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Post by maxx02 on Aug 8, 2007 17:44:19 GMT
It's not the actors that are mushy it's the audiences. Matinee audiences are different for many reasons, one being what you've mentioned. They are more likely to go just to be with friends and not because they are necessarily theatre lovers. They are more likely to attend a musical or a straight play because they like someone who is in it rather than being interested in the play itself. And crucially they are often older audiences who may or may not feel quite so engaged in the experience. In a comedy mantinee audiences often miss a great deal of the humor. No idea why that is, but it's true. You also get a lot of large groups which again tends not to be conducive to the very best theatre experience.
Sorry rugirl. Having been on both sides of this equation, I can tell you from a great deal of experience in the US maintee audience are usually not as engaged as evening audiences.
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Post by etherealtb on Aug 8, 2007 18:07:43 GMT
Here's another question that noone might be able to answer.
If we really love the show (and Ruf, of course) and decide we want to go and see it again while we are there, how much of a possibility will it be to get tickets to RnR from those 1/2 price booths on Bway? Do those booths just sell seats that haven't sold, or are they selling tickets that are being "held" by ticket agencies unitl the last minute? In other words, if a performance is listed as "sold out", does that really mean that every last seat in the theatre has been sold, or just all of the seats that are open to the public. I'm asking b/c if we go at a time when the performance are listed as "sold out", does that really mean we won't be able to swing tickets at the last minute? (In all that rambling, I hope my question makes some sense!)
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Post by ukelelehip on Aug 8, 2007 19:14:04 GMT
Good question, I have no idea.
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Post by GreenEyesToo on Aug 8, 2007 19:16:44 GMT
Matinee audiences are different for many reasons <......> they are often older audiences who may or may not feel quite so engaged in the experience. In a comedy mantinee audiences often miss a great deal of the humor. I think it depends entirely on any given audience at any given performance at any given theatre ! Each time I saw the play, I chose to go to the matinee performances (two Wednesdays and Rufus's final performance on the Sunday) simply because of the logistics of safely getting back to the station and then home on the train. Each time, the audience was pretty mixed, and admittedly there were a fair number of older people, but many youngsters, too. If anything, I think it would have been the younger ones who were less engaged with this particular play, as they had no personal memory of the events and the music, whereas the audience members in their 60s now would have been in their teens and early 20s when the story begins! In the intervals, it was interesting to hear the conversations around me ranging from seeing Pink Floyd in concert, to the political situation in Czechoslovakia at the time covered by the play, to arguments about the Marxist philosophy put forward by Max and its merits or demerits, to discussions of other stage work by Sinead Cusack. What I found most striking, though, was the differing way audiences reacted each time. There is a lot of humour in the play, but it was interesting to note that where on one performance a line by Rufus would get a huge laugh, the next time only a few people reacted. Conversely, there is an extremely poignant scene in the second act between Jan and Max - the first time I saw it, you could have heard a pin drop at the climax of the scene, the audence was so affected; another time there was less of a reaction to the same scene. As to the energy of the performers, Rufus was on fire each time - but extraordinarily so in his last performance, as were the others. The energy of the whole cast that day was phenomenal! Etb, I don't know how it works on Broadway, but I used to work in a theatre box office (not in the West End) and "sold out" doesn't necessarily mean that. A certain number of seats are often not released until shortly before the performance as they are reserved for promoters, friends/family of the cast, etc. You might find that, like here, that last-minute tickets can be obtained directly from the theatre box office. Each time I went, I had booked online in advance, but one time I got chatting in the interval to the woman next to me who was seeing the play for the second time. She had gone past the theatre 30 minutes before curtain-up and on a whim asked if there were any seats available - she paid £20 (around $40) on the day, and I'd paid £45 ($90), plus booking fee! Also, the best seats are possibly more likely to be available for the matinees, as evening seats tend to get booked up first. I think it was Maxx (sorry if it wasn't you, Maxx) who urged anyone not likely to be able to see it twice to listen to the radio version or get hold of the text beforehand - I'd wholeheartedly agree with that. I deliberately avoided reading all the reviews as I wanted to see it "cold", but my understanding of some of the events was limited. By the time I went back the following week, I'd had a chance to read the text, and it was much easier to understand. However, if any of you are lucky enough to see it more than once, you will pick up on sooooo much more the second time around! Enjoy! |
