Yes, well, it was a fairly weak defense when you started using it. - Edit 2
Before modification by Ghavrel at 31/01/2010 09:27:22 PM
Hasn't aged well, either. 
Actually, since I'm not talking about the popularity of sf/f theater, the number of plays is much more relevant than the importance of theater. I'm not looking for a exceedingly famous play--I want to know if there are any sf/f plays in the very large body of 20th century theater, and if not, then why. Saying "because theater isn't popular any more" is a nonsensical argument.
To address your other point: I suspect your opinion of theater and musical is founded primarily in your location. Large cities that have rather more culture than the typical American locale (I hope you don't take offense at that, since I definitely live in a typical American locale) have very successful theaters. Just because the lowest common denominator flocks to Avatar doesn't mean that the theater is dying. If you think it's in such dire straits, maybe you should write to Broadway, no? I think you could find your millions of theater attendees there.
EDIT: By way of statistical argument, West End theatre had over 13 million attendees in 2007, and Broadway $937 million in ticket sales. It's not cinema, no, but it's certainly still a very strong showing.
The number of plays written, particularly those written since 1935, is immaterial here, since the medium, much as I love it personally, has declined in terms of public importance.
Actually, since I'm not talking about the popularity of sf/f theater, the number of plays is much more relevant than the importance of theater. I'm not looking for a exceedingly famous play--I want to know if there are any sf/f plays in the very large body of 20th century theater, and if not, then why. Saying "because theater isn't popular any more" is a nonsensical argument.
To address your other point: I suspect your opinion of theater and musical is founded primarily in your location. Large cities that have rather more culture than the typical American locale (I hope you don't take offense at that, since I definitely live in a typical American locale) have very successful theaters. Just because the lowest common denominator flocks to Avatar doesn't mean that the theater is dying. If you think it's in such dire straits, maybe you should write to Broadway, no? I think you could find your millions of theater attendees there.
EDIT: By way of statistical argument, West End theatre had over 13 million attendees in 2007, and Broadway $937 million in ticket sales. It's not cinema, no, but it's certainly still a very strong showing.