on location: northeast O
randy mink
Best of Broadway Producers value group business
because pre-sells fill theater seats during tough economic times
Sierra Boggess as Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID presented by Disney Theatrical Productions. ANTICIPATING THEIR TRIP to New
the reported closings were scheduled to
tragedy, appears on street pole banners
York City, many visitors have only one
be limited runs, she emphasized, and the
and bus stop shelters throughout the
thing in mind—Times Square and the
18 closings have been replaced by 23
city, while a video spot can be viewed in
lights of Broadway. Nothing compares
openings.
taxicabs. Tourists make up about 65
to the jostling crowds, the theater mar-
In terms of “the number of show
quees, the sheer electricity. Come show-
openings, the quality of the shows and
“Group pre-sells is a critical compo-
time, the magic of watching the house
the number of big-name stars” appear-
nent of the overall economics of Broad-
lights dim and seeing the curtain rise is
ing on Broadway, the 2008-2009 season
way,” St. Martin said. “Many of the
indescribable. Live theater beats a movie
has been a good one, St. Martin said,
shows are able to continue running dur-
anytime and adds razzle-dazzle to any
though it won’t be a record breaker.
ing tough times because groups put
group itinerary.
(The 39 Broadway theaters in 2007-
enough people in the theaters…All the
2008 sold 12.27 million tickets, grossing
producers cherish the group business.”
Despite a slumping economy and some negative publicity about recent show closings, ticket sales are up “sub-
$937.5 million) With Broadway theater a foundation
percent of Broadway audiences.
Carl Prince, vice president of ticket broker Theatre Direct International, re-
stantially” over last year and the current
of the city’s visitor industry, NYC &
ports that Broadway business is slower
season has seen the most openings (43)
Co., in cooperation with the Broadway
this year than last. “And everything
in the past decade, said Charlotte St.
League, launched a new promotional ef-
seems to be last-minute. We’ve been sit-
Martin, executive director of the Broad-
fort to encourage visitors and residents
ting on pins and needles more than in
way League, the national trade associa-
to support Broadway productions. Art-
the past.”
tion for the Broadway industry. Many of
work, depicting both comedy and
20 April 2009
Theatre Direct works actively with LeisureGroupTravel.com
groups to find the right show in the right price range. Whether it’s a senior or student group, the overwhelming preference is for musicals, Prince said. Seniors mostly want a “safe musical with lots of dancing, music and set changes” and “they rarely do plays,” said Prince, adding that content has to be considered for “certain words and situations.” Student tastes are more likely to cover a broader range of content, Prince said, and young groups will consider plays as well as musicals. According to a demographics study by the Broadway League, those under 18 years old accounted for a record 12.4 percent of the
JERSEY BOYS, Matt Bogart (Nick Massi), Jarrod Spector (Frankie Valli), Andrew Rannells (Bob Gaudio) and Dominic Nolfi (Tommy DeVito).
total Broadway audience in 2007-2008. The Phantom of the Opera, now in
with several important events. Mary
while the boys all around him are more
its 21st year, is the longest-running show
Poppins chalks up its 1,000th Broad-
interested in boxing. It has garnered
in Broadway history. Chicago: The Mu-
way performance on April 9 at the New
great reviews and enjoys high attendance.
sical, a Broadway staple since 1996,
Amsterdam Theatre. The musical about
captivates audiences with show-stopping
the flying nanny, featuring songs like “A
tunes, dazzling dancing and all that jazz.
Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifrag-
are Wicked, Jersey Boys and the revival
Also packing the playhouses are Best
ilisticexpialidocious,” proved to be the
of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical
Musical Tony Award winners In the
most popular show that opened during
South Pacific, Prince said. He also sees
Heights (2008), Jersey Boys (2006),
the 2006-2007 season.
great things for 9 to 5: The Musical,
Avenue Q (2004) and The Lion King
The Little Mermaid, the No. 1-selling
Other bestsellers for Theatre Direct
which opens April 30 at the Marquis
(1998). Besides The Lion King, other
new musical of 2008, on April 7 wel-
Theatre, with previews beginning April
current Disney on Broadway block-
comes Broadway veteran and 1992
7. Based on the 1980 screwball comedy
busters are Mary Poppins and The Little
Tony Award winner Faith Prince as Ur-
starring Dolly Parton, the musical fea-
Mermaid.
sula, the evil sea witch. The Lion King,
tures a brand new score by Parton, in-
still going strong on Broadway, opens
cluding the blockbuster title song.
