Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson a Hit on Broadway?

[jagfkb]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 12:32pm

Well, could it? I know people are saying that this and Scottsboro Boys are both something of gambles, but take a moment to think this out: A hip new score (everyone who saw it with me is begging for the cast album), overall tight material (in comparisson to Scottsboro Boys, which IMO would loose to BBAJ if they both manage to survive until the Tonys), not to mention a much smaller and easier to fill theatre right on one of the busiest streets in NY. I do agree they need to market the hell out of this show ala Rent or Avenue Q or even N2N to succeed, but should marketing begin to kick in soon, what are your thoughts on it's possibility for success?

[Kad]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 12:45pm

It's hard to say. It's an extremely youthful, irreverent show- but unless they market it right, people will think it's another period piece about a historical figure.
Both this and Scottsboro Boys are gambles, but who can ever really accurately predict what will work on Broadway? Avenue Q and Next to Normal certainly, on paper, don't seem to be hits- but they certainly are.

[julesboogie]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 12:51pm

Cannot wait to see this. So sad i missed offbway

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 2:01pm

^ Same. I think it will be a hit with teenagers and repeat offenders, and it will probably draw in some older audiences but not large masses

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 3:50pm

A lot of teenagers I know (me included) are giddy with anticipation for BBAJ.

One of the main reasons I think this may resonate with them, as well as teenagers in general is that Andrew Jackson is a subject covered rather frequently throughout high school history classes, and teenagers can associate with the rebellious figure (which he was in his time).

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 3:53pm

But teenagers cannot sustain the life of a show. The majority of them will be buying lotto tickets.

[EdenIsMyHero]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 5:32pm

I enjoyed this immensely Off-Broadway- it was one of my favorite pieces of theater I saw this summer. As much as I want it to succeed, I feel deep down that it's an Off-Broadway show. The fact that they have no bankable "star" won't help either- this is going to need excellent marketing and great word-of-mouth. I can picture this being an American Idiot type situation where it's a jam-packed lotto all the time and has a core group of devoted fans, but I can't really see the tourists flocking to it.

[wendilin622]

Posted: 8/17/10 at 5:48pm

I think it has potential to be.... I know its not the best example but my father, who isn't a theatre person (in fact, we stopped inviting him to shows because he almost never enjoys himself) LOVED BBAJ. I think it will depend largely on the marketing. But I feel like this show has the potential to reach many different audiences. Especially bitter, old, sarcastic, 56 year old men.