NYTimes: In Broadway Lights, No Vacancy

I'm a huge fan of Broadway theater, and it's good to know that even in this economic climate, Broadway theaters aren't languishing empty; shows still appear to be doing quite well for themselves:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/theater/02stages.html?hp

I'm glad to see directors sticking to their guns regarding artistic vision; rather than going for any available theater, many new shows are holding out for certain specific theaters that fit their particular needs. Too much of show business has been tainted by money.

I'm also terribly excited to be home this summer; the arts (performing and visual) are one of the things I miss most about New York.

NYTimes: The Resurrected Phantom Proves that Zombies Can't Sing

Horror of horrors! Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. Behold:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/theater/10love.html

I'm not quite sure how to respond. The obvious conclusion is that, well, Webber sold out. The idea of a sequel is simply mind-boggling. How the hell do you add anything to the Phantom story?

***SPOILER ALERT***

It's implied in the original musical that the Phantom dies... but no, apparently, he moves to Coney Island and builds an amusement park! (I wish I were kidding.)

Really, I kind of hope it flops. Some people just won't leave well enough alone.

(The title was my idea of a joke. My apologies for inflicting my particularly peculiar brand of humor on you all -- though I suppose it comes with the territory.)