| I continue to believe that supply and demand explains a lot. We simply had too many shows open this spring, especially during the insane rush hour we just went through. And the local demand has been softer than even I anticipated. I think there were other miscalculations during the planning stages of the reopening. First, it was assumed that tourists would be slow to return for economic reasons even if there were no safety concerns. In fact, they have returned in sufficient numbers to populate the tourist shows (although the old growth evergreens are in more trouble than is being admitted and some newer hit musicals like DEH are on life support). Second, it was assumed that the reliable local audience would return in greater numbers but the have not. Unfortunately, a big chunk of that audience is simply not comfortable going back in a theatre. This easily reflects in the misfortunes at MTC (with a show that ought to be SRO), LCT, RTC. It also reflects in commercial shows like Hangmen etc. Finally, it seems that there is a lack of appetite for intense drama (How I Learned to Drive) or what is perceived as that (Skin of Our Teeth). About a year ago I suggested that Broadway would have about a half complement of shows right now. I was wrong but had I been right we would not be talking about all of this failure. |
