What does a Broadway Show consist of?
Broadway shows include the full range of theatre from strictly dramatic like Iceman Cometh to full blown musicals like RENT and Lion King. The thing that makes them Broadway is that they are produced in the Broadway district.
Does broadway only have musicals?
No. Currently, there are 29 musicals on Broadway (one or two might not have opened yet...) and 14 straight plays (ditto on above). This doesn't include off-Broadway shows or specials. Straight plays aren't as popular, but they are out there.
How long does a Broadway show run for?
This may seem like a DUMB question, but how long does the average Broadway show run? I want to but tickets for my friend and I am not sure how the production period works. I want to get tickets for Young Frankenstein, but am not sure how long the show is running for. Is it possible for a show to end suddenly, even if people have tickets purchased for shows a few months in the future? I'm a total novice when it comes to the theater so excuse my ignorance. I know YF opened fairly recently, but I may end up getting tickets to a different show so I'm curious about shows in general as well. As a side, if anyone has seen this production of YF... what did you think? I loved the movie and know Broadway is a totally different type of experience, but I'm curious what you all thought. Thanks!
What does a "replacement" mean on broadway?
A replacement is different than an understudy. An understudy goes on when the regular actor is ill or unavailable. A replacement actor has taken over the role completely from whoever originally played the part. Just as if you replaced a new appliance in your kitchen. The playbills don't always reflect the most current cast, so they have those little slips of paper to update you with replacement cast members. Soundtracks are usually recorded with the original casts. Any long running show is bound to have several replacements.
What does it mean to be a "swing" and "ensemble" in broadway shows?
The ensemble is like the chorus. They're basically in all of the group numbers and will help add more voices to the music. You can also have smaller ensembles, like "School Girl Ensemble" or "Prison Mate Ensemble." The swing are the actors who fill in for the ensemble members when the ensemble member fills in as an understudy. Basically, they're an understudy's understudy.