An article by Terry Teachout.  http://tinyurl.com/ydvj5hg. 

Edited by Mr. Lowell - 2/10/10 at 12:17pm

I like the article - but the idea that professional theatres don't do musicals isn't because audiences are too smart (Broadway would prove that wrong!), but, rather that smaller cast and one-set plays are far far far more inexpensive to produce. Also, many professional theatres don't have the space for full blown Broadway musicals.

We have three professional theatres here in New Haven - one (Yale Rep) does primarily new plays with a few classics); one (Longwharf Theatre) does mostly classic plays, a few new plays, and one musical (their biggest seller) a year; and the Shurbert which only presents Broadway musicals and a few concerts.

all distinguished pieces of writing, while the rest are at least respectable

it would seem the author of the article thinks quite a lot of his opinion!

I forwarded this article to an old high school buddy of mine who manages a professional theatre.  This is his reply:

"The article does miss the biggest reason for many of these shows on the top 10 list for PROFESSIONAL theatre.  They are all great shows, but they all have 6 or fewer actors, which keeps the cost down".

 

Edited by Mr. Lowell - 2/11/10 at 2:02pm

Originally posted by MLT. Originally posted by pdavis69 This year we tried "At the Movies" and put together a slate of shows which had all been movies as well as plays.  (The season has sold amazingly well.)  Out of curiousity - and if you don't mind sharing..."which play's did you select for your season?"

Steel Magnolias? 

Originally posted by Mr. Lowell I forwarded this article to an old high school buddy of mine who manages a professional theatre.  This is his reply: "The article does miss the biggest reason for many of these shows on the top 10 list for PROFESSIONAL theatre.  They are all great shows, but they all have 6 or fewer actors, which keeps the cost down".