Back in November/December, there was a Broadway strike. The stagehands went on strike. I supported this strike. The stagehands don’t make tons of money, so bully for them. However, the strike lasted for a long time and caused several really good shows to close because they lost all the holiday revenue they depend on to carry them through the rest of the year. These shows were some of our favorites of all time:
The Drowsy Chaperone
The Color Purple
These were not the only casualities of the strike. The show closings seriously upset Brianne and Meghan and we have since then (barring Rent viewings) been having our own personal Broadway strike. It wasn’t exactly intentional, we just felt very ho hum and a little disappointed in “the B-way”.
I am happy to report, however, that the strike is over. We saw “Sunday in the Park with George” on Thursday. We like it, but did not like the main guy who got nominated for the Tony this year. Go figure. Then, to really come back from our strike with a vengeance, we saw the farcical play “Boeing, Boeing”. It was great. So funny, as farces tend to be. Almost overshadowing this great show was the almost greater audience. Sometimes you get a really crappy audience. A bunch of geri’s or younger kids or people who are just not into the show like you are can really suck the life out of the show. Or, if you’re really unlucky, two ladies have a fight in the front row in the middle of an important scene taking place about 6 feet from them. And I quote:
Lady 1: Shhhhh!!!!
Lady 2: Don’t you shhhh! me!
And a few more “whispered” loud enough for all of the audience and cast backstage to hear. Good times. Anyway, Friday’s audience was great. The whole first row of the balcony was a group of teenagers who loved loved loved every last minute. They were sitting on the edge of their seats and hanging on every word. They were laughing, clapping, looking at eachother and lauging it up throughout the entire thing. It was great. They looked like they were at their first Broadway show and they were living the dream! It was great to watch. Almost as good as the show!
It’s good to be back with the singing and dancing that Meghan and I know and love! We missed you, Broadway. Try not to screw up again!
