Hedwig joins the MILLION DOLLAR CLUB

[brdway411]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 3:12pm

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 5:34pm

You don't say.

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 6:18pm

With the new ticket price, safe to say it is a permanent member of the club through August.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 7:37pm

Wondering what pearl of wisdom emanated from hates (aptly named) latest post here.

[haterobics]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 7:47pm

Oh yes, I've joined the elite list of people who Roxy now blocks, but then keeps incessantly posting about anyway to say he blocked them...

Is there some secret to get on the list of people he's blocked, but stops writing about?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 9:00pm

If these walls could talk!

[SweetLips]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 3:40am

I ask this to Jane2 as she seems to be an authority on Hedwig--is NPH so great that this is the reason it is so successful now? Obviously before it was OK-but has this one person completely re-invented the show and audiences will now keep coming because of the 'star attraction' principle when he leaves, or because of the show? Now it's had this massive exposure it would be silly not to continue until it stops making a profit. You don't have a crystal ball, but would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks [anyone].

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 12:06pm

Given the current pricing structure (anything not sold right now is at $350 - even seats that were partial views before this) - it seems that when NPH is ready to leave, the show will close rather than extend. Once you set a $350 per seat price, the appearance of inferior product cannot be avoided when prices go back to normal Broadway scale after the HOT ticket is no longer so HOT.

Too bad the greediness of the producers is causing short sighted outlook on any extension. And with all of its popularity, you dont hear any talk of extension or replacments (too bad, would like to see JCM back in the wig or some other actor get a shot at putting his take on it).

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 12:24pm

LOL when I read the subject of this thread the first thing that came to my mind is that you need a million dollars in order to afford a ticket to see this show.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 12:41pm

Obviously, I am not Jane2, but would like to add my .02-

Having seen "Hedwig" at the Jane Street over 100 times, I saw my share of "Hedwigs"
(JCM, Cahoon, McGrath, Ceveris, Sheedy (OY)---

Have this this current production a number of times, and I would rank NPH's "Hedwig" as my 3rd favorite- (maybe even 4th)-

Thats not saying that he is not great in the role, I just liked the others better----

I just think this current production is incredible- and the show has a hardcore following- I think they would still do "well" without a big star taking over--- Sold out every night? NO. Still make money? Yes.

[averagebwaynut]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 12:45pm

SFFrontRow, I think in another thread you identified one seat that you claim was previously shown as a partial view which is now shown as a Premium seat with no disclaimer. That's a far cry from "seats" and proving that this is a some sort of widespread practice by the producers. Perhaps it's just a mistake? If it's not, I agree that's bad on them.

But I'm still a bit baffled by the criticism when based on the seats I've bought or researched over the last month (I've seen the show twice and bought gifts for a few friends), the Hedwig prices for premium seats have long been $350 for many performances. Some were previously $300 and on occasion, I found some for $250. Now there are some performances as high as $399. OK, that's simple supply and demand. It seems clear they have very few seats left to sell at all for the remainder of NPH's announced run -- should they knowingly take money out of the investors and their own pockets?

Don't forget that they're already forgoing quite a bit of income -- $15,000 a week or so by my amateur calculation -- by continuing to sell orchestra locations for every performance as rush seats. And they still have $29 standing room too. Just how generous do we have a right to expect them to be?!? Do we berate the airlines for charging insane prices for first class and even higher prices closer to the flight? Or hotels for jacking up prices on their suites when you book on short notice? Or do we recognize and accept that we may simply be unable to afford that class of service. Sure, you can argue that the arts should made accessible to the masses (I certainly agree with that), but there's a difference between affordable access to see the show and demanding to sit in the best seat at a price you personally deem fair. This is still a business venture for those involved and quite frankly, on behalf Broadway investors (which include me on occasion, though not in this show), I'm glad they're doing what they can to maximize the return based on what they know they have now. If NPH can extend or if they can re-cast and extend and maintain profitability, that's wonderful but by no means a sure thing. In the meantime, with what few tickets they seem to have left, it's actually the fiscally responsible thing to do for them to charge what the market will bear, even if it seems outrageous to those who either can't or are philosophically opposed to paying such prices.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 3:11pm

Loved reading your intelligent response-thanks-puts things, $, into perspective[for me].

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 3:21pm

"They're outgrossing monster trucks in Wichita..."

[quizking101]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 3:21pm

"They're outgrossing monster trucks in Wichita..."

