Anything Goes : Musical Theatre Audiences by Colin Chaston

sorry, should have been superseded

Musicals like "The Book of Mormon" and "Avenue Q" and even "Matilda" and "Once" are reaching a younger more diverse audience.

You would have thought so with shows like this, however demographic stats show only a marginal increase.

Where are you getting these demographic stats? I would love to see them. In general theater is expensive, thus limiting who can attend. However, in smaller markets not serviced by the major touring companies local productions of musicals are getting that younger more diverse audience. It isn't the shows - its the cost of seeing them.

Colin, Its a really good question. Are you talking about the teens or maybe 20-30 year olds? Maybe they need to be somewhat along the lines of the popular films topping this same demographic. I have something I am working on that I would love you to read, but it doesn't answer the brief for the audience you seek to entertain but your experience would sure be appreciated.

Hi Colin, I find it very difficult in UK to introduce a new "younger" musical, mostly because the AM-DRAM circuits are invariably mature people who hang on to proven plays. The result is that the same plays are produced all over the country and nobody wants to take a chance on new stuff. So, unless you produce and direct it yourself, it is an uphill battle. Does anyone else find this? Tom

I definitely wouldn't say that the medium is dead. If you were talking about Opera, I might agree that there's a much shorter shelf life there. Their audience is literally dying off. However, I think Broadway and Disney have rejuvenated the musical and sometimes, elevated it. Others would argue that big budgets and spectacle are the true appeal. I wouldn't totally disagree. However, I think it's going to be really interesting when Harry Potter opens, because it could potentially draw the relative numbers that the movies did. We also have shows like Glee and countless reality television featuring live music every week. If anything, America is oversaturated with the musical form. So the question of kids, has to lie in the popularity of what's hot. Kids were engaged with Harry Potter because it engaged their imaginations and appealed to their hearts - Harry was the everyboy, given opportunities beyond his wildest dreams. He was their proxy. Just as the kids on Glee are every middle school and high school kid watching. Reality television - for all its faults - appeals to our vanity. We see ourselves in that contestant, but are able to endure SImon's wrath from afar. I think that shows like Chicago and Hedwig are great (they're the ones that bring me into the theatre), but young audiences need to see themselves up there. They need the protagonist of every Roald Dahl story, the scrappy ragamuffins from Oliver, and all the orphans from Annie. But different. For our age. We cannot woo them with anything less than magic. What I feel is missing in all theatre today (I am a stage director) is the magic. What separates it from film. Live magic on stage. Peter Brook talked about the dangers of the deadly theatre over 40 years ago. We are still there. We need to recapture the holy theatre - a place where the stage is charged with magic, and kids are not talked to, but with. The magic trick is a shared experience, and just as JK Rowling didn't underestimate children's intelligence or willingness to read a 1000 page book, the holy theatre will enter into a communion with its audience, and challenge not condescend. Anyway, sorry for the long response. This is obviously something I feel strongly about. As Shakespeare might say today: 'The fault is not in our audience, but in ourselves that we are still underpaid.' Haha. That's my two cents.

Musical theater is awesome but then again, I'm a musician. Sometimes we forget that we can't appeal to everyone all the time and that's not a bad thing. And Opera audiences dying off? That's crazy talk. It's always a good idea in my humble O to cultivate those who enjoy what you're putting out there. Support them and they will introduce others to their passion and can revitalize many things that don't get the opportunity for mass exposure.

How young are you talking? Kids love musicals -- it's getting the info to their parents that's tough.

TSanders - Are you honestly suggesting that an Opera audience is anything but a bunch of blue hairs? I see a lot of opera, and I am routinely the youngest person in the theatre. It simply is not a medium that is getting passed down as vibrantly as some of the others. But in truth, I say the same thing about contemporary American theatre. The average subscriber age is 60 years old, upper middle class, white, well-educated, and like Opera, the ticket costs are prohibitive for younger adults on a budget. We bemoan the flight of the youth from the theatre, and then do everything in our means to prevent them from attending. :-(

Who mentioned opera????

Hi Tom, I think you're right in what you say. It's also about people being told what to see, in so much as some (sometimes not very good productions) have a lot of media attention which helps sell tickets. An example is the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever! If people have a bad experience it can put them off going again.

Jon, an excellent post!!!

As some one from a younger/more diverse audience, it depends on narrative and if the music is good. For example, I went to see 'The Wedding Singer' a few years ago, not knowing what to expect. Not only did I love the story of the musical, but I loved the soundtrack too.

