Sadly it is totally in keeping with the drift towards feeling like you're at a high school production when you go and see a show on Broadway, at least when you go and see a musical. Even the serious shows that beg a more sober response are often subjected to the shrieking and screaming of teenagers and, amazingly, non-teenagers, as well. Just like in a school play, the people are cheering for things they recognize: a song, a performer, a catchphrase. And they are competing to be the loudest and most unhinged.
So far you seem to be able to avoid the insanity at the subscriber-based theatres. watching MARY JANE recently I was cheered by the absolute silence during that very quiet, moving play. Similarly STEREOPHONIC had a very focussed, measured response that got very hot and enthusiastic when they finally played their first big song. It felt like we'd been waiting for it for well over an hour and there was palpable relief from the audience. But I can easily see as the show gains more and more adherents that it will soon resemble nothing more than an average concert and not a Tony-nominated play. |
