Many of Broadway’s youngest fans were heartbroken last January when they learned that Rent, the long-running rock opera residing at New York City’s Nederlander Theatre, was scheduled to close on June 1st. Was the closing date publicized as being earlier than expected simply to spur ticket sales for fans hoping to catch their last glimpse of “Seasons of Love” before the show closed? Who knows.
Regardless of their intentions, the announcement resulted and in a spike in ticket sales, and (surprise, surprise) producers have extended the run to September 7th.
Don’t’ get me wrong, Rent was a groundbreaking show. But the past tense is critical in this case. It was groundbreaking in 1995 when it was being developed by a Scarsdale native at the New York Theatre Workshop. It was even a groundbreaking show when in opened on Broadway in 1996, but twelve years worth of performances, tens of thousands of screaming tweens, and way too many pairs of blue polyester pants later, the show is a cash cow and ready to close.
The closing date announcement may not have been manipulated to increase ticket sales. Even if it were, I’d have difficulty condemning producers for being good at their job. But at the same time, Rent’s recent developments only add to my feeling that Broadway is becoming over-commercialized. Clay Aiken of American Idol fame is now playing Sir Robin in Spamalot, Shrek the musical will be opening later this year, and Disney is spearheading the spread of corporate involvement in New York’s theatre scene.
Broadway is part of show business, and I understand the need to develop shows that are commercially viable, but could producers and audiences alike please remember not to lose sight of the art behind the income?
(3/13 pageflakes)
