Add Your predictions of imminent closings.- Page 3

[WalveMalve]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 10:02pm

Phantom has life in it yet, they're certainly not going to close before they beat the record. Cameron Macintosh is going to let Phantom run as long as it can make a few pennies since it's his last show open in the US. Seeing as the entire show is able to run on its original sets and rigging and it doesn't have to bring in major stars to attract an audience, it's somewhat low budget. They probably just have to sell out about 50% of the house in order to break even, and recently they've been close to sold out houses. Of course these numbers will go down in September until Thanksgiving.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 1:04pm

I find it hard to believe that people are still buying tickets to POTO in those quantities. I am beginning to wonder if Lloyd Webber, Mackintosh or someone else from RUG is buying up blocks of seats giving them away (or "eating" them) to give the show the illusion of being sold out. It's not unheard of: David Merrick did this in later years of the run of 42ND STREET.

I would welcome people who are phans to tell me why the show appeals so much to them? I don't get it. It's overblown operetta - a style totally out-of-step with modern tastes. The lyrics are bland, the book is clumsy. How is it this show runs 15 years while SWEENEY TODD lasts 15 months? I have yet to meet anyone who has seen both shows who did not declare SWEENEY the better of the two.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 1:12pm

Well, I'm a huge fan of Poto. You can disagree, but I think the score is really pretty. I love the emotional love triangle aspect of it, and not to mention the sets and costumes are exquisite.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 1:15pm

frontrowcentre2, the people that are buying tickets to Phantom aren't your die-hard theater fans or New York theater-goers. They're the millions of tourists who come in every week. Phantom is a staple for them. It's the most long well-known show. These people might not have a clue about theater, but they've heard of The Phantom of the Opera and they simply *must* see it as part of their brilliant excursion to the Big Apple. It's a no-brainer.

[Calvin]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 1:52pm

Agree, Foster.

I find it just as perplexing that the Red Lobster near Times Square is always so packed when there's much better food (at cheaper prices) not far away. But people know what they're getting when they go inside, so that's worth something, I guess. Phantom, likewise, is a "safe" show for tourists.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/21/05 at 2:00pm

All Shook Up
Lennon (possibly)
In My Life (not even open yet)

[Phantom05]

Posted: 8/22/05 at 3:40am

Phantom of the Opera was perfectly successful before that movie entered civilization, lol. I know it's hard for some people to understand, lol, but it really is possible to love POTO. To be honest, with a lot of shows in New York right now, an audience wouldn't get what they pay for. With Phantom, it provides everything today's Bway audience could ask for in an overall kind of way; however, not for everyone. I am also an enormous Sondheim fan as well, but to be honest with you, his shows aren't entirely pleasing to the ear, and that's a big thing with theatre-goers. If most people had that choice of of popping Sweeny Todd or Wicked into their cd players, they're more than likely going to choose Wicked. I know Sondheim's material is fabulously written, but to many people they just aren't fun and often too heavy. I wish one of his shows would enjoy a longer life on Broadway, but at the moment it seems we're going to have an endless parade of jukebox musicals and shows that don't last longer than a few months, lol. I do have to say that I am one of "those Phans", but I can safetly say that the ticket sales for POTO are no lie, lol...It's really as sold out as they say it is, and I say keep it up. The material, no matter how you choose to dispute it, is a little bit higher up on the quality scale than some of the crap that has opened in recent months, lol (i.e. Lennon, All Shook Up, Good Vibrations). Anyhoo, just my two cents!

Later!

Phantom05