Goodbye puppet sex, hello mainstream fare at Cobb Energy center by Wendell Brock

Theater & Film

Goodbye puppet sex, hello mainstream fare at Cobb Energy center

By Wendell Brock | May 21, 2010

The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre’s Broadway presenters say they listened to patrons of the first full season, which wraps up this weekend with the zany puppet musical “Avenue Q,” and will take a more conservative, family-friendly approach with the 2010-11 lineup.

The series also has a new corporate sponsor and is changing its name to reflect that relationship: the Atlanta Broadway Series becomes the Gas South Broadway Series. The four-show program will open this fall with “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” (Nov. 30-Dec. 5, photo below), followed by “Oklahoma!” (Jan. 6-9), “The Wizard of Oz” (Feb. 3-6) and “A Chorus Line” (March 17-20). Presenter Jim Howland says the recent production of “Fiddler on the Roof” starring Harvey Fierstein was a real crowd-pleaser and helped set the tone for next season.

“This is an audience that seems to respond well to the gold standard of Broadway,” says Howland. The Ohio-based executive will manage the Cobb series while co-presenter Broadway Across America-Atlanta will focus on the previously announced Fox Theatre season. This mainstream sensibility probably means you won’t be seeing any raunchy puppet sex at the venue in the near future, but check out my AJC review of “Avenue Q” (top photo) here.

4 Comments

Artisan

1

Ironic that the dramatic life of a gay dancer in “A Chorus Line” is now accepted as ‘family friendly’ in the once openly homophobic Cobb County.

21 May
Bailey

2

I don’t think it’s an issue of “family friendly,” as much as it is about presenting shows that audiences will come to see… especially in this economy. The first two seasons had fairly weak offerings, which I hear didn’t do well financially. Not even the “family friendly” 101 Dalmations, which negates the thought that “family” is the hook. To me, it seems they’re simply bringing in shows that audiences love and that fill seats. It has nothing to do with puppet sex or homophobia (which was over a decade ago, so can’t we put it to rest already?). Not sure about the Cirque thing, but the other names are definitely classics that many will love to see. A good and a smart line-up, it seems to me.

21 May
Artisan

3

I love going to Cobb Energy Centre! It is a great venue and the parking is organized to get you in and out fast. I’ve seen events from every seating level. The sightlines and acoustics are very good. I hope their season and the other diverse offerings keeps bring in audiences from all over the area.

21 May
NewGuy

4

Well, “The Wizard of Oz” deals with murder, “Oklahoma” deals with a murdering rapist and “A Chorus Line” deals with adultery and sex. So “family friendly” is not the issue. Its the marketing that is the issue. The advertising is nowhere near where it needs to be.

21 May

ArtsCriticATL.com

Theater & Film