Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 12/1/19- Page 2

[ajh]

Posted: 12/3/19 at 2:12pm

I wonder how long The Inheritance can go on with those figures. I loved it in London and am due to see it on Broadway at the end of next month. Beginning to wonder if it will still be playing.

[SomeOtherMe]

Posted: 12/3/19 at 2:58pm

ajh said: "I wonder how long The Inheritance can go on with those figures. I loved it in London and am due to see it on Broadway at the end of next month. Beginning to wonder if it will still be playing."

I'd imagine that the producers are going to try hard to keep it open until the Tony's, though I don't know how realistic that is at this point.

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/3/19 at 3:55pm

I agree with you guys about the Inheritance though I do think it's more than just the play's length as to why people are opting not to see the show this past holiday weekend. I glanced through last year's grosses for The Ferryman (which is also a 3+ hour drama from the West End that opened on Broadway during the fall) and a year ago on Thanksgiving week The Ferryman had gross of $967k, which is significantly more than the Inheritance's gross of $510k this past week. 

From what I recall, the Ferryman was only scheduled until mid-February 2019 but due to demand the producers announced in late 2018 that the play would extend to early July 2019 with an American cast. If the Inheritance extends through to June, I'd imagine the producers would probably make an announcement before the end of this year?

Updated On: 12/3/19 at 03:55 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/3/19 at 3:58pm

The Ferryman was still only one part, though.

I was watching Inheritance availability, and this past weekend had a lot of advance seating compared to other weekends. I think it just wasn't lining up for people as a holiday weekend choice. That said, the show was packed (at least in the orchestra).  Zachary Quinto caught both parts on Saturday, as well.

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/3/19 at 4:13pm

That’s great to hear that this weekend is looking good for Inheritance! I’m still hoping the play succeeds in the long run.

[bekk99]

Posted: 12/3/19 at 4:57pm

FWIW, The Inheritance was quite comped, at least on Sunday, for World AIDS Day to one or more AIDS-related orgs. I would assume the dozen or so celebrities/influencers who posted were also comped. I'm really pulling for this show as well, but I'm really nervous as well. Since the producers are printing money over at Hadestown, perhaps they can afford to ride it out through awards season...

[Lot666]

Posted: 12/4/19 at 9:12am

Det95 said: "Top ticket price of $996 for Hamilton. I can’t believe people are paying those prices."

Me either.

[Colin852]

Posted: 12/4/19 at 10:22am

Lot666 said: "Det95 said: "Top ticket price of $996 for Hamilton. I can’t believe people are paying those prices."

Me either."

Same here (as one of the only 2-3 people on the planet who didn't like it lol). 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/4/19 at 10:32pm

I attended "The Inheritance" Part One today (Wed., 12/04) and the rear mezz was almost empty. I had a great seat in the fourth row center of the mezz (best place to see this apron-hugging show).  I got it on TDF. The sides of my row were empty.This show, sadly, is in big trouble at the box office. Tell friends to buy seats now, not later.  I don't see how it can stick around this winter.  I liked the play and loved the production. It's unmissable for theatergoers. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 2:13am

bekk99 said: "FWIW, The Inheritance was quite comped, at least on Sunday, for World AIDS Day to one or more AIDS-related orgs. I would assume the dozen or so celebrities/influencers who posted were also comped. I'm really pulling for this show as well, but I'm really nervous as well. Since the producers are printing money over at Hadestown, perhaps they can afford to ride it out through awards season..."

I think Slave Play is comping a lot too. Lots of people posting about it got free tickets. 

[Chowd95]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 3:10am

Auggie27 said: "I attended "The Inheritance" Part One today (Wed., 12/04) and the rear mezz was almost empty. I had a great seat in the fourth row center of the mezz (best place to see this apron-hugging show). I got it on TDF. The sides of my row were empty.This show, sadly, is in big trouble at the box office. Tell friends to buy seats now, not later. I don't see how it can stick around this winter. I liked the play and loved the production. It's unmissable for theatergoers."

