Will Ben Platt sell tickets to his next show? Anyone else?

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:01pm

After all the furor about Oak (and a bit about Pippa) showing that just because you were in the original cast of Hamilton doesn't mean your name will sell tickets to another B'way show, and everyone saying that Ben Platt will cash out on his next show, I ask, is that necessarily so?

Of course much depends on what show he's in and who else is in it with him, but would producers shell out a huge salary to him expecting he'll sell out a lengthy run of whatever his next gig is?

If Daveed Diggs had done another show right after Hamilton, or Renee, or Leslie, would they have been worth a big contract due to built in ticket sales?  Or is it just TV and Movie and Music stars (and crossover acts like Jackman) who can sell tickets just based on their name being above the title?

[Rainah]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:07pm

For the Hamilton stars at least, I don't think anyone but Lin became a truly bankable star. I don't think Ben or any of the DEH people are either. Sure, they'll sell some tickets. They will lend prestige to a show, be used in marketing, ect. But marketable on the same level as Josh Groban or a spice girl? No.

[froote]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:07pm

Depends what the role is and if it is a great showcase for his talents like Evan Hansen is. He sells so many tickets for that show now because of his rave reviews for it.

Phillipa in Amélie was an oddity because it was a show with a clear lead character and actress who the marketing revolved around yet they failed to give her an 11 o'clock number or really anything to showcase her talents with besides some slight comedic material. I actually wonder if she would have been a more successful 'name' in terms of selling tickets if she had gone back to Natasha and would have likely repeated her rave reviews she got for that role off-Broadway that frequently singled her out as the star of the show (not so much the case with Denée) and obviously got another Tony nomination. 

Oak was never going to sell tickets, he wasn't even a major player in Hamilton. 

In other words, I think theatre stars who have been renowned for one role or show can go on and sell tickets for another, providing the role and show is at a similar level of high quality.

Of course none of the ones we've mentioned are at the level of Josh Groban or big movie stars who can sell anything. I think the only theatre stars who can do that right now are Idina, Audra and Lin.

Updated On: 7/29/17 at 05:07 PM

[mullein]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:08pm

No way to tell yet, but I tend to think that Platt's popularity is exaggerated on this board. His main fan contingent seems to be the same as of Oak's or Phillipa's - loud, but too young to buy tickets independently.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:09pm

In my mind? Probably not, unless he transitions into more film or television. He'll do what any Tony winner who returns to stage does: a few will come see him because he won, but it won't be the main draw.  

[denali.fire]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:14pm

Fyiero in the Wicked Film.

Updated On: 7/29/17 at 05:14 PM

[schubox]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:15pm

They have people in the box office to do that 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:16pm

Don't forget Pitch Perfect helped to put Platt on the map. That doesn't exactly make him Bradley Cooper, but it helps. I think Pitch Perfect plus Dear Evan Hansen will make for a decent turnout in his next project, but like others have said, it depends on the role and the material. I think he's absolutely more marketable that Pippa Soo, or even Leslie Odom Jr. 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:19pm

Ben has quite a following, especially among young people, so I think he would sell tickets so long as he's in a good show with good reviews.  One of the main reasons Amelie bombed was because it got terrible reviews and terrible word of mouth.  People were more disappointed then they were excited.  I think Soo would have sold tickets were she in a good show.  Lin and Leslie would sell very well and I think Daveed would do pretty well also, especially if he were co-starring with another popular name.  Oak is probably the least famous of the Hamilton cast and is known by many as "that guy from Hamilton with the name I can't pronounce."  He was never going to sell tickets very well and I knew that from the beginning.  It would be like casting Mike Faist in a star role and expecting people to come see him.  Of course a small minority will be interested, but many will have no clue who he is.  Ingrid Michaelson has been the one selling tickets for weeks, not Oak.  Once they realized he wasn't going to work they brought Ingrid on and sent Brittain on a paid vacation.  They tried to do the same with Oak, so that the show could make it into September, but that clearly all went up in flames.  Basically, Broadway stars bring in money if they have a large following and are beloved by the theatre community and are also in a good show.  That's the recipe.

[pupscotch]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:24pm

I think his name will sell some tickets in the future, but I don't think he's become a truly bankable star. In my opinion there are only two true theatre-built stars that are, Audra and Nathan Lane (I suppose you could probably now include Lin in this group, but the point remains).

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:30pm

I doubt he'll sell tickets. He'll leave that to the box office.

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:44pm

haterobics said: "I doubt he'll sell tickets. He'll leave that to the box office.

 

Then do we think he might work the souvenir stand or make a quick sweep through the crowd with bottled water?

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:46pm

UncleCharlie said: "Then do we think he might work the souvenir stand or make a quick sweep through the crowd with bottled water?"

He seems like he thinks his only job is to perform exceptionally well onstage and go home, if DEH is any indication. Not a team player...

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 5:55pm

haterobics said: "He seems like he thinks his only job is to perform exceptionally well onstage and go home, if DEH is any indication. Not a team player...

 

I know, right? I know he doesn't typically sign after a show so I staked out the front of the theater waiting for him to arrive to get an autograph and a selfie. I caught him as he was walking in and he pulled a switchblade and said if I didn't get out of his way, he'd cut me bad. What an entitled jerk.

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:02pm

Contract-wise, he'll be able to demand a bigger paycheck then he's receiving now  Other than that?  Who knows?   There are never guarantees in this business.

 

John Gallagher had a huge following, too, from Spring Awakening. (And Spring Standards his then band) but the masses didn't follow him to the plays he chose (although he was pretty wonderful in them) and American Idiot was no huge success (it closed as a flop, yes?  Even if it didn't, they too brought in a ringer.)

