This book is an absolute must for anyone who’s trying decide what show their theater should do, from the high school drama teacher to the pro, but it’s also fun to read about shows you may have never heard about or won’t necessarily see any time soon. It’s filled with various shows grouped into different categories, for example shows that feature a lot of dance, showcase a star performer or would be cheap to produce. Each show features a short synopsis, a list of the show’s assets and liabilities, what type of characters are needed, as well as dance, set, costume and instrumental requirement. They also add in suggestions to directors/producers with insider tips for each show. It’s also a valuable tool for the actor since I’ve used it so many times as a starting point to help me decide whether or not to audtion for a paricular musical and what part to aim for when I audition. There are two editions with the last one coming out last year. Some of the shows from the first edition have been edited out of the second, but the second edition includes a large amount of newer shows such as “Ragtime” or “Urinetown”. Highly recommended!

The general consensus is ticket price is a big factor (Arena for instance peaks at ~$70 for a musical), as is accessibility of the facilities (proximity to Metro, closeness to certain suburbs, as well as nearby parking availability) and saturation due to the large number of theatres. There are discounts, but they are more known to local theatre lovers than the general public. A few theatres advertise their own discounts, but buried in a back web page, because theatres would rather their audiences pay full price, which is understandable.

What should have been included more was the price of gas - now above $3.60 a gallon. I dunno about you all, but that is a big factor for me, and I wish I drove a hybrid nowadays! I’m a WATCH judge & about 4 shows out of 10 I’m assigned to are a 30-40 mile drive from home - one-way. Most of the shows I see a year are WATCH shows, and luckily my ticket + companion one are free. I’ve seen some interesting productions as a judge - not all stellar but each one has at least a few really good qualities or elements, or a unique script or story. And I can confirm that each county around here has a couple community theatres that are just as good as some of the small pro groups downtown.

As for seeing pro productions, after paying for things like full-day daycare for twins and a tank of gas ($55), I cannot afford full-price tix for theatres. I even skip seeing movies for $10 at the cinema anymore - they’re on DVD now only 3-4 months later & I see them for a lot cheaper on PPV or even from the library (free for a week). I use ticketplace & goldstar as much as I can, I belong to 1-2 local theatre listservs that advertise discounts, plus I look for a theatre’s own discounts (PWYC, preview week tix, etc), but there are SO many theatres now in & around DC that I have to be extremely selective. I look at a plot synopsis of a certain show, see if any discounts are available, see how far it is from home & judge whether I really want to see it. For example, I would love to see more of Synetic, but Arlington’s 20 miles one-way from me, and with the bad traffic around here, I have to forget seeing their Thurs & Fri night shows. And I wish more theatres did Sunday evening performances at 7 instead of 2pm matinees - I’m too busy with the kids or errands to rush off to a matinee & break up my afternoon…

Just my 2 cents… FWIW
Thanks!

Michael, you are welcome here anytime.

That is certainly not my sentiment. The main reason I trudge out to community theatres across the area is because I believe much of the work is excellent and deserves recognition. I am constantly impressed at how much of the acting on community stages equals that of the so-called “professionals.” 

I have described actors in a specific circumstance as being more enthusiastic than talented (and enthusiasm is a good thing, is it not?).  But I have never made that comment as a general reference. 

I have written about 1,200 reviews, probably divided equally between professional and community theatre productions. I am sure there is much we have all disagreed on. But I think we can agree that there is substantial dedication, hard work, and talent displayed on our local stages. I admire what these people do.

Thanks, Laura and Mike, for letting me address this.

In a short eight years WATCH has grown to encompass 29 theater companies presenting 638 productions. That’s an average of 12 productions per week and none of us want to figure out how many performances that represents! But to cover them it takes more than 750 judges who cast over 6,300 ballots.

I loved the orchestra, and what I respected the most was that they did not drown anyone out, and that is so rare these days. Hats off to John-Michael d’Haviland, who conducted his extraordinary group of msuicians with flare!And a special kudos to that great oboe player in the pit! Your playing was gorgeous!

I can tell you from a personal perspective that audience numbers are noticeably down for Rockvile Little Theatre. The average age of the typical audience member is steadily increasing despite efforts to attract a younger audience. “Attrition”, to put it delicately, without replacement accounts for a large percentage of the decrease in audience size.