Major Quarter Project on theatre. I may need help

[Ozmopolitan]

This is my final quarter of the Freshman year. this year we are studying the globe's cultures and economies for our social studies course. for our last quarter project, I decided on Commercial Theatre because it has become such a huge market. I have a few questions for you that I'll be using for the slide show rpentation with your permission to quote you with any name you'd like. I may already know what some answers are, but I just want opinions from those who live it to better educate myself for the project. I may ask more in the future...

Here are the questions:(for those who live outside of the USA)

1. In your own opinion, would you say that American Musical Theatre has become the major dominator over Commercial Theatre?

2. If yes or no was your answer to number 1, please tell me which country you live in, and also (if your answer was yes) give me at least 3 examples of American shows now presented in your country with major success.

3. In your country, which city has a theatre district equivalant by your country's standards, to Broadway? It is fine if there is more than one city listed.

4. In general, have the people of your country accepted the theatrical productions that have come from the United States and elsewhere?

5. Why is it, from your knowledge, that musical theatre from Europe, except from the West End, has, usually, been able to be quite successful in other parts of Europe and in Asia, but has not been able to get to the United States?

6. In your country, are there major theatrical devolpements occuring that deserve to break through and shake up the form?

Questions for those who live in the United States:

1. How do you feel about commercial theatre in the USA?

For EVERYONE

1. Do you believe that commercial has helped or has it hurt the theatrical art form?

2. How do you view theatre's future because of commerical theatre?

3. Who do you believe helped commercial theatre take shape?

Thank you for any help you can give!

~Matthew

[Sandrinoo2004]

1 Well maybe in other country in Europe but in France everytime I speak of an American musical they don't know it (besides the show that have been made into films) here there is almost only French musical that is big productions that last only one year (if they have a succes)
2 I live in France like I said
3 Paris I don't know for the other cities if they have more than one or two theaters
4 There is no adaptations of an american musical only Les Misérables and it didn't last very long!!!
5 Maybe it's a question of culture and the european musical are quite different than the american one
6 I don't know
For everyone
1 No idea
2 No idea
3 No idea

Sorry for the poor answers for the everyone part but I hope that the others will help you!!

[Lora]

TEXT

1. No, I wouldn't say so

2. I live in Greece, where we have American shows from time to time, and they are quite successful, but that happens every other year or so.

3. Athens has most theatres, but there are theatres in pretty much every other town in Greece, and touring companies that have done some really great productions.
During the Summer we have the "Athens festival" which takes place at the "Odeio of Herod Attikos", an open air ancient theatre, and includes everything from ancient Greek drama, to opera, ballet and concerts, and the "Epidavrus Festival" that takes place at the 2 ancient theatres at Epidavrus, and includes only ancient Greek tragedies and comedies. (Don’t forget that I come from a country with a huge theatre background)

4. In general, have the people of your country accepted the theatrical productions that have come from the United States and elsewhere?

4. Yes. Whenever we have a foreign musical play produced in Greece, or a world tour of a foreign production the theatres are usually full. The same goes for operas and ballets. Other than that in Greece (esp. in Athens) we experiment with so many different theatrical forms. For example there is a theatre in a modified train wagon where a production of “The lady vanishes” opened and the audience was actually part of the play as the trains passengers.

5. Why is it, from your knowledge, that musical theatre from Europe, except from the West End, has, usually, been able to be quite successful in other parts of Europe and in Asia, but has not been able to get to the United States?

5. I think it is because of the different cultures between English speaking countries and the rest of europe

6. Yes but I can’t think of an example right now.

1. In general, I think commercial theatre has hurt the theatrical art form. Not so much in Greece though where, for instance, a production of ancient drama or Shakespeare is a big cultural event

2. I can’t really answer that. There are so many theatre companies in Greece that are not commercial.

3. I don’t know

Lora

[Ozmopolitan]

thanks to the two members who have answered so far, your answers are really helpful!

[Phoebe]

This probably wouldn't help much but oh well (and some might not make sense):

1. How do you feel about commercial theatre in the USA?
I don't have very many feelings for commercial theatre, especially since I don't see much of it where I live but from what I know and have seen it's been hurting nor helping theatre. It's putting it out there but letting you decide what you want to think about it, I guess.

For EVERYONE

1. Do you believe that commercial has helped or has it hurt the theatrical art form?
I wouldn't say it's really hurting theatre, but it changes one's view on what theatre is like (or how it should be) rather than what it really is. All forms of commercialism do this to some extent but that's what comes up in my mind with commercial theatre.

2. How do you view theatre's future because of commerical theatre?
By putting them out there I think more people would be at least introduced to theatre.

3. Who do you believe helped commercial theatre take shape?
I have no idea.