Hadestown's commercial future- Page 2

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 9:59pm

yankeefan7 said: "It is sad to me when a show wins Tony for "Best Musical" and it barely runs for a year. I hope this show has decent 3-4 year run, guess we will see what happens."

What are you talking about?? Band's Visit and Fun Home are the shortest-running musicals in recent history, but they still both ran a year and a half. 1994's Passion is the shortest-running Best Musical winner in history (280 perfs/9 months).

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 10:52pm

After Eight said: "Healthy, you say? Yeah, healthy in the waythat weeds are healthy for a flower garden.

But the simple truth is, the success of what you call "arty" shows --- which have as much resemblance to art as plastic beads do to pearls --- shows that they do indeed scream commercial hit far more loudly than shows without eitherpretense or pretension.They start off with the assurancethat they have the critics in their pockets,which assures them media hype, awards, and all the money and successthat those things bring.

So could we please stop the sham of deemingthese things little engines that could?These are well-polished high-powered Diesel locamotivesthat know exactly where they're going and get there without having anything dare getin their way."

You are entitled to your opinion of shows, of course, but you are not entitled to spew delusional nonsense which is what the rest of your posturing troll post consists of. 

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 11:13pm

But they still recouped, so no one lost money. And they prob made a little. Nothing to be sad about.

[After Eight]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 11:25pm

Ripped Man wrote:

 

"But they still recouped, so no one lost money. And they prob made a little. Nothing to be sad about."

 

Oh, I'd say there's plenty to be sad about.

[MVintheheartland]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 7:55am

Well, for sure it will run throughout the summer because of the Tony and the fall. Also, the grownups come in the fall. I saw it last weekend, and frankly I would fly back to New York TODAY to see it again if there was a danger of it closing. I could watch Andre Deshields slither around in his silver suit for 2 hours, personally. Furthermore, I thought the music was pretty "accessible"--Wait for Me, Living it up On Top, etc. 

I thought it was a great show, great music, great actors. The narrative was a little hard to understand, but still it was wonderful. A shame that Reeve Carney didn't get a Tony nom.  A wonderful show (as opposed to Oklahoma! which I also saw this weekend, but that's another thread). 

Oldiebutgoodie

[devonian.t]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 10:50am

You be sad.  I'll be glad.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 10:56am

Aftereight clearly hates this show and has nothing else to add, so ignore him everyone. 

 

This to me has 2-3 year potential on Broadway. I see the hype doing really well for a year, but at these prices, I can't imagine it sustains. I think a lot of people outside of NYC are turned off by this show, so it will not attract a tourist crowd. My parents are frequent theatre goers, see most shows in Boston, and often a few plays in NYC. I put them in the "tourist" crowd cause they always want to do a touristy things when they are in NY so I do lump them into that group. We've had 2 trips since Hadestown opened and each time they had zero interest. This does not speak for everyone or every tourist, but thats the mindset of some I know. So I think once this show tours it will lose some NYC business for sure. Stunt casting could always play a role as well. 

[rg7759]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 10:59am

Let's get them on the Grammys and the award announced live just like Hamilton

[Kad]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:04am

Seems extremely premature to be speculating about Hadestown's commercial fate. It's doing extremely well now and there are no signs that will be changing in the immediate foreseeable future. 

[DAME]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:09am

Kad said: "Seems extremely premature to be speculating about Hadestown's commercial fate. It's doing extremely well now and there areno signs that will be changing in the immediate foreseeable future."

But people like talking out of their ass. 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:14am

Kad said: "Seems extremely premature to be speculating about Hadestown's commercial fate. It's doing extremely well now and there areno signs that will be changing in the immediate foreseeable future."

Last year The Band's Visit was doing quite similar business, while not being at their ticket prices. Making over 100% of the gross, and playing to 100% capacity and it closed this past April. New shows coming in could kill all steam for Hadestown. Do we know? Of course not, but thats for pure and fun speculation, which is what this thread is. 

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:35am

My parents are frequent theatre goers, see most shows in Boston, and often a few plays in NYC. I put them in the "tourist" crowd cause they always want to do a touristy things when they are in NY so I do lump them into that group. We've had 2 trips since Hadestown opened and each time they had zero interest. This does not speak for everyone or every tourist, but thats the mindset of some I know. So I think once this show tours it will lose some NYC business for sure. Stunt casting could always play a role as well."

