WAR PAINT on Broadway

[Mister Matt]

It was the highest-grossing show in the history of the Goodman Theater in Chicago.

I'm not surprised considering the tickets were the highest priced in Goodman history as well, which makes mention of the grosses nothing more than a sensational marketing ploy.  The real evidence would be in the net income (if any).  It's clear that a lot of money went into the design and God knows what the star salaries were.  The current production of Wonderful Town is so vastly superior to War Paint, it only served to move the latter even further from my memory.

I didn't get the impression that what I saw would cause any great buzz or enthusiasm that translates to a potential hit other than possibly for the leading ladies.  Once the musical theatre enthusiasts have flooded the initial few weeks, I'm not sure even critical raves would be enough to keep the show afloat.  It's not as if the show was this big smash hit in Chicago everyone was talking about.  It would be great if they do a massive amount of work to re-write and re-stage the show into a more compelling piece of theatre, and I'd love to see that happen and wish the show success, but based on what I saw, the show has a very steep uphill climb on the backs of the two leading women (only one of whom delivered the only song that seemed memorable enough to reference in connection with the show).

[Bettyboy72]

Mister Matt is right. The Goodman press releases were positive PR spun to look that way. The ticket prices were quickly jacked up, inflating the gross, and it was not a sold out run even though it was touted that way. You could come by tickets most nights, many as discounted rush seats. Also, according to staff I spoke to, many older patrons and subscribers didn't like it-they found it boring.

I really liked it, but the creative team has work to do. Selling out the Nederlander, which has about 400 more seats than the Goodman will be a challenge.

[CindersGolightly]

I'm not sure if "War Paint" transferring would help a "Wonderful Town" transfer or hurt it, but I've actually heard some rumblings of a potential transfer. I'd love for it to come in the 2017-2018 season.

[Call_me_jorge]

gypsy101 said: "Jorge, in whose mind could Glinda be the lead of Wicked? the title automatically disqualifies her.

 

"

Well Glinda does end up wicked. Also I'm saying this after reading this old thread. post #28 specifically http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1058719&page=1

[jayinchelsea]

Mister Matt said: "It was the highest-grossing show in the history of the Goodman Theater in Chicago.

I'm not surprised considering the tickets were the highest priced in Goodman history as well, which makes mention of the grosses nothing more than a sensational marketing ploy.  The real evidence would be in the net income (if any).  It's clear that a lot of money went into the design and God knows what the star salaries were.  The current production of Wonderful Town is so vastly superior to War Paint, it only served to move the latter even further from my memory.

I didn't get the impression that what I saw would cause any great buzz or enthusiasm that translates to a potential hit other than possibly for the leading ladies.  Once the musical theatre enthusiasts have flooded the initial few weeks, I'm not sure even critical raves would be enough to keep the show afloat.  It's not as if the show was this big smash hit in Chicago everyone was talking about.  It would be great if they do a massive amount of work to re-write and re-stage the show into a more compelling piece of theatre, and I'd love to see that happen and wish the show success, but based on what I saw, the show has a very steep uphill climb on the backs of the two leading women (only one of whom delivered the only song that seemed memorable enough to reference in connection with the show).

Mister Matt is totally on target. I went in hoping for a great, or at least a campily entertaining show, but what I got was a 2.5 hour slog. And the matinee audience, mostly made up of older women, was clearly unimpressed with the show. Would love to be wrong, but with all the really promising shows already on the boards for the spring, WAR PAINT will need more than its leading ladies to sell full-priced seats.

"

 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Call_me_jorge said: "Well Glinda does end up wicked."

[Cupid Boy2]

This is so off-topic, but as even the show's logo suggests with the glint of green in Glinda's eye, she does in fact have wickedness within her. And the way wickedness can manifest itself in different ways is a big theme of the show. Thinking of that trait as only being associated with the "wicked witch" is taking it too literally. 

