THE FASCINATING WORLD OF THEATRE SUPERSTITIONS

Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!

Jul 29, 2023

Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email:

BROADWAY BEAT- New York, New York to end Broadway run | Buckle Your (DeLorean) Seatbelt: Back to the Future Lands on Broadway | What exactly do Broadway accountants do? | Go Inside the Starry Opening Night at Broadway's The Cottage

HOT TOPICS - Transmitting Shakespeare to the Next Generation | Clue National Tour to Launch in Minneapolis in February 2024 | A Crisis in America’s Theaters Leaves Prestigious Stages Dark | Theaters in Crisis: Layoffs, Cost Cuts Imperil Nonprofit Stage Companies Across U.S. | Theatre in Crisis: What We’re Losing, and What Comes Next | Sean Cercone Transforms the Stage with Broadway Licensing Group

THE BIG IDEA – The Fascinating World of Theatre Superstitions

SHOWS YOU SHOULD KNOW - Christmas in July: Plays and Musicals to Consider for your 2023 Holiday Show

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The Broadway Beat

NEW YORK, NEW YORK TO END BROADWAY RUN - The new Kander & Ebb musical opened on April 26 at the St. James Theatre.
BUCKLE YOUR (DELOREAN) SEATBELT: BACK TO THE FUTURE LANDS ON BROADWAY - In adapting a beloved franchise for the stage, the creative team sought to develop the story for new audiences while remaining true to the spirit of the films.
WHAT EXACTLY DO BROADWAY ACCOUNTANTS DO? - Longtime industry accountants Sarah Galbraith and Robert Fried explain the ins and outs of the profession and why it’s vital to Broadway.
GO INSIDE OPENING NIGHT AT BROADWAY'S THE COTTAGE - Bernadette Peters, Chuck Cooper, and Richard Kind were among the Broadway notables that walked the red carpet.

Hot Topics

TRANSMITTING SHAKESPEARE TO THE NEXT GENERATION - Dakin Matthews, one of the stars of CAMELOT on Broadway, helps younger castmates hone their craft with Shakespeare lessons between shows.
CLUE NATIONAL TOUR TO LAUNCH IN MINNEAPOLIS IN FEBRUARY 2024 - The tour will launch in Minneapolis, MN, playing at the Orpheum Theatre from February 27 to March 3, 2024.
A CRISIS IN AMERICA’S THEATERS LEAVES PRESTIGIOUS STAGES DARK - The coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath have left the industry in crisis.
THEATERS IN CRISIS: LAYOFFS, COST CUTS IMPERIL NONPROFIT STAGE COMPANIES ACROSS U.S. - Unlike Broadway, which has seen a rebound, theater attendance as a whole has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, while production costs are rising due to inflation and labor shortages.
THEATRE IN CRISIS: WHAT WE’RE LOSING, AND WHAT COMES NEXT - A look at this extraordinary moment of contraction for the U.S. theatre field, including a complete list of closures since March 2020.
SEAN CERCONE TRANSFORMS THE STAGE WITH BROADWAY LICENSING GROUP - In just six short years, from 2017 to 2023, Cercone has employed his expertise in theatrical production, licensing, and content creation to guide BLG from a startup representing 900 titles to a powerhouse managing over 8,000 titles.

The Fascinating World of Theatre Superstitions

The world of theater is a realm where creativity, artistry, and superstition intermingle. Behind the glitz and glamour of the stage lies a rich tapestry of traditions and beliefs that have been passed down through generations of performers, directors, and stagehands. These theater superstitions add an air of mystery and intrigue to an already captivating world. Join us as we explore the meaning and origins behind ten intriguing theater superstitions.

