AMERICAN PSYCHO CLOSING — Page 5

Of course, its always sad when something closes and I feel for all the people that worked on this show and put so much time and energy into this.

That said, maybe I am just old fashioned but I personally don't really care for a "musical" when the music is not written for real musical instruments but for electronic equipment. Electronic sound has it's place in a lot of venues but in live theater on Broadway, it doesn't seem right to me...it should have live music played by live musicians and written as a musical score, not as basically a computer program.

I remember seeing some shows on tour with that big inflated giant union RAT stationed outside the theaters with union members complaining that not enough real life musicians were being used and computers were filling in for some of the instruments. But it's ok here? I mean I know it's cheaper but I don't get it.

ROXY SAYS....
Poor Benjamin Walker. First he goes into Andrew Jackson which was a smash off Broadway. It moves to Broadway and it died. Now this. What does he have to do to get a hit? You gotta feel for this guy. It's fate was sealed when he got passed over for a Tony nod.

What a stupid thing to say---seems like you are saying he deliberately goes about to choose the wrong show.

Another negative comment from you--you have a curious way of deriving pleasure.



PS....I think he might already know the shows havn't been successful but clever of you to point that out--in case he's not sure.







"

Updated On: 5/27/16 at 03:43 AM

Uncageg I think you are right- there are people who will not just take a chance on a second choice. And imagine if the people who see Wicked 30 times only went twice but experimented with 28 other shows- benefits all round as more shows would increase attendance and some Wicked obsessives would broaden their horizons.

While I don't completely disagree with this statement, I just want to say that while I do have shows I frequent, I always make a point to see the new shows that open or interest me. Each new season brings a new crop of shows, but everyone has their go to show that if they can get to see it - they do it. Some people are more open to seeing new things, some people are just stuck in their habits and frequencies. I also don't know that many people who are into Wicked that I think would be that interested in American Psycho. I feel like those who are into Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Hair, or some other rock musical would be more inclined to be interested in American Psycho. Do people need to be open to seeing new things? Absolutely, and I personally know plenty of people who could benefit from leaving their show comfort zone and seeing something new, but alas you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.

American Psycho was a huge gamble and alas, it was not as successful as people would have liked it to be. It should, as someone else pointed out, stayed as an off-Broadway musical - if for no other reason than to test out the waters and move to Broadway upon success there.

Updated On: 5/27/16 at 04:55 AM

ClumsyDude15 said: "I also don't know that many people who are into Wicked that I think would be that interested in American Psycho."



Oh really??? Everyone I know that loves Wicked as much as me loved American Psycho. I think having a few Wicked alumni in the show helped too.

KathyNYC that has to be the most ridiculous comment I've read on here.



As as for the gross and capacity, it was stuck around the mid way in gross though still doing ok. To the person who said its capacity was always under 60 percent that's simply not true, it's average capacity was around 85 to 90 percent.



This week also saw the show have its second best week in terms of gross. I know sales can be looked at for upcoming weeks and months but I think with one other big marketing push, a bit trashier to aim at the non theatre crowd they could have easily got through the summer. I'm kinda confused by this one closing so quick



https://www.broadwayworld.com/grosses/AMERICAN-PSYCHO

As has been pointed out numerous times on this Board, the capacity is irrelevant and says nothing of its commercial viability. We don't know how many are being papered, receiving comps, securing substantial discounts, etc. I was bored to death with this particular dramatization of a movie and novel I love. It's a shame they didn't better refine the material; the score in particular. Good riddance to bad rubbish!

Updated On: 5/27/16 at 08:35 AM

Frozen has an infinitely wider target audience. What a strange comparison to make. And it is years from opening?

This show really shouldn't have screwed over Second Stage. It would have greatly benefited from an Off-Broadway run before taking the leap (if ever), with time to tinker. Real arrogance.

Hogan, There are many instances where just the number of performances are given without the preview count. For example, when you see a list of the longest-running Broadway shows you never see Rock of Ages is #27 with 2,328 and 22 previews. It's just 2,328 performances. Rock of Ages is an extra-pertinent example as it is actually tied with Man of La Mancha for #27 on the list. Rock of Ages had 22 preview and Man of La Mancha had 21 previews. The preview count doesn't break the tie. It's 2,328 performances total and that's it.



If someone asks what are shows that only played one performance we all know that they mean Home, Sweet Homer, Glory Days, Onward Victoria and the like. No one says Onward Victoria ran 24 performances.



On the other hand, shows like Truckload, Senator Joe, Bobbi Boland and Me Jack, You Jill that closed in previews would only ever be described as playing 3 previews or 16 preview and not 3 performances or 16 performances.



You could truthfully say that Rock of Ages ran 2,328 performances and 22 previews, but you can't add them together and claim 2350 performances. The article announcing this closing should not have done so either and that was my point. American Psycho will have run 54 performances (or 54 performances and 27 previews).

Why is a cartoon movie inherently inferior to a live-action one like American Psycho?



I would argue that some of Disney's films have included to most sophisticated Broadway-style songs of the past several generations. Ashman and Menken should be given special credit for helping to revive widespread acceptance of musicals.

Updated On: 5/27/16 at 09:09 AM

I don't think that is what he's saying. He's saying it's just sticking with the easy shoving these animated films on stage where in most cases the artistic endeavour is much less than how much money it can make. American Psycho obviously wanted to make money but it's creative stood head and shoulders above, the show was original and unique in presentation, music and direction.

Sorry but it's design, sound, lighting, video, set etc stood head and shoulders above any Disney or kids film turned show I've ever seen.