| Having seen SpongeBob (and loving it) and having seen the audience, I think there's another dynamic going on here. I would say that the audience I was with was made up in an inordinately skewed way to young men in their 20s. It's rare to see that many men at a Broadway show in that age group. The only time I've seen such a phenomenon was at the James Franco Of Mice and Men and Rocky. I mean to say --without getting strung up and battered with bricks -- that these young men were, um, different than the crowds of men who went to see Patti in Gypsy or War Paint. You know what I mean? These SpongeBob guys are not particularly attuned to paying these kinds of prices for B'Way show when a similar amount of money could be spent on a hockey, basketball, football or baseball game. If you know what I mean again. The guys who did show up had a great time -- cheering on SpongeBob as he saved the integrity of his community and ultimately through his bravery -- and basic innocence -- brought all the forces together in one happy conclusion to celebrate the "Best Day Ever." |
