| A Funny Thing Happened... |
| Wednesday, 11 March 2009 |
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I live in Phoenix, Arizona. We have a problem: we turn every production into a comedy. In fairness, Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country, and our community/corporate/city support for theatre arts is less than impressive. I’m pretty sure theatre in Milwaukee has higher attendance and more financial backing than we do here. Given these circumstances, every season and every production winds up looking like a cross between Annie and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I will concede that this most egregiously applies to our presentation theaters, but also seeps its way into our mid-sized houses. What’s a theater to do? If their audience base demands a good laugh and a snappy tune, what choice does the artistic director have? Right? To back up my claims I’d have to site specific productions from over the last few years. I won’t do that here largely because the actors involved in these shows are talented and hardworking theater artists. They perform as directed. And that’s all I’ll say about that. Thank god for some of our new and smaller houses who are taking risks and drawing an eclectic crowd. My husband and I attended a performance of Minor Demons at Chyro Arts Venue (Scottsdale Rd/McDowell) two weeks ago. The story was intriguing with cool direction and invested acting. Audience members varied widely in age, ethnicity and vocation. Another house that consistently presents new material is Space55. The Visitation is closing a run this Friday night. This 55-seat theater at 7th Street and Pierce isn’t fancy, but they aggressively seek fresh scripts and don’t shy away from ideological challenges, gut wrenching grief, and yes, even hilarity. Ticket prices at both venues are about the price of a movie – before popcorn. Theaters want to hold on to their audiences. I understand. But, I'll admit that when a script I care about (like a Pulitzer Prize winner or one that is personal to me) is mounted in our mid-size or larger venues - I’m skittish. I don’t want to find myself sitting in the audience with friends and wondering, “Really? Is this really supposed to be funny? The whole thing? The heartbreaking scene – that’s funny too?” Only to have my friends say after the show, “Really?” as I hang my head. I feel like a parent who has to preview a movie before my kids see it. I don’t want to pay $20-$100 per ticket for pandering: it isn't funny. I’d rather stand in line for Phish tickets. And that’s all I’ll say about that. |
