<p>
</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone is saying that Broadway is dying. However, I can tell you that theatre, in general, is a business where it is extremely, and increasingly, difficult to make a profit. Theatres and theatre companies close each and every year. Most kids who are studying theatre in college will never grace a Broadway stage even once in their careers. If they want to act, they’re likely going to have to book work other than in NY. This is why it’s important to support theatre everywhere, theatre of all kinds and also to help develop future audiences, and that will be done occasionally by unconventional/controversial/atypical means.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in one of these SOM discussions, when the RENT movie was done, there was huge controversy among longtime fans of the show, for a few different reasons. However, in spite of the controversy, the film version was seen by millions of kids who became new fans and who flocked to the Nederlander in NY to see the show. The influx of new fans helped the show to run for three more years, when it had been struggling and almost certainly would have been gone. It also launched very successful tours again, both non-Equity (that employed mostly new grads) and ultimately, the anniversary tour that was tremendously successful as several of the original Broadway castmembers and alumni from other tours were cast. </p>
<p>This is just one story about one show but could probably be repeated over and over. SOM may have had problems but the reality is that it employed actors and it also brought live theatre to a large audience, some of whom may be enticed to go to their local theatre and pay to see a show. And that is a positive.</p>