Friday, May 19, 2023

2022 - 2023 Season Wrap-up: Broadway Logos - The Best and the Worst and the Much Improved

2022 - 2023 Season Wrap-up: 

Broadway Logos - The Best and the Worst and the Much Improved

We make it no secret that we love Broadway show art and advertising campaigns here at JK's TheatreScene. And we are thrilled that a lot of you seem to agree. These logo-related posts are always among the top most read each month.

This season just ended has really been an embarrassment of riches in terms of shows and show art. We saw two plays and fifteen musicals (all of the new ones!) during the 22/23 season, and were pleased to bring you not only reviews of each, but also "closer looks" at each of those show's logos. 

Below is a recap of how we graded each, a look at how some of the low scorers have improved their campaigns, and our pick for the Best of the Best!

GRADE RECAP: Average: A
F: 
17. Bad Cinderella     16. Camelot
C: 
15. Some Like It Hot
C+: 
14. Kimberly Akimbo
B-: 
13. A Beautiful Noise     12. KPOP
A-: 
11. Life of Pi     10. Almost Famous
A: 
9. 1776     8. Into the Woods     7. Leopoldstadt
A+: 
6. Parade     5. Bob Fosse's Dancin'     4. & Juliet
3. Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street     2. New York, New York

THE BEST SHOW ART (and Advertising Campaign):
 
1. Shucked

Simple, eye-catching and as fun as the show it represents, the show art, merch and the overall marketing for Shucked is inspired, interactive and has a broad appeal. While not forgetting more "traditional" means, those in charge have fully embraced the new generation of cyber loving influencers. It is, in fact, so ingenious that I suspect we've reached a turning point in the way Broadway shows will be advertised.

MOST IMPROVED:
Happily, all four of our lowest-rated logos have made some positive steps in the right direction. Adding interest and some much needed context, each has largely gotten rid of their original images, keeping only their titles, and adding photos of their stars in action, along with some tweaks to their taglines. (This is in addition to the usual pull quotes and awards numbers.)


  
  

I think the most improved of the lot are Bad Cinderella and Kimberly Akimbo. Sadly, it's too little, too late for the former, as it'll be closing in a matter of weeks. Hopefully, the latter will get a boost from the updated ads (and several awards).

With a new crop of shows already started for the 2023-2024 season, we are already at work on a closer look at Once Upon a One More Time. Look for that soon!

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