Any email beginning with these words often brings bad news and this statement could not have been more valid than when I found myself opening an email with this exact statement followed by, “You’re performance of THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION has been canceled.” I don’t know whether it was seeing the title in all capital letters, or just the feeling that this email was coming that made it feel and sound so bad.
Being an avid theatre-goer this was the first time a performance I was going to attend had been canceled. Suddenly I found myself with thousands of other theatre-goers whose plans were changed because of the ongoing Broadway Stagehands Strike.
Like many other’s I always enjoy going to New York City around this time of year so that I may partake in the Christmas decorations, shopping and grab a quick Broadway show before heading home.
A few months ago I had booked a Broadway bus trip and bought tickets for the new Aaron Sorkin play, “The Farnsworth Invention”. Our plans soon changed after the strike was declared on November 9, 2007. All but a few Broadway theatre’s would go dark (industry talk for being closed), and it suddenly left me with the void of theatrical performance. So like any good traveler, I had a back-up plan, and upon receiving the Telecharge email, I instantly booked tickets for the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Pygmalion” at the American Airlines Theatre.
On the Ground:
Upon arriving in New York City at the corner of 42nd St. and Broadway, I could tell something was wrong. Stores in and around the theatre district, including Times Square, were empty. Even the street vendors selling fake Coach bags and Rolex watches were not as plentiful. Even the TKTS booth, which sells half priced, same day, discount tickets was empty. All of this was nothing compared to 44th & 45th Streets whose theatres are home to shows considered Broadway royalty including, “A Chorus Line”, “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miserable”.
The streets, which usually by an hour before curtain are packed, were deserted. There were no ticket holders waiting to get in, no vendors selling programs and not excitement. It was as if all the energy and electricity generated by live theatre was gone. The only lines that could be found were those of the stagehands picketing.
So How's Business?
Fortunately for me though I did have a ticket to one of the few matinee shows that was playing, “Pygmalion”. With so few Broadway shows running during this time, I was curious to see what business would be like for this play, most often associated with its musical sibling “My Fair Lady”. After arriving at the theatre my question was promptly answered when looking at the box office I saw an enormous sign saying, “THIS PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT!” Upon receiving my ticket at the will call window I asked the attendant how business was doing since the strike. Her reply, “We’ve been very busy.”
The production itself was much better than I could have imagined and key parts of the dialogue are still ringing inside my head along with the pictures of the magnificent set. As for Ms. Claire Danes making her Broadway debut as Eliza Doolittle, a role famously associated with actresses Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn, after taking five minutes to settle in Ms. Danes was delightful.
Doing the Impossible: Getting Dinner
The play, which has five acts, flew by in a good way and during intermission I asked the very busy Chief Usher, how’s business? Her response, “We’ve been sold out every night.” After the show I had a chance to participate in a talk back between the audience and the cast, than it was off to a quick dinner with a friend at Ruby Foo’s Pan-Asian restaurant in Times Square. Usually getting a table at a restaurant in between shows on a Saturday night is next to impossible. On this night I did the impossible; I walked into the restaurant, told the waiter that I needed a table to two and was seated quickly. While walking to my seat it was easy to see that the strike was affecting more than just the theatres. The restaurant was half-full, and afterward catching a cab was painless.
Again I couldn’t quite get ever have empty this city was. I’ve been visiting New York for ten years and in all that time this was something I had never seen before. Anyway it was back to Washington, D.C. and I must say that even with seeing a different show than the one I wanted to see, I was glad I came.
As for the strike, well it currently is in its second week, with no settlement in sight. This was the first Thanksgiving in memory where most Broadway houses were dark and nobody dares ask the question what Christmas will bring. Though many are hoping not to get an email with the phrase, “Dear Telecharge Customer.”
Give Me Your Strike Story:
Affected by the strike? Give me you story of finding Broadway dark in our comment section! Also be sure to check of the next post with pictures taken during my last visit to New York and if you have pictures you would like to submit, email them to me btomchik@gmu.edu. Finally should you find yourself needing information regarding obtaining ticket refunds of general strike or theatre information be sure to check out the theatre links section below.
Theatre Links:For Updates about the Strike and everything Broadway please check the following websites:
http://www.playbill.com/
If you bought a ticket to a show that was canceled the link provided with tell you how to obtain a refund.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112903.html
Also be sure to check with your Broadway show's official website to see what their status is during the strike and recommended courses of action.
No comments:
Post a Comment