I really hope it catches on and is still playing in the spring so I can see it again. I don't understand why they're scheduling it the way they are. They have part one playing five times each week, and part two only three times (always as the latter half of a two show day). 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 8:43am

The Sunday matinee would be a perfect place for a Part 2 matinee of "The Inheritance." People could see the whole play in two weekend afternoons. You're required to see an evening to catch the whole play, which though it makes sense for the ideal viewing, it's not possible for many people. And again, a show that comes down closer to 11 p.m. isn't attractive for people who don't travel for subway or taxi.  As the season gets darker and colder, matinees are a way to see more (count me in that group.)  If they only did two a month they would likely book up.  This marketing plan isn't flexible, and flexibility is required in 2 part shows. I fear for the winter months, as I noted above. The empty mezz yesterday was ominous. I was reminded of countless shows that faced such houses in December. 

And by the way: "Jagged Little Pill"'s Wednesday matinees are all up on TDF for January.  Book now, pre-reviews. I got a great seat for JLP in the front mezz for a Wednesday in November.  

Updated On: 12/5/19 at 08:43 AM

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 9:25am

Does anyone remember how the Angels in America revival handled scheduling parts 1 & 2? I know I saw both on the same day on a Wednesday and it was perfection (for me) to see it that way. I’m doing the same thing with The Inheritance on a Sunday. I know that wouldn’t likely work for New Yorkers or the bridge and tunnel crowd who have work and transit schedules to worry about or for casual tourists who just want to see a show.

But I think the two-part shows (with exception of Harry Potter) are a hard sale, in general. Even Angels in America with Garfield and Lane struggled at box office prior to its Tony wins. And it’s well known and one of the most well-regarded plays to ever grace Broadway.

I also think it doesn’t appeal to key demographics: bridge and tunnel crowd, tourists (with and without kids) that just want to see a fun show, and I’m not even sure most gay men want to revisit some of the darker aspects of our histories/stories. Their thinking is: I lived through that, why do I want to spend 7 hours reliving it?

And we can’t ignore mixed word-of-mouth if this forum is any reflection. Plus mixed reviews.

I also think people hear 7 hour 2-part multi-generational epic play about the lives of gay men which is somewhat a retelling of E.M. Forester’s Howard’s End and they’re either like “huh?” or “no thanks.”

That isn’t to say that I’m not very excited to see the play next month because I really am. And despite whatever flaws it might have I’m hoping for it to have a successful run, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. I don’t know what at this point could turn things around. My guess is nothing could. It would have to limp along until Tony season, hoping it wins best new Play then see a bump in box office as a result. Seems unlikely it would win based on critical reaction to the show and we know only winning best new musical usually equates to solid box office receipts.

One anecdotal bright spot: my straight 30-something friend and co-worker from Ohio is going to be in NYC for work next month and he, unprovoked by me, has bought and devoted 2 of his 7 show slots to The Inheritance (both parts on Saturday). I had told him I was seeing it. He asked what it was. I said something like: multi-generational gay epic play. And next thing I knew, he had bought tickets. Who knows what he will make of it. He just started seeing Broadway shows this year, but has really got into it and has even become a season subscriber for Cincinnati touring shows but so far has only been seeing musicals. He’s in NYC for 7 nights and is seeing 7 shows (if you count parts one and two of The Inheritance as separate shows).

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 9:36am

I recall for Angels in America they alternated performing part 1 and 2 on Sunday matinees.

 

[Kad]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 10:24am

Maybe I am remembering incorrectly, but didn't the Angels in America revival require you to buy tickets for both parts at once? 

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 10:44am

Kad said: "Maybe I am remembering incorrectly, but didn't the Angels in America revival require you to buy tickets for both parts at once?"

I think it was packaged together in advance, but then closer to the date, you could buy individual parts?

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 12/5/19 at 11:28am

As I recall initially during previews (and maybe even after opening), you had to buy both parts together even at TKTS. But eventually, they dropped that requirement and you could buy separately. I’m guessing that was because box office was suffering a bit because they were requiring people to commit to both parts.