Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 7/7/19- Page 2

[Fredrich Yeager]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 5:45pm

This just seems like it was a bad week all around. I mean, yikes, could 4th of July impact sales that much? Everyone's talking about Tootsie's performance last week, and rightly so, but a lot of shows had some really rough weeks. 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 5:56pm

@Brit, yes, Burn This, and maybe it will get a little bump once Burn This closes. (In general, I assume they are still open in hopes that they will see an uptick when the field narrows, but I wouldn't hold my breath.)

@kitsune, in the abstract, yes, though understand that most revenue to the landlord is driven by the grosses. Also, while the house charges are higher, the landlord can also abate them if need be. 

Updated On: 7/8/19 at 05:56 PM

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 6:16pm

I don't usually post in this thread but I always lurk and have a few random thoughts this week

1. I'm really sad about Beautiful. I saw the show last Saturday on what was Vanessa Carlton's first Saturday night. I think she's terrific in this by the way. Anyway, there were noticeable empty seats in the house. Not a ton but I feel like this should have been a sellout or close to it.

2. Frankie and Johnny: I agree with the comments about bad timing. I have to wonder if producers would have been better off keeping Anastasia open until JLP was ready to come in or at least through Labor Day. In the interim, perhaps a smaller theater would have become available for F and J. Personally, I don't have an issue with seeing Audra in a play versus a musical since I enjoy her tv work and that is mostly non-musical. 

3. Also sad for Tootsie as that has been my favorite new show of the season. I'm hoping this is just an off week for everyone on account of the long holiday weekend, schedule adjustments, and folks traveling. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 6:22pm

BritCrit said: "As Tootsie hits a disastrous new low, it is worth reflecting on the fact that Catch Me If You Can was the last musical to win Best Actor without winning in the Best Musical categories - that one didn’t last long, did it?

I am guessing that Tootsie’s weekly nut is around 750K at most, so it’s still making money, but we can expect further decline soon, so it’s likely to not reach its one year anniversary..."

 

I suspect that the Tony's actually hurt the show, since the number came across so badly, and Santino made no impression.  I guess you need to see the entire performance to appreciate it.

I also am assuming that word-of-mouth is NSG.  When I saw it, I enjoyed it because of the book, but have come to the point where i don't recommend it to anyone because it is, after all, a musical...with lousy music.  Other barometers: the Act 1 curtain received tepid reviews, because the audience actually expected a great number, which they did not get; when leaving the theatre, I heard a lot of 'it was okay' comments, which the other four in my group all also thought.  At Broadway prices, with no star, mediocre is not going to cut it.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 6:24pm

BritCrit said: "Miles2Go2 said: "Three thoughts:


3. I completely admit I was wrong when I predicted TOOTSIE was going to be a commercial hit. I wonder if it’ll make it until my September 27 - October 4 trip when I plan to see it. "

The demise of Pretty Woman and the rapid downfall of Tootsie both provide some uncomfortable omens for Moulin Rogue. How long will it’s current success last?

"

They are both thoroughly mediocre shows with thoroughly mediocre scores.  Neither had an iota of imagination, which Moulin Rouge has in spades, even if not to everyone's taste.  I see no basis for comparison.

 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 6:36pm

Breaking: FRANKIE & JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE Will Conclude Broadway this Month

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 7:00pm

i think its cute that people think that theatre people are a draw to sell tix to regular folk. 

Like when people think tourists care about Audra Mcdonald, or Shoshana Bean being in a show. 

[AADA81]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 7:03pm

The score to 'Tootsie' is pedestrian at its best and I suspect damage was done by that Tony performance.  Also, the movie is constantly shown on cable and maybe people are tired of it.

As for F&J, that's more confounding.  I suppose people are right about the poor timing but attendance has been just so low.  I saw the 2002 revival 4 months into its run and the place was almost full.  I think it's a terrific play and I'm sure Audra and Michael have their own unique takes on their roles.  Unfortunate.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 7:08pm

Mike Barrett said: "I really think Frankie and Johnny opened at a poor time. With Mockingbird being a record breaking hit for straight plays, Network selling out (although it closed towards beginning of its run) , Constitution, people still catching up on seeing Potter, Burn This, I ultimately think it was a crowded season for plays to contend with. Imagine if Frankie and Johnny opened in August this year knowing that a lot of broadway will be dark. It’s too bad."

Not sure I understand the comment about Network. It was a limited run, extended twice, and recouped.

[BritCrit]

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

Jarethan said: "I suspect that the Tony's actually hurt the show, since the number came across so badly, and Santino made no impression. I guess you need to see the entire performance to appreciate it.


