By Richard Jutras for Curtains Up
Nothing is a sure thing today. Or is it ? Montreal`s weather. Will Beyoncé sing live at the Super Bowl? Will an Adonis Market open this summer in the western stretch of Sainte Catherine Street – which was home to Montreal`s former Seville Theater. Or opening a new show on Broadway ?
Yes, Broadway. A famous stretch near Times Square, where Broadway crosses 7th avenue in Midtown Manhattan. It is the home of many Broadway theaters, housing an ever-changing array of commercial, large-scale plays, particularly musicals.
This area of Manhattan is often called the Theater District or the Great White Way, a nickname originating in the headline “Found on the Great White Way“ in the February 3, 1902 edition of the New York Evening Telegram. The journalistic nickname was inspired by the millions of lights on theater marquees and billboard advertisements that illuminate the area.
Even Broadway has been plagued by controversy. What with the recent controversy of “Rebecca The Musical“. And I quote from Broadway World.com “In October, producers filed a $100 million fraud lawsuit in state Supreme Court against Mark C. Hotton, a former stockbroker from Long Island on whom they were relying to raise $4.5 million of the show’s $12-million budget.“
Or “Spiderman The Musical.“ where stuntman Richard Kobak is claiming that he acquired serious injuries while performing in the $75 million dollar show. He lists a concussion, whiplash and two holes in his knees among the injuries that he suffered during the course of his time performing as the comic book hero, according to the Associated Press.
An almost certain bet. Good clean family fair.
Take the following shows, for example :
– “Wicked“ which has been selling to near capacity at the Gershwin Theater (1,933 seats) on West 51st street since October 30, 2003
– “Mamma Mia“ at the Winter Garden Theater (1,498 seats) on Broadway continuing its open-ended run. This show has been running since October 18, 2001
– “Mary Poppins“ now playing at the New Amsterdam Theater (1,801 seats) on West 42nd Street. This show is set to close March 3, 2013 but has been running to near capacity since it opened November 16, 2006. Quite a healthy run and I am quite sure it will be around for a while with very successful tours. Disney`s “Aladdin“ is set to open in Spring 2014 at this same theater. I know that many kids and investors, will be singing “A Whole New World“ for quite some time.
– “Annie“, which is continuing its open-ended run at the Palace theater (1,743 seats) on Broadway is a darling with critics and audiences alike. I recently saw “Priscilla Queen of the Desert“ at this same theater. It was quite easy to score great seats at TKTS for ½ the price. I adored this show and even paid full price – $ 137.50 to score 8th row center orchestra. A show about 2 drag queens and a transexual making a journey across the Australian Outback set to disco tunes of the 70`s – seemed a hard sell (for who knows what reason) to theater goers. Run. Do not walk. Go see this show if it makes its way to our fair city.
– Disney`s “Newsies The Musical“- based upon the real-life New York City newsboy strike of 1899, this high-energy musical that has been selling out at the Nederlander Theater (1,232 seats) on West 41st Street continues its open-ended run.
– “Cinderella“ – which officially opens March 3 and has been selling to near capacity since beginning previews January 25 at The Broadway Theater (1,761 seats) on Broadway. This new version of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic television production is destined to have a healthy run.
– “Matilda the Musical“ – has been wowing audiences in London`s West End, is set to begin previews at the Shubert Theatre (1,468 seats) West 44th Street on March 4, 2013 with an official opening on April 11. This show, based on the Roald Dahl children`s book is the story of gifted child Matilda, unloved at home but supported by her teacher, tries to rid her school of its evil headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. This is sure to strike a chord with young girls aplenty.
– Disney`s “The Lion King“ has been breaking box office records since its opening November 13, 1997. Playing at the Minskoff Theater (1,710 seats) on West 45th Street.
So, my theater-loving friends, I guess there is a place over the rainbow. Because even in these uncertain economic and political times, to quote “The Wizard of Oz“ – the Andrew Lloyd Webber produced show, which recently got an extension at the Ed Mirvish Theater at 244 Victoria Street in Toronto, Canada, one thing is for certain – “There`s No Place Like Home.“
