Do you blame the same thing for the show's 1998 failure as well? They just didn't try to link it enough with a current successful TV show, with which it had nothing in common except a very slight thematic link?
I think the marketing campaign for this revival was actually pretty decent. Linking it to AHS would have been a mistake IMO.
Agreed. Linking it with American Horror Story would have neither saved the show, nor would have been beneficial. Theres a lot more in PR and marketing than that
It closed the first time due to the freak angle. It closed again this time,in part, for the same reason .Not all theatergoers have seen AHS Freak Show. Those who have seen it may balk at the idea of paying thru the nose for something they can see on TV for free
Saying it deserves to close is a bit mean spirited but since this is BWW it should be expected.
Very sad to hear; wanted to see it.
Broadway Star Joined: 5/12/03
it is sad when a cool show like that coled but the one show that need to say goodbye is tpoto it should not be on broadway now and forever no show goes on forever
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
I have to agree with Newintown in some respects. I mean, the show itself is fine... But maybe it just wasn't meant to be a commercial piece on Broadway. Did anyone ever consider that?
Great score but the show was never a wise choice for Broadway. Off Broadway maybe.
Wish the cast recording would be released earlier... By the time it's released it'll already be closed.
Better than never released. Interesting to hear the new songs as not seeing the show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
History was made today when _____ wrote "than" when he meant "than" and not "then". Congrats!
"Those who have seen it may balk at the idea of paying thru the nose for something they can see on TV for free"
I know! Like back when the Abscessory killed Legally Blonde on MTV.
I have to agree with Newintown in some respects. I mean, the show itself is fine... But maybe it just wasn't meant to be a commercial piece on Broadway. Did anyone ever consider that?
This is a fantastic production, but I'm feeling the same way. Let it continue to have a healthy life in regional theatre.
Happy that at least Side Show's grosses went up a bit 10.1% from 62 > 72.1% week ending 12/21...hoping they can at least get up to 80%+ for the final 2 weeks
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
For what little it's worth, I firmly believe that the subject matter was what killed public interest in this show. That was the case with the original and it still holds. It's just too dicey for John Q. Public, no matter how well conceived the piece may be.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
No, American Horror Story undercut its business according to one of the fine minds here. Also, the Ramones song "Pinhead" was no help at all, I'm sure. Gabba gabba hey.
I think this needs the Mitteleuropa treatment, we prefer to be a bit disturbed.
Surprised this hasn’t had an Austro-German version already, the style of singing would also suit the material better.
There was a German-language production a few years ago. I don't have the link but I did find it on YouTube recently.
Leading Actor Joined: 4/18/06
I'm confused about this AHS link... Some say they should've promoted more, some say that would've hurt the show more. But did we forget that blatant placement of 2 AHS characters in the final scene of the show? It's obvious they thought about the link between the two, so it must have been a choice to not go further with it than they already did.
Anyway, saw the show last night and absolutely loved it. Balcony was only 1/3 full though, I got moved down 5 rows. But the audience was SUPER supportive and the reactions I observed were very positive.
No! All the characters at the end of the show are from the movie Freaks -- Venus, the dwarf couple Hans and Frieda (who IRL were brother and sister), Johnny Eck, the strongman, Cleopatra, etc... That's Schlitze, not Pepper, who's with Madame Tetrallini.
They're on the set of the film. It has nothing to do with AHS. It's an amazing scene. But then again, I own a copy of Freaks.
Leading Actor Joined: 4/18/06
Ahhh.. yup just did some research. Thanks for that!
It is interesting that SS does sell out the orchestra on a consistent basis. Guessing the difference between $135 and $95 isn't great enough to drive sales upstairs. At those prices given the choice many probably pass on a show that can't give them a decent seat in the orchestra.
Theres a big difference between selling out and papering.
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