I get to NY about once every six weeks. for 2 or 3 days at a time, so I'm neither a native nor an occasional tourist. Spend most of my time seeing shows and going to museums. At this point, I've see just about everything that I'm interested in, but just can't convince myself to see "Hadestown." That said, every time I come, at least one person (New Yorkers and out-of-towners) tells me, very passionately, that it's the show I need to see, and that's not happening with any other show currently playing.

I loved both "Tootsie" and "Oklahoma!", saw "Comet" in the tent and in the theater, and this weekend I have tickets for "Octet," Working," "Galas" and Justin Vivian Bond so my tastes are kind of all over the place. I have a Sunday afternoon slot to fill and I'm leaning towards "All My Sons." The biggest hurdle I face with "Hadestown" is that the music I've sampled here and there just hasn't appealed to me.

 

 

 

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:37am

Mike Barrett said: "Last year The Band's Visit was doing quite similar business, while not being at their ticket prices. Making over 100% of the gross, and playing to 100% capacity and it closed this past April. New shows coming in could kill all steam for Hadestown."

I'm not saying that TBV and Hade's grossings can't be compared, but Hades is actually doing better than TBV after the Tonys. That might be because of TBV opening earlier in their season, but TBV only peaked like Hades during New Years before the Tonys. It's completely possible for Hades to drop, but I think the people behind Hades planned it so that would not be as likely to happen, at the very least as soon as TBV. 

Another thing about the TBV is did it ever appeal to families? I'm not sure if that's the biggest tourist group, but it's obviously how Wicked and The Lion King keep selling. I saw TBV with a whole group of my college peers and half of them fell asleep or were bored during it. This is not a diss towards TBV but I don't think if a good chunk of college kids would like it, then kids would despise it (I do remember TBV was called "A Musical for Adults" at some point), completely ruling out the family demographic. Now would kids be into Hades? Idk, but I think kids will enjoy it more than TBV at the very least so that also might help with it selling better.

[blm2323]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:54am

SisterGeorge said: "The biggest hurdle Iface with "Hadestown" is that the music I've sampled here and there just hasn't appealed to me.

I would give it a shot, if you can. Just my opinion, but there have been other shows where I didn’t like the music until I actually saw the show and realized it fit perfectly. This doesn’t mean that I suddenly start listening  to the cast album. (One example being Hamilton - loved the music in the show but I never listen to it). 

I will admit I didn’t love all of the music in Hadestown (mostly the high voice narrative songs) but the direction of the show and some standout performers were awesome.  




"

 

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 11:56am

DoTheDood said: "Mike Barrett said: "Last year The Band's Visit was doing quite similar business, while not being at their ticket prices. Making over 100% of the gross, and playing to 100% capacity and it closed this past April. New shows coming in could kill all steam for Hadestown."

I'm not saying that TBV and Hade's grossings can't be compared, but Hades is actually doing better than TBV after the Tonys. That might be because of TBV opening earlier in their season, but TBV only peaked like Hades during New Years before the Tonys. It's completely possible for Hades to drop, but I think the people behind Hades planned it so that would not be as likely to happen, at the very least as soon as TBV.

Another thing about the TBV is did it ever appeal to families? I'm not sure if that's the biggest tourist group, but it's obviously how Wicked and The Lion King keep selling. I saw TBV with a whole group of my college peers and half of them fell asleep or were bored during it. This is not a diss towards TBV but I don't think if a good chunk of college kids would like it, then kids would despise it (I do remember TBV was called "A Musical for Adults" at some point), completely ruling out the family demographic. Now would kids be into Hades? Idk, but I think kids will enjoy it more than TBV at the very least so that also might help with it selling better."

Fair point! My main point really is that new shows coming in can kick others out. TBV may have just naturally faded after a year and a half. May not happen as quickly, but I do suspect Hadestown fad to die down next season a little bit. Its at its peak for hype right now and the hype will only begin to die down after this summer/fall and that will be the true test of this shows survival. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 12:06pm

But the shows the new season seldom "kick out" a flourishing show, it's the shows that are already weak/just making their nut.   

 

Hadestown is much more accessible than TBV and doing stronger business than it ever did - before or after the Tony Awards.  Is it going to be a juggernaut like Mormon, Wicked or Hamilton?  No, I'm sure it won't be but it will make the producers a nice amount of money.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 12:15pm

Directly kick out? No, I guess not. However shows doing less in grosses is almost a given unless like you said they are a sustained hit. Its too early to tell what Hadestown is imo, but these are just my predictions. The hype from Off broadway, the album, and London production helped I think kick off Hadestown's grosses though, and the reviews settled it. Where TBV didn't have ALL of that riding with it coming into Broadway. When you have hype, then gain more hype, sales are expected to grow. Excited to see how this show does come Winter/Spring 2020. 

