GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE... - Staying Power- Page 3

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 7/21/14 at 11:20pm

As I've mentioned in another thread, I'm hoping for a trip to NYC in the fall- most likely the second week of October (somewhere around the 10th to 15th to fit college schedule). I'm fairly sure this will still be playing then, but I'm curious about when the principal cast might change? I'm hoping to see the current cast (barring understudy days of course) but since I'll be going very close to the show's 1 year mark, I'm wondering if I might not see them after all?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 3:41am

Gentleman's Guide has an INCREDIBLY healthy advance that is steadily growing, so the show well most definitely make it to October and beyond. If you look at their weekly gross, they are selling above 100% capacity, have a very high average ticket price and are now nearly meeting house record intake at the Kerr.it only took the holiday season, all of a hard winter, a slow start to the spring and a few very dedicated producers and theatre owners willing to take a loss for a number of weeks on a show they all believed in, but it is now an "overnight hit."
The majority of cast members taking vacation seem to be doing so through July and August.
No date in October has been confirmed for departures, but prinicpal contracts for the original company DO expire in October and, so far to my knowledge, one person is confirmed to be leaving (the actor's home base is not NYC and I imagine theybmiss their family and life they have built) with no one else having confirmed intention to depart and the producers have probably not extended offers for renewal quite yet.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 5:47am

It's been so heartening to see an example of a "little show that could" - and in spite of opening early, being operetta-ish, having no widely-known stars surviving the cold winter to get the life of breath by the Tonys. It appears that (gasp) there is sufficient buzz to easily carry it through the holidays and probably through next summer. (Assuming the replacements can match the skill and frisson of the originals)

Each year, it's always argued whether the Tony has a significant effect on the BO. In recent history, it seems true that aside from the biggest awards, the effect is minimal. Thinking of the past 10 years, three Best Musicals have "gotten the Tony bump" to success - Avenue Q, Memphis, and Gentleman's Guide. Avenue Q sorta' ruined the ending when "vote your heart" turned into "help us up our demands for an exclusive Vegas contract." Memphis had the underdog look - but was "dogged" by mixed reviews and an ennui of disdain.

If they can keep their nut reasonable, I can see them staying quite a while in the Walter Kerr - a perfectly-sized house. Of course buzz fades, and no matter how clever, a niche stylization will have a smaller core audience. Closing in January 2016 seems likely.

The scale of the show might lend itself to an off-Broadway transfer. (However, it's hard for me to think of the Victoriana amidst the stark industrialism of New World Stages.)

...and by the way, THANKS for bumping-up the thread. Reading the old stuff was fun.



Updated On: 7/22/14 at 05:47 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 9:46am

Yes, always nice to see when my enthusiasm and optimism prove true.

[trensalores]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 12:43pm

hey broadwayguy2, where did you hear about the cast members taking vacation in July/August? Do you know who's going on vacation? Thanks!

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 1:09pm

I took a gamble on this one. I bought my tickets shortly before the Tony Awards, and at the time I knew nothing about this show. The gamble really paid off This was one of the most delightful shows I have seen in a long time. It deserves a long and healthy run.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 1:32pm

No, I do not have a vacation schedule and I have no desire to post HOW I am aware. But I do that the bulk are happening in this time frame.
I will say that this is probably the best cast show on broadway right now and every member of that company, yop to hottom, is just as strong as the next and anyone terribly upset to see an understudy at this show is bing petty.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 1:36pm

hey broadwayguy2, where did you hear about the cast members taking vacation in July/August? Do you know who's going on vacation? Thanks!

Telecharge has Jefferson Mays' vacation schedule up right now. None of the other cast members had posted anything officially, but if you happen to be on Tumblr or Twitter, you can usually do a little digging and find out information about vacations and such.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/22/14 at 1:37pm

One could also somewhat easily discover how long vacation swings have been hired to join the company.

[trensalores]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 11:21pm

oh that's totally fine. and I actually saw the show back in March and am going again next month. I'm excited that I'll get to see understudies! it's not too often I get the chance to do so.