I also am assuming that word-of-mouth is NSG. When I saw it, I enjoyed it because of the book, but have come to the point where i don't recommend it to anyone because it is, after all, a musical...with lousy music. Other barometers: the Act 1 curtain received tepid reviews, because the audience actually expected a great number, which they did not get; when leaving the theatre, I heard a lot of'it was okay' comments, which the other four in my group all also thought. At Broadway prices, with no star, mediocre is not going to cut it."

Santino's ability at singing in male and female voices is cute, but it's not really worth buying a ticket for. He was probably the only nominee in the musicals category this year to have any name recognition, which was a key reason for his Tony win, but people definitely overestimated his ability at selling tickets. His (two dimensional villain) role in Frozen was easily the worst part of that film, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was never a ratings hit. The millennial fanbase for those two works generally regards Tootsie as dated and problematic, so if his casting was an attempt to bring in a younger audience, it hasn't worked. I really like Santino Fontana and want him to succeed, but I think that he needs to start thinking about doing something new in a few months...

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 7:44pm

Stage Door Sally said: "Mike Barrett said: "I really think Frankie and Johnny opened at a poor time. With Mockingbird being a record breaking hit for straight plays, Network selling out (although it closed towards beginning of its run) , Constitution, people still catching up on seeing Potter, Burn This, I ultimately think it was a crowded season for plays to contend with. Imagine if Frankie and Johnny opened in August this year knowing that a lot of broadway will be dark. It’s too bad."

Not sure I understand the comment about Network. It was a limited run, extended twice, and recouped."

Pretty sure the poster meant that NETWORK closed pretty  early in F&J's run.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 7:54pm

massofmen said: "i think its cute that people think that theatre people are a draw to sell tix to regular folk.

Like when people think tourists care about Audra Mcdonald, or Shoshana Bean being in a show."

Same with Nathan Lane. Like my school was having a trip to Gary and I assumed everyone would know who Lane was from The Lion King and The Producers, but I had to keep explaining to people what he was from anytime I talked about him in the show. Huge name in theatre, maybe not so much elsewhere.

[IHeartNY2]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 8:04pm

Megsamegatron said: "Well if you look at the large number of seats available for Moulin Rouge post opening in August and September (aka after summer) I'm curious to see those sales too."

Like Hadestown.

 

[FranklinDickson2018]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 8:13pm

Wonder what the fate of "Oklahoma!" is?  They have steadily declined in Box Office revenue for 7 of the last 10 weeks.  The last 3 weeks have been a decline each week.  Right now they are at 69 percent of gross potential. Attendance can be up but they must be selling tickets at a big discount.  I am really saddened about "Tootsie"  I adored the show, the music and thought Santino Fontana was brilliant.  One of the best performances I have seen in a long time and for me a truly delightful evening in the theater.  I hope to see it again. 

[woeisme3]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 8:16pm

I loved Tootsie as well and thought it had a great score. It was a weak week for almost everyone, but I figured the controversy (which I think is pretty contrived) would probably catch up to its grosses at some point.

Sad to see Frankie and Johnny close early, but you can’t say it’s surprising given the grosses for almost its entire run.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 8:20pm

dramamama611 said: "Stage Door Sally said: "Mike Barrett said: "I really think Frankie and Johnny opened at a poor time. With Mockingbird being a record breaking hit for straight plays, Network selling out (although it closed towards beginning of its run) , Constitution, people still catching up on seeing Potter, Burn This, I ultimately think it was a crowded season for plays to contend with. Imagine if Frankie and Johnny opened in August this year knowing that a lot of broadway will be dark. It’s too bad."

Not sure I understand the comment about Network. It was a limited run, extended twice, and recouped."

Pretty sure the poster meant that NETWORK closed pretty early in F&J's run."

Ahh... ok, thanks!

 

[Dolly80]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 8:32pm

 

 

This is one of the dumbest posts I’ve ever read on here. “Immersive” is when a production surrounds the audience- not finishing by the proscenium as Beetlejuice does. And the actors from Les Mis comment? Please. 

 

Tootsie is a thoroughly mediocre show and will and should close soon. It was half empty when I saw it last week.

BritCrit said: "HogansHero said: "a few observations...

Frankie &J - I am a big Shannon fan; I think I have seen everything he has done on stage in New York and on film. This was a headscratcher as to both of them. Other things: it hasn't been that long since the last revival, and this is not a play that makes sense in that kind of rotation. There is another play with male and female stars advertised sexily. It was here first and won.

Moulin Rouge - it's sui generis so the comparisons are meaningless."

