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| http://www.dpacnc.com/events/detail/wicked-1 |
Despite being reknown for being one of the most challenging businesses in the world, there are still many shows that are met with great success. Shows of all genres, from the razzle-dazzle of Chicago, to the mystery of Phantom, or the electricity of the hip hop score of Hamilton, continue to bring in substantial profits year after year, still managing to fill entire theaters, thrilling audiences of all ages.
Through an interview with a Broadway Chicago veteran, Michael Keefe, I leaned the secret to success for long-running Broadway shows: having a premise that can resonate with a large demographic of audiences, the funds to keep the shows operating and improving, and the ability to transport audiences to exciting, enthralling worlds.
1. As with any form of entertainment, having a relatable premise is a must for successful shows. People need to be able to relate to the characters, to root for them, and this demographic of people needs to be large enough of a fan base to keep the show alive. Wicked, for example, was not critically well received initially. However, the story of Elphaba and Glinda's friendship resonated with girls and women of all ages, as the struggles of self identity, love, and forgiveness endured by these witches are universal and shared by everyone. This helped in creating a strong fan base of people who formed connections to the characters, providing the show the stability it needed to survive and thrive.
Similarly, A Chorus Line tells the story of the trials and heartbreak accompanying a life in theatre, which literally hundreds of thousands of people can directly relate to and and are able to see themselves in the story, which made this show an instant success. In contrast, the musical Kelly, which ran for one performance in 1965, chronicling one man's plan to survive a jump off the Brooklyn bridge was slammed for its poor writing and forgettable songs, as well as its inapplicable and unlikable story. If a story can capture the attention of an audience with relatable characters and a premise that resonates, then its chances of survival are greatly enhanced.
Similarly, A Chorus Line tells the story of the trials and heartbreak accompanying a life in theatre, which literally hundreds of thousands of people can directly relate to and and are able to see themselves in the story, which made this show an instant success. In contrast, the musical Kelly, which ran for one performance in 1965, chronicling one man's plan to survive a jump off the Brooklyn bridge was slammed for its poor writing and forgettable songs, as well as its inapplicable and unlikable story. If a story can capture the attention of an audience with relatable characters and a premise that resonates, then its chances of survival are greatly enhanced.
2. As with any business, a key element other than good ideas and the people to make it happen, is having the funds to keep the show going. The magic of theatre is its ability to continue to adapt and change, constantly striving for perfection. However, this pursuit of perfection requires a lot of time and money, as many shows endure literally hundreds of script and score changes until they are deemed ready for The Great White Way. A lack of funds to let this process take its course unfortunately means that many shows are not given the opportunity to be seen on Broadway at their best. Shows with some promise, such as the doomed Annie 2, didn't even make it to Broadway, as the hundreds of script and story changes took far longer than the funds to support it would allow.
3. For centuries, people have gone to the theatre for same reason- to escape. A whole world is created in front of you, and people love the idea of losing themselves in this new world. A major component of successful shows is their ability to craft a whole worth being enthralled by. Whether it is the romance, elegance, and mystery of a 19th century opera house haunted by a masked genius, the exotic island lifestyle of South Pacific, or the majesty and wonder of the African savannah. People are thrilled by these fantasy worlds due to their adventure and excitement, such as Oz or the cultural differences seen in Miss Saigon or The King and I. You are given the rare gift of forgetting your own troubles for two hours as you are swept up in this story, enchanted by a world so far removed from your own reality. A show's survivability often relies on this component, as it keeps people coming back and buying tickets for multiple viewings. 
Question for next post: What roles does advertising play in the success of Broadway musicals?