DISNEY MAGIC
May 15 at the Mandalay Casino & Re-
Emmy winner and Tony nominee Alli-
Disney has certainly puts its magical
sort as the first Disney sit-down produc-
son Janney (of TV’s The West Wing)
stamp on the Great White Way since
tion in Las Vegas.
stars as Violet, the super-efficient office
1994 and on April 18 marks 15 years
When asked about the hottest new
manager who joins her co-workers—
since Beauty and the Beast opened at
shows on Broadway, Billy Elliot: The
frazzled divorcee Judy and sexy secre-
the Palace Theatre. Disney’s musicals
Musical was first off the lips of both St.
tary Doralee—to turn the tables on their
have been seen by over 21 million peo-
Martin and Prince. Based on the 2000
“sexist egotistical, lying, hypocritical,
ple on Broadway and reach an annual
film, the family-friendly story is “knock-
bigot” of a boss. Also going back several
global audience of more than 10 million
ing it out of the ballpark” and “has lots
decades, Rock of Ages, a musical featur-
people in more than 40 countries
of different appeals,” St. Martin said.
ing the greatest hits of the 1980s, just
Featuring music by Elton John, the story
started previews and opens April 7.
through licensed versions of its shows. Disney Theatrical Productions celebrates its 15th anniversary this spring LeisureGroupTravel.com
is about a poor, working-class boy who discovers his special talent for dancing
Groups that book a preview performance will see the show during its April 2009 21
northeast O randy mink
testing period, a time when kinks are
Sondheim masterwork, Spanish lines and
wife; Angela Lansbury plays the eccentric medium.
worked out. After opening night, the
lyrics are woven into Jerome Robbins’
show is “frozen,” meaning union stipula-
1957 musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s
tions dictate that no more changes are al-
tragedy Romeo and Juliet, set on the tur-
star power to Broadway, but the tickets
lowed.
bulent streets of 1950s New York.
sell out fast and engagements are limited.
Slated for 2010 is a musical version of
The Age of Aquarius has dawned for
Big-name actors like Lansbury bring
Other celebrities on Broadway this spring
Spider-Man, to be directed by Julie Tay-
the first time in more than 30 years in a
include Academy Award winners Susan
mor (The Lion King), with music by
new production of Hair, a musical depict-
Sarandon and Geoffrey Rush in the tragi-
Bono and The Edge (including two U2
ing the world-changing cultural move-
comedy Exit the King and David Hyde
members). Also in development are musi-
ment of the Vietnam era through the eyes
Pierce in Accent on Youth. Jane Fonda, in
cal adaptations of the films Sleepless in
of free spirits searching for love, peace
her first Broadway stint in 45 years, stars
Seattle and Catch Me If You Can.
and meaning. The romantic musical
as a Beethoven-obsessed musicologist in
South Pacific, winner of seven 2008 Tony
the Moises Kaufman drama 33 Varia-
BLASTS FROM THE PAST
Awards, has been playing Lincoln Cen-
tions (through May 24 at the Eugene
Revivals of classic shows can be big
ter’s Vivian Beaumont Theater for a year.
O’Neill Theatre). Will Ferrell earlier this
draws. West Side Story, for example, just
Other current revivals are Guys and
year portrayed the 43rd president in
returned to Broadway after 28 years and
Dolls and Noel Coward’s 1941 Blithe
You’re Welcome America: A Final Night
has been a hot ticket. In this bilingual
Spirit, which features a novelist who un-
with George W. Bush, a regular sellout.
take on the Leonard Bernstein/Stephen
wittingly invokes the ghost of his first
Groups looking for something other than a musical also should consider August: Osage County. The drama about a dysfunctional American family in crisis won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 2008 Tony Award for Best Play. OFF-BROADWAY OPTIONS Off-Broadway theaters provide another option for groups in the Big Apple. The term “Off-Broadway” isn’t based on location but refers to smaller productions
© BMP / PHOTO BY JAMES PORTO
WONDERS OF THE WORLD EIGHT, NINE AND TEN Whether your group is craving comedy, music, or a stunning theatrical experience, Blue Man Group offers something for everyone. This unique theatrical experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else, guaranteed to be an outing that your group will never forget. Call us to learn more. Group & FIT Priority Ticketing NEW YORK
BOSTON
s
Expert Sales Consultants CHICAGO
s
Education Materials
LAS VEGAS
1.800.BLUEMAN | BLUEMAN.COM
ORLANDO
in smaller theaters, with tickets less expensive than those big shows within steps of Times Square. Off-Broadway houses, though, can be right around the corner from Broadway; many are in downtown Manhattan. Off-Broadway shows tend to offer edgy, less mainstream fare. But some Broadway hits over the years have gotten their start at Off-Broadway houses like the East Village’s New York Theater Workshop, where Rent and Urinetown originated. Then there’s Off-Off-Broadway, the really experimental stuff performed at blackbox theaters scattered around the city.
