Why would Hamilton get dated fast? Because of its use of "rap" music? Imagine if these shows are still playing in 100 years? Talk about a return on investment!
Looking back at grosses, there are weeks in the past year in which "Phantom" has played to near capacity and grossed over a million. Spring break, holidays, etc, this show just keeps chugging along. They've been very smart doing a show on Monday nights and Thursday matinees--not much competition for those times.
The dated nonsense with Hamilton is just that. It's a 200 year old story with music in the style of rap from 20-30 years ago. If it isn't dated now, it wont be anytime soon. The only thing that could date is its political themes of immigration and so on but looking at the current administration it seems that for now it remains wholly relevant.
mtcond said: "Looking back at grosses, there are weeks in the past year in which "Phantom" has played to near capacity and grossed over a million. Spring break, holidays, etc, this show just keeps chugging along. They've been very smart doing a show on Monday nights and Thursday matinees--not much competition for those times."
TRUE. Smart strategic scheduling has helped it survive - as you've said 'not much competition'. There have been plenty of Monday nights where I've been in NYC looking for a show while I was visiting a few days, and this was the best option out of the choices. But after seeing it about five times in the past 25 years, I've decided 'enough'.
David10086 said: "POTO marks 30 years in January - I can't believe it has lasted this long. Tourists are still going to see this?
"
It's more of a landmark at this point that they want to cross off their bucket list. "I went to the Empire State Building, I took a carriage ride in Central Park, and I saw the phantom of the opera!"
MadonnaMusical said: "David10086 said: "POTO marks 30 years in January - I can't believe it has lasted this long. Tourists are still going to see this?
"
It's more of a landmark at this point that they want to cross off their bucket list. "I went to the Empire State Building, I took a carriage ride in Central Park, and I saw the phantom of the opera!"
"
Precisely this. No matter what one may think of the show itself, it's achieved an unofficial landmark status, and Wicked I daresay is pretty damn close behind if it isn't one already...but of course it's unofficial
Now as for the list, I had to pick at threat of gunpoint, I'd say Book of Mormon. POTO and Wicked aren't going anywhere (heaven forbid...(let's be honest, theater would suffer here without them), Hamilton, in terms of overall political thematics will always be relevant thought its immigration bent miiiiiggghhttt not last as long, but only slightly, so it'll be here for a while. Lion King, while almost like Wicked and POTO in terms of landmark status, it's a well done, well known, Disney musical. Disney titles tend to remain a while, with the couple of exceptions that we already know of.
David10086 said: "POTO marks 30 years in January - I can't believe it has lasted this long. Tourists are still going to see this?"
I'm in NY an average of 3-6 times per year (in fact, I'll be back up in August for the seventh time since January), specifically to go to the theatre. I don't particularly consider myself a "tourist" and I see this show every single time I'm there.
==> this board is a nest of vipers <==
"Michael Riedel...The Perez Hilton of the New York Theatre scene" - Craig Hepworth, What's On Stage
Book of Mormon, no contest. It's a funny show; a good night at the theatre, but it's nothing really beyond that. It'll probably close in a year or two. Wicked and POTO are going nowhere. They're the tourist trap shows, and while I'd say POTO is pretty dated, they'll stick around. Hamilton might get dated one day as well, but for a good while it'll be relevant. It's still making major money as well. Lion King is Disney, so obviously it'll be there. I'd give it like five more years.
Book of Mormon still sells out pretty much every night without having to discount at all. There's no way it will close in the next two years. I think it has a good 5-10 years ahead of it.
Plus Book Of Mormon is a way better show than that pile of crap that is Wicked
Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist.
Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino.
This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more.
Tazber's: Reply to
Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
Itonlytakesajourney said: "Book of Mormon, no contest. It's a funny show; a good night at the theatre, but it's nothing really beyond that. It'll probably close in a year or two.
"
Disagree. Book of Mormon has a brilliant score that hooks people after one listen.
rosscoe(au) said: "Plus Book Of Mormon is a way better show than that pile of crap that is Wicked "
LOL. That "pile of crap" is in its 14th year and still grosses over $1.9million with an attendance of over 97%. With its planned film release in 2019, this show will keep filling in the seats.
Big Apple2 said: "LOL. That "pile of crap" is in its 14th year and still grosses over $1.9million with an attendance of over 97%. With its planned film release in 2019, this show will keep filling in the seats."
No one said it wasn't doing well financially, only that it is a pile of crap.
The equity tour of Chicago already visits Chicago every few years and it only for a week at a time. No way it could move there permanently. Or maybe you were just joking?
I don't consider any trip to New York City complete without seeing Phantom.
asimplegal2 said: "Itonlytakesajourney said: "Book of Mormon, no contest. It's a funny show; a good night at the theatre, but it's nothing really beyond that. It'll probably close in a year or two.
"
Disagree. Book of Mormon has a brilliant score that hooks people after one listen.
I love the show, don't get me wrong. It's just that it's nowhere near the "icon"-like status of POTO, Wicked, Hamilton, etc. people think of when they hear Broadway. I could see it closing in like 2020 or a little later if they really want to stretch it out.
Obviously I can't speak for all the tourists that visit the city, but being an Airbnb host I met a fair share of them... and I would have to disagree with the statement that POTO is almost a landmark now...
It varies depending from where they are from and age, but the vast majority after I ask if they are interested in seeing a Broadway show respond with Book of Mormon or Hamilton... in fact, most of the time when I say that Phantom has a lottery, I usually hear something along the lines of "no, thanks"...
Again, I can only speak for the tourists that I have hosted, but I can count in one hand the number of guests that went to see Phantom... same for Hamilton, but for different reasons! Lol