Was anyone just at the SCOTTSBORO BOYS?- Page 2

[jv92]

Posted: 12/6/10 at 11:09am

I was there Saturday afternoon. No celebrity sightings, but a great house, great performance and a great show. Stopped by the stagedoor afterwards, and was very saddened to see the cast very down and upset by the closing notice. Not that they'd be happy, but it was just a downer to see so many upset people. In any event, this show deserved a longer run.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/6/10 at 5:06pm

I saw the show not knowing about the 'reveal' at the end. And, it absolutely took my breath away. My hand literally flew to my heart and tears formed in my eyes.

I'm trying to keep it 'spoiler free' for friends who are seeing it this week...

I was there yesterday. Magnificent.

Sadly, during the matinee, there were too many seats empty. The theatre was far more filled than it had been, but, I was sitting in Center Orchestra Row E - and the 4 seats next to me were empty. As were a few in front of me. I was able to purchase this incredible seat a few days earlier...

I haven't yet heard that anyone who has tried to purchase a ticket for this final week hasn't been able to. I left the show yesterday and bought a ticket for the Final show next Sunday. I'm in the middle of the front (Row B) of the mezzanine. It made me sad that such good seats are still available. (Yet, delighted that I could purchase one!)

I can't stop thinking about this show. And am looking forward to seeing it again, so I can pay attention to some of the nuances that I missed the first time... though, I'm not sure the final emotional performance will be the place to see details. I may just have to sit back and let it wash over me as I try to capture every moment in my mind.

The performances are each exquisite. I've not seen such a collection of talent in... ages.

PLEASE, if you are reading this, and are in the area and can somehow purchase a ticket this week/weekend, give yourself that gift.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/6/10 at 5:16pm

if it were to extend through the holidays, I guess they would have announced something by now. I'm just suprised they won't keep this open during the holiday peek time.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/6/10 at 5:37pm

Their advance through the holidays and into the New Year must have been very poor.

[littlebutterfly10]

Posted: 12/6/10 at 6:04pm

I stopped by the box office a little after it opened yesterday at noon, and waited in line for a good 25 minutes to buy my ticket for next Sunday afternoon. It certainly seems like people are making an effort to see the show before it closes!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/7/10 at 6:13am

Too little, too late.

Thank you Scottsboro Boys.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 12/7/10 at 6:39am

I was hoping to see this the week of the 20th, but since they announced their closing, I'm going to make a day trip from DC and see it Saturday afternoon.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 12/7/10 at 11:22am

As DramaMama611 posts, 'Too little, too late.'

If the audiences had been this enthusiastic throughout much of its run, and it had actually translated into full-price ticket sales, 'Scottsboro Boys' might've had a chance. But it seems much of this belated reaction comes since the closing notice was posted, and it's getting repeat fans and musical johnny-come-latelies; even last week, the average ticket price was only $50.

Its problem was always a basic one: It's a serious musical about what some folks perceive to be a depressing topic: blacks being railroaded by the justice system. Plus, it had no 'stars,' and wasn't based on any movie, etc. I can only imagine it was a tough sell to group sales, let alone tourists (who make up over 60% of Broadway audiences). At least, it'll go out with a bang.

[theatregeek2]

Posted: 12/7/10 at 11:21pm

CAn someone post a link to the Playbill article with the spoiler?

[greensgreens]

Posted: 12/8/10 at 1:46pm

Don't get me wrong... I absolutely LOVED seeing John Cullum and let's face it, the man is a legend.

But, I wonder if they had found a "household name" actor of a certain age who could have pulled off the part, would the show have had a healthier run?

I can't imagine that the cakewalk would have had anywhere near the thrill it did when John commanded that stage (or at least attempted to), but, would that have led to a longer run?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 1:02am

well, tried to get tickets for tonight's show(Wed.) and was told at the box office(by a very rude woman) that all they had were the $131.50 orchestra seats or premium seats. Since the show sold pretty well last week and seems to be selling well this week, why wouldn't they extend it into Christmas?? It just doesn't make sense that they're closing this right before the holidays.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 2:10am

They had a pretty significant drop off during Thanksgiving week. Even with the "boost" of the closing notice going up last week they still played to 77% capacity with an average paid ticket price of $50, still failing to break even the 300 grand mark with their grosses. While it would have been nice to see them try to push to January 2 with everything else the powers that be clearly saw that it would have just been a losing proposition.

