aaaaaa15 said: "Scarywarhol said: "Hedwig. Fun Home. Hamilton. Suffle Along. All "different." All commercial successes after being better produced, marketed, and received by audiences as well as critics."
Agreed. Yes, it is easier for a show that already has mainstream appeal on paper to succeed. However, there are plenty of examples of shows in history that didn't have this and went on to succeed anyway. The fact is, most people who saw AP (even those that liked it) recognized its issues. When something isn't commercially appealing AND doesn't have faultless word of mouth, critical success or awards recognition, that is something that is difficult to get past.
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This is very much the point. The producers generally are not into this for aesthetic reasons. They are in it to make money, or at least break even. Their target audience is people who are willing to pay full price (or premium!!) to come see a show. There are many "entertainment products" on the market -- more every year. They need to provide a product which their target audience sees as worth the price (Hamilton, anyone?). The audience, in return, doesn't want to "experiment." It costs too much, in money and time.
They have only one or two nights in NY in an expensive hotel, and they are shelling out a couple hundred dollars for tickets.
The folks on these Boards aren't the target.