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 6:14pm

Do you think one of the reasons for the high ticket prices (other than because they can) is the reduced weekly performances? That definitely limits their potential gross.





Updated On: 6/10/14 at 06:14 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 6:34pm

Sweet Lips-I just now saw your post, and here's my reply. (my opinion, of course)

The off broadway show had a cult following and to us, there was no better show on earth! We loved everything about it. The music, the actors, the band, the message, the whole thing! However, we never thought about it being a broadway type show. It was too esoteric, as in the loud rock music and of course, the story itself. Occasionally, older people left during the show, mostly because it was too loud.

AS for the broadway version- I think NPH was the MO to get people in the theater, and once they were in there, they saw (and heard) how fabulous it is and how marvelous NPH is.

However, the one difference between NPH's Hedwig and almost all the others, is that the emotions Hedwig felt during his odyssey are not evident now. This Hedwig is a showcase for NPH's talent.

I think we can feel much more for Hedwig if we go through his life with him and see his sadness, anger, frustration, love, and everything else he experienced. That's what endeared the old Hedwig to us. I preferred that Hedwig to this showcase, which is something like a great Vegas show, I imagine.

Don't get me wrong, I'm so very happy for JCM and Stephen. BRAVO to them. I wish a LONG run and the kind of success that will put Hedwig in the Broadway history books!

Updated On: 6/10/14 at 06:34 PM

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 6:58pm

Jane2---- you forgot the smell of the jane street theatre!!! There was something about it!!!

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 7:01pm

Well I never!!!!

What smell?

[SweetLips]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 7:25pm

Thanks Jane2 for your loving and detailed response.I was one of those [older] patrons who left mid-show-too noisy and no idea what was going on [was 54 at the time I saw it in 1998]-don't know who was Hedwig then-you would. I am pleased that any show can find an audience for whatever reason and if NPH is doing it for Hedwig it can only be good for the show. Your impression seems to be that it is more about NPH playing Hedwig[brilliantly]than BY NPH but the heart of Hedwig seems to be missing. For whatever reason you seem to be very emotionally invested in Hedwig but I wonder now if expectations of a 'star turn' will be what is required in the future or will it/can it return to the piece you so lovingly remember?

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/10/14 at 7:36pm

Sweet Lips, yes, I am emotionally connected to Hedwig. From the first time I saw the show, I knew it. The Hedwig following wasn't very different from the Rocky Horror Picture Show following, which changed my life. The message in Hedwig is similar to Rocky's.

I worked at the jane St. theater, becoming house manager and saw all the Hedwig performances. And you put it correctly-the heart of Hedwig is missing. The show doesn't seem to be suffering from that, so who knows if any further casting of this show would be any different from NPH.

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 6/11/14 at 12:08am

"Too bad the greediness of the producers is causing short sighted outlook on any extension."

Please support your characterization of the producers of Hedwig as greedy. Are you referring to the lead producers this way, or others as well? Do enlighten us with whatever facts you know about how the profits are distributed among the creative team and any other profit participants, and why you chose to specifically attack the producers.

A willingness to disparage producers without evidence is a sign of ignorance about how theater actually happens.
Updated On: 6/11/14 at 12:08 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/11/14 at 8:58am

When trying to think of a potential replacement for NPH, the name that keeps popping up in my mind is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I know he sings, but I'm not sure if his voice is right for Hedwig. I think he would sell a lot of tickets.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/11/14 at 9:07am

it had this certain smell---- (like old rundown hotel smell---)

(Not a bad smell... just a certain smell to it)

I agree with you--- It was a great experience-- the late shows at the Jane were amazing !!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 6/11/14 at 9:09am

I REALLY want to see JCM again !!! But I think he has gone on record as saying that he wouldnt play the role again---- then again, they also said there would not be another recording done-
:))

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 6/11/14 at 9:10am

This is not specifically directed only at Hedwig but towards all shows that get the recent Hedwig plea to extend, who could replace Star "X", etc

Shows do not need to last forever. "We" love live theatre so this could be the furthest thought in any of our minds. It is a business. It is a passion. It is an art. It doesn't need to be preserved, recorded, transferred, extended, etc. The passion and art is that it is slightly different each night, limited to those in the building. If a show is really appealing to you...make sure you buy your tickets as soon as possible...go once, twice or every night that you can afford it but savor the moment.

When things are put on life support with the 20th cast replacement, the actors are walking through the role and it is obvious the show is on life support - that is not the show that was originally created. It can be a "moment".

Why would "we" support its continued existence in a different form?