Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 1/13/2008 — Page 2

I have to agree with Foster as well.

Even though I only live a couple of hours away, it's a pretty rare occassion when I can catch a night performance. It has to be carefully planned out, at least for me. So matinees are pretty much the rule for me just because it's easier. Even when I do catch a night performance, it's a Saturday (usually catch a matinee and a night show ), but I'm still heading for home after the last show and a late dinner at one of NYC's fine eateries.

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that Xanadu survives the bleak months. Should it weather that storm, it may well have a chance at a Tony nomination for Best Musical and, with that, national TV exposure (hope they do a better job than on the Thanksgiving parade). Looking at its competition, my speculations at this point are:

1. Young Frankenstein: Aside from the disappointing reviews, I think too many people are offended by the ticket prices and just fed up with the whole thing. Like so many follow-up shows that didn't live up to their predecessor, I think an over-reaction set in. Only if the other shows are down-and-out disasters will YF be nominated.
2. Little Mermaid: Terrible reviews, although the show will run in true Disney-like fashion. Frankly, I'd think they'd be hesitant to go on national TV -- it would just pound one more nail into the coffin.
3. In the Heights: Although they got nice enough reviews Off-Broadway last year, they weren't raves that had everyone scurrying to the box office. IMO, should have moved to another Off-Broadway house. However, the others will have to go a long distance to beat this one for Best Choreography.
4. Cry-Baby: Seems to be the one to watch, based on out-of-town reviews and word of mouth.
5. Catered Affair: IMO, this will be either an unmitigated disaster or a sleeper hit.
6. Passing Strange: Although well-received critically, this may be a little too esoteric for general consumption.

So, not having seen all the shows yet and caveats aside, IMO the nominated shows will be:

1. Cry-Baby
2. Catered Affair
3. Xanadu
4. Passing Strange or In the Heights.

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I feel sorry for a show like "Legally Blonde" which is in a huge barn like The Palace. In a smaller theater, it would probably be considered more of a hit. I'm sure a large number of the upper seats are nosebleed time (been a long time since I've been in that balcony). 1,700 seats is a big sale every night on a show that isn't a rock-solid hit like "Wicked" (which DOES fill 14,000 seats a week).

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An article about Xanadu had quoted a nut of "low 200,000" range. That weekly figure, though, would go up for increased advertising, such as producing a TV commercial and then buying air time to run said TV commercial, bus sides, billboards, etc.

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Mostly cab. I've seen some bus, but not lately.

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Nice to see so many of the non-musicals holding their own.