[Broadway Ad Network]

[Broadway Ad Network]

BroadwayStars in the WSJ by James Marino

  • Did you happen to see page D3 of yesterday's (8/3/04) Wall Street Journal? Me neither. Until Elizabeth (my wife) sent me an email from her Blackberry at the end of the day.

      "U are on pg d3 of the wsj today. - e"
    On page D3, there was a little story about Broadway and a review of the top 5 Broadway websites. Through the luck of something, (alphabetical order?), BroadwayStars sat a top the list... Included were our friends from Playbill, TheaterMania, Talkin'Broadway, and BroadwayBox.com. What a great honor to be grouped with such wonderful websites.

    I sat there, on my MetroNorth train ride home, stunned. It was a pleasant surprise and I can honestly say that I have never received an email like that, nor did I suspect that The Wall Street Journal ever visited our site.

    All the work that has gone into our site over the past 7 years is paying off in spades. It is great to receive a little recognition, but I have to mention that BroadwayStars.com would be nothing without Tim, Ellis, Steven, Susan, Matthew, The Other James, and all the rest who have contributed over the years. I really appreciate all that everyone has done to make BroadwayStars a valuable resource for industry folk as well as audiences.

    Also, congrats to the other four sites mentioned, without which BroadwayStars would have very little to link to!

    I case you missed the article, here it is:

    Desktop Traveler / Broadway Bound
    The Great White Way brought in the green during the 2003-2004 season with $771 million in gross ticket sales, a 6.9% increase from the year before, according to the League of American Theatres and Producers. More than 11 million attendees hit the 40 theaters that make up Broadway -- more than half of them from outside the New York City area, the association notes. Whether you're a veteran theatergoer, new to the territory, or just looking to soak up some showbiz tidbits, these free Web sites will help you find the latest show information, discounts on theater tickets and deals on meals at Broadway bistros. (This compilation excludes paid sites, such as WSJ.com where subscribers can access ratings from The Wall Street Journal/Zagat Theater Survey.)
    - Robert Cashill

    ---

    SITE: BroadwayStars.com
    DESCRIPTION: Digest of theater news, with links to Broadway-related media,
    chat rooms, databases and awards shows.
    EASE OF USE: Frugally formatted for simple scrolling. Click on links above
    the news listing to read (or add) star biographies, find ticket discounts,
    and submit gossip.
    COMMENT: Users should link to performers' home-page where provided, as
    fan-submitted information is only spottily updated.

    SITE: Playbill.com
    DESCRIPTION: Leading news resource for Broadway, updated around-the-clock.
    EASE OF USE: Provides news and features, show schedules and statistics
    (just 600 or so performances to go until "Phantom of the Opera" overtakes
    "Cats" as Broadway's longest-running show.
    COMMENT: "Playbill on Opening Night" feature, amply illustrated with
    on-the-spot snapshots, takes you behind the scenes of Broadway premieres
    with commentary from a veteran theater critic.

    SITE: TheaterMania.com
    DESCRIPTION: Comprehensive site covering New York and regional theater.
    EASE OF USE: Find detailed reviews at the bottom right of the homepage. On
    the left, the TheaterMania Restaurant Guide tells which Broadway bistros
    offer deals.
    COMMENT: "Ticket Discounts" tab atop the page helps users save as much as
    50% on some shows, including those on Broadway, off-Broadway, and
    off-off-Broadway.

    SITE: TalkinBroadway.com
    DESCRIPTION: Chat site for Broadway gossip and information.
    EASE OF USE: Click on "All That Chat" and get ready to dish. Or just lurk.
    Members comment on daily performances, critiquing the fine points of the
    show seemingly minutes after the curtain falls.
    COMMENT: "Broadway 101" gives the origins and history of Broadway in text
    and pictures. The nickname "The Great White Way" came from the illumination
    of electric signage along Broadway and Times Square.

    SITE: BroadwayBox.com
    DESCRIPTION: A collection of discount codes for Broadway bargain-hunters.
    EASE OF USE: Look for discount information posted by readers and follow
    the instructions for each show, or sign up for "discount alerts."
    COMMENT: No points for pizzazz but the ticket prices are showstoppers,
    from 25% to 50% off.

    ---

    Wall Street Journal. (Eastern edition). New York, N.Y.: Aug 3, 2004. pg. D.3

    While we are very happy with the good press, we do not stop adding to our site: both in content and ease of use. You will see more of each in the coming months as well as a nice announcement around January... but we will keep that secret for now. Until then, you may notice that we have added two new categories on the left hand links side. ROAD HOUSES and FESTIVALS. If you have any additions to either, please let us know!

    And I'll work on getting those Bios updated too... I swear I will!

    Thanks again.

    - James

    --------

    Published on Wednesday, August 4, 2004

    James Marino is the founder of BroadwayStars. A technology geek with a love of theatre, he has been involved with many aspects of show business throughout his lifetime. James lives on Long Island with his wife and two kids. He loves to email and is never very far from an internet device. You can contact him in many ways:
    Friend him on Facebook
    Follow him on Twitter
    Connect with him on LinkedIn
    Email him at: [email protected]
    or just pick up a phone and call 646-873-7695


    Why are you looking all the way down here?
    For more articles by James Marino, click the links below!

    Previous: President Reagan died.

    Next: Dunleavy 1, Chicago The Musical 0

    Or go to the Archives

[Broadway Ad Network]

[Broadway Ad Network]