Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 11/6/22- Page 4

[OhHiii]

Posted: 11/9/22 at 7:28pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Far too soon to jump to conclusions about BEAUTIFUL NOISE –– flops like SUMMER grossed over $1m for a few months, and often with jukebox titles like this the diehards flock to early previews. But it's a better start than some other shows here."

$1mil in the Lunt is a far different thing than $1mil in the Broadhurst. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/9/22 at 9:35pm

Bill Snibson said: "I think "A Beautiful Noise" is actually very similar to "MJ"...a familiar pop name and song book. It's an easy and safe sell. It's obviously working."

I have not seen MJ, but I am under the impression that it is a slick production.  I did see ABN, and it has only two things going for it: the music and Will Swenson.  It’s production values are very cheesy, across the board.  I will say that, despite that, the 5 people I was with all loved it while I predicted a big flop.  Large up-front advance delays concluding whether I was right or wrong, but I can’t believe the reviews will be good.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/9/22 at 10:07pm

I think it's much like the Bros movie turnout. I don't think the majority of the country is homophobic, but I also do think they don't want to see things that don't speak to them. So if the majority of Broadway is older white people, I can see why POC driven shows are struggling. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/9/22 at 11:09pm

RippedMan said: "I think it's much like the Bros movie turnout. I don't think the majority of the country is homophobic, but I also do think they don't want to see things that don't speak to them. So if the majority of Broadway is older white people, I can see why POC driven shows are struggling."

Yes, audiences will always flock to what resonates with them the most.

If you're not inherently drawn to stories about Black characters, then something like LEOPOLDSTADT or KIMBERLY AKIMBO might appeal more. On the flip side, if you aren't drawn to older Irish men monologuing on a Broadway stage for 2.5 hours, then...well, nobody was really into that.

Updated On: 11/9/22 at 11:09 PM

[dshnookie]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 12:27am

So did that Jesse Williams leak kill interest in Take Me Out or is the bigger house just swallowing it up?

To add to the race discussion which I will surely regret doing, but as a minority and an avid theatergoer for almost 20 years (I’m 36) and 500+ Playbills crowding my home, I’ve had to make some cuts on the types of shows I see. This includes most family dramas, anything Shakespeare (I’ve seen them all!), anything war themed, and sadly anything race themed. As an American, and post-BLM, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, I’m just tired. Yes, very important work and stories that NEED to exist to educate and give opportunities and offer representation, to/for all ages and especially the younger generation - but I’m personally just fatigued to spend my money on it. This post(ish)-pandemic world has me wanting to flock to & Juliet, Some Like it Hot, Kimberly Akimbo and I’m not ashamed of it.

 

[Lot666]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 8:51am

dshnookie said: "So did that Jesse Williams leak kill interest in Take Me Out or is the bigger house just swallowing it up?"

I think the weak sales are more about the ticket price increase between June and November. $318 for front orchestra at a straight play.

 

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 10:18am

Prices at the end of the Hays run after the leak were even higher though. That's how they were making so much more money then even though the attendance numbers were lower than they are now.

Last week's attendance numbers were higher than at any point during the first run, yet they made several hundred thousand less. The size of the theater has to be part of it, along with just less demand since there's not as much urgency. When the leak happened, there was a month to go, later extended a week or two. Now it's playing for 3+ months. No need to hurry.

Updated On: 11/10/22 at 10:18 AM

[Wick3]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 10:19am

TAKE ME OUT is at the Schoenfeld theater right? 

I'm not sure whether CFA was kicked out of the Schoenfeld theater by the Shuberts or if the producers just called it the quits..... but Come From Away would most likely be grossing higher than the numbers Take Me Out is getting right now.

[JoeW4]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 10:31am

If we're comparing numbers between the 2 Take Me Out runs, it might be worth noting that this commercial remount also has rent to pay, and presumably higher salaries too, since they were probably working at scale before.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 10:38am

MemorableUserName said: "Prices at the end of the Hays run after the leak were even higher though. That's how they were making so much more money then even though the attendance numbers were lower than they are now.

