An Aussie producer in New York (Part Two)

Steven Brandon has worked extensively in Australia as a producer of independent theatre. For the past six months, he's been living in New York thanks to the Green Card lottery, and now he's writing for AussieTheatre.com....

Read part one here

The Tonys

On June 10th I went to the 61st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. Was I nominated? Did I know someone on the inside? Did I scam a ticket as someone’s date? Nup – I just bought a ticket!

Radio City Music Hall holds 5000 people – and that’s way more seats than people in the business - so a portion of seats go on sale to the general public.

There I was all ready to meet the stars and schmooze when I realised – I couldn’t tell who was who – everyone looked the same. All the men in suits and women in dresses – most of the people there were unrecognizable producers – maybe only 5 five per cent were actors and bigwig composers.

It was four-hour event with stellar numbers from nominated best musicals and hilarious video tributes during the commercial breaks. After reading the gossip columns and speaking with a few people, I think I found out how the Tony voters really pick their votes:

1-Pick the show that benefits them the most financially
2-Pick against your enemies
3-Pick your friends

and if all else fails

4- Pick the best show.

That's how Tony voters, vote - especially for Best Musical.

Michael Riedel (a New York Post Critic) said that the 'Tony' is a branding tool for marketing shows on the road. People vote for the show that can make the most money on tour - which is why Thoroughly Modern Millie won Best Musical in 2002 instead of Urinetown - marketing appeal.

Wicked was all set to beat Avenue Q in 2004 - but they were sneaky and booked the show in Vegas just before the votes came in and they won the Tony. They also did a great marketing campaign writing a song called Vote with your Heart.

True or not, who knows, but interesting none the less.


Lesson # 4 –What to see if you’re visiting NYC soon
If you’re planning a trip to NYC in the next 6 months here are my top musical picks. Must Sees: Avenue Q, The Drowsy Chaperone, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Hairspray (better than the movie), Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (Opens in Oct), Forbidden Broadway (only for the true fans). Avenue Q is simply the funniest, most relevant original musical this decade – best for ages 15-40. Oldies might find the puppets to juvenile – but there isn’t a puppet nudity warning for nothing! The Drowsy Chaperone deconstructs the classic musical with wit and charm. Even if you saw MTC/STC’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – come and see it again on Broadway. I saw the STC production on a recent trip back home and while it had a talented cast - the energy was lacking. The show is fast paced, sweet, utterly hilarious and fun for the whole family. I’ve now seen the show 5 times and counting. Must Sees (But also coming to Australia): Spamalot, Wicked, Spring Awakening. These are well worth seeing in New York, but if time or finances are limited, they will be coming down under next year – so you’ll get a chance to support the local talent then. Other new shows of note: Curtains, Jersey Boys, The Color Purple plus the revival of A Chorus Line. Classics: Les Miserables, Phantom Of The Opera, The Lion King. There’s a reason these shows have been running for years! Phantom has done over 8000 shows. Les Mes over 6500 and Lion King 4000+. Only if you’re crazy about the movie: Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, Xanadu. Not much going on in the Play department now that Frost/Nixon has moved on. The one to look out for is Cyrano de Bergerac playing Oct 12- Deb 23 starring Kevin Kline & Jennifer Garner.


Lesson # 5- How to get the Cheap Broadway Tickets
If you want to get good Orchestra seats – fork out $120 and get full price tickets at the box office of via www.broadway.com with a hefty booking fee. If you want half price Orchestra seats – head to the TKTS booth in Times Square (you can’t miss it) and line up with all the tourists. They only take CASH and sell tickets for that day only. Most shows are available – except the big ones that are pre-sold months in advance (Jersey Boys, Wicked). The line is long but it moves pretty fast. You could wait up to 2 hours but you’re getting $60 tickets. The other option is to go to the shows box office and buy back row (rear mezzanine) tickets for $30-$40. Don’t be afraid of the back row - some theatres are small enough that the back row feels like the orchestra. Plus if you go during a matinee or slow night – the ushers don’t mind if you sneak forward into empty seats! Some of the best shows I’ve seen only cost me about $35! Also some shows (Wicked, Spelling Bee, Rent, Hairspray and more) have $25 lottery/student tickets which you can try and get 2 hours before the show starts. No guarantee – it’s usually a lottery system. If you want to see a show for free, or see a show no longer playing – become a member of the New York Public Library – they have a performing arts branch which professionally films every Broadway show. You’ll need a legitimate theatrical excuse for viewing it – but hey – aren’t we all wanna-be producers at heart!


So there you have it – my little insight into Broadway. I hope you’ve gotten some insight into the Broadway scene!