University of Virginia Library

Insecure Audience

What does this all mean? Simply
that Broadway producers cannot
judge scripts solely by their caliber
and potential. They must cater to
the psychological needs of an
insecure audience which knows
comparatively little about theatre.

This season alone, Broadway
audiences have let two dramas,
which, despite their flaws, were
socially significant ("A Patriot for
Me" and "Indians") die while giving
their support to trivia like "Paris Is
Out!" In recent seasons they have
killed one good, critically acclaimed
drama after another: "Does a Tiger
Wear a Necktie?," "After the
Rain," "Staircase," etc., etc., etc.