[LxGstv]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:05pm

Everyone saying that he will be a draw, provided he's in a good show with good reviews, then the actual answer is no. He isn't the draw, he's just in another good show.

If he is a draw himself, he would be able to keep a bad show open. Like War Paint relying on Lupone and Ebersole.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:08pm

LxGstv said: "Everyone saying that he will be a draw, provided he's in a good show with good reviews, then the actual answer is no. He isn't the draw, he's just in another good show.

If he is a draw himself, he would be able to keep a bad show open. Like War Paint relying on Lupone and Ebersole."

The upside of fictional future speculation is you're always right.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:08pm

Isn't it a bit different from Oak or Soo since Platt plays not only the title role and undeniable star role, and also won a Tony for it?

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:11pm

LxGstv said: "Everyone saying that he will be a draw, provided he's in a good show with good reviews, then the actual answer is no. He isn't the draw, he's just in another good show.

If he is a draw himself, he would be able to keep a bad show open. Like War Paint relying on Lupone and Ebersole."

This is incorrect.  Even good shows need stars.  People just won't see a terrible show.  War Paint isn't a terrible show.  It's flawed and is helped by having two legends in the lead roles.  I can name tons of great shows that flopped because they did have a star to bring people to the box office.  Ben Platt would help draw people to see a great show.

 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:14pm

denali.fire said: "Fyiero in the Wicked Film.

 

"

@denali.fire - HAHA! I can actually see this- if they take the character in a different direction that is.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:19pm

mullein said: "No way to tell yet, but I tend to think that Platt's popularity is exaggerated on this board. His main fan contingent seems to be the same as of Oak's or Phillipa's - loud, but too young to buy tickets independently.

 

That is honestly one of the more useless analogies I have read on this board.  Ben Platt gave what will become over time a legendary Broadway performance (and I am not overusing the word), the kind you get one of every few seasons.  Philippa Soo and Oak... had roles in what is already one of the legendary shows in Broadway history.  They were both fine, but many, many, many, many people could have given performances just as good as theirs; Soo has no demonstrable charisma, although I do think that Oak does.  IMO.  

Soo and Oak... have already proven they do not yet sell tickets at this point in their careers.

Platt is already selling tickets, but it is admittedly to see him specifically in Evan Hansen.  But, at the ripe old age of 23 or 24, with a Tony and a future legendary performance in his back pocket, there is no comparison.  Will he sell tickets in his next show?  Not like Hugh Jackman, but a lot more than most of his other Broadway colleagues.  Of course, given his age, bland / nerdy looks, and boyishness, the real issue is: will there be a lot of properties available to him before he is sucked into some long-term television series or movie franchise.

Also, who do so many posters here assume that anyone associated with Hamilton has already entered a new level in the ticket selling pantheon?  That has only happened to Miranda.  Period.  If a show with any title (why Hamilton?????) and an opening date were announced, authored by and / or starring Miranda, it would probably have a $50MM advance in 6 weeks.  He is unique.

Also, sad reminder...with very few exceptions, the only people who really sell enough tickets to make a difference on a recurring basis are movie stars (as a collective group) and Nathan Lane and people associated with a specific role, e.g., Alan Cumming in Cabaret.  



 

 

Updated On: 7/29/17 at 06:19 PM

[LxGstv]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:21pm

GeorgeandDot said: "LxGstv said: "Everyone saying that he will be a draw, provided he's in a good show with good reviews, then the actual answer is no. He isn't the draw, he's just in another good show.

If he is a draw himself, he would be able to keep a bad show open. Like War Paint relying on Lupone and Ebersole."

This is incorrect.  Even good shows need stars.  People just won't see a terrible show.  War Paint isn't a terrible show.  It's flawed and is helped by having two legends in the lead roles.  I can name tons of great shows that flopped because they did have a star to bring people to the box office.  Ben Platt would help draw people to see a great show.

 

 

"

Except that good and bad are relative terms. No show is universally loved or hated. And I wasn't saying that he isn't a draw. All I pointed out was that people saying yes provided he's in good show, well, that makes it a bit harder to pin the success, was it successful because of him or because of the show itself?

If he's in a bad show however, and able to keep it going, then he himself is a major draw. That's all I was trying to say.

I personally believe that Platt, much like Cynthia Erivo will be a draw for their next productions.

[froote]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:25pm

Personally think Soo was much better than fine (and the fact that every other Eliza has not garnered anywhere near the same acclaim proves that there's not actually that many people that could have done as well) and Platt is far from legendary but I'll leave that be.

I think it's important to remember that Evan Hansen is a unique role. There aren't that many roles for young, non-heartthrob guys other than the comic sidekick, which he has already played in Book of Mormon. Platt will be lucky to find another role like this. 

Updated On: 7/29/17 at 06:25 PM

[froote]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:26pm

Cynthia? Go check the grosses from The Color Purple, nothing spectacular at all and that was for her Tony, Grammy and Emmy winning role. Maybe if her film career takes off but we're a long way from that right now.

[Wick3]

Posted: 7/29/17 at 6:28pm

If it's a revival, I think he will be able to. In interviews he always states how some of his dream roles are Bobby in Company and George in Sunday in the Park. Both roles will probably be later in his career (30s) and by then I'd think he would star in more movie/tv roles and will have a more solid fan base.

For original and new musicals, it would be a toss up. Look at what happened with Idina at If/Then.

I think Platt would definitely sell out in West End if he stars in DEH there (if it goes across the pond.)