Broadway Banter revived, Spring 2015!
Oct 26th, 2015, 12:36 PM
#161
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An innocent question: If what I read is correct (i.e., that the theater has not been booked for that many weeks during the past year or two), why hasn't the theater been booked more often? Is it simply because of the competition from the Opera House?
Oct 26th, 2015, 01:17 PM
#162
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Actually, NeoPatrick has raised some valid points in questioning the economic viability of the Colonial, even if some of the details are inaccurate.
The Colonial is a big house, and the theater scene in Boston is very different than during the Colonial's glory years. Sixty and Seventy years ago, the theater story in Boston centered on the Colonial and the Shubert and maybe the Wilbur, and the shows were largely pre-Broadway runs where new shows would work out the kinks. Reviewers like Elliot Norton were local scribes with national reputations.
But now most Broadway shows no longer have their start in Boston. Some have their [full-price!] previews on Broadway, some are are imported from the West End, some come from regional or local companies (like Cambridge's American Repertory Theatre). But they don't try out in Boston or New Haven or Philadelphia any more.
So the Colonial lived on Broadway shows that went on tour. And with the majority of those shows winding up at the [mis-named] Opera House, the Colonial is dark an awful lot of the time.
I won't profess to understand the economics of it all, but I can believe that Emerson had some difficult decisions to make. Boston is having a crisis for its theatre space right now -- the other big shoe that dropped is when Boston University said it will not continue its agreement with the Huntington Theatre Company to use the B.U. Theatre. The city desperately needs a contemporary arts center, and it's not at all clear how that can come about.
The Colonial is a big house, and the theater scene in Boston is very different than during the Colonial's glory years. Sixty and Seventy years ago, the theater story in Boston centered on the Colonial and the Shubert and maybe the Wilbur, and the shows were largely pre-Broadway runs where new shows would work out the kinks. Reviewers like Elliot Norton were local scribes with national reputations.
But now most Broadway shows no longer have their start in Boston. Some have their [full-price!] previews on Broadway, some are are imported from the West End, some come from regional or local companies (like Cambridge's American Repertory Theatre). But they don't try out in Boston or New Haven or Philadelphia any more.
So the Colonial lived on Broadway shows that went on tour. And with the majority of those shows winding up at the [mis-named] Opera House, the Colonial is dark an awful lot of the time.
I won't profess to understand the economics of it all, but I can believe that Emerson had some difficult decisions to make. Boston is having a crisis for its theatre space right now -- the other big shoe that dropped is when Boston University said it will not continue its agreement with the Huntington Theatre Company to use the B.U. Theatre. The city desperately needs a contemporary arts center, and it's not at all clear how that can come about.
Oct 30th, 2015, 11:30 AM
#163
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Saw Hamilton this week, really an excellent show. I went in thinking I wouldn't enjoy it but was pleasantly surprised.
The star, Lin-Manuel Miranda is an exceptional talent, he not only stars but is also the creator, and did the music and lyrics. Will be interesting to see what the future holds for him.
Highly recommend it if you can get a reasonably priced ticket. We went with a group and got orchestra tickets for under $200 and that included dinner.
The star, Lin-Manuel Miranda is an exceptional talent, he not only stars but is also the creator, and did the music and lyrics. Will be interesting to see what the future holds for him.
Highly recommend it if you can get a reasonably priced ticket. We went with a group and got orchestra tickets for under $200 and that included dinner.
Oct 30th, 2015, 12:11 PM
#164
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Saw the show starrs mentioned above -- Perfect Arrangement this week. It was very well done and a very interesting show. Plays like a 1950s sitcom in style, quite funny, then turns pretty serious.
Nov 24th, 2015, 07:58 PM
#165
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New article from Boston. I am disappointed people don't recognize what's happening and dismissing it as theatre lovers.
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-e...er-district/2/
http://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-e...er-district/2/
Nov 24th, 2015, 08:19 PM
#166
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Jan 9th, 2017, 06:49 AM
#168
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For all yee naysayers Boston has something to celebrate this new year, and it's not all about real estate. This is a major save on the arts. I am still stunned that theatre lovers would dismiss the wrecking of a grand dame because they didn't like the messenger.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/the...gKO/story.html
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/the...gKO/story.html