22 April 2009
LeisureGroupTravel.com
northeast O randy mink
The Off-Broadway sensation Blue
dancing to a four-piece band as part of
tickets to Wicked is not required. Disney
Man Group has been filling the Astor
the package. A “Senior Social Hour� fol-
offers groups behind-the-scenes tours of
Place Theatre in the East Village since
lows each performance of Flamingo
The Lion King and Mary Poppins.
1991. In a wild party atmosphere, three
Court, a comedy set in a South Florida
enigmatic bald and blue characters take
retirement complex; it returns April 18-
adult groups a number of workshops
the audience through a multi-sensory ex-
Sept. 6 to midtown’s New World Stages
held in Broadway rehearsal studios.
perience that combines comedy, percus-
following last summer’s run starring
Choices include “Broadway 101,� “Cos-
sive music, art, science and vaudeville.
Jamie Farr and Anita Gillette.
tume Design� and “Broadway Close-
Also in the East Village, Stomp has been
Theatre Direct offers student and
Up,� a question-and-answer session with
mesmerizing Orpheum Theatre guests
BEHIND THE SCENES
two Broadway pros. Other programs
since 1994 with percussive rhythms cre-
For an inside peek at how Broadway
focus on music and choreography, stage
ated by dancers using brooms, sticks,
works, groups can take “Behind the
make-up and the business of Broadway.
buckets, garbage cans and their bodies.
Emerald Curtain,� a tour guided by cast
Off-Broadway covers everything from
Many of us, though we won’t admit
members of Wicked at the Gershwin
it, have dreamed of singing and dancing
Shakespeare to Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,
Theatre. Tour members watch a back-
on stage, exhilarated by thunderous ap-
an interactive comedy at midtown’s Hotel
stage video from front-row seats and in
plause and the strains of music wafting
Edison. Audience members at the wed-
the “museum� see an elaborate Wicked
from the orchestra pit. The next best
ding reception mingle with an exuberant
set model, costumes, wigs and props. The
thing is to snare a seat for a smash hit
Italian family, enjoying an Italian buffet,
public tour is at 10 a.m. Saturdays, but
musical. Come on along and listen to the
champagne toast, wedding cake and
groups can arrange other times. Buying
lullaby of Broadway!
LGT
'03% 4 5)&"53& (S B O E 3F P Q F O J O H
!, 30%#) #%3 2) 0 0 5 / '2 4/$!9 #!,,
G OR DS OR F WWW
HO DO Y O U WA NT T O ME E T ‹ O U R T R I P I S N O T C O MP L E T E WI T H O U T A S T O P A T T H E WO R L D F A MO U S A D A ME U S S A U D S † O T H I N G C O MP A R E S T O T H E E X P E R I E N C E O F S T A N D I N G F A C E ˆ T O ˆ F A C E WI T H T H E WO R L D ÂŽ S MO S T F A S C I N A T I N G H I S T O R I C A L ƒ P O L I T I C A L A N D I C O N I C F I G U R E S O F O U R H I S T O R Y † O O K Y O U R G R O U P B Y E C E MBE R ĂŒ Ă? ƒ Ă? Ă‹Ă‹Ă” A N D R E C E I V E ĂŒ T I C K E T WI T H E V E R Y ĂŒ Ă‹ T I C K E T S P U R C H A S E D ‰ O UP R AT E S A V AI L AB L E †
R O N T A C T A T ĂŒ † Ă“ Ă“ Ă“ † Ă” Ă? ĂŽ † Ă‹ ĂŽ ĂŽ Ă? O R
R O UP A L E S À A DA ME US S A UDS † C O M
PE N Î Ñ � DA Y S A Y E A R ‰ I ME S Q U A R E � Î � W† � � N D S T B E T WE E N Ò T H ‚ Ó T H A V E WWW† † C O M
ĂŒ Ă‹ Ă? Ă? T R E E T ƒ O R N E R O F ĂŒ Ă‹ T H ‚ S T R E E T S WWW† A D A ME U S S A U D S † C O M
4!+% ! 4/52 3%% ! 3(/7 %80%2)%.#% &/2$ 3 4(%!42%
8IFSF -J OD PM O T -FHBD Z -J WFT
T H 3T
.7 7AS HI NGT ON
$#
ÂŁ
‚ ƒ
†
24 April 2009
LeisureGroupTravel.com
on our radar: northeast O
Plan Your Group Trip to
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Coinciding with the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, Ford’s Theatre just reopened for tours and performances after an 18-month renovation. Tours include a 45-minute presentation by a National Park Service ranger or a one-act play. The plays are One Des-
Ford’s Theatre sparkles anew.
