Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 12/25/22 — Page 4

Nathan Lane is a similar situation. When Nathan is the sole big name in a show, it doesn't sell. When Nathan has other famous people around him (Andrew Garfield, John Goodman & Slattery, Broderick, etc) the outlook is much rosier. So I guess there's a second example of J. Richards hubris this season, unless Photos from Home really surprises..."

I am about to get into semantics here, but Lane does sell tickets…he cannot guarantee great sales for dramas, but they sell a lot better than they would if he was not in them. I also suspect that Ohio would be even worse if Audra were not in it. Their name will always help, just not enough. That has been true for decades.

Phillyguy said: "Robbie2 said: "Lola Getz2 said: "I’m sure the New York, New York team are sweating a bit unless they are ready to announce: GAGA,TIMBERLAKE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK. START SPREADING THE NEWS!"

They better secure a name or wait until the fall and cast Lea Michele"

Maybe that can be her specialty. Coming in to save failing shows."

Actually, that’s a brilliant idea. The only reason she’s not going to win a Tony next year, is because she didn’t originate the role. If she leaves FG in March and goes directly into NYNY, she would probably be a lock to win

TaffyDavenport said: "The female lead in New York, New York is Black, so, unless the production wants a huge controversy on its hands, Lea Michele will never be an option."

The real question is whether the audience cares. Clearly the controversy over her casting in FG was way overblown.

Jordan Catalano said: "Look at “Dancin”…" I don't see a listing for "Dancin'".

BETTY22 said: "

Some Like It Hot is going to cost a fortune to keep running until the Tony awards. I fear even if it wins Best Musical, it cannot survive.

I guess the big problem is the movie is better"

Will never understand these sorts of statements; the show got stellar over the reviews. If you loved the movie, youd be interested in this, and wouldnt think "oh the movie is better" until maybe AFTER youve already paid to see it. That aint it.



