The Playgoer: Singles' Night on B'way!

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Friday, January 19, 2007

Singles' Night on B'way!


Well if this is any indication of the new leadership at League of American Theatres and Producers under Charlotte St. Martin, then... I guess there'll just be more to make fun of!

The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc. will pilot a new audience development program targeting tri-state area singles. Singles’ Night on Broadway will take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2007. Tickets go on sale on January 19. With the purchase of a ticket to any of the participating Broadway or Off Broadway shows (see list below), theatregoers can attend a free pre-show cocktail party at Madame Tussauds New York, the famed wax attraction at 234 West 42nd Street.

They can also get special offers at an after-show bash at one of three Times Square locations (Trattoria Dopo Teatro, Zanzibar, and T New York)....

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 765,000 single people living in New York City in 2005. The League hopes to reach this demographic through audience outreach programs such as Singles’ Night. Aimed at singles, age 21 and older in New York City (and throughout the tri-state area), the new program invites potential Broadway theatre-going singles to “Come by yourself or bring a friend to find a date or meet your mate!”

“Building on the success of the League’s cornerstone audience development program, Kids’ Night on Broadway, we wanted to create a special event to help expand our audience by inviting singles from the tri-state area to get to know other people who share their interest in show-stopping performances,” commented Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director, The League of American Theatres & Producers, Inc. “With participation from so many remarkable shows and restaurants, we know that Singles’ Night will be a great, unique way to both increase frequency of theatre-going, as well as introduce new audience members to the exciting world of live theatre -- and to each other!”


Ok--I'm all for getting younger people excited about the theatre once again.

But can we do it and still be at least somewhat cool at the same time?

I mean, did the irony of holding your big singles night event in a Wax Musem not occur to anyone?

(Isn't the wax audience the idea we're trying to get away from?)

Personally I think it's funny that there's no upper age limit stated on this, notwithstanding the MTV/LavaLife-aspiring graphic. I fear for these wide eyed young folk that they may discover there's a lot of lonely singles of a lot of ages in this town who love the theatre...

My biggest question of all about this is not why is it so lame (these are Broadway producers after all trying to get hip), but where's the ticket discount! A code is offered but with no mention of price. The only bargains stipulated are on the before and after parties.

And as far as the menu of choices goes, Journey's End may be a great play. But take my advice kids, bleak nihilism in WWI No Man's Land is not prime background for scoring.

And for those who do get turned on by senseless death and destruction... they ain't coming to Singles Night on Broadway.

2 comments:

Larissa said...

dammit, why do I have to be in frigid old England for this?

Anonymous said...

Too bad I'm discovering this item days late and no one (probably) will see my comment. But sometimes a thing just has to be said anyway.

Playgoer is undoubtedly right that Journey's End is no date play. I don't care. If I can see that show and mellow the "bleak nihilism" with some pre-show drinks without paying extra, I say, sign me up! I'll enlist!

Although the prospect of drinking before the show with a bunch of other dateless, nihilism-loving, too-old-for-the-clubs NYC singles, and in a wax museum no less, is a bit daunting.