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Post by etherealtb on Aug 8, 2007 20:11:45 GMT
I deliberately avoided reading all the reviews as I wanted to see it "cold", but my understanding of some of the events was limited. By the time I went back the following week, I'd had a chance to read the text, and it was much easier to understand. Yeah, I know next to nothing about Czech history in that time period, so I've been reading up and reading the play. Thanks for the "inside" ticket info, Greeneyes! |
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Post by rufluvr on Aug 9, 2007 0:16:26 GMT
I am learning a lot of good tips reading all these posts. I don't think I've ever read a play beforehand. I think I'll pass for the play "Spamalot" which I am seeing this Friday. Yippee! The first play I have been able to (or rationalized to myself that I must) afford since my divorce in 2001. Yes, 2001 was such a lovely year.  I am, however, reading "The Four Queens" right now, a non-fiction book about four influential sisters in the middle ages --does that count for Spamalot? Probably not. My question--maybe it's stupid, but here goes: Will Rufus still be in the play through the March performances?? Is he scheduled to be? Sure, R & R sounds like a truly great play that I would love to see regardless ...but as for making a trek to NYC to see it, the Ruf factor is THE factor in my decision!! If he will still be there late in the run, that would be great...more time to plan and save, you know what I mean? |
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Post by etherealtb on Aug 9, 2007 1:34:49 GMT
I think I'll pass for the play "Spamalot" which I am seeing this Friday. Yippee! LOL. I think you pretty much know what you're getting with Spamalot, so you don't have to read up before hand.  |
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Post by rugirl on Aug 9, 2007 19:33:37 GMT
It's not the actors that are mushy it's the audiences. Matinee audiences are different for many reasons, one being what you've mentioned. They are more likely to go just to be with friends and not because they are necessarily theatre lovers. They are more likely to attend a musical or a straight play because they like someone who is in it rather than being interested in the play itself. And crucially they are often older audiences who may or may not feel quite so engaged in the experience. In a comedy mantinee audiences often miss a great deal of the humor. No idea why that is, but it's true. You also get a lot of large groups which again tends not to be conducive to the very best theatre experience. Sorry rugirl. Having been on both sides of this equation, I can tell you from a great deal of experience in the US maintee audience are usually not as engaged as evening audiences. Sorry, to you to, Maxx, I think you're making ridiculous generalizations, so we will just have to agree to disagree on this point, since what you're saying is not based on empirical data, but rather on your own subjective point of view. We can leave it at that. |
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Post by etherealtb on Aug 9, 2007 20:10:00 GMT
Sorry, to you to, Maxx, I think you're making ridiculous generalizations, so we will just have to agree to disagree on this point, since what you're saying is not based on empirical data, but rather on your own subjective point of view. We can leave it at that. Well Rugirl, I found both of your points of view helpful, as I was asking for your personal experiences (good or bad) in going to matinees, as I rarely go to them myself. |
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Post by mcr5137 on Aug 9, 2007 22:38:26 GMT
I also question how long Rufus will do the play............regardless of how successful it is, there is no guarantee that he will remain in the cast for the full 4-5 months. I certainly hope he will, but there's been no word on how long he will play the part!
Hubby wanted to try to see "Spamalot" while we were in NYC..........but I've checked a couple of places and the tickets are $200-$285!!!!! Granted, I haven't checked every ticket site on the web, but I was shocked! Needless to say, we won't be seeing it! Holy Grail is one of our most favorite comedy films so we hoped we might squeeze it in too..........but I think we'll find something else to do! And it looks like the current cast doesn't include the actors I really wanted to see (for one, Tim Curry) so I'm not crushed about it.
I think everyone's experiences are personal, which, of course, makes them subjective! So it's not that someone is wrong........it's just that people see things differently! I can think of several reasons to see a matinee, and I can think of reasons to see a night performance........ I think it will depend on when we can get good tickets! I'm sort of hoping for a night show, just for the excitment of it, since we've never been to NYC, nor obviously a Broadway play!!!