Last week's attendance numbers were higher than at any point during the first run, yet they made several hundred thousand less. The size of the theater has to be part of it, along with just less demand since there's not as much urgency. When the leak happened, there was a month to go, later extended a week or two. Now it's playing for 3+ months. No need to hurry.

"I agree with you, but I also think that it is a case of lightening not striking twice.  
 

There is a lot of dramatic competition right now, which may also be a factor (I don’t remember how many well reviewed dramas were opening when this hit its stride).

I also think that the publicity about the photographing of the nudity helped with the surge in demand.

Forty years ago, Nicholas Nickelby was an impossible ticket from its first performance.  It’s entire run commanded outrageous scalper prices.  They brought the show back several months later, with some / many / all of the roles recast (but no one had ever heard of the original cast members) and it never caught fire, having a disappointing run.  Audiences had moved on to the next thing.  Same thing happened with the 1974 Moon For the Misbegotten…later in the run the always sellout show closed for a month, probably due to other commitments the actors had to fulfill; when it reopened, demand had dropped significantly.

This show is not in the same league as those shows, but it is probably experiencing the same issues.

Or I am wrong and demand will be huge for the last month of the engagement, maybe helped by some well times embarrassing publicity.

 

[Wick3]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 11:11am

Had they extended the play through July, it would have done well. The play closed on June 11th (Tony award weekend) but pride month was just beginning. Most if not all my gay friends visiting NYC for the remainder of June wanted to see this play but sadly couldn't since it had already closed.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 11:25am

dshnookie said: "So did that Jesse Williams leak kill interest in Take Me Out or is the bigger house just swallowing it up?

To add to the race discussion which I will surely regret doing, but as a minority and an avid theatergoer for almost 20 years (I’m 36) and 500+ Playbills crowding my home, I’ve had to make some cuts on the types of shows I see. This includes most family dramas, anything Shakespeare (I’ve seen them all!), anything war themed, and sadly anything race themed. As an American, and post-BLM, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, I’m just tired. Yes, very important work and stories that NEED to exist to educate and give opportunities and offer representation, to/for all ages and especially the younger generation - but I’m personally just fatigued to spend my money on it. This post(ish)-pandemic world has me wanting to flock to & Juliet, Some Like it Hot, Kimberly Akimbo and I’m not ashamed of it.

"

I think that’s it 100%. We want popcorn and entertainment. I don’t want to be challenged right now. We are challenged everyday. 

[uncamark]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 11:39am

SouthernCakes said: "dshnookie said: "So did that Jesse Williams leak kill interest in Take Me Out or is the bigger house just swallowing it up?

To add to the race discussion which I will surely regret doing, but as a minority and an avid theatergoer for almost 20 years (I’m 36) and 500+ Playbills crowding my home, I’ve had to make some cuts on the types of shows I see. This includes most family dramas, anything Shakespeare (I’ve seen them all!), anything war themed, and sadly anything race themed. As an American, and post-BLM, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, I’m just tired. Yes, very important work and stories that NEED to exist to educate and give opportunities and offer representation, to/for all ages and especially the younger generation - but I’m personally just fatigued to spend my money on it. This post(ish)-pandemic world has me wanting to flock to & Juliet, Some Like it Hot, Kimberly Akimbo and I’m not ashamed of it.

"

I think that’s it 100%. We want popcorn and entertainment. I don’t want to be challenged right now. We are challenged everyday."

However, "Chicken and Biscuits," a show that the white critics attacked as a 90s Fox/WB sitcom on stage, but a show that could attract Black audiences looking for just entertainment, bombed as big as the more serious/political plays (although a lot of regionals are doing it this season).

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 11:41am

uncamark said: "However, "Chicken and Biscuits," a show that the white critics attacked as a 90s Fox/WB sitcom on stage, but a show that could attract Black audiences looking for just entertainment, bombed as big as the more serious/political plays (although a lot of regionals are doing it this season)."

My impression was that it was gaining word of mouth momentum but covid cancellations halted the progress and they weren't able to pick it up again

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 12:00pm

uncamark said: "SouthernCakes said: "dshnookie said: "So did that Jesse Williams leak kill interest in Take Me Out or is the bigger house just swallowing it up?