[Daddy Warbucks]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 12:54pm

blm2323 said: "SisterGeorge said: "The biggest hurdle Iface with "Hadestown" is that the music I've sampled here and there just hasn't appealed to me.

I would give it a shot, if you can. Just my opinion, but there have been other shows where I didn’t like the music until I actually saw the show and realized it fit perfectly. "

This was me with.  The music for Hadestown was alright, but not my personal favorite style.  I had to first see it to fall in love with it.  Now I can't get the songs out of my head as they are tied to emotional moments I remember seeing on stage.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 12:59pm

Warbucks2 said: "blm2323 said: "SisterGeorge said: "The biggest hurdle Iface with "Hadestown" is that the music I've sampled here and there just hasn't appealed to me.

I would give it a shot, if you can. Just my opinion, but there have been other shows where I didn’t like the music until I actually saw the show and realized it fit perfectly."

This was me with. The music for Hadestown was alright, but not my personal favorite style. I had to first see it to fall in love with it. Now I can't get the songs out of my head as they are tied to emotional moments I remember seeing on stage."

This is why Ill likely see this show someday cause this is all I hear. While this is technically true for every theatre show since they are intended to be seen live and in person, Hadestown seems to be something you really need to see to understand and appreciate fully. But man, that Tony performance did absolutely nothing for me when I was hoping it would. 

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 1:51pm

blm2323 said: I would give it a shot, if you can. Just my opinion, but there have been other shows where I didn’t like the music until I actually saw the show and realized it fit perfectly. This doesn’t mean that I suddenly startlistening to the cast album. (One example being Hamilton - loved the music in the show but I never listen to it).

Ok this got my attention because it mirrors my own experience with "Hamilton" -- seen it twice and think it's extraordinary, but have never been tempted to listen to the recording. 

"

"

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 2:49pm

SisterGeorge said: "The biggest hurdle I face with "Hadestown" is that the music I've sampled here and there just hasn't appealed to me."

Having seen Hadestown, I would describe the musical style as a hybrid of folk and New Orleans jazz/blues. If you asked me whether I'd be interested in seeing a show in that musical genre, my gut reaction would be no.

I loved it. I can still hear the Fates singing "Doubt Comes In".

 

[musicaltheatrechick]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 3:23pm

I would LOVE to see this show, but ticket prices are insane.

[hak5]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 6:44pm

I think the music for HADESTOWN is amazingly beautiful. The cast album (once fully released) will be on perpetual play for me. I would not be surprised if the recording does not win the Grammy.

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 7:05pm

TBV and Hadestown are two different animals. 

TBV was a quiet little show that I quite frankly found boring. Still, I could acknowledge its charms. However (and this is important) it had very little actual singing, no dancing, less of a musical than a play with musical accompaniment. And the story was rather melancholy. 

Hadestown has a score that was already known because the concept album has been out for awhile, it uses two well known Greek myths, there's many more production numbers, and despite the sad ending it overall is a much livelier theater experience. It's an arty show that nonetheless has enough crossover appeal for those who just want to be entertained.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/24/19 at 7:49pm

SisterGeorge said: "My parents are frequent theatre goers, see most shows in Boston, and often a few plays in NYC. I put them in the "tourist" crowd cause they always want to do a touristy things when they are in NY so I do lump them into that group. We've had 2 trips since Hadestown opened and each time they had zero interest. This does not speak for everyone or every tourist, but thats the mindset of some I know. So I think once this show tours it will lose some NYC business for sure. Stunt casting could always play a role as well."

I get to NY about once every six weeks. for 2 or 3 days at a time, so I'm neither a native nor an occasional tourist.Spend most of my time seeing shows and going to museums. At this point, I've see just about everything that I'm interested in, but just can't convince myself to see "Hadestown." That said, every time I come, at least one person (New Yorkers and out-of-towners)tells me, very passionately, thatit's the show I need to see, and that's not happening with any other show currently playing.

I loved both "Tootsie" and "Oklahoma!", saw"Comet" in the tent and in the theater,and this weekend I have tickets for "Octet," Working," "Galas" and Justin Vivian Bond so my tastes are kind of all over the place.I have aSunday afternoon slot to fill and I'm leaning towards "All My Sons."The biggest hurdle Iface with "Hadestown" is that the music I've sampled here and there just hasn't appealed to me.





"

I guess the question you have to ask yourself is, "Is the score itself important, or is the way the score is used to tell the story important to you?"