<p>When you're doing your holiday shopping this year, please give some thought to supporting theatre productions across the country. They need it badly. Between now and the end of January, there are already at least 19 Broadway shows that will close, and that doesn't even include the Christmas season limited runs. Grosses have been particularly bad this fall and, although this time of year almost always sees a fair number of closing notices, it is a bloodbath this year. Touring and regional productions are also seeing their numbers drop. If you're going to be in the city at all over the holidays, consider seeing a couple of shows that maybe you wouldn't otherwise have seen:</p>
<p>Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson; Brief Encounter; Driving Miss Daisy; Fela; A Free Man of Color; In the Heights; La Bete; A Little Night Music; The Merchant of Venice; Next to Normal; Pee Wee Herman Show; Promises, Promises; Rain; The Scottsboro Boys; Time Stands Still; West Side Story; Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown; The Pitmen Painters; Long Story Short. </p>
<p>Off-Broadway, as always, has some excellent productions currently. Or check out what's playing in the cities close to you, touring or regional. Theatre needs an audience, every single night. Without one, in both the specific and general sense, the likelihood of all these kids studying theatre ever earning a sustained living doing what they love becomes even less likely than the already dismal statistics.</p>
<p>That is such a great message, alwaysamom! And particularly here for families who are so into theater! Your MT kids need to see lots of theater as part of their education, not to mention their love of it. It is a great gift! We don’t celebrate Christmas but for my D’s birthday, she often has wanted to get Broadway tickets as her gift from us. A lot of shows are closing. Some really good ones! So keep supporting theater (at any level)! It’s a gift your kids will really love too.</p>
<p>I just gave D money to go see Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson and The Scottsboro Boys before they close. D was also going to try and rush a Little Night Music again as she absolutley adores this production. H bought me tickes to Next to Normal and the Westside Story tours when they come here for a Christmas present. I also just renewed my subscription to the La Jolla Playhouse for their new season.</p>
<p>Please support the arts not only this holiday season, but throughout the year!</p>
<p>My husband and I bought a subscription to our local broadway theater this year. It is the first time we have ever done this. It was a little pricey, but well worth it! We have already seen Chorus Line and Young Frankenstein. We are looking forward to In the Heights next month!!</p>
<p>Showmom, actually Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was the show my D wanted tix to for her birthday this fall and she loved it. She also just saw Scottsboro Boys a few nights ago (though for free!) and said that was great too. Your D should enjoy!</p>
<p>D and her friends are traveling from DC to NYC on Tuesday to see Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. She’s been dying to see it. We’re sad that Next to Normal is closing but at least now maybe it will come to Dallas on tour.</p>
<p>Please get out there and see your community and regional shows! If you can, come into NYC and see the many marvelous shows that are closing early due to this particularly weird economic turndown. Broadway will certainly never die, but they need our help.</p>
<p>Got a kid in NYU Tisch Music Theatre. He’s loving it and not worried. He has his eye on an ever expanded future. I’m glad he’s not worried. I am. It takes a Village.</p>
<p>Consider subscribing to Theatre Development Fund! Helps a great cause and you get discounted shows both on Broadway and off. It’s a non-profit service organization for the performing arts. My D is a member and we’ve seen some top notch shows for a bargain price. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post the link so just do a search for Theatre Development Fund! :)</p>
<p>Does anyone know which show do student rush in NYC (or a site that lists this). My D will have some time in Jan after New Years and thought she might try this again. She had a great time doing it once before.</p>
<p>Bravo to all of you! I’ve taken my own advice and recently purchased tickets for several shows both here in Toronto and in NYC to give as gifts. </p>
<p>megpmom, I agree with you that the N2N closing is a sad one. The tour, however, is fantastic. I haven’t seen it myself but two of my Ds flew out to L.A. for the opening last week because we have a family friend in the show. From the itinerary he’s given us (it will be in Toronto next summer!), it doesn’t look like there are currently any Texas stops booked but that can change if the tour is extended. So keep your eyes open at your local theatres that usually book tours, or you could even contact your local theatres and express interest in seeing the show coming to Dallas.</p>
<p>Susan makes an excellent point that these kids who are pursuing theatre definitely need to see LOTS of live theatre. Most theatre kids will have seen dozens if not hundreds of stage shows, at all levels -the good, the bad and the ugly - before they get to college. It’s an important part of their theatre education that will continue not only through college but during their entire careers.</p>
- before they get to college. It’s an important part of their theatre education that will continue not only through college but during their entire careers.</p>