I wonder what would have happened if automation and computers had existed when 'Oklahoma!' was having its out-of-town try-out, and three days before closing in Boston, when it was still called 'Away We Go,' they added a new song called 'Oklahoma!' I don't think that could happen today. It's almost impossible to change musicals on the go now.

The quote "I wonder what would have happened if automation and computers had existed when 'Oklahoma!' was having its out-of-town try-out, and three days before closing in Boston, when it was still called 'Away We Go,' they added a new song called 'Oklahoma!' I don't think that could happen today. It's almost impossible to change musicals on the go now" by Andrew Lloyd Webber reflects on the evolution of theater production and how technology has changed the way shows are developed and adapted. Lloyd Webber, a renowned composer and theater producer, is drawing a comparison between the flexible, hands-on nature of theater productions in the past and the increasingly rigid nature of modern productions, which are heavily reliant on automation and technology.

The quote highlights how technological advances have transformed the way musicals and other performances are created. In the case of Oklahoma!, the inclusion of a new song just days before the show’s Boston premiere shows the fluidity and creativity possible in earlier theatrical productions, where last-minute changes were still feasible. However, Lloyd Webber points out that with modern musical theater, the reliance on computers and automation means that it’s much harder to make such dramatic changes once a show is in full production, due to the increased complexity and integration of technical elements.

The origin of this quote comes from Lloyd Webber’s deep involvement in the theater industry, where he has experienced firsthand the ways in which technology and automation have transformed the creative process. His work, such as The Phantom of the Opera and Cats, is known for its advanced technological elements in staging, lighting, and sound. This quote, therefore, reflects a sense of nostalgia for the more improvisational and adaptable nature of older theatrical productions compared to the more structured environment of modern musicals.

Ultimately, Lloyd Webber’s quote serves as a reflection on the impact of technology on the creative process in theater. While automation and computers have brought many efficiencies and innovations, they have also made it harder to adapt or change elements of a production on the fly. This quote underscores a shift from the more organic and flexible production methods of the past to a more rigid, technologically dependent system in today’s musical theater.