Maybe look at what catches the younger audience in e.g movies and music and then transform it somehow into theatre? Why the young adults go to concerts? What music they listen to? What genre is the best in movies or even TV? I think you should not expect teenagers freely go to see Les MIserable, but rather a epic play with music from lord of the rings or maybe a Hangover type of comedy with music like Skrillex, David Guetta or that type of thing... And maybe there's some new technology to be used also? I might help you go into detail if you like. Siw-Anita E

Theatre is a fantastic genre and the westend's audiences have actually been growing year on year, somehow this needs to be translated to the rest of the country. People have forgotten how exciting and engaging live theatre really is.

Hi Colin, Music is a wonderful way to reach children of diverse backgrounds. Research reveals that when music is coupled with learning, children tend to retain the knowledge. In fact, my own child learned multiplication tables faster than ever believed with the use of music. The author sang the time tables via western tunes. Depending on your focal group, and especially if you tap into urban communities, minority children love movement. They love to dance, tap their heels, sway to the music and more. The quantum leap movement that has transitioned our schools to the theoretical perspective of using music to help prolong knowledge has worked wonders. I would go on to say that this perspective may work for ALL children due to the area of the brain music taps into. Another point to make here is the growing population of individuals who self identify as more than one race. More and more trends are changing, so no way is your idea outdated. You are on the cutting edge, my friend. I wish I could find someone to adapt my children's chapter books into a stage play, or traveling school play into schools all over. My platform topics center of Diversity and Bullying issues. Bullying is prevalent in our schools and schools' Board Members have to ensure anti-bullying plans are in place in all schools - and not just on paper. Diversity awareness is essential for decreasing bullying behaviors. Teachers could prepare thematic lessons around the play, and schools could send buses loaded with children to view the play after reading my books. What a win-win for all involved! A musical play telling these stories would be awesome!! Cherrye S. Vasquez, Ph.D. http://www.BooksThatSow.com

Cherrye, please email me, colin@janskiproductions.com, I may be able to help. Love your post.

Music can break down barriers between people. That's true! I use music as therapy for my patients ex. to heal pain, and for communication between me and them. Suddenly the woman who doesn't speak anymore, sings every single word in her favourite song very clearly. That's awesome. And I know also with my two children (18 and 4), especially with my autistic boy, music and play reaches deeper in them and they learn faster. Beautiful website Cherrye S. Vasquez :)

Thank you very much, Siw-Anita. Music therapy is an awesome technique. I appreciate you stopping by my website. Blessings to you and your family! Cherrye

You too Cherrye :)

wow factor... spectacle, the Cirque comment was spot on... they're bombarded with instant fix TV & wham bam games... young people are VERY visual stimulus sensing people...so something that grabs their attention visually, even something that makes them jump/a bit of shock thrill... get the atmos broken. I think once the visual wow is established you can introduce anything. I've found young people then end up quite fascinated by the fact 'they're real people up there!! live!!' ... Music, the sensory stimulus of that also a must... even games have fantastically evocative & exciting scores ... I think also some theatres can look really intimidating for people not used to going to the theatre.... I get a similar response when exhibiting in galleries... break down those seeming class/age barriers! And cost will always be an issue. Best of luck x:)

It would've been fun to create something using different effects on stage, and to use what excites the young ones - depending on how old they are - a story they would love. Good Luck!

You will make it. Just keep believing in yourself. Best, Jude

Hi Colin, I admire the numerous Am-Dram groups but always find they won't tackle new work, especially for youngsters. Wonder if you would care to look at my comedy stage play for kids and families and give me your comments? Thanks, Tom

Floyd Kelly: Awesome music! I heard a couple of songs. It suits just fine to add it to a good story on a stage with a good orchestra. That's what you had in mind? Do you have lyrics with the songs? Cool! Colin, this is perhaps something for you if you want to rise theatre/play to another level :))

If ever any of you are interested in adapting a children's chapter book about diversity and acceptance into a musical play, I have just the right book for you titled, "Clique, Clique, STOP" I can just see this as a stage play OR a traveling play into the schools. Teachers are looking for thematic lessons centered on diversity and bullying issues for social skills lessons. With so much in the news about bullying, this would be a great work. You can go on my website to learn more about my book AND watch the book trailer. Interesting book if I have to say so myself (smile). Here's my website address: http://www.BooksThatSow.com I hope a few of you will take a look Take Care

How to connect to a producer who could make my music show/theatre/stage-art happen on a stage somewhere? (That's my dream.) Anyone who know someone who would be interested?

Theatre needs to capitalize on its strength, which is its "live-ness." It is not merely TV or film plopped onto a stage.

Theatre will always be some kind of "Live" compared to TV or Film. But to stay interresting you need to develop it, reinvent maybe and to go for the likes of the targeted audience. Life changes and so does the interests with the new generations.