"BREAK A LEG" - The phrase "Break a Leg" is a well-known theatrical superstition used to wish performers good luck. Interestingly, it is considered bad luck to wish someone good luck directly before a performance. The origin of this phrase is subject to debate, but one plausible theory is that it dates back to ancient Greece when audiences would stomp their feet instead of clapping to show appreciation. A successful performance would result in so much stomping that an actor might "break a leg." Additionally, some believe it could be a way to confuse or trick malevolent spirits who might be listening.
THE GHOST LIGHT - The Ghost Light is a single, bare light bulb left on the stage when the theater is empty. Its purpose is to ward off spirits or ghosts that might inhabit the theater. This superstition has roots in practicality as well, ensuring that anyone entering the darkened theater can avoid accidents and tripping over props or set pieces. The light also serves as a symbol of hope, guiding lost spirits away from the stage.
AVOIDING SAYING "MACBETH" IN A THEATRE - Calling the Shakespearean play "Macbeth" by its name inside a theater is considered extremely bad luck. Instead, it is referred to as "The Scottish Play." The superstition has several origin stories, with one suggesting that uttering the name invites evil spirits and disastrous mishaps upon the production. Another theory links the curse to historical accidents and unfortunate events that occurred during various performances of the play.
BAD DRESS REHEARSAL = GOOD PERFORMANCE - This superstition suggests that a less-than-stellar dress rehearsal is a positive sign for the actual performance. The underlying idea is that expending all the energy and perfection during the dress rehearsal leaves little for the real performance. Therefore, a flawed rehearsal implies a more energetic and successful opening night.
AVOIDING BLUE COSTUMES - Wearing the color blue on stage is believed to bring bad luck to actors. Historically, blue dye was expensive and rare, and dressing an actor in blue implied a level of importance to their character. If the character then faced misfortune or death, the superstition emerged that the color blue was cursed.
PEACOCK FEATHERS, MIRRORS, REAL MONEY, AND JEWELRY - Peacock feathers, mirrors, real money, and real jewelry are all considered unlucky on stage. Peacock feathers have been associated with the "evil eye" and are believed to bring disaster to a production. Mirrors, real money, and jewelry can reflect or attract negative energies, disrupting the harmony of the performance.
WHISTLING IN THE THEATER - Whistling in a theater is thought to bring bad luck due to its historical association with scene changes. In the past, stagehands communicated using whistles during scene shifts. Whistling at random times could lead to miscommunication and potential accidents on stage.
SLEEPING WITH A SCRIPT UNDER YOUR PILLOW - The superstition of sleeping with a script under one's pillow is believed to help actors memorize their lines better. Some also think it may invite good luck for a successful performance. This practice is likely rooted in the idea that dreams can reinforce memory.
FLOWERS AFTER A PERFORMANCE - Giving flowers to performers after a show is considered good luck and a gesture of appreciation. Presenting flowers before the performance is thought to bring bad luck, possibly originating from the association of flowers with funerals and death.
NEVER LIGHT A TRIO OF CANDLES - Theatrical superstition discourages lighting three candles on or offstage. This superstition likely stems from the fear of fire hazards or the idea that groups of three are often linked to bad luck in various cultural beliefs.

Theater superstitions are a fascinating blend of historical traditions, practicality, and the human desire to understand and control the unpredictable nature of live performances. Whether based on historical accidents, practical considerations, or supernatural beliefs, these superstitions continue to be passed down from one generation of theater practitioners to the next, adding an extra layer of mystique to the world of theater. While some may dismiss them as mere old wives' tales, these beliefs are an integral part of the theater's rich and enchanting heritage.

Shows You Should Know

Christmas in July: Plays and Musicals to Consider for your 2023 Holiday Show

As the sun shines brightly and the warm summer breeze dances around us, it may feel a bit peculiar to start entertaining thoughts of snowflakes and sleigh rides. After all, visions of sugar plums are more likely to be replaced with images of sandy beaches and poolside fun during this time of year. However, let me assure you that this is the perfect moment to embark on your annual quest for that show-stopping holiday production that will dazzle your audience. With the proper Holiday show selection, you can ensure your theatre shines as bright as Rudolph's red nose during this upcoming holiday season. So, please sit back, relax, and allow us to present a selection of our favorite heartwarming, funny, and enchanting holiday shows that will surely add an extra dose of magic to your theater repertoire.

