What are everyone's thoughts on Derren Brown coming to Broadway for 17 weeks?
I know that Atlantic Theatre Company produces great work that made it's way to Broadway (The Band's Visit, Spring Awakening, and Beauty Queen of Leenane). However, when will producers learn that just because a one-person "magic show" sold out its run Off-Broadway in a house with a seating capacity of 199, doesn't mean it will be able to fill up a Broadway house like The Cort, which has an approx seating capacity of 1092?
I understand that he has a following on Netflix, but come on now. 17 weeks?
I guess J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Seller, and Thomas Kail needed a tax write-off.
I enjoyed the show at the Atlantic and I don't think this going to Broadway is far-fetched. Apparently Brown does have a following. Maybe a limited run? A theater may have a vacancy for a few months that Brown's show can fill. It wouldn't need a large set, scenery, etc.
I saw this at Atlantic and loved it. This was more than an ordinary magic show. Very intelligent and entertaining. I highly recommend it. That being said, it is not something I would be likely to see a second time. So, I would not be surprised if its broadway success will likely depend largely on first timers.
LastDance21 said: "What are everyone's thoughts on Derren Brown coming to Broadway for 17 weeks?
I know that Atlantic Theatre Company produces great work that made it's way to Broadway (The Band's Visit, Spring Awakening, and Beauty Queen of Leenane). However, when will producers learn that just because a one-person "magic show" sold out its run Off-Broadway in a house with a seating capacity of 199, doesn't mean it will be able to fill up a Broadway house like The Cort, which has an approx seating capacity of 1092?
I understand that he has a following on Netflix, but come on now.17 weeks?
I guess J.J. Abrams, Jeffrey Seller, and Thomas Kail needed a tax write-off."
What's your beef with Derren Brown? This is the producing team that had a nearly 2 year Broadway run of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG that recouped, followed by a successful tour and off-Broadway run. I think they know a little bit about what they're doing.
JSquared2 said: " What's your beef with Derren Brown? This is the producing team that had a nearly 2 year Broadway run of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG that recouped, followed by a successful tour and off-Broadway run. I think they know a little bit about what they're doing."
No disrespect, JSquared2, but this is NOT the same producing team as THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. Only J.J. Abrams was part of that producing team, and let's be honest, J.J. Abrams is a TV/Movie person, not a Broadway person. Kevin McCollum is the reason THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG has been so successful. Perhaps you are confusing Kevin and Jeffrey?
I don't think it will have an audience that warrants a 17 week run. That's all I'm saying. Just because you "sell out" a 199 off-Broadway space, doesn't mean you will be able to do the same thing in a Broadway house. Perhaps it should have been one of those "Artist in Residence" type things and make it a 2-3 week run instead.
Don't forget this show doesn't have to sell out every night to recoup. It is a one person show that will likely require minimal set and a small crew. The running costs for this will be incredibly low, shouldn't be too hard to turn a profit.
I just saw this show with my wife this past Saturday. Wow what a show. From the comments above I can say maybe in 17 weeks you will get a musical or play again at the Cort theatre. So don't worry. For now Derren Brown is amazing people including myself. I was skeptical and never seen a "magician" live. WOW. I got chills from this show. It is beyond amazing. I got bamboozled and I liked it. I liked it so much we are going again. The audience participation was a great part of the show. He has no problem selling this out. There wasn't one empty seat when we went.
I saw the TV spot for this last night and it made me cringe. I had some interest before, as like magic and mentalism, but he seemed cocky and weird, and the choices there made me doubt whatever creative choices were happening at the Cort.
Does this guy have much of a following to draw from? Curious to see more reports before I bite.
I saw this on Tuesday. I don't usually go for the special event shows on Broadway, but I have to say I took a chance with a TDF ticket (Row A second row orchestra) and thoroughly enjoyed this.
Derren Brown isn't necessarily doing anything that is new in the world of magic and mentalism etc, but he is such a charismatic performer and ties it all together so nicely that it makes for a really fun evening.
I'd highly recommend this especially if you can grab a TDF ticket. It was such fun and I'd love to go back if to see if I could catch the gorilla!
Saw it last night. I was afraid it would feel long but it didn't. There is one question I am dying to ask people who saw it but we were asked not to give anything away after seeing the show. It reminded me a lot of "VERSO".
Also, they are serious about phone use. you are told during the pre-show announcement that if you are caught taking pictures or filming, you will be asked to leave the theater. And it wasn't said jokingly.
joined:6/13/19
joined:
6/13/19
Posted: 6/13/19 at 11:35am