To add to the race discussion which I will surely regret doing, but as a minority and an avid theatergoer for almost 20 years (I’m 36) and 500+ Playbills crowding my home, I’ve had to make some cuts on the types of shows I see. This includes most family dramas, anything Shakespeare (I’ve seen them all!), anything war themed, and sadly anything race themed. As an American, and post-BLM, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, I’m just tired. Yes, very important work and stories that NEED to exist to educate and give opportunities and offer representation, to/for all ages and especially the younger generation - but I’m personally just fatigued to spend my money on it. This post(ish)-pandemic world has me wanting to flock to & Juliet, Some Like it Hot, Kimberly Akimbo and I’m not ashamed of it.

"

I think that’s it 100%. We want popcorn and entertainment. I don’t want to be challenged right now. We are challenged everyday."

However, "Chicken and Biscuits," a show that the white critics attacked as a 90s Fox/WB sitcom on stage, but a show that could attract Black audiences looking for just entertainment, bombed as big as the more serious/political plays (although a lot of regionals are doing it this season)."

But it’s still fitting in with a POC driven context. People want MJ. 

[bdn223]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 12:14pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Any of those musicals making under $500k a week are in trouble

K-Pop is absolutely going to be gone by New Years"

Kimberly Akimbo is playing the Booth, so I have to assume David Stone has to know the more limited gross potential of in the smallest commercially available theater, as such I am just going to guess its operating costs are in the $400-$450K range. Stone also produced Next to Normal a similarly sized show and last musical to play the Booth had a nut of under $250K a week. I know that was over a decade ago at this point and operating costs have risen, but I can't imagine them doubling. David Stone has deep pockets and has a track record of producing small prestige musicals that keep costs low. I don't think Kimberly Akimbo is making money, but I don't think its bleeding cash either.  I am just guessing as long as its grosses remain over $375K-$400K through mid-December the Shubert Organization won't evict them to make room for a Spring production and Stone will foot the bill to keep the show open through awards season.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 12:23pm

My impression was that it was gaining word of mouth momentum but covid cancellations halted the progress and they weren't able to pick it up again"

That's right. Same with Thoughts of a Colored Man which was so good. Last Fall shouldn't be a barometer for new works since we were sill in the middle of a pandemic and so many shows were canceled, some for weeks, due to Covid. People were still terrified, no one was traveling here. 

It seems most plays are suffering right now and people want to see a fun, splashy show on stage. That is why MJ is thriving and I believe &Juliet will be a great big hit. 

[bholtzinger544]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 1:39pm

Can confirm CFA was kicked out of the Schoenfeld. An original cast member told numerous people this and the producers were not happy and wanted to keep it around until at least the New Year. It sounded like something else had the theatre reserved for the fall but fell through at the last minute before they gave it to David Byrne. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 1:55pm

bholtzinger544 said: "Can confirm CFA was kicked out of the Schoenfeld. An original cast member told numerous people this and the producers were not happy and wanted to keep it around until at least the New Year. It sounded like something else had the theatre reserved for the fall but fell through at the last minute before they gave it to David Byrne."

I think your wires are crossed a bit here. TAKE ME OUT took over the Schoenfeld where CFA was. DEAR EVAN HANSEN was at the MUSIC BOX, where GABRIEL Byrne came in and fizzled

[bdn223]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 1:55pm

bholtzinger544 said: "Can confirm CFA was kicked out of the Schoenfeld. An original cast member told numerous people this and the producers were not happy and wanted to keep it around until at least the New Year. It sounded like something else had the theatre reserved for the fall but fell through at the last minute before they gave it to David Byrne."

Do you mean Take me Out or are you talking about Dear Evan Hansen? Because Gabriel Byrne's show is playing the Music Box where Dear Evan Hansen was playing, but Take Me out is playing the Schoenfeld where Come From Away was playing?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 2:39pm

I usually like to see the good in people, but it’s hard not to think bholtzinger544 is trolling with us.

[bholtzinger544]

Posted: 11/10/22 at 3:03pm

Not trolling, just trying to comment while at work and got hairs crossed a little bit with theatres. They're across  the street from each other and it's hard to keep the short runs in line. But I stand behind what I said and trust my sources. CFA had their stop clause pulled.