Most Impressive Run?

[BroadwayMan5]

Four shows currently on Broadway have played for well over a year despite mixed reviews and no major Tony awards: School of Rock, Anastasia, A Bronx Tale, and Waitress

Which do you think has had the most impressive run and why?

[SomethingPeculiar]

Of your list: Bronx Tale, based on the notoriety of the source material, the mixed reviews, 0 Tony noms, and not a ton of buzz. Though I would imagine the name Robert DeNiro helped attract some audiences.
 

In recent years: Kinky Boots. It arrived as the underdog to Matilda and its source material wasn't very well-known. It won Best Musical (which surprised some people), and then it managed to find a broad audience and run more than 5 years/2,000 performances and counting. 

[haterobics]

BroadwayMan5 said: "Four shows currently on Broadway have played for well over a year despite mixed reviews and no major Tony awards"

It's seemingly unique to Broadway to use these markers as a sign of success. I mean, MOST people flock to movies with mixed reviews that don't get Oscar nominations.

[poisonivy2]

Definitely Waitress. It opened in the same season as Hamilton, got reviews which were mixed, had a composer mostly known for indie soft rock, and not only did it recoup in no time but several songs like "She Used to Be Mine" have crossed over from B'way to the popular music group in that people who have never seen Waitress know and love the song. It now has a lucrative tour and even when, say, the "main" Jenna is on hiatus (like when Kat McPhee was out on vacation) the show pulls in good numbers.

[qolbinau]

haterobics said: "BroadwayMan5 said: "Four shows currently on Broadway have played for well over a year despite mixed reviews and no major Tony awards"

It's seemingly unique to Broadway to use these markers as a sign of success. I mean, MOST people flock tomovies with mixed reviews that don't get Oscar nominations."

I think people are probably less fussy where they might spend $5-$10 for a movie ticket vs $100 for theatre. Plus a much smaller market of interested consumers. It definitely is a different beast. 

[BroadwayMan5]

SomethingPeculiar said: "Of your list: Bronx Tale,based on the notoriety of the source material, the mixed reviews, 0 Tony noms, and not a ton ofbuzz. Though I would imaginethe name Robert DeNiro helped attract some audiences.


In recent years: Kinky Boots. Itarrived as the underdog to Matilda and itssource material wasn't very well-known. It wonBest Musical (which surprised some people), and then it managed to find a broad audienceand run more than 5 years/2,000 performances and counting."

I agree Kinky Boots has had a great run, but I didn't include it because it won a slew of Tonys including Best Musical. The run has been very impressive but I don't think it would still be running today without that Best Musical Tony, that really helped it catapult into being a huge hit.