I started a thread a few weeks ago because my husband and I will be in NYC Sun-Wed in early May and needed recommendations for a Monday show. You were helpful with sites that show availability by date and that was much appreciated.
The purpose of this thread is to understand the rigid nature of the Broadway calendar. Most, not all, of the available shows stick to the standard Tue-Sun schedule with two performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Of course, this isn't an issue for the Hamiltons, Wickeds, Lion Kings etc that fill the available seats. However, the reality is that many of us traveling from out of state don't have much flexibility on travel dates and would welcome opportunities outside the normal calendar. Every trip my husband and I see at least one show that we wouldn't have seen otherwise because of Monday availability.
So . . . my question is simple. Why don't producers of riskier shows (little name recognition, niche appeal, etc) attempt to use the rigid calendar to their advantage by abandoning it altogether? For example, knowing that their product would appeal to a niche but potentially loyal and passionate audience, why wouldn't the producers of How to Dance in Ohio toss out the usual schedule in favor of Monday evenings, Thursday matinees, etc. Similarly, for shows that are not reaching their potential in ticket sales, why wouldn't producers consider a similar performance schedule when new blocks of tickets are released? Perhaps the best way to compete for tourist dollars is to offer options when the must-sees for tourists are dark.
A quick glance at availability in this crowded Broadway season tells me that The Great Gatsby is giving this a try. I'm seeing Monday night performances, Thursday matinees, etc., and the mix of available days and times changes from week to week. The inconsistency from one week to the next seems strange to me, but I'm anxious to see how this approach works for them.
Is this a window into the future or the pipe dream of a passionate but unrealistic theater lover? If the latter, what am I missing?