AUTHOR: James Marino
DATE: 8/4/2004 12:01:00 AM
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Did you happen to see page D3 of yesterday's (8/3/04) <i>Wall Street Journal</i>? Me neither. Until Elizabeth (my wife) sent me an email from her <a href="http://www.blackberry.com/" target="_blank">Blackberry</a> at the end of the day.<ul>"U are on pg d3 of the wsj today. - e"</ul>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 <a href="http://www.playbill.com/" target="_blank">Playbill</a>, <a href="http://www.theatermania.com/" target="_blank">TheaterMania</a>, <a href="http://www.talkinbroadway.com/" target="_blank">Talkin'Broadway</a>, and <a href="http://www.broadwaybox.com/" target="_blank">BroadwayBox.com</a>. 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 <i>The Wall Street Journal</i> 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:

<img height="833" width="613" src="http://www.broadwaystars.com/images/art/WSJ-BroadwayStars.jpg" border="0">

<b>Desktop Traveler</b> / Broadway Bound
<b><i>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.</b></i> 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

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

<b>SITE: Playbill.com</b>
<i>DESCRIPTION:</i> Leading news resource for Broadway, updated around-the-clock.
<i>EASE OF USE:</i> 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.
<i>COMMENT:</i> "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.

<b>SITE: TheaterMania.com</b>
<i>DESCRIPTION:</i> Comprehensive site covering New York and regional theater.
<i>EASE OF USE:</i> Find detailed reviews at the bottom right of the homepage. On
the left, the TheaterMania Restaurant Guide tells which Broadway bistros
offer deals.
<i>COMMENT:</i> "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.

<b>SITE: TalkinBroadway.com</b>
<i>DESCRIPTION:</i> Chat site for Broadway gossip and information.
<i>EASE OF USE:</i> 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.
<i>COMMENT:</i> "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.

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

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

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 <a href="http://www.broadwaystars.com/contact/">let us know</a>!

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

Thanks again.

- James





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