Internet Theater = No Chance

A company based in the U.K., called Digital Theater, plans to place high-profile theater productions on the internet as available downloads. Downloads will be priced at about $14.50 per show.

I can see how this looks good on paper, by imitating what the film and television industry is doing nowadays with Hulu and Netflix, but can this really work with theater? When was the last time you shelled out 15 bucks to watch Spring Awakening or Avenue Q at home? I think it's a safe bet that that answer is close to none.

Come to think about it now, I can say that I've never seen any commercial or advertisement for any DVD of a play or musical. Sure, I've seen some when browsing around the DVD section of a Best Buy or Target, but that's about it.

There is a reason that DVD's are a big part of the movie industry and not so much with performing arts. Transferability. The difference of how much you lose when transferring a movie from the big screen and compacting to a DVD to watch at your house is minuscule compared to that of a play. The whole reason I go to a play/musical is because of the experience at the theater. You need that live element in order to get that full experience of the play. With movies, you already take it for granted that it isn't live, so when you watch it at home the most you lose is the experience with watching it on a huge screen with a roomful of people. Compare that with the performing arts, the whole experience of a play/musical is that element of being there and seeing that live "in-the-moment" actor to crowd interaction.

Now to be fair, what is the plus-side of Digital Theater is that it could bring in a new audience to theater and increase exposure with the significantly lower price-tag of $14.50 compared to ticket prices up in the $40-$50 range. Even with this price difference, I still think it's a waste of money. It's like saying well instead of paying $50 to eat filet mignon at a the La Grenouille, I'll pay $14.50 to eat some steak from Albertson's grilled on my George Foreman grill. It is a totally different experience! Yes, you can sort of expose yourself through this cheaper alternative, but is it really worth it? Wouldn't you rather just save up your money to get the full experience if you were really interested?

Check out the article here for more information: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118010382.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1