TBOT_S01E24 - What Did We Miss

In this conversation, Darnelle and Mitch discuss potential working titles for their podcast and the challenges of finding the right one. They also talk about the production of Little Shop of Horrors and the practice of replacing leads in long-running shows. The conversation then shifts to the different endings in theater and film adaptations. They discuss the opportunities for ensemble members in shows like Little Shop of Horrors and the casting choices for the production. The conversation also touches on Kit Harrington starring in Slave Play and the concept of blackout nights in theater. They conclude by discussing the comfort of theater seating and their experiences at theaters in Philadelphia. In this conversation, Mitch Weiss and Darnelle Radford discuss the future of theater, the impact of the pandemic on the industry, and the challenges faced by Broadway. They explore the need for change in the theater model, including the role of nonprofit organizations and the high cost of producing new shows. They also touch on the success of long-running shows and the importance of variety in theater. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the role of critics and influencers in the theater industry and the cost of theater experiences for audiences.

In this conversation, Mitch Weiss and Darnelle Radford discuss various topics related to the business of theater. They talk about the high cost of Broadway tickets and the challenges of opening new productions. They also explore the changing audience for theater and the decline in Broadway theaters. The conversation touches on the importance of location for theaters and the challenges of managing costs. Overall, they provide insights into the complexities of the theater industry and the need for innovative approaches to sustain it. This conversation explores the struggles and challenges faced by theaters and the need for change in the industry. It discusses the closure of theaters and the impact of capitalism, as well as the challenges of producing in New York. The conversation also highlights the shift in priorities in nonprofit theater and the need for operational changes. It explores different approaches to regional theater and the importance of realism in theater operations. The conversation delves into the role of marketing and the board of directors in theater success, and the need for transparency and communication in theater leadership. It also discusses new production models, the importance of effective marketing, and the need for collaboration and rethinking the theater industry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of budgeting and making choices in theater productions, as well as the need for substance and originality in theater. It concludes by highlighting the importance of new play development and finding new ways to navigate the changing landscape of the theater industry.

Takeaways

The theater industry is facing challenges and resistance to change.

Work conditions in the theater industry need improvement.

Budgeting and financial challenges are a major concern for theater companies.

The theater industry needs to adapt to changing audience expectations and preferences.

The development of new works is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the theater industry.

Nonprofit theaters need to rethink their structures and staffing.

Fundraising and planning are essential for the success of theater companies. Preparation for auditions and staffing is a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination.

Finding housing for out-of-town talent can be a challenge and requires building relationships with local communities.

Financial challenges and high ticket prices are issues that need to be addressed in order to make theater more accessible.

Theater companies need to adapt to changing audience preferences and provide unique and immersive experiences.

Innovation and open discussions are necessary to address the challenges and opportunities in the theater industry.

Engaging younger generations in theater requires understanding their preferences and creating experiences that resonate with them.

Theater companies should create opportunities for community engagement and involve local residents in their productions.

Participation and collaboration are key to fostering creativity and creating a sense of community in the theater industry.

Making theater more accessible and affordable is important to attract a wider audience and ensure its sustainability.

Theaters should play a larger role in the community by offering their spaces for various events and activities.

Offering discounts and membership programs can help attract and retain patrons, while also supporting the financial sustainability of theater companies.

The theater industry needs to embrace change and collaborate with other organizations to address the challenges it faces.

Art and grant funding should be more accessible and supportive of the diverse needs of the theater industry.

SHOWNOTES:

Do musicals have a sell by date?  This and other questions we explore in the New Year of “The Business…”

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WORKING TITLE:

In 2024, we’ll all be kings!

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REJECTED TITLES:

In 2024, we’ll all be knights!

Not days but Knights

LINKS:

Merrily We Roll Along

https://merrilyonbroadway.com/#home

Broadway Shows in 2024

https://www.broadway.com/shows/tickets/?category=broadway&view_all=true

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Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.

WORKING TITLE:

The World As We Know It Has Changed

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REJECTED TITLES:

May Your Days Be Merry An Bright

American Theatre - On reason theatre is in crisis, the slow death of criticism.

https://www.americantheatre.org/2023/12/18/one-reason-theatre-is-in-crisis-the-slow-death-of-criticism/

Manchester's Contact to reduce output and scrap artistic director model https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/manchesters-contact-to-reduce-output-and-scrap-artistic-director-model?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=The%20Stage%20daily%20newsletter

BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS https://broadwaycares.org/

Here’s to us. Who’s like us? Damn Few.

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Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.

WORKING TITLE:

I’M YOUR BIGGEST FAN!

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REJECTED TITLES:

Will You Sign My Body!

LINKS:

The success of our teams compromises our stages!

