Blog Post 5

The Broadway revival of Brighton Beach Memoirs is closed after a mere week-long run. The Neil Simon play received several positive and negative reviews before the show closed due to “weak ticket sales” said the New York Times.

The Brighton Beach revival production debuted at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. The play opened October 26, 2009 and closed November 1, 2009.

“I’m dumbfounded,” said Mr. Simon, the writer of Brighton Beach and the father of situational comedy. “After all these years, I still don’t get how Broadway works or what to make of our culture.”

Although Broadway revival pieces can have long runs, the most successful revivals are musicals. Brighton Beach, a drama set in the depression era, focuses on a family’s battle with adversity. Many speculate that during the current recession, audiences may enjoy musicals and storylines that don’t involve current situations. This could be a reason behind low ticket sales and the premature close of Brighton Beach.

Although Neil Simon plays will remain classics, it is doubtful that they will find relevance on Broadway stages. Classic plays like Brighton Beach Memoirs are going extinct and are being replaced by new edgy dramas and shows.

References:

“Brighton Beach Memoirs to Close; Broadway Bound Canceled.” Broadway.com Staff. Broadway.com. October 30, 2009. Web. November 1, 2009. <http://www.broadway.com/buzz/brighton-beach-memoirs-close-broadway-bound-canceled/>.

“Brighton Beach Memoirs to Close on November 1; Broadway Bound Canceled.” Dan Bacalzo. Theater Mania. October 31, 2009. Web. November 1, 2009. <http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/10-2009/brighton-beach-memoirs-to-close-on-november-1-broa_18530.html >.

“Neil Simon Flop May Be a Case of the Missing ‘Wow.” Patrick Healy. New York Times. November 1, 2009. Web. November 2, 2009. <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/theater/02simon.html?_r=1&ref=theater>.