I haven't even seen this show and I probably won't but he just sounds like a shrill bitch in his column today. Well. I mean, a shriller bitch than usual.
I haven't even seen this show and I probably won't but he just sounds like a shrill bitch in his column today. Well. I mean, a shriller bitch than usual.
How convenient is it that he claims to have known about Stage Entertainment's possible departure now instead of reporting it when it was actually happening? Since when has uncertainty ever stopped him from reporting something as fact in the past?
Looking at the advance on Ticketmaster they might be in trouble but it's too early to call yet. It's looking worse than better though IMO. This is not going to be a big hit.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Motown didn't get good reviews. It's not even good. But it's not only running but bringing in over a million a week. If the producers are skillful and astute; run pull quotes and commercials, they can keep it running.
Granted I didn't love Big Fish ( think the book as well as the score is problematic) but it's sometimes not about the reviews but the audience interest and the skill of the producers. Hell Wicked didn't get good reviews and it's been here 10 years. And for some reason Phantom of the Opera, a show I abhor keeps running and interesting people to.
That being said Michael Reidel is the worst kind of critic. A bitchy queen in a straight man's body.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
To be fair that's a Tuesday night performance so it might not always be that empty, but it isn't good either way. January slaughter or are they not even making it that far?
I saw it last Saturday Matinee. I didn't see the orchestra and the center of the mezz/balc was filled but there were bunch of seats unsold on both sides of the theater. I moved mid show back a row to get more leg room - it was totally empty (and I wasn't far back)...for at least 8 rows on each side.
So not as bad as the Tuesday chart but not great for a weekend either.
All signs indicate Big Fish will come to a close in January. Disappointing ticket sales aside, apparently the director of Honeymoon in Vegas is turning down other projects this spring and rumor is that someone was at the Neil Simon taking stage measurements. Honeymoon in Vegas maybe? The Last Ship? Time will tell…..
Riedel said The Last Ship might take the Simon once Big Fish closes, but then just yesterday he posted an article talking about how The Last Ship will play a (previously announced) engagement in Chicago next spring and THEN transfer to Broadway next fall...So which is it?
I'm going to be in the city for a few days this January. I have not read many positive things about Big Fish but I like giving new works a chance. I'm also considering seeing Lindsay Mendez in Wicked. I've seen Wicked before, but I'm a big fan of Lindsay and would love to see her in the show. What choice would you make if it's between these two?
Usually shows that end in January end a few days in, so unless you're going to be here VERY early in the month, you likely won't have a choice to make.
Assuming the show makes it to January. It did just go down $90K in revenues week to week... and this is right after opening.
And, for context, I saw the show this week and enjoyed it immensely. I'm not rooting against it...