Facebook is so over. At least, that's what a college-age coworker told me this summer while discussing arts marketing. The mega social network may be waning with a younger demographic, but a recent Facebook acquisition is growing exponentially.
Now thirtysomething, had I aged out of the reality TV demographic? No, I had just been ruined by the cultural arts.
Spotlight on Broadway presents a series of videos that document the history of Broadway's 40 theaters. It is the combined efforts of the mayor's office and the Broadway League that these rich stories can be told in a digitally accessible manner.
It's that time of year again, the Tony Awards. And like previous years, a glance at the roster of nominees could easily be mistaken for the Academy Awards. “Once,” based on the Oscar-winning indie film is up against “Newsies,” based on the Razzie Awards-winning Disney film, and “Leap of Faith,” based on the Steve Martin Hollywood vehicle.
While there often tends to be a sense of skepticism when speaking of Broadway’s future, TEDxBroadway was more about thinking positive, and brainstorming for the sake of live theater. Bazadona rattled off a list of needs for the viability of Broadway: incredible original productions, full theaters with diverse audiences, a wider platform to share our greater purpose, and less risk from external factors. “Broadway needs to become an idea factory,” he proclaimed, equating this industry to another—Silicon Valley.
Chris Mann had been a guest teaching artist at Rosie's Broadway Kids, an organization in New York City geared towards helping kids receive an arts education.
Then there is the current Broadway duo of Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone. Let’s just say, these Broadway stalwarts are making an effort to stay socially relevant.
One major aspect of this production that helps give it a "classic" sound is the lavish 28-piece orchestra. More recently, many Broadway shows have been orchestrated to be played by a smaller number of musicians. "It's thrilling to have a full-sized orchestra," Follies' musical director boasted.
Broadway means big business for the city of New York, as this past season brought in nearly $10 billion for the local economy, grossing upwards of a billion dollars for the theatrical community. When you look outside of Times Square, around the country, Broadway means even bigger business for local communities.
"It's been a huge challenge and a huge privilege," War Horse's playwright, Nick Stafford, recently told me after winning a Tony Award. "In the beginning, it seemed like an impossible task to write this play. To have the main character not be able to speak was a challenge."
