BroadwayNYC2 said: "They wouldn’t just scoop anything if they aren’t a client."
Of course -- that's what I was meaning -- whatever agency is working for Mincemeat would ensure the production had the appropriate handles, if and when they're needed. I've also seen the ads referencing "Does a Broadway show need a star..." and, at least when I clicked it, took me to their survey (which I think is part clever marketing strategy and part honest attempt at gauging interest).
And yet you can have a show like "Six" about the six wives of Henry VIII which is still doing great business years after opening. Also see "Billy Elliott" which takes place during the miner's strike in Thatcher's England which ran for years. This is about a plot to foil Hitler and winning WWII for the allies. The story is more important than where it originates.
Jordan Catalano said: "Jesus. $14 million vs £2 million.
I still don’t fully understand the differences in mounting a show that make that difference."
Producing for Broadway is very different than the West End. West End productions have elements of production that are either covered or nationally subsidized like heath care. This can take a huge chunk of capitalization off the top. There's nothing like that for Broadway though there should be as it would also bring down production costs.
two ladies tickets said: "The original cast will play their final performance on Saturday. Most people have been assuming that they would be announcing the new West End cast along with the fact that the original cast will be transferring to Broadway, but it's already Wednesday and that announcement has not come. as a British expat who's lived in New York for over 20 years I can't really gauge whether or not this show is too British for American audiences, but if this does transfer to Broadway, it's going to need to go into one of the smaller houses. The Booth is not available, after The Roommate, David Stone is planning to transfer Next To Normalthere. We can assume that Stereophonicwill be at The Golden through the end of the year so that only leaves The Music Box, so are they waiting to announce the transfer until after Suffsposts a closing notice?"
Dolly80 said: "The bigger problem is that it’s a pile of unfunny crap. The fact that this would cost $14 million in NYC should send alarm bells ringing."
"A piece of crap" that won the Olivier for Best Musical and has been sold out since it opened. To quote The Dude, that's like your opinion, man.
binau said: "It could win best musical (and I’d certainly give it 100 times over than Tammy Faye at least in its original incarnation), but it could also just instantly flop and be forgotten about come Tonys. I’m not sure if a cold opening on Broadway with the original unknown cast is a sure bet like they think it is. Should they not follow the same route to west end and start off-Broadway first to build some hype and word of mouth?"
But it's already playing in the West End and won Best Musical, so it's really not coming in cold.
Their pricing model of “same price for every seat that increases every day” is pretty brilliant - and unlikely to be duplicated here - but I really don’t see this doing well. As a fairly stupid American with little knowledge of World War II history, every clip I’ve looked up of this has left me totally cold.
ColorTheHours048 said: "Their pricing model of “same price for every seat that increases every day” is pretty brilliant - and unlikely to be duplicated here - but I really don’t see this doing well. As a fairly stupid American with little knowledge of World War II history, every clip I’ve looked up of this has left me totally cold."
Trust me. The show won't make you any wiser on events around World War II and good luck staying awake until the end. It wears out its welcome after the first 15 minutes and quickly becomes tedious and highly annoying. British audiences don't seem to mind the 'my, aren't we clever...wink wink, nudge nudge' tone but I seriously doubt Bway audiences will be flocking to this show or giving it great word of mouth.
For those that point out that it is an Olivier award winning show and not "crap", here are some words to bear in mind: "Return to the Forbidden Planet" and "Sunny Afternoon".
I agree. This show is utterly tedious. I didn’t laugh once. There is no denying the commitment of the cast, but its drama student level material. It’s even more excruciating to watch than The Play That Goes Wrong
Dolly80 said: "I agree. This show is utterly tedious. I didn’t laugh once. There is no denying the commitment of the cast, but its drama student level material. It’s even more excruciating to watch than The Play That GoesWrong"
Given how The Play That Goes Wrong has been playing in NYC since 2017, me thinks you doth protest too much. OM should run half as long.
bway1430 said: "ColorTheHours048 said: "Their pricing model of “same price for every seat that increases every day” is pretty brilliant - and unlikely to be duplicated here - but I really don’t see this doing well. As a fairly stupid American with little knowledge of World War II history, every clip I’ve looked up of this has left me totally cold."
Trust me. The show won't make you any wiser on events around World War II and good luck staying awake until the end. It wears out its welcome after the first 15 minutes and quickly becomestedious and highly annoying. British audiences don't seem to mind the 'my, aren't we clever...wink wink, nudge nudge' tone but I seriously doubt Bway audiences will be flocking to this show or giving it great word of mouth.
For those that point out that it is an Olivier awardwinning show and not "crap",here aresomewords to bear in mind: "Return to the Forbidden Planet" and "Sunny Afternoon"."
"Sunny Afternoon" and "RTTFB" were both jukebox musicals. "Mincemeat" is original. Apples and oranges.
saxpower said: "To the extent the story or its background may be unfamiliar to Americans, it something adding a little exposition to the script could take care of?"
Trust me. It won't help.
The story is not the problem. The show built around it is.
Kad said: "The point still stands that they all won Oliviers so whether or not they're original scores is irrelevant."
I counter that it is relevant if this discussion is about the prospects of Mincemeat being a success on Broadway. Jukebox musicals are far more successful in the West End than Broadway. Furthermore, especially if we're talking awards, the Tonys usually frown on jukebox shows and give props to original shows which is why Sunny Afternoon never transferred and RTTFB stayed off Broadway (even though I quite liked it). The point of the matter is there's plenty of West End transfers that have made it to NY successfully. It has an original score, a true story so wild that it has to be told as a comedy, been sold out since they've opened, and got four and five star reviews across the board. Those are just facts and pretty compelling reasons for it to come to NY.
Jumpin_J said: "Kad said: "The point still stands that they all won Oliviers so whether or not they're original scores is irrelevant."
I counter that it is relevant if this discussion is about the prospects of Mincemeat being a success on Broadway. Jukebox musicals are far more successful in the West End than Broadway. Furthermore, especially if we're talking awards, the Tonys usually frown on jukebox shows and give props to original shows which is why Sunny Afternoon never transferred and RTTFB stayed off Broadway (even though I quite liked it). The point of the matter is there's plenty of West End transfers that have made it to NY successfully. It has an original score, a true story so wild that it has to be told as a comedy, been sold out since they've opened, and got four and five star reviews across the board. Those are just facts and pretty compelling reasons for it to come to NY."
Clearly you are a fan.
But an original score and loopy story don't guarantee a hit. BAD CINDERELLA also had a handful of decent reviews in the West End (five stars in The Sunday Times) and did ok box office its first few months, albeit in a theatre much larger than the Fortune which is rather small by West End standards. We all know how that one ended up.
I wish it well....but I have a feeling that a £14million dollar turkey is on its way.