Broadways Hits and Misses: Whats the Recipe for Success?
By Christine Paluf “The Producers,” Mel Brooks’ successful, satirical look at Broadway, uses the medium to raise the question of what makes a play flop. Try as they did, the two main characters, aiming to create a true failure with their play so as to keep investors’ cash, were unable to guarantee a dud. It’s an interesting quandary. As one begins to review the list of quick failures, it’s guess work for sure trying to determine what will shine under the lights of Broadway and what will be left in the dark. Many times, a successful book or movie is taken to the stage, and often succeeds. Add a big star, and you’d think you’d have the prescription for an instant hit. But often it doesn’t. Take “Wicked,” for example. The number one selling theatre ticket for weeks running according to TicketNews.com, the adapted Gregory Maguire novel gives us the back-story of the witches of Oz. Its themes of friendship, courage against oppression and living with marginalization strike a chord with theat
