We have been self-supporting and didn't have to go to government sources for funds. 'It has been like having a state subsidy. 'You can never raise enough money, but this show has been our chief support for years,' Papp said. Papp said Thursday that the festival is more than $2.5 million in debt at present and the closing of 'A Chorus Line' came at a very bad time. I would say that in the past eight weeks the show has made close to $2 million for the Shakespeare Festival.' 'We took in $500,000 at the box office this week, compared to the take of $128,000 the week before the closing was announced. In giving audiences a glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of hitherto anonymous gypsies-a term that was then unknown to the general public-as they auditioned for an emphatically non-phenomenonal Broadway musical, this celebration of the dance life altered not just the way the. 'We've been selling out ever since the closing was announced,' said show spokesman Merle Debuskey, 'It's been extraordinary. A Chorus Line was much more than a hit, it was a phenomenon. Its net proceeds has been the major financial support of the Shakespeare Festival, which runs five theaters at the Public Theater and gives summer performances in Central Park.Īnnouncement in February that the musical would close March 31 resulted in such a rush of ticket sales that the closing date was re-set for April 28. Having seen it three times now, I can’t get enough! It is amazing to be part of a performance where the plot can alter with the slightest change in note or prop, leading the story in new and unexpected ways.Broadway's 'One Singular Sensation' began as a workshop production at Papp's Public Theater and was given an off-Broadway production before moving to the Shubert Theater July 25, 1975. The format never gets tired as the audience will always suggest something new and exciting, from n tube commute to a musical set on the Monopoly board there is nothing The Showstoppers can’t tackle! They face suggestions head-on and produce something catchy, moving and fun. While the story changes each performance, the constants are the incredible cast, music, and the willingness of the audience to get involved.
In the performance of ‘Who Do You Think You Arrrr?’ this led the second half to begin with a Spice Girls inspired number and one of the characters to speak in iambic pentameter. The director reads them out ahead of the second half and highlights the highs and lows of the suggestions. The interval provides a chance for audience members to tweet their ideas for the second half which is a hoot. They create a West End musical right before you. They work in harmony musicians responding to action on stage while the actors adapt their movements and lyrics to change in tempo. I can’t stress enough how impressive the cast and musicians are. Instantly the stage of the Lyric transformed to the bow of a pirate ship through the improvised lines, lyrics and choreography from The Showstoppers, accompanied by a live band. At this point, we were onto a winning combo! Then to top it off one clever audience member pitched the title “Who Do You Think You Arrrrr?” and we were off! Our audience selected a pirates and mermaids theme with songs in the style of The Book of Mormon, Six and A Chorus Line. The premise of ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ is that the audience are the director’s writing group and together we pitch ideas for setting, musical styles and the name of the evening’s musical. They’ve begun their five months of monthly shows on Shaftsbury Avenue’s Lyric Theatre and their productions are not to be missed.
They’ve been an Edinburgh Festival must-see for over 12 years and with more than 1000 performances to their name, The Showstoppers are back. If you’re not familiar, The Showstoppers are a group of Olivier Award-winning improv specialists that produce ‘one-night-only musical extravaganzas’.
Last Updated on NovemThe Showstoppers are on Shaftsbury Avenue for a five-month residency, five shows you can’t miss!
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