The Gift List by Kyle Nesbit
The Story: Santa isn’t the only one who has to check his Christmas list twice. After siblings Keith and Caroline ask for an unwieldy seventy-nine presents from Saint Nick, two elves arrive to tell the kids they can’t have everything they want. Luckily, Keith, Caroline, and their parents are prepared to negotiate. Funny and charming, The Gift List is a one-act play about dreaming big and making holiday wishes come true.
A Sherlock Carol by Mark Shanahan
The Story: Moriarty is dead, to begin with. And Sherlock Holmes is a haunted man. But, when a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his gifts to solve a Dickens of a Christmas mystery! Six actors take on the beloved characters of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens in this heartwarming and highly theatrical holiday treat for all ages!
The Miracle of Chanukah by Sheri Wilner
The Story: Ryan’s mother, Marilyn, has invented a Chanukah ritual to ensure her family acknowledges the holiday’s true meaning; after the first candle is lit, each person must talk about a miracle that happened to them during the year. When Ryan’s new girlfriend, Leila, describes a miracle that’s too fantastic for the others to believe, she forces them to accept the limits of their faith.
A Krampus Carol by Brent Holland
The Story: On Christmas Eve, Santa Claus’s oft-forgotten demon partner, Krampus, is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, who hopes to get him to see the error of his ways. But the joke’s on Marley: Krampus loves his life! So, what if his method for punishing kids who misbehave lost him the respect of his family, friends, and the elves who work for him? He doesn’t have a problem with that, and spying on the past, present, and future isn’t going to change his mind! Hilarious and irreverent, A Krampus Carol pits Dickens’s classic redemption tale against a stubborn holiday fiend who doesn’t think he needs to be saved.
The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon by Don Zolidis
The Story: Christmas: a time for magic. A time for the traditions we cherish. A time to watch as many original TV movies as a human being can possibly endure. But now, with The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon, you can enjoy the sugar rush of six Christmas movies all at once! Welcome to Hopewood Falls, Vermont, where singles in adorable sweaters converge to look for love. Can disguises help royalty and/or movie stars find the down-to-earth connections they crave? Will evil city slickers destroy charming inns and/or Christmas tree farms? Isn’t it a little creepy for a meet-cute to depend on one person being in a coma? Grab a hot chocolate and your favorite wise single friend to find out in this wildly entertaining parody of holiday rom coms.
Glitz! The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical by Bert Bernardi and Justin Rugg
The Story: In the true spirit of Christmas, get a behind-the-scenes look at the backstabbing mothers and fiercely competitive daughters in the ‘Little Miss Christmas Pageant,’ an annual competition where ten girls (and their outrageous stage moms) compete for the coveted Christmas crown. Sequins, shiny shoes, and a can of hairspray aren’t all it takes to win this battle. These diva daughters and pushy moms are armed with sheer grit and a thirst for victory. However, when the value of truth, honesty, and love is learned, the Christmas spirit becomes the true winner in this heartwarming new holiday classic.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner
The Story: The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world–so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be biting or cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone is calling for reluctant director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to the Bradleys and the Reverend to help their community see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.
Winter Wonderettes by Roger Bean
The Story: The Wonderettes are back! This seasonal celebration finds the girls entertaining at the annual Harper’s Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls use their talent and creative ingenuity to save the holiday party! Featuring great ‘60s versions of holiday classics such as “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland,” the result is, of course, marvelous! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.
The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off! by Rick Hip-Flores
The Story: The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off combines the time-honored tradition of Christmas cookies with the ever-popular phenomenon of reality baking competitions. In this musical, eight young cookie chefs have been selected from all over the country to battle it out for first prize at the Cookie Coliseum. Just as no two cookies are the same, each contestant reveals their unique personality through song. Suspense mounts as the chefs are eliminated one by one by three distinguished celebrity judges. Over the course of the competition, feelings of intense rivalry give way to virtues of charity, family, and forgiveness as the chefs learn what really makes for a winning Christmas recipe.
MERI/CHRIS: A Modern Magi Musical by David Abbinanti and Jill Abbinanti-Burke
The Story: Loving spouses Meredith and Christopher each give up huge career opportunities in order to support the other’s goals, unbeknownst to each other. Once the consequences of these seemingly selfless acts (the threat of eviction, dead-end jobs) appear, it leads to anger and blame… until Meri and Chris remember to once again put love at the center of their marriage, leading them to happiness beyond their wildest dreams.