Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 12/16/12

Wow...tough numbers for lots of shows. I'm intrigued by the popularity of "Once." Is it because of the show itself or Steve Kazee in particular? Will the show remain popular once Mr. Kazee leaves, whenever that may be? I wish I could go to NYC in December or January...but will have to wait for March 2013. I miss my favorite show "Chicago." from RC in Austin, Texas

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Updated On: 12/17/12 at 04:07 PM

Once is a show that received almost universal raves, nine Tony awards, and has caught on incredibly well with the tourist trade. It helps that it's also a very good show.

I don't think Steve Kazee has that much to do with it, though I'm sure he's a bit of a draw.

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I know we've been speculating on the future of Mamma Mia for about a year now but I really do wonder how much longer it can last.

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With no names in the cast, a small orchestra, and a basically non-existent set, there's a good chance Mamma Mia is reaching its nut even in weeks like this. Plus, it does very well on holiday weeks (its grosses will probably be off the charts next week.)

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I think her star has faded to be honest, she hasn't had a movie (good or bad) in a couple of years that I know of.

Other than being that guy's "wife" and being merely OK in a few semi-decent projects, what's so interesting about her? Is she really what we would accept as a "star" rather than "someone familiar?"

^No, that was inaccurately reported. He had (still has?) Lyme disease but never missed a show. Very impressive, his dedication and commitment to the show has been inspiring through his very tumultuous year.

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I think people are more interested in her tabloid persona than her acting. She was never known for her acting either.

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I'm genuinely surprised about Mamma Mia. Do you guys think they would ever move to a smaller theatre? Or would it just fold? It still had an eleven-year run, which is pretty good.

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Yeah, 11 years, pretty good. Do shows that run less than 10 years or so get a "disappointing run" rating?

Brave Sir Robin... Word around town last year was that Mamma Mia was indeed going to transfer to a smaller theater, the Ambassador actually, to make way for Matilda, and Chicago was going to move into the Booth.
What caused this to change, was likely the fact that Memphis closed up the record shop earlier than expected (Closing in August rather than January, which most would expect for a show running nearly 3 years).
The other possible scenario that played out was that the Shubert Organization did not want to basically kill their chances of striking gold with a play by having it in to large a theater, by giving the Booth (one of two theaters, the other being the Golden that can house a play and without having to sell over 500 tickets a night to just break even) to Chicago for the next umpteen years.
Honestly if I had to bet the Shubert Organization would rather just let Mamma Mia close than give the production a smaller theater, especially since they are not producing the show and are only collecting rent. The only way I see Mamma Mia getting a smaller theater is if it is offered to them by the Neaderlanders or Jamjamcyn, which only have 3 theaters that are a step down from the Winter Garden in size, the Neaderlander (I think is going to be occupied for another year or two at least), the Walter Kerr (Much to intimate for Mamma Mia), and the only leave the Brooks Atkinson (the neaderlander's only playhouse).

What is ROA's nut? I'm sure royalties add up.