Possible Golden Boy Extension?

[ozone81]

Posted: 12/24/12 at 11:28am

I am traveling to New York the week after its last scheduled performance but had read that it could possibly be extended. If they haven't announced an extension by now, does it usually mean that it won't be extended. Any help would be appreciated and searched the web and couldn't find anything.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/24/12 at 11:30am

I'd say they won't be extending. It isn't selling.

[AndersonTours]

Posted: 12/24/12 at 4:43pm

Too bad it isn't selling. I thought it was wonderful.
Exceptional performances by Tony Shalhoub (so moving and honest - broke my heart), Danny Burstein (brilliant, a gem of a performance - is he the most versatile actor we have on the boards nowadays?) and Anthony Crivello (appropriately creepy and slightly over the top).
I just don't see the advertising. Not surprised it isn't selling. Didn't it get good reviews? It seems odd that they'd just let it close without trying.

Updated On: 12/24/12 at 04:43 PM

[Len Gersten]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 4:59pm

A truly great production! My wife and I saw it last Thursday evening and it comes highly recommended! Unfortunately, at least at that particular performance, the mezzanine was maybe 20% full and the balcony had a couple of dozen patrons, at best. The show deserves much more audience support than it seems to be getting. I can't see how they would extend it based on current ticket sales.

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 5:10pm

No advertising? I've seen major ads recently in the NY Times, New Yorker, NY Magazine, Time Out NY in addition to a billboard in Times Square, banners on all the sites, TV spot, and ticket deals for students and school groups and creative events like a boxing fan night.

I caught the production again a few days ago and found it even better than it was towards the end of previews -- my favorite production so far of the season (but I haven't seen Glengarry yet). I hope they can extend. I was mid mezz which was full but I don't know about the balcony. Updated On: 12/25/12 at 05:10 PM

[vegas2]

Posted: 12/25/12 at 5:41pm

I tried several times to buy tickets to this for my November trip, but the only orchestra seats offered (even at full price) were to the far sides or in the back. If it's not selling well, this probably has a lot to do with it.

[jaxandmci]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 10:29am

I also tried to get tickets for two different January performances. In typical Telecharge fashion, the only seats offered to me were extreme sides and rear of orchestra. Same exact lousy choices for both performances. Are they holding back the good seats for some reason? I bought tickets for something else. My loss maybe, but mostly theirs.

Posted: 12/26/12 at 11:26am

But it is a small theater, and those tickets in the far back or on the far sides are still perfectly good seats, with very little obstructed. It's worth seeing, even from the side.

[Len Gersten]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 12:46pm

I agree with Guettboy regarding the size of the Balesco Theatre and the fact that all the action would be unobstructed from almost any seat in the house. We sat in the mezzanine, third row on the left, probably about 10 seats from the far-left side aisle, and the seats were fabulous. I would recommend this part of the mezzanine over the rear seating in the orchestra.

[jaxandmci]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 2:03pm

Too late. I got front row tickets for Virginia Woolf instead. If I can't sit in the first 4-5 rows for a show--especially a play--I'd rather see something else. I highly doubt the weekend performances in January that I checked are that well sold. And this was before the reviews were even posted! I just checked again and the choices in seats are the same now as they were then.

[vegas2]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 6:28pm

I'm sure "the action" is fine from most seats. But I don't go to plays for action. I want to see the actors' faces up close. I had no trouble getting excellent seats for other shows during my November trip, both on- and off-Broadway. I even got mid-orchestra seats for Glengarry Glen Ross at non-premium prices.

My experience with Chinglish was similar. They wouldn't offer me a decent seat, so I skipped it. As, apparently, many others did.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 6:43pm

vegas2, you probably had difficulty getting decent orchestra seats during November because LCT holds back a lot of seats for its subscribers that then get released much closer to the performance dates.

[vegas2]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 7:05pm

Yes, I know that was the reason. But apparently not many people bought those seats once they were released, since the show has not sold well. Maybe the producers don't care whether they sell or not, since it's subscription-based. But it's too bad for the actors.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 7:09pm

Holding seats for subscribers definitely can have its disadvantages for productions especially when the seats aren't sold and need to be released last minute, but if LCT and other subscription-based non-profits don't hold an adequate number of seats and their subscribers can't get the tickets they want, they risk alienating subscribers/donors. These individuals are ultimately more important to the long-term health of any of these non-profits than the average theatre goer.

[vegas2]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 7:16pm

And that's fine. As I said, the producers have made their choice. They are entitled to make the business decision that works for them. But it is too bad for the actors if they are performing to empty seats, and if their show does not extend. (Of course, many of these fine actors have no worries as far as other employment.)

My original point was simply that the absence of good seat options is one possible reason why the show isn't selling well. And I stand by that point.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 7:20pm

I agree with you entirely. I was just presenting the reasoning. I'm glad groups like LCT and Roundabout exist though because without them Broadway would likely never see productions of shows such as Golden Boy and The Mystery of Edwin Drood without star casting.

[vegas2]

Posted: 12/26/12 at 7:30pm

I am still hopeful that their sales will pick up so that the show will extend. I would love to see it.

[lenstersf]

Posted: 1/3/13 at 11:14pm

Based on ticket sales, it seems unlikely this will extend. I live in Boston...do people think it's worth it for me to make a day trip to NY to watch this?? I've done this a few times in the past, so it's definitely something I'm considering. Would likely go on Saturday to watch two shows...

[JackiesBroJoe]

Posted: 1/4/13 at 3:00pm

I would say absolutely, lenstersf. You won't likely see a production of this rarely produced play done so lavishly (19 person cast, magnificent production values) in the near future; if ever. Virginia Woolf is done so often, in NY and regionally.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 1/4/13 at 3:36pm

It's my favorite show I've seen in a LONG time. Definitely take the day to see it!

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 1/4/13 at 3:43pm

Perhaps VANYA AND SONYA AND MASHA AND SPIKE will take its place in the Belasco?

[lenstersf]

Posted: 1/8/13 at 12:07pm

I'm watching a matinee performance in a couple of weeks (awesome seats thanks to LincTix)...anyone know if most actors (esp. Shaloub, Numrich) stage door after matinee performances?? Thx.