Ave Q - Vegas to close May 28

[Gpvegas]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 8:57am

This makes me very sad, as I love this show.

KLAS, Channel 8 announced on the 11 PM news that Avenue Q is closing May 28th and will be replaced with Monty Python's "Spamalot." Wynn is renevating the Avenue Q Theater and it will be named the Grail Theater.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 8:59am

This is sad but not unexpected news. It just wasn't doing well. I would have rather see it go than have songs cut to make it shorter and more appealing. I think Spamalot sucks, but it may do better in Vegas.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 9:12am

I bet Kevin McCollum is wishing he'd decided to tour it now, isn't he?

[FeelingElectric]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 9:18am

I think even though this is sad for Vegas, this is good news for the rest of us.A tour will happen now and do big buisness everywhere it goes.I am looking forward to seeing it on tour.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 9:37am

I actually wouldn't be all that shocked if alot of touring venues decided not to book the show, as the whole 'exclusive rights' issue made them quite bitter about the show.

[BroadwayDoc]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 9:44am

I agree The8re phan, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 9:45am

I really enjoyed the show with the OBC but I just don't feel like people will take to the show in London the same way they did on Broadway.

When I saw it the show felt very at home with a US cast surrounded by people brought up on Seasame Street. Here there is not quite the same overwhelming familiarity with the source inspiration and I am not sure many European tourists will have seen it at all.

My gut instincts tell me that whist us brits will happily get into the show when viewed along with an American audience, it is going to be harder sell getting people to suspend cynicism and pay top dollar to go to see an English cast in what they may perceive to be just a puppet show. I just don't think they will buy into the world of the show in the same way.

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 9:59am

It's always sad when a show closes and people loose jobs, but I believe this is a good thing. For those of us on the west coast who were not going to get Q and will not be getting Spamalot, I feel that this may have producers re-think the Vegas direction. Hopefully, Avenue Q will get out here now.

[James885]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:09am

It's sad that the show didn't do too well in Vegas. I'm sorry that it's closing, but I'm really hoping that it will tour because I would like to see this show but I'm nowhere near Vegas, and only get to NY once or twice a year.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:11am

Agreed James885. Even though I haven't seen the show yet, I have the cd and love all the songs on it, so I don't think it wouldv'e been all that great if they took out the songs that I liked.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:33am

What some of you are forgetting is that Avenue Q alienated a lot of road presenters, and they were already insisting on changes to the show before the controversy. Thpugh it might have appeal in some markets, I wonder if it is enough for them to justify a tour. They burned a lot of bridges going to Vegas.

[musicallover2008]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:44am

I hope Avenue Q does tour. I think there is a market for it. It would be stupid not to bring it in. In my opinion it is a hot ticket right now.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:51am

I think the producers of Q make out like bandits here. They had a guaranteed minimum from Wynn ($5 million if I remember correctly), which was more money than they could have made on the road in the same amount of time. And there's nothing whatsover stopping them from doing a multi-city tour right now post-Vegas. I would expect it should do well in many cities and venues (yeah, the tour operators and road presenters were disappointed a couple of years ago, but, trust me, they'll be lining up to book the show now). All in all, this was a win-win situation for the producers of Q.

Updated On: 2/15/06 at 10:51 AM

[musicallover2008]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:01am

I agree with you 100% Margo.

[surefinewhatever]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:11am

i must have missed something a while back . . but how/why did Avenue Q alienate itself from tour presenters?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:12am

How much money will the Vegas folk be losing all-together?

Updated On: 2/15/06 at 11:12 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:47am

I don't think any. When I saw it, it was a full house, and that was when I first moved here.

I believe Ave Q promised it would tour after winning the Tony, then didn't. Supposedly, that's the only reason it won the Tony. I dunno.

I'm just glad I got to see John.

[londonbaby]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:51am

o i got too excited, i thought it said AVE Q- broadway to close

and no it wont last in london, is it transferring there?

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:54am

Yes Cam Mac is producing the show in London with partial rewrites... no Gary coleman for example... opening around June with an announcement of cast and theatre next week I think.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 11:55am

Who's taking Gary's place? I'd love for it to be ALW.. and if they're putting out a new recording, I'd love that too.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 12:02pm

ha, sorry to get off topic, but the GRAIL THEATER?

haha.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 12:05pm

Back on topic, it's a terrible name.

I'm looking forward to Phantom of the Opera though, even with the cuts, I think it'll be a beautiful show.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 12:08pm

I agree with Margo.
Everybody wins on this one.
Except maybe Wynn, but he'll probably make up his Q losses with the Vegas SPAMALOT.
And in the meantime he can buy another Monet to help him forget.

[BreakingTheCircle07]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 12:19pm

Sadness!!! I saw it in January in Vegas and loved it! I saw Rick's cast and thought the casting was dead on. The little changes/cuts at the time were good, but the whole "shortening the show" idea made me wonder the longevity of its run. I'm kinda peeved, though, that Spamalot is taking over its theatre. That show is sooooooo lame (for a total lack of better words). It's nothing but a crowd pleaser without any heart. I'm glad The Q might have a chance to tour now!

[Cabchic]

Posted: 2/15/06 at 12:36pm

Does this mean Spamalot will open sooner in Vegas? I'm sad to see Q end. I thought it would have done better in "Sin City". I love Spamalot but I think they were crazy to sign it for 10 years(unless I misread). (Maybe it was $10 million) The Producers is in it's 5th year and is already showing signs of age. Plus I know they are cutting segments from Spamalot as well. I guess it doesn't affect me too much though as I live in NY and am spoiled as I get to see the full versions here.