FIDDLER LITTLE SHOP WONDERFUL TOWN MARC SALEM (30% for weeks! - why hasn't it closed already?)
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Yes, the question is asked every two weeks. But moi has not asked it yet.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Little Shop seriously can't last much longer. Even with Joey Fatone, it is only playing to about 53% capacity...... hardly the numbers they were hoping to bring in by casting him. I don't think Wonderful Town or Fiddler can last much longer either.
you guys need to remember that the % capacity is not everything. You need to look at the money also. Also, all the musicals charge the same price even though they cost different amounts. Little Shop is a cheap show and they only have to pay like 10 actors.
Here are the attendance numbers (This week, Last week)
Fiddler -- 54.7%, 59.5%
Little Shop -- 56.2%, 57.7%
Wonderful Town -- 53.3%, 53.5%
In other words they're all in trouble (and have been for some time). Since, it's not as if there are dozens of shows clamoring to go into those theatres (the only shows scheduled to come to town in the next few of months have already booked their theatres), perhaps the producers have gotten the creative teams to waive royalties and made deals for certain concessions from the theatre owners for lower rent in order to keep the shows up and running for a while. It's better to have the shows open, getting at least a little income from them and keeping actors, musicians and stagehands employed, rather than closing the shows and having the theatres be dark for several months. Any of the three could close at anytime -- but, as long as they're doing break even business (which they barely are now) I guess they'll stay open.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
Little Shop is NOT a cheap show -- its capitalization was roughly $10 million (compare that to Avenue Q, truly a cheap show, which was capitalized at around $4 million, which was why it was able to recoup so quickly). Including understudies, the cast is actually about 20 people, plus orchestra, extra puppeteers for Audrey II and stagehands -- not a cheap show to run weekly.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
I noticed there are a lot of dark theatres right now. But, I did walk by the Dracula Theatre and they were building and they doors were open so you could see the set.
Wonderful Town (be prepared to see a closing notice for it any time soon) then Fiddler (after Molina leaves) then Little Shop (it is a family-friendly crowd pleaser)