By Robert Simonson
He continued, "We'd like to get all the shows open within the Tony season. You have to fit them all in before the deadline. It doesn't give us much wiggle room. You really have to back up to the beginning of the season to make sure you can fit them all in by the end of the season. It can be a real chess game. Maybe an actor in such-and-such a slot only has such dates available."
Once the Roundabout decides which dates it likes best, it checks in with the Broadway League. "We follow the League system. They are guidelines that many people have followed for many years. We are respectful of Broadway and Off-Broadway. I think it's a little bit of 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'" Typically, it is a show's press agent who places the obligatory call to the League.
The system is not entirely foolproof, however, because the non-compete date idea is suggested, rather than insisted upon. "We, as a courtesy, maintain the opening night book," explained St. Martin. "We maintain a set of guidelines which we ask [the producers] to follow. There's absolutely no set way opening nights are set. Sometime it's the press agents that call, sometimes it's the producers that call. There's not a black-and-white rule book that everyone has to follow."
As for the Godot-9 to 5 matter, it remains unresolved; both shows still cling to April 30 — a date which has added weight because it is the final day of the shortened 2008-09 Broadway season. The past few Broadway seasons stretched into May. This one, by ending in late April, offered fewer options, opening-night-wise, for spring shows. (Attempts to reach the producers of 9 to 5 were not successful.)
Most observers, including Harry Haun, believe the issue will eventually be settled without the necessity of a duel in Shubert Alley. "I've always known one show to change at the last moment. It has happened several times. It's always resolved itself. Nobody's ever dug in their heels and insisted on opening at a particular time."
Others, however, think that the two shows will stand firm, leading to the first double-opening on Broadway in long memory. And if that's the case? Well, it would make for a pretty smashing ending to the season, wouldn't it? One for the books. And one for the League "book," as well.
30 Mar 2009
There are other criteria at work when opening dates are chosen, and being a nonprofit poses particular challenges. "As a not-for-profit and subscription theatre," said Wolpert, "one of the things we have to do is juggle multiple shows a season, so we have to make sure we don't conflict with ourselves."
Harold Wolpert photo by Aubrey Reuben
Another Opening, Another Show—But Which Night?!
As to those guidelines, St. Martin will not elaborate. "That's an internal process that we don't share." She allowed, however, that it is the League's "preference" that no two Broadway shows share the same opening night. Beyond that, the League watches carefully from the sidelines. "We let them deal with each other. We advise everyone. Hopefully they will get an agreement. We don't get in the middle of it."
