The state of theater today

Julie and I took a trip to the theater with some good friends last night to see Shakespeare's "As You Like It" and had a great time despite what I thought was a pretty mediocre performance by the local troupe. I couldn't help but come away with a few impressions after watching the show.

It has got to be hard for theaters to compete with other forms of entertainment available these days (movies, concerts, etc.) when ticket prices are as high as they are. If you're not a college student you're pretty much priced out of the loop unless you're somewhat well off. Sure, there are cheap tickets to be had for $10 way up in the balcony, but we were 14 rows back from the stage and I could barely hear the actor dialogue. Our ticket pricing was $50+ and whenever the players would face away from me or TB Joe coughed in the audience I completely missed what was being said. I missed half of the "jokes" because I'm relying on acoustics that should have been left to the ancient romans and greeks. Is it that hard to install a hanging mic system?

Couple that with 85-year-old seat ushers who insisted on leading us to our seats (one shuffling step at a time) and still brought us to the wrong row, and you have a pretty antiquated entertainment experience. I'm a fan of tradition as much as the next guy, but from this and past experiences at the theater I can't help but wonder why things can't be updated a bit. I'm not shocked that most 18-34 year-olds I've come across want nothing to do with the performing arts. It's not that we expect a hot dog derby race or a kiss cam, but the current state of affairs is just too expensive, stuffy, pretentious, and outdated.

Comments

[Jenny Busse]

I would agree that it is hard for theatre to compete, but somehow they do. I am an old friend of Julie's in case you were wondering and I make costumes for theatre. The cost behind the scenes alone is horrendous in comparison to a movie or t.v. where there is digital editing available. My husband and I love Broadway and now we are enjoying Broadway West(aka LA. Cost is off and I believe a lot of young people don't want to get involved in the performing arts because it is not introduced to them when they are in high school anymore. Some, and I do mean very few schools have a drama program anymore and with government costs that will soon be absolete. Have a great day!