RIP Broadway 07/18/2019- Page 3

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/18/19 at 11:58am

openstage2 said: "Perhaps I’m atypical, but I see that audiences are becoming more discerning consumers."

That’s been my thought (hope) as well.

[dadaguza]

Posted: 7/18/19 at 12:53pm

I know it's only been 11 years but ..a RENT revival at the Nederlander? 

Not gonna happen I know- just wishful thinking. I saw the current anniversary tour in March and was so underwhelmed/disappointed. Made me miss seeing it at the Neder so much.. and bonding with other Rentheads during lottery.  

[LuPita2]

Posted: 7/18/19 at 3:05pm

"Perhaps I’m atypical, but I see that audiences are becoming more discerning consumers."

Yes, with the prices rising annually, people are choosing wisely.  It turns out you can't just churn out crap and people will automatically go because of the name recognition.

Fresh, new musicals are a wonderful thing, but totally original shows from no past source material are few and far between now.  

[Kitsune]

Posted: 7/18/19 at 3:13pm

LuPita2 said: ""Perhaps I’m atypical, but I see that audiences are becoming more discerning consumers."

Yes, with the prices rising annually, people are choosing wisely. It turns out you can't just churn out crap and people will automatically go because of the name recognition.

Fresh, new musicals are a wonderful thing, but totally original shows from no past source material are few and far between now."

Average ticket prices have been increasing faster than inflation for a while now, right? I wonder if we're hitting a point where people aren't willing to shell out premium prices for shows that aren't the next big thing (e.g. Hamilton). And granted some shows are lucky enough to become the next hyped thing (Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown). But that leaves a lot of shows in the dust, whether it's because they aren't well received, can't find an audience, etc.

Also, thank you to whoever linked the Save Broadway skit, it had me in stitches. But the line about big elaborate musicals and charging $150 per seat had me wince. Sure, there are a lot of things you can see for less than $150, but these days it's a more common price point than you would think.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 7/18/19 at 8:45pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0s0hpmUUF8  Save Broadway SNL (2013)

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/19/19 at 12:20am

As I recall last year around this time many were bemoaning the number of theaters that either were empty or were soon to be empty with no announced new shows to fill them. But then productions slowly but steadily were announced and the theaters were filled come autumn going into winter. I have every reason to believe a similar circumstance will present itself this year.

[Speed]

Posted: 7/19/19 at 1:43am

Chicago is a wonderful show. This revival, when it opened in 1996 with the cast of Bebe Neuwirth, Joel Grey, James Naughton, Marcia Lewis, D Sabella and Ann Reinking, was breathtaking. And the ensemble of dancers was HOT. Obviously that cast is long gone but it holds up because of its terrific score and electric staging.

[bear88]

Posted: 7/19/19 at 1:48am

The recent spate of closing announcements doesn't strike me as significant. The plays were going to close anyway. A few closed early because not enough people were interested at any price. 

The new musicals that are closing in August weren't making money. It happens every year. 

Two long-running successful musicals are closing in a few months, but unless they are your favorite shows and you live near New York City, it's no cause for mourning. There will be regional productions, college and high school productions. More people will get to see them in person. My guess is that Waitress will be a staple around the country.

It's happenstance. There are, as happens every year since I've been paying attention, two or three shows that do well financially. Some of them last, others are star-dependent. This year has actually been stronger than most in terms of productions that have recouped, and two very different musicals are bona fide hits (Hadestown, Ain't Too Proud) along with the To Kill a Mockingbird juggernaut that will run for a while.

On my trip to New York City in May, I saw 6 shows - more than we usually see. I paid full price for one: Hadestown. Everything else was discounts from $25 to a little over $100. When I'm home, I rarely pay more than $50 for a show and I'm not as savvy as some of you.

I agree with many of you that people are getting more discriminating. They'll pay more to see shows they want to see and have heard good things about but are less likely to just attend a show just to see one. Even discount tickets aren't that cheap. Still, the all-or-nothing feeling about Broadway doesn't strike me as new. There are big hits and a bunch of flops. 

I chuckled a bit when the New York Times reporter mentioned on Twitter that no original musicals have been announced this season. That's true, but it won't stay true. I can't say I'm all that excited about any of the new musicals I've heard about, except Dave Malloy's Moby Dick musical (but that doesn't seem designed to be a Broadway show at all). Something will turn out better than I'm expecting. And Moulin Rouge! is already doing brisk business.  

Everything can't be Phantom. That's a good thing, isn't it?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/20/19 at 10:20am

People actively chose (and possibly PAID) to see Nene in Chicago? And then complain about how bad it was? That's like intentionally buying rotten egg salad and then complaining about how awful it tastes. Maybe it will be great when they eventually cast Snooki from Jersey Shore!

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 7/20/19 at 4:59pm

of course this title is clickbait, but im in an airport waiting for my plane so ill bite...

i saw all the new shows and revivals this season. hadestown was fantastic,aint too proud was dazzling, tootsie was funny and well acted, and the prom was good fun. the fresh look at oklahoma held my attention

no blockbusters this season with long legs like evan hansen or
hamilton except maybe aint too proud which i think will outlast hadestown

its a boom economy so people are paying up for good seats to the best shows.
the numbers of the strongest shows stay very strong.,,

if you are putting a new musical up on broadway and want a long run (and roi) its gotta be a really special show and i dont think thats changed in a long time

there seems to be a long list of producers willing to fund both new works, jukeboxes, biopics, movie adaptations and a few revivals each season so not at all worried about the death of broadway

excited about moulin rouge, tina and a few pre broadway that may land including dianna

and if a next season completely sucks i can always see hamilton, deh, come from away, atp, hadestown, bom, and others shows again....a pretty amazing 4-5 days musical theatre wise

[Gizmo6]

Posted: 7/21/19 at 7:18pm

Mister Matt said: "People actively chose (and possibly PAID) to see Nene in Chicago? And then complain about how bad it was? That's like intentionally buying rotten egg salad and then complaining about how awful it tastes. Maybe it will be great when they eventually cast Snooki from Jersey Shore!"

It was Thanksgiving night. We were visiting from Europe and had seen a rake of show including King and I. There was nothing to see that night bar Chicago. We didn't really know Nene leaks she's not a European name. My companion wanted to see it as they loved the show when they saw it in the UK. 

I'm European and unlike Americans I go to see a show because it's a show not because it's got some Z list celebrity attached. I expect casting directors to cast a good actor who'll work as part of the Ensemble not something that will appeal to American's poor taste and bloodthirst for celebrity.