tiny, which tells the Lincoln assassination events of April 14, 1865, through the eyes of the men who were
madametussaudsdc.com] The Smithsonian's National Museum
there, and The Road to Appomattox,
of American History, closed for more than
which takes a look at Generals Robert E.
two years for an $85-million facelift, re-
Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. After, visitors
cently reopened. Its centerpiece is the 200-
proceed across the street to the Petersen
year-old Star-Spangled Banner—the flag
House, where Lincoln died the next
that inspired the national anthem. The
morning.
new Star-Spangled Banner Gallery is the
The theater’s revamped museum opens
focal point of the dramatic five-story
this spring with historical artifacts and
skylit atrium. The first stanza of the na-
21st century technology. [202-638-2367,
tional anthem is projected prominently on
fords.org]
the wall above the Star-Spangled Banner.
Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C.
A tactile image of the banner and an inter-
has created a free “Educational Curricu-
active projection of the flag allow visitors
lum Guide” designed in accordance with
to investigate key details about the flag, its
the U.S. Department of National Social
history and how it was made.
Studies Standards and National Council
Other new museum features include a
TobysDinnerTheatre.com
FEATURING: Broadway Musicals Live Orchestra 7 Main Entrée Buffet 2 Salad Bars Vegetarian Friendly
for the Social Civil Rights Movement
grand staircase connecting the first and
Studies Standards. Also available are edu-
second floors, 10-foot-high artifact walls
cational seminars in which Madame Tus-
on both the first and second floor, and a
sauds studio artists give groups an
new gallery for the museum’s Lemelson
interactive presentation on what it takes
Center for the Study of Invention and In-
to create and maintain one of the life-like
novation. [202-633-1000, http://american-
wax figures from the worlds of politics,
history.si.edu]
Escort and Driver
MARYLAND
RESERVE SEATS TODAY!
history, sports and movies. Scavenger hunts serve as a teaching resource as students search for answers
Visiting the historic sites that depict the
about each figure’s contribution to history
slavery struggle has been made easier with
and test their knowledge on touch-screen
a new edition of the Underground Rail-
quizzes stationed throughout the attrac-
road: Maryland’s Network to Freedom
tion. Sleepovers are available and might
map and guide. This detailed guide high-
include a scavenger hunt, pajama fashion
lights all 41 sites, programs and facilities
show or karaoke. [202-942-7300,
in Maryland that tell the history of the
LeisureGroupTravel.com
Make-Your-Own Sundae Bar Free Motorcoach Parking Complimentary Tickets for
THEATRE OF COLUMBIA: 410-730-8311 or 1-800-88TOBYS THEATRE OF BALTIMORE: 410-649-1660 or 1-866-99TOBYS April 2009 25
on our radar: northeast O
Underground Railroad. At each location, visitors will learn about personal stories from the slaves who fought to gain freedom as well as those who helped them along the way. Programs range from the Frederick Douglass Driving Tour of Talbot County to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. [800-719-5900, visitmaryland.org] MASSACHUSETTS Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, is adding “Twilight Tours” (April
Philadelphia’s Lights of Liberty Show
through September) to its schedule of year-round tours during the day. The oldest stadium in Major League Base-
uled to begin this spring and be com-
moonlight trips through history on
ball, best known for the 37-foot-tall left
pleted by the end of the year. Sixteen
April 17. On the evening journey
field fence known as the Green Monster,
major cruise lines are calling at Cruise-
through Independence National Histori-
dates from 1912 and underwent renova-
port Boston in 2009. [massport.com]
cal Park, tour members walk in his-
are post-game field tours and batting
NEW YORK
American Revolution as it happened,
tions this winter. Available on game days
tory’s footsteps, experiencing the
practice tours. The “Meals on the Mon-
The New York Film Academy and On
where it happened with 3-D surround
ster” package on non-game days in-
Location Tours offer students an experi-
sound and a lightweight wireless head-
cludes lunch, souvenir dirt and a
ence in the world of film. Students on
set. The show’s soundtrack includes an
40-minute tour. [617-226-6666,
the three-hour “New York TV and
original musical score played by
redsox.com]
Movie Sites” guided bus tours will visit
Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and
Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon
numerous locations that have been used
celebrity narration by Walter Cronkite,
Cruise Terminal will undergo a $3-mil-
in over 60 movies and TV shows shot in
Ossie Davis, Charlton Heston, Whoopi
lion upgrade to its passenger facilities.
