Work in Progress

These days, it is rare for a show to open cold on Broadway. With millions and millions of dollars at stake, it is becoming increasingly more common to see development productions of both straight plays and blockbuster musicals at regional and non-profit institutions. Long gone are the days of regular out of town tryouts in Hartford and Boston (although Cambridge's ART under the leadership of Diane Paulus is on fire with her Broadway transfers). Instead producers are opting to develop future Broadway hopefuls as far away from New York - either geographically or philosophically - as possible.

This trending model is a win for all those involved: 

• Non-profit and Regional Theaters: These theaters have the opportunity to offer their subscribers exciting Broadway-bound premieres. Seasons can be subsidized through enhancement money raised by commercial producers. And these institutions are now eligible to collect royalties from future commercial productions. 
  
• Creative Teams: Creative teams have the luxury to develop their works further over time. There is no better way to determine what is working and what is not than to see a show on its feet and to observe audience reaction in real-time.
  
• Producers: Producers can invite potential investors to actually see a full production of the show before they commit to investing. Sometimes the show itself can serve as the best pitch. 

This summer, I've had the opportunity to view new works in all different stages of development. Some of these shows included:

---

• Nobody Loves You at Second Stage in New York: This contemporary romantic musical comedy/reality television satire first had a successful and critically acclaimed run at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. With the critics singing its praises and audiences laughing non-stop, this fresh new musical could very well have a successful commercial off-Broadway or Broadway run. 

• The Bridges of Madison County at the Williamstown Theatre Festival: After a series of workshops, this musical adapted from the book and film features a score by Jason Robert Brown and direction by Bartlett Sher. While this production swept audiences off its feet with its romantic score and left many visibly moved, this conscientious production team is sure to cut, shape, and develop this story until its scheduled Broadway opening in 2014. Berkshire audiences have the rare treat of seeing an early "draft" of this show this summer.

• New Play Series at the Huntington Theatre Company: While the Huntington has seen several Broadway transfers (Present Laughter, Stick Fly, etc.) and next season will host the extremely commercially viable Disney's The Jungle Book, it is also a huge supporter of local artists. This summer series gave up-and-coming playwrights an opportunity to explore their writings with professional directors and actors and showcase their works in front of intelligent and engaged theater-goers. I was able to catch A Future Perfect, a dark comedy examining ambition, friendship, and the perception of success for a group of Generation Xers.  A work I could see easily fitting into a future Huntington season!
  

I encourage you all to venture out this summer or fall to check out a new work. You never know - you may be one of the first to catch the next August Osage County or Avenue Q. As an audience member, your focus, laughter, tears, or indifference will play a key role in helping producers and artists shape the next great wave of Broadway shows!

---