well as opinions of the new "streaming musicals" trend. There is a fine line between fans who support streaming verses those who prefer theatre live.

The new trend of BroadwayHD seems to be on the fence for many theatre fans. As tradition holds, theatre is supposed to be experienced live with an audience under one roof. We are supposed to be seated by ushers and turn off our phones because heaven forbid Patti LuPone (I agree with her though but this is a different story). We pay a fee of about $10-14 USD to see one show online; compared to over $100 USD for a seat in a Broadway theatre. Then again, the price is not necessarily right because we aren't in the theatre.

Some say that BroadwayHD is taking people away from theatre. On the contrary, fans say that the fact that streaming live performances exists, it brings people to experience theatre. Seeing a show online may spoil a potential experience of going to New York and watching the show; but nothing compares to being in "The room where it happens" (guys the opportunity was there). The smell of Playbills, spending rent money on a window card, stagedooring - you can't miss out!

From being in a community where many people cannot afford to see a professional show, I am content with BroadwayHD and streaming. However, everyone should get a taste of Live Theatre when possible and obtainable.

"She Loves Me" seemed to be quite successful. But what show is next? I am quite surprised that Fun Home was not given the opportunity to be the next show; however I know that it will have an excellent touring career. And everyone is curious about when the world will see the recording of Hamilton. I definitely see the founding father without a father entering BroadwayHD in the future!

What do you think? Leave a comment!