December 2nd, 2010
Today, like anything else, the recession has affected Broadway producers and the shows they decide to develop. They are taking less risks with the hopes of making their money back. Because of this, many shows running on Broadway today are either revivals or “jukebox musicals” filled with pop music hits.
However, this year Broadway is finally taking some risks again. Of the 11 new musicals hitting the stage, 10 have original music. Last season, there were only two musicals with original music, which was not enough to fill the Best Original Score category at the Tony Awards.
Shows that are primed to debut include the much publicized and $135 million dollar “Spiderman: Turn off the Dark”, the musical version of the hit movie “Sister Act”, and “Blood Bloody Andrew Jackson.” Sadly, one new musical has already seen its demise. “The Scottsboro Boys,” which centered around the infamous rape trials in Alabama in the 1930’s, will close after only two months on the Great White Way. Below is a promotional video from their Youtube account so you can see what you will probably not get a chance to watch in a theater. Cheers to the producers, cast, and creative personnel of this new show for trying something different.