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Post by rufluvr on Aug 10, 2007 19:16:36 GMT
You will just love both NYC and seeing a Broadway play, Mcr!! Okay, so I'm gonna date myself here, but when I was a preteen livin' in NJ in the '70's, my best pal and I fell in love with the soundtrack of the Broadway play called "Purlie". To our amazement and delight, our parents got us tickets, and her Mom took us to see that fabulous show. We just loooved it and were in 7th heaven!! (Needless to say, I have been a live theater fan since!) The show starred Clevlon Little, Sherman Hemsley (sp?)from tv's "The Jeffersons" and my personal fav Melba Moore (!!!) who belted out the wonderful show tune "I've Got Love". It was an enchanted event that I will never forget, and the only show on Broadway I've ever seen...so far!!  Also, at around that same era I had the chance to meet in person my big crush the actor Michael Nouri, (who was in a 70's period drama called "Beacon Hill") when he took the est training with my brother and sister in NYC. I thought I could catch his eye with my jean skirt and platforms. Apparently, he doesn't go for twelve year olds, LOL!! I was very dissapointed. He was very kind, and just gorgeous in person. He was tall, with big dark eyes, a lush mop of curly dark hair...remind you of anyone?? I guess that kind of guy is very much still my type! ;D |
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Post by ukelelehip on Aug 10, 2007 21:15:09 GMT
Hubby wanted to try to see "Spamalot" while we were in NYC..........but I've checked a couple of places and the tickets are $200-$285!!!!! Mcr, you will be able to find much cheaper tickets. TKTS on Times Square usually has them and this website is good to check nearer the time: broadwaybox.com/shows/monty_python_spamalot_nyc_tickets.aspx |
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Post by rai on Aug 10, 2007 22:28:31 GMT
MCR - definitely go see Spamalot! I saw it when it was in Boston last year and it's hysterical. Makes fun of musicals in a way only Eric Idle could.
You can definitely get cheaper tickets for a show like that, as Uke said.
Rai
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Post by Terri Mac on Aug 11, 2007 3:05:24 GMT
I also question how long Rufus will do the play............regardless of how successful it is, there is no guarantee that he will remain in the cast for the full 4-5 months. I certainly hope he will, but there's been no word on how long he will play the part! Hubby wanted to try to see "Spamalot" while we were in NYC..........but I've checked a couple of places and the tickets are $200-$285!!!!! Granted, I haven't checked every ticket site on the web, but I was shocked! Needless to say, we won't be seeing it! Holy Grail is one of our most favorite comedy films so we hoped we might squeeze it in too..........but I think we'll find something else to do! And it looks like the current cast doesn't include the actors I really wanted to see (for one, Tim Curry) so I'm not crushed about it. I think everyone's experiences are personal, which, of course, makes them subjective! So it's not that someone is wrong........it's just that people see things differently! I can think of several reasons to see a matinee, and I can think of reasons to see a night performance........ I think it will depend on when we can get good tickets! I'm sort of hoping for a night show, just for the excitment of it, since we've never been to NYC, nor obviously a Broadway play!!! Michelle, Definitely go to the discounted TKTS if you are looking for other plays while in NY. Hopefully you can get Spamalot that way, but there's always good plays up. My husband and I got to see Curtains at half price and we were sitting center in about the 10th row because we waited to right before the show and just took our chances. I know you have teenagers like I do. WIll they be with you in NY? My teenagers loved Spamalot. Either way, besides Rock "N" Roll, you should be able to get a good show at half price! Enjoy your First Broadway experience! I've been spoiled because I grew up in NY, just blocks from Broadway, and I've always lived in NY. I'm so happy that my teenagers, more so my daughter, love Broadway and the shows as much as my husband and I do. |
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Post by mcr5137 on Aug 11, 2007 3:36:20 GMT
Hubby wanted to try to see "Spamalot" while we were in NYC..........but I've checked a couple of places and the tickets are $200-$285!!!!! Michelle, Definitely go to the discounted TKTS if you are looking for other plays while in NY. Hopefully you can get Spamalot that way, but there's always good plays up. My husband and I got to see Curtains at half price and we were sitting center in about the 10th row because we waited to right before the show and just took our chances. I know you have teenagers like I do. WIll they be with you in NY? My teenagers loved Spamalot. Either way, besides Rock "N" Roll, you should be able to get a good show at half price! Enjoy your First Broadway experience! I've been spoiled because I grew up in NY, just blocks from Broadway, and I've always lived in NY. I'm so happy that my teenagers, more so my daughter, love Broadway and the shows as much as my husband and I do. The girls are not coming with us this time, although the oldest daughter is working really hard to convice us to take her and leave her younger sister!! Our youngest really loves the plays (we've had season tickets to the traveling Broadway plays here for several years), even most of the musicals. The older one likes musicals only if there is a LOT of dancing.......she loved 42nd St. but didn't like Miss Saigon........and she loved Beauty & the Beast, Peter Pan.......most likely because those are stories she's grown up with. We'll hit the TKTS booth and see what we can get into for a reasonable amount of money! Or we may just walk around NYC and see the sights! Thanks! Michelle |
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