Merrily We Roll Along - https://merrilyonbroadway.com/

Here We Are, Sondheim’s Final Work, Extends Off-Broadway

https://www.playbill.com/article/here-we-are-sondheims-final-work-extends-off-broadway

Here Lies Love - https://herelieslovebroadway.com/

And Juliet - https://andjulietbroadway.com/

Suzanne Summers - https://apnews.com/article/obituary-suzanne-somers-2b97c5362eab6709f594b30280dc79c3

Demanded to be paid what the male roles were paid.

Playbill Goes To New York Comic Con

https://www.playbill.com/comiccon

THE TOP-EARNING SUMMER CONCERT TOURS OF 2023

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/10/13/the-top-earning-summer-concert-tours-2023-taylor-swift-beyonce/?sh=6e097b13707c

BroadwayCon - https://www.broadwaycon.com/

July 26-28, 2024 - New York Hilton Midtown

Phantom Of The Opera

https://us.thephantomoftheopera.com/

NICOLE KIDMAN - AMC SPEECH

https://nofilmschool.com/kidman-amc-speech

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman%27s_Chinese_Theatre

The First, Musical - David Allan Grier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_(musical)

New York Theatre Reviews: By Fans, For Fans

https://www.show-score.com/

Broadway is for fans!

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Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.

WORKING TITLE:

How Did We Get Here?

REJECTED TITLES:

Writers Keep Writing

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LINKS:

Manhattan Theater Club

https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/

Roundabout Theatre Company

https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/

Orbiter 3

http://www.orbiter3.org/

Fractured Atlas

https://www.fracturedatlas.org/

Gail Papp

https://gailpapp.com/book/

QUESTIONS:

Are leaders draining the bank before leaving?

Should they leave sooner?

I don’t need a seat at your table, I’m building my own table.

Should there be a term limit in Artistic Leadership?

The mindset that you will never fully achieve your mission…this is why the organization goes on and on and on.

Supporters want to support certain things and those things become projects in the organization.

Should you dissolve the organization and start a new one once your mission/purpose has been served?

Is that why some companies are becoming more lean as of late?

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Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.

WORKING TITLE:

IT’S A CALLING?

REJECTED TITLES:

Bit by the Bug!

LINKS:

The Good Enough Job - The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work: Stolzoff, Simone: 9780593538968: Amazon.com: Books

2024 Tony Awards - June 16, 2024 at Lincoln Center

https://playbill.com/article/the-2024-tony-awards-will-be-hosted-at-lincoln-center

New Home: The David H. Koch Theater

Date: June 16, 2024

Last Year (2023) at The United Palace Theater (OMITB)

The Drama! Unions and such.

The Review of Death, Rattle Dazzle, the Broadway show that never opened.

https://playbill.com/article/playbill-exclusive-the-review-of-death-rattle-the-broadway-show-that-never-opened

“Broadway Licensing Group” becomes “Broadway Licensing Global”

https://www.broadwaynews.com/exclusive-broadway-licensing-group-becomes-broadway-licensing-global/

SPAMALOT Musical - Revival

https://spamalotthemusical.com/

Previews begin October 31st.

"Actors’ Equity files with National Labor Relations Board to unionize Broadway production assistants"

https://www.broadwaynews.com/actors-equity-files-with-national-labor-relations-board-to-unionize-broadway-production-assistants/

The 2023 Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction Raised a Record-Breaking $1.2 Million (10/1/2023)

https://playbill.com/article/the-2023-broadway-flea-market-and-grand-auction-raised-a-record-breaking-1-2-million

Purlie Victorious

https://purlievictorious.com/

Central Park - Apple TV

https://tv.apple.com/us/show/central-park/umc.cmc.4qe3i11erof30x0vz8nwnjkw3?mttn3pid=Google%20AdWords&mttnagencyid=a5e&mttncc=US&mttnsiteid=143238&mttnsubad=OUS2019816_1-662863202385-c&mttnsubkw=79342107540__YzgWLop0_&mttnsubplmnt=_adext_

WORKING TITLE:

Life’s A Beach?

REJECTED TITLES:

Nomadic Theater

Is the Rainbow enuf?

Links:

The Public - https://publictheater.org/

Theatre Exile - https://theatreexile.org

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide /  When The Rainbow IS Enuf - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Colored_Girls_Who_Have_Considered_Suicide_/_When_the_Rainbow_Is_Enuf

Long Wharf Theatre - https://longwharf.org/

LuEsther Mertz - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LuEsther_Mertz

Rock & Roll Man - https://rockandrollmanthemusical.com/

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Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Share the podcast with a friend, colleague or give us some social media love.

This podcast is an Em3ry production.

Visit us online at https://em3ry.com/tbot. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at “em3ryotm”.