Key Takeaways
- Broadway theater, historically inaccessible, is now reaching wider audiences remotely.
- Cast albums have been the primary method for experiencing musicals remotely for decades.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated new streaming and remote access innovations for theater.
- Digital platforms and fan engagement are fostering new ways to discover and interact with Broadway.
Deep Dive
- Host Gilbert Cruz recounted a childhood experience where his math teacher used class time to expose students to 'Les Miserables'.
- Jesse Green's early exposure to theater came through his parents' cast albums, including 'Guys and Dolls' and 'Carousel'.
- Elisabeth Vincentelli experienced theater via television broadcasts in rural France, watching a weekly show featuring French boulevard comedies with her grandmother.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the industry's willingness to release content via streaming and altered audience expectations.
- This era fostered global access to performances, enabling views of shows impossible to stage live, and led to projects like Josh Gilb's 'Theater in Quarantine'.
- A live-streamed Steven Sondheim 90th birthday celebration in April 2020 featured Meryl Streep, Audra McDonald, and Christine Baranski.
- Resourcefulness was showcased in small-scale productions like 'Theater in Quarantine', developed out of desperation during the pandemic.
- Theater is increasingly accessible remotely through productions like the National Theater's 'Romeo and Juliet' and the PBS 'Great Performances' series.
- Audible is investing in theater by producing live stage shows for audio, including a production featuring Hugh Jackman and the Tony-nominated 'Dead Outlaw'.
- Musical theater content is rising on TikTok, with users recreating Broadway moments and dance sequences from shows like 'Just for Time' and 'Chicago'.
- Fan engagement fueled the Broadway success of 'Be More Chill', which moved to Broadway after a short run and cast album popularity, and 'Six', which originated as a mixtape.
- 'Chicago' is highlighted for its satirical brilliance and lack of weak songs.
- 'The Most Happy Fella' is described as a romantic, opera-like musical with a surprising 'catfishing' plotline.
- 'Hairspray' is noted for its universally strong songs and broad appeal.
- Elisabeth Vincentelli champions Leonard Bernstein's 'On the Town' and 'Gypsy' as favorite cast recordings.
- Elisabeth Vincentelli expresses fondness for both the cast album and movie soundtrack of Leonard Bernstein's 'On the Town', acknowledging score changes.
- 'Company' is discussed for its narrative about a bachelor navigating societal pressures, highlighting a famous documentary about its recording.
- 'Jesus Christ Superstar' is recommended, with participants noting the drama and self-aggrandizement in Andrew Lloyd Webber's autobiography mirrors the musical itself.
- Pandemic-era live musical broadcasts by networks like NBC have the potential to drive interest in live theater.
- The Broadway adaptation of 'Good Night, and Good Luck', starring George Clooney as Edward R. Murrow, was live-streamed on CNN and is now available on demand.
- Other notable theater captures include Andrew Scott's 'Vanya' from National Theater Live and the British production of 'Heather's The Musical'.
- The discussion distinguishes between movie musicals based on Broadway shows and original film musicals like 'Singin' in the Rain' and 'Bandwagon'.
- The 2002 film adaptation of 'Chicago' receives criticism for its editing, specifically its depiction of dancing.
- The host introduces a four-round theater game called 'the Gilby' for guests Jesse and Elisabeth.
- Rounds include 'Strike Up the Band' for identifying musicals from overtures, and 'Move Curtain Upwards' for identifying Marvel Cinematic Universe actors in theater clips.
- Other rounds focused on popular high school productions like 'Clue' and identifying Broadway shows and Tony-winning performers from Tony Awards clips, such as Sutton Foster in 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 'A Little Night Music'.