This is an interesting phenomenon with shows where the original production is set "now", meaning the contemporary moment they were written. Note that the only really long running show that fits in this category is A Chorus Line. But I suppose due to the universality of the themes and setting (an audition on a bare stage) the original production was never updated over the years, was it? And the revial was not updated either. I'm not sure if people grumbled about that, or just grumbled that the staging and costumes were a replica.
I think shows like Company have an odd trajectory where for awhile they are still contemporary. I'd imagine seeing the show anytime in the 70's you'd still feel pretty close to it. But at some point--and who knows how to decide--it has to flip to becoming a period piece set in 69/70. Follies has a similar problem, which is further exacerbated by the fact that it references a very specific time between world wars when the Follies type entertainment existed and frames the characters nostalgia accordingly. The events of the party have to be taking place in the early 70's, not 1992 (just picking a random date). But oddly, nothing that actually happens at the party is terribly specific to the 70's. It's very abstract and dream like.
I saw Avenue Q later in its run off-Broadway and had the some challenges. While they don't say "this story is set in 2003", it definitely no longer felt contemporary. Certainly the idea of a mixtape has been out for some time. I suppose it could be changed to "playlist" ? who knows. |
