BWAY: Bittersweet Welcome to 2010

The year 2010 has gotten off to a rocky start for Broadway. RAGTIME and FINIAN'S RAINBOW, two shows that seemed destined for long runs, both closed after only a few months on the Great White Way. But other favorites, AVENUE Q and THE 39 STEPS are enjoying a transition to smaller houses, going from Broadway to Off-Broadway houses---but at least, they're still running.

For big musicals like RAGTIME and FINIAN's RAINBOW, venues large enough to contain a large cast and real orchestra in the pit are in short supply. (Not to mention, the lack of money available to front a move, from the producers' perspective.) Either way, it is sad to see the traditional musical swept aside.

Other musicals, such as FELA! , BILLY ELLIOT, and WEST SIDE STORY seem to be holding their own and recouping their investment, while WICKED is still breaking box office records. Let's hope that national tours are in progress and that the rest of the country will get the chance to see the RAGTIME and FINIAN'S on the road.

BWAY: FINIAN'S RAINBOW Axed

by Trish Causey

On the heels of the sudden and unexpected closing of RAGTIME, Playbill.com announces the closing of FINIAN'S RAINBOW on January 17, 2010. Some thought FINIAN'S would only last as long as RAGTIME did, but no one expected a January end so soon after Fall openings---especially after both shows made it on TIME'S Top 10 List.

This is a worrisome trend for big musicals that employ large casts and real orchestras. Perhaps it was the historical plot-points or political satire that made them less appealing to vacationing audiences seeking solely entertainment sans enlightenment?

Investors should know better than to put so much money into a show and wimp out just a couple months into it. They should be there for the long haul. When WICKED was mounted, the producers knew it could be a year before they saw a return in their investment. Even with mixed reviews, they stuck it out, and now WICKED keeps breaking records.

Broadway should remain an avenue for all types of shows, both the traditional book musical and the experimental modern music revue. We need it all. Only musical theatre makes such diversity possible, and it all needs to be supported and nurtured.

BLOG: TIME's Top 10 Plays & Musicals of 2009

by Trish Causey

It's no surprise that Ragtime made it into TIME Magazine's "Top 10 Plays and Musicals" for 2009. It's no surprise that Ragtime is the highest ranking of the musicals listed on this "Top 10." However, two questions raise their bitter heads:

1) Why isn't Ragtime, a musical with 40 performers, 28 musicians, untold number of techs and staff, beloved and so relevant to the American dream and the American reality in 2009, not placed higher on this list than a one-act play with a couple of guy actors (albeit, those actors being Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig)?

2) Why are the musicals that are listed also some of the most recently opened shows? (ADHD, anyone?)

3) Why isn't there a list just for plays and a list just for musicals? (That's like comparing apples and multi-tiered confections with piped rosettes, electric swirly-do's, and jazz-hands sprinkles---no comparison!)

4) What about all the professional companies and repertory theatres around the country? And Canada, and Britain? And Japan?

Okay. That was more than two questions, but I made my point. Yet another reason to keep going with the National Musical Theatre Week Campaign: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Musical-Theatre-Week-Campaign/213118461958

TIME Magazine's Top 10 Plays and Musicals for 2009:

1. Ruined


2. A Steady Rain


3. The Norman Conquests


4. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter


5. Ragtime


6. Mary Stuart


7. Finian's Rainbow


8. Hamlet


9. Fela!


10. After Miss Julie

Source: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1945379_1943992_1944011,00.html