Beetlejuice Broadway: Surprise Hit!

[Owen Parker]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 11:08am

 I saw Beetlejuice on Broadway about a week ago and WOW! It was so good! So many changes from the D.C. version I saw in October! Alex Brightman is amazing as Beetlejuice. I can’t wait to see the what Tony’s this show takes home! Sophia Ann Caruso has a huge career in front of her.

Updated On: 5/24/19 at 11:08 AM

[Owen Parker]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 11:29am

Can’t wait to see what happens at the Tony Awards this year!

Updated On: 5/24/19 at 11:29 AM

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 11:33am

Also, it's playing to 60% full houses -- not, typically, what constitutes a "hit."

[BobPopa]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 3:16pm

KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "Also, it's playing to 60% full houses -- not, typically, what constitutes a "hit.""

If you are going to be snarky to someone's post at least get your facts straight. Beetlejuice has played to no less than an 80% capacity average every week .

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 3:29pm

BobPopa said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "Also, it's playing to 60% full houses -- not, typically, what constitutes a "hit.""

If you are going to be snarky to someone's post at least get your facts straight. Beetlejuice has played to no less than an 80% capacity average every week ."

Uhh...

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/grosses/BEETLEJUICE

[LuPita2]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 3:34pm

[Owen Parker]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 3:35pm

TotallyEffed said: "BobPopa said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "Also, it's playing to 60% full houses -- not, typically, what constitutes a "hit.""

If you are going to be snarky to someone's post at least get your facts straight. Beetlejuice has played to no less than an 80% capacity average every week ."

Uhh...
https://www.broadwayworld.com/grosses/BEETLEJUICE"

Look at Playbill.com they say differently...

[HasBeen1947]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 3:45pm

But you said 60% attendance.  That's false.  You're quoting gross potential.  Look six columns over to the right.  There's the 80+% to which Owen and Bob are referring.

Updated On: 5/24/19 at 03:45 PM

[BobPopa]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 4:00pm

 

Updated On: 5/24/19 at 04:00 PM

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 4:25pm

KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "Also, it's playing to 60% full houses -- not, typically, what constitutes a "hit.""

Its gross potential is hovering around 60%, but the capacity last week was 82.4%

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/24/19 at 5:39pm

Big difference between capacity and % of gross.   

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 2:26am

Not to be too snarky, but Beetlejuice will never return its investment, which will make it a flop.  I personally will be very surprised if it remains opened after Labor Day.  I have to acknowledge that I have not seen it, but that is because of two reasons: (1) time constraints; and, more importantly, I can think of 6 people whose opinion I respect who have seen it, and the best anyone could say was that the sets were great.

I have to agree with previous posters...whether you are or not, you sound like a shill.

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/25/19 at 5:05am

Jarethan said: "Not to be too snarky, but Beetlejuice will never return its investment, which will make it a flop. I personally will be very surprised if it remains opened after Labor Day. I have to acknowledge that I have not seen it, but that is because of two reasons: (1) time constraints; and, more importantly, I can think of6 people whose opinion I respect who have seen it,and the best anyone could say was that the sets were great.

I have to agree with previous posters...whether you are or not, you sound like a shill."

He is a shill. He has posted in other Beetlejuice postings with semi insider knowledge. 

 

[goldenboy]

Posted: 5/26/19 at 12:14am

I did not like Beetlejuice but it has some good things in it.

 

The good:

The set is amazing. If spectacal  is your thing there is plenty of that.

Alex Brightman gives an inspired performance

The opening number is great (all downhill from there however)

Did I mention how wonderful alex Brightman was?

 

The Bad:

The music

the book

Everything after the opening number (although is Alex Brightman almost saves the show)

Did I mention the music?

The annoying preshow music which is on a loop.

Stupid story that doesn't transport well to stage.

 

[bwaydreamer]

Posted: 5/26/19 at 10:48am

Thanks Jarethan, but if you haven't seen it, probably ok to not comment about it.  I too found myself surprised at how much fun I had and how good I thought it was.  I think it will go on through the end of the year at least because the audience loved it and the performers all were killing it.  

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 5/26/19 at 9:23pm

^ ^ ^ 55 days and counting...looking forward to seeing this first-hand. It should be a blast. And for dinner prior to the show I do plan on having at least one alcoholic beverage as someone recommended.

[LuPita2]

Posted: 5/26/19 at 9:46pm

It was more fun to be high actually.  The set looks even better which is the best part of the whole thing!

[NYCblurb]

Posted: 5/27/19 at 8:43am

Owen Parker said: "I saw Beetlejuice on Broadway about a week ago and WOW! It was so good! So many changes from the D.C. version I saw in October! Alex Brightman is amazing asBeetlejuice. I can’t wait to see the what Tony’s this show takes home! Sophia Ann Caruso has a huge career in front of her."

Not possible this person saw the show currently playing on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theater. The set and Caruso were the bright spots in a dim night of theater.

 

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 12:39pm

dmwnc1959 said: "^ ^ ^ 55 days and counting...looking forward to seeing this first-hand. It should be a blast. And for dinner prior to the show I do plan on having at least one alcoholic beverage as someone recommended. "

I had numerous drinks beforehand and a slight buzz and it didn't help.  Need to find that review thread....

[Jarethan]

Posted: 5/30/19 at 7:24pm

bwaydreamer said: "Thanks Jarethan, but if you haven't seen it, probably ok to not comment about it. I too found myself surprised at how much fun I had and how good I thought it was. I think it will go on through the end of the year at least because the audience loved it and the performers all were killing it."

You raise an absolutely valid point, but not re the subject 'surprise hit'.  I don't need to see the show to have an opinion re whether it is a surprise hit.  Business is mediocre, I assume insufficiently above breakeven this early in the run to indicate that the investors will oversee much of their investment returned.   Unless it kills the Tony performance, I don't see business increasing other than due to summer attendance increases for most musicals.  If that is the case, I suspect that it will close either on Labor Day or end of year.  I was really responding to the 'shill'  nature of the original point.

I agree that no one should have an opinion of a show they haven't seen, but I don't think I gave an opinion, other than saying that other peoples' opinions have led me to conclude that I had no interest in seeing it.  Full disclosure, I also hated the movie, so it was unlikely even if the reviews were great and it became monster hit.