[qolbinau]

You guys realise that there is more than just raising ticket prices here right...like people actually buying them at that cost? If raising ticket prices was the secret to making money on Broadway this would be the easiest business in the world. 

[Mister Matt]

We're talking about highest grosses at the Goodman, a smaller regional subscriber-based theatre, not a large Broadway house.  Raising the prices of single tickets is how they achieved that goal in a show with a limited run that wasn't sold out.  And as far as I know, we haven't heard if the show actually made any profit (or surplus for the theatre, considered it's not-for-profit).  There was no mention of the show breaking attendance records, either.  They may have gotten a few more people to buy full-time tickets, but this was hardly a high-profile theatrical event in Chicago.  The revival of Iceman Cometh was a MUCH bigger event for the Goodman and the last really big buzz-worthy show there in a while.

[qolbinau]

So if I understand correctly what you're saying is that if they raised the ticket prices for some of their previous productions they'd have the same outcome? If they could, I'm wondering why they didn't  (seems a bit fiscally silly). 

In any case, the show was practically (I looked at most dates and while there were some scattered seats for some performances, for the most part the theatre was pretty much full) sold out at Broadway-level pricing in a theatre that is almost Broadway size for a decent chunk of time. I'm not suggesting it means it will succeed (this whole thing reminds me of Follies - very strong out of town performance in a smaller theatre, strong opening on Broadway and then a somewhat staggered end). But personally I think we have to acknowledge it has genuinely had a good run thus far. 

[Mister Matt]

It had a good run at the Goodman.  I'm not denying that.  Just that the claim of having the highest grosses in Goodman history is a boast of success or relative to anything other than having successfully sold a number of single tickets at higher prices than for previous productions.  It does sound impressive and kudos to their marketing for leveraging that information to make people believe it equates into a quality show that should be seen.  Apparently, it worked on some folks.

[Call_me_jorge]

I just checked the IBDB page and it has Marc Platt as a producer. I just thought that was interesting. I know he has produced other musicals since Wicked, but he was far down the list for those musicals. So it seems like this is his first major involvement since Wicked. Unless I'm wrong.

[Valentina3]

He co-produced If/Then with a few other people, David Stone was one of them (who's also with him on War Paint). I'm surprised that he's not one of Dear Evan Hansen producers. I was under the impression he was.

[Whateverjsays]

Any rumor on when tickets go on sale? I can't figure out what the demand for This is. I want to make sure I get tickets, not miss out because I'm busy at work or something. I've already got a trip planned for NYC and have tickets for Dolly and Groundhog Day. This is the last thing I need to complete my trip 

[jpbran]

Also curious here.... hoping they have a Sunday matinee or evening show to complete our trip. (SO many of the new spring shows are skipping Sundays until May.)

 

[KJisgroovy]

Shows usually skip Sundays during previews, I think. For rehearsals or something. I don't know. That's what someone told me once and I've never questioned it! 

[Call_me_jorge]

BroadwayConcierge said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Well Glinda does end up wicked."



 

"

Why don't you believe Glinda is wicked? In the show they "the wicked die alone" and who ends up being alone by the end of the show? Not elphaba, Glinda does. 

[CindersGolightly]

You don't understand the show if you're reducing Elphaba and G(a)linda to wicked and not wicked. That's not what it's about. Neither are wicked.

[Robbie2]

http://www.warpaintmusical.com/

 

[CindersGolightly]

That website is gorgeous. Elizabeth and Helena would be proud.

[Mr Kelly]

Website has made me excited. I can't wait for ticketing info! It will be my birthday during my next New York trip and I think this could be a great show to book for that night

[Call_me_jorge]

Valentina3 said: "He co-produced If/Then with a few other people, David Stone was one of them (who's also with him on War Paint). I'm surprised that he's not one of Dear Evan Hansen producers. I was under the impression he was.

 

"

Didn't someone here say he was a large investor for DEH?

[broadwaysfguy]

so excited for this show!

[Robbie2]

[Robbie2]

[Robbie2]