I assume the play you are referring towith “male and female stars advertised sexily” is Burn This, but that’s about to end its run (probably won’t help Frankie & Johnny much though...)

Moulin Rogue is hard to compare with other Broadway musicals. However, it has superficial similarities to Pretty Woman (Musicalsopening in the summer, headlinedby an actor from the Les Mis film) and Beetlejuice (Alex Timbers production with immersive set designs)..."

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 9:01pm

FranklinDickson2018 said: "Wonder what the fate of "Oklahoma!" is? They have steadily declined in Box Office revenuefor 7 of the last 10 weeks. The last 3 weeks have been a decline each week. Right now they are at 69 percent of gross potential. Attendance can be up but they must be selling tickets at a big discount."

Wondering this too. The younger "Oklahoma f***s!" internet crowd can't sustain a run, and the older crowd may be alienated by it. Of course, everything's going to go up again next week with the real start of tourist season, but if OK! sticks around past Labour Day, it'll have a tough fall ahead and it may not be worth it for the Thanksgiving/Christmas sales bumps.

Updated On: 7/8/19 at 09:01 PM

[jbird5]

Posted: 7/8/19 at 9:33pm

DoTheDood said: "massofmen said: "i think its cute that people think that theatre people are a draw to sell tix to regular folk.

Like when people think tourists care about Audra Mcdonald, or Shoshana Bean being in a show."

Same with Nathan Lane. Like my school was having a trip to Gary and I assumed everyone would know who Lane wasfrom The Lion King and The Producers, but I had to keep explaining to people what he was from anytime I talked about him in the show. Huge name in theatre, maybe not so much elsewhere."

Supposedly when he was out of The Front Page they went down the line and offered refunds.  The common response was “Who’s Nathan Lane?”  People were there to see Goodman and Slattery.  Even Dann Florek got bigger entrance applause.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/9/19 at 2:03am

jbird5 said: "Even Dann Florek got bigger entrance applause."

One of the world's most underrated actors. Plus, he was very sweet to my mom (who was 80 at the time) when she met him at the tribute to Jerry Orbach at the Richard Rodgers.

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 7/9/19 at 8:02am

Jarethan said: "I suspect that the Tony's actually hurt [Toosie], since the number came across so badly, and Santino made no impression. I guess you need to see the entire performance to appreciate it."

Prior to the Tony Awards, I was considering seeing Tootsie during my August trip. My interest all-but evaporated after watching their performance on the telecast.

[bowtie7]

Posted: 7/9/19 at 8:37am

I wonder to what degree Frankie and Johnny was impacted by being at the larger Broadhurst instead of the smaller Booth/Golden/Hayes?

[BritCrit]

Posted: 7/9/19 at 8:49am

Dolly80 said: "



This is one of the dumbest posts I’ve ever read on here. “Immersive” is when a production surrounds the audience- not finishing by the proscenium as Beetlejuice does. And the actors from Les Mis comment? Please.


Pretty Woman star Samantha Barks plated Eponine in the 2012 Les Mis film. Moulin Rogue lead Aaron Tveit played  Enjolaras the revolutionary in the same movie. They were supporting roles, but they both gained a decent fan base for them. It’s a fairly tenuous link between Pretty Woman and Moulin Rogue, but it’s still a link...

"

 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/9/19 at 9:01am

Stage Door Sally said: "dramamama611 said: "Stage Door Sally said: "Mike Barrett said: "I really think Frankie and Johnny opened at a poor time. With Mockingbird being a record breaking hit for straight plays, Network selling out (although it closed towards beginning of its run) , Constitution, people still catching up on seeing Potter, Burn This, I ultimately think it was a crowded season for plays to contend with. Imagine if Frankie and Johnny opened in August this year knowing that a lot of broadway will be dark. It’s too bad."

Not sure I understand the comment about Network. It was a limited run, extended twice, and recouped."

Pretty sure the poster meant that NETWORK closed pretty early in F&J's run."

Ahh... ok, thanks!

"

Yep, thats what I meant! My comment was more so to say that theatergoers have spent their money on straight plays this season, and with their being a lot of hits in terms of plays (Including Network which consistently had high grosses), F&J opening during tony season when hype was built around these shows, there just wasn't a consumer base really for this show honestly. I really feel if it opened in July/August it would have a bit better luck. Its too bad, I hope to catch it later this month when Im in for a day. 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 7/9/19 at 10:00am

:One of the world's most underrated actors. Plus, he was very sweet to my mom (who was 80 at the time) when she met him at the tribute to Jerry Orbach at the Richard Rodgers."

That is very nice, bet it made you Mom's day.