The producers are also only required to give one week's notice for closing, so be happy that they at least decided to give audiences an extra week to see it.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 4:29am

They'd have no time to build ticket sales for the immediate weeks and be relying SOLELY on last minute sales.

I still think they should have announced a 1/2 closing and they might have enjoyed the holidays healthily. (comparitively)

[bwayfascination]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 12:16pm

This is such a shame. Like a lot of people, I was planning a trip to NYC from California just to catch this show and a couple of others. I would even have speeded up my trip to catch it before 1/2, but with such a short notice, I couldn't swing it. I would still swing it if it extended just a couple more weeks, but I am afraid these will be the performances that got away. I have the album, and I am really hopeful for regional productions, but it kills me that I couldn't see this cast.

[Michelle616]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 2:38pm

I got a rush ticket last Friday and it was amazing. The entire audience was on its feet the second bows started and only the BC/EFA speech quieted everyone down much later. I'm still really moved by the show.

Sadly, I think the producers were trying to make back their money and this was the only way to do it. Student tickets have been selling out by 10:30 or so since they announced the closing. At least these last few shows will be packed and give the performers the response they deserve.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 9:00pm

It really is quite a shame that this show is closing so soon. The producers did what they could. The only "move" I can see is to bring the show back to off-Broadway until Tony time (allowing more time for Tony voters to catch the show off-Broadway).

I saw the show with 3 other Tony voters. Each of them LOVED it.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 9:09pm

I was sitting next to a Tony voter at the show last night and I'm so glad that they're getting as many in to see it as possible.

[jv92]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 9:19pm

According to ATC, Sondheim went the other night and stood and cheered. Probably his affection for both Kander and Ebb warranted the standing O, but I wouldn't be surprised if he really liked it too.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 12/9/10 at 11:26pm

Just wanted to take a moment to thank the producers: They at least ran 'Scottsboro Boys' on Broadway for over 2 months before throwing in the towel. Of course, it was always gonna be a hard sell, especially to tourists. But ... where were all the musical-theater lovers? I'm reading all these last-minute posts by people who just caught the show since it posted its closing notice. It's a NEW Kander and Ebb show; why didn't they get there weeks ago? And now folks are looking for rush or TDF (where it had been offered for weeks); sadly, 'Scottsboro' needed lots more theatergoers to actually PAY full-price to keep it going. I read somewhere where the show has revoked any discounts for this closing week. I can't blame them. I hope the producers can make back as much as they can, but it'll be a drop in the bucket compared to what they've lost for weeks.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 12/10/10 at 10:11am

I was there last night. I knew very little about the show and absolutely nothing about the reveal at the end - it absolutely took my breath away. Very moving. The performance was completely sold out. Glad to hear Tony voters are getting in. This show deserves as much recognition as possible.

The talkback afterwards was nice, though I wish we could have had more time for it. Susan Stroman and John Kander were in the house.

[kc2]

Posted: 12/10/10 at 10:31am

The news that this was closing on Sunday just about broke my heart. I arrive in NY from the UK on Monday and had been so excited to see this show. I'm immensely jealous of those who got to see it, what a shame more people didn't take the opportunity.

[julesboogie]

Posted: 12/10/10 at 11:33am

How do you guys know you were sitting next to tony voters? Do you just know them personally? Or do they make themselves known somehow?

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 12/10/10 at 12:16pm

I had a ticket mix-up so the house manager put me in an empty seat. The woman next to me told me she had just turned it back in and it was a Tony voter seat, so it was a good one. She told me she was a producer, so I assume she was the Tony voter, not the plus one.

[julesboogie]

Posted: 12/10/10 at 12:42pm

thx.

[binau]

Posted: 11/1/20 at 2:33am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Original-Broadway-Cast-and-Creatives-of-THE-SCOTTSBORO-BOYS-Reunite-20201031

While I wish they’d have a long 1+ hour style Broadway in the House reunion this is nice to watch. As described in the video I agree and truly believe the show was ‘ahead of its time’. It might have done better now than it did at the time because the world has changed so much in 10 years. However, I appreciate that this show is not a metaphorical black square posted on Instagram or a business writing Black Lives Matter on Twitter when everyone else does because it’s good for business - this is a group of creative people that were willing to take leadership and genuine risks to create powerful art. 

Updated On: 11/1/20 at 02:33 AM