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Are most Broadway plays really high culture? It has always seemed to me most attendees are from out of town, specifically suburbanites (and the suburbs here are generally whiter than the city itself). I used to live close to Times Square - many people around the theaters seemed unfamiliar with sidewalks (standing in the middle of the sidewalk, being surprised that someone may want to get around them). I have only been to plays when people from out of town were visiting and wanted to see a certain show. Not that I would not want to go, but it's not a priority and living here I feel that I could always go another time, so never actually get around to it.
Are most Broadway plays really high culture? It has always seemed to me most attendees are from out of town, specifically suburbanites (and the suburbs here are generally whiter than the city itself). I used to live close to Times Square - many people around the theaters seemed unfamiliar with sidewalks (standing in the middle of the sidewalk, being surprised that someone may want to get around them). I have only been to plays when people from out of town were visiting and wanted to see a certain show. Not that I would not want to go, but it's not a priority and living here I feel that I could always go another time, so never actually get around to it.
Much of the Broadway audience is indeed tourists or suburbanites, and many producers aim for that demographic -- or at least what they think it is. (After all, most of the U.S. population is now suburban). Which is to say they rarely put on shows that are high art. Rather, they look for something that's musical, not too intellectually demanding, mildly risque, with splashy production values, and something that will tour well in the rest of country after its Broadway run. And if they can get a Hollywood star in the cast while its in New York, so much the better.
Much of the Broadway audience is indeed tourists or suburbanites, and many producers aim for that demographic -- or at least what they think it is. (After all, most of the U.S. population is now suburban). Which is to say they rarely put on shows that are high art. Rather, they look for something that's musical, not too intellectually demanding, mildly risque, with splashy production values, and something that will tour well in the rest of country after its Broadway run. And if they can get a Hollywood star in the cast while its in New York, so much the better.
Makes sense.
I know that the OP quoted a statistic of 65% being tourists at Broadway shows, but suburbanites from this area probably wouldn't consider themselves to be tourists, so I'd guess that the actual percentage of people from outside the city at Broadway shows is higher than 35%.
This is the one city that has all manner of show types, from the big productions to the 20-seater plays. There are no shortage of places for minorities with talent to express performing arts with a cultural bent.
The mistake the OP makes is to judge only on the biggest Broadway shows. They are big because they appeal to the majority demographic and those with the disposable income to attend.
Im latin and have been frequenting broadway, off broadway as well as opera and all types of ballet shows over the past 12yrs. When i was younger growing up in the hood all i heard was that this was white people things and anti hood, so naturally u wasnt interested. It took an ex gf of mine who was part of english national ballet for a few yrs to open my eyes and show me a world beyond the ghetto.
Sometimes hate does come from just being uneducated on certain subjects, also the price range of some shows tend to keep away poorer people who happen to be non white in nyc.
There is no Broadway show on Earth worth $200. I only go to Broadway shows when I can get half-off or buy one get one deals. I've been trying to take my kid to see The Lion King for the past three years. Ticket prices start at $160!! No sales ever. Eff that. The only people willing to pay those prices (for the most part) are tourists.
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