New York such as The Cosby Show and
Goldberg, Frank Langella and others.
The project will brighten up the termi-
Spider-Man. After the tour, students par-
nal’s appearance and enhance the cruise
ticipate in a four-hour filmmaking
pendence Hall, audience members are
passenger experience. Enhancements
workshop at the academy. Students
moved as the Declaration of Independ-
will include painting the interior and ex-
learn every aspect of the filmmaking
ence scrolls up the iconic building and
During the stirring finale at Inde-
terior with a white on gray palette, vi-
process, including writing, directing,
“God Bless America” plays. [215- 629-
brant accents, new ceilings, flooring and
shooting and editing. They work in
5801, ext. 209, historicphiladelphia.org]
carpeting, and colorful graphics that
groups to make a short film and then
showcase Boston as a destination. Addi-
screen it with the staff and fellow stu-
tional improvements include expansion
dents. [212-683-2027, screentours.com]
of the mezzanine floor area for passen-
The Pennsylvania Wilds Elk Country Visitor Center, the largest elk watching and conservation education center in the Eastern United States, is slated for
ger check-in, new light fixtures, way
PENNSYLVANIA
completion in fall 2009. Located in
finding signage, and the possible con-
The Lights of Liberty Show, Philadel-
North Central Pennsylvania, the 245-
struction of additional public restrooms
phia’s nighttime sound-and-light spec-
acre site is on Winslow Hill in Benezette
and a passenger elevator at the east end
tacular and the only show of its kind in
Township. Features include windows al-
of the terminal. Construction is sched-
America, begins another season of
lowing panoramic viewing of the largest
26 April 2009
LeisureGroupTravel.com
elk herd in the Northeast. A Story The-
maintaining and nurturing the historical
VERMONT
atre, interpretive and interactive ex-
42-acre Victorian garden at the
Vermont Tourism Network’s 2009 Ver-
hibits, and display space for local
Philadelphia Zoo; and brightening up a
mont Packaged Tour Manual is an 82-
artisans are also planned. The new facil-
neighborhood by helping paint a mural.
page reference for tour planners crafting
ity is a joint project of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Rocky
“Where You’re at Liberty to Honor
itineraries in the Green Mountain State.
Diversity” features Philadelphia’s
The manual contains more than 150
Mountain Elk Foundation.
African-American sights, attractions,
tour components, from festivals, farm
[pennsylvaniarmef.org]
tours, dining and entertainment venues,
tours and shopping villages to spas,
The Philadelphia Convention & Vis-
plus annual ethnic events. “Where
restaurants and lodging properties. Lake
itors Bureau (PCVB) recently updated
You’re at Liberty to Stretch Your Imagi-
Champlain cruises, Ben & Jerry’s ice
its group tour profile sheets with a new
nation” is geared toward the student
cream factory tour, Cold Hollow Cider
look and feel. The four-color, two-sided,
and youth group market. “Where
Mill and Vermont Teddy Bear Company
easy-to-read format provides informa-
You’re at Liberty to Take Center Stage”
are just a few of the attractions listed.
tion about a variety of activities for
lists descriptions and contact informa-
Organizers can plan their Vermont tours
groups. “Where You’re at Liberty to
tion for a variety of parades in which
online, creating one- to four-day tours
Volunteer” highlights 16 volunteer op-
groups can participate, plus perform-
or selecting from pre-packaged, ready-
portunities available to groups, such as
ance venues. [215-636-3312;
to-buy itineraries. Sample day tours are
helping Philabundance Food Bank
philadelphiausa.travel]
available as well. [802-863-1122,
package meals for local food pantries;
vermonttourismnetwork.travel]
scenic
perfect
historic
With 2,400 square miles of mountains,
authentic
it’s easy to find an affordable experience for everyone in your group.
it’s time for the pocono mountains.
SM
Q
Culinary Experiences
Q
Historic Towns & Museums
Q
Antiquing & Shopping Tours
Q
Gaming
Q
Theater Performances
Q
Soft Outdoor Adventure
Contact us today for information on our unique day and overnight packages.
800POCONOS.COM
LeisureGroupTravel.com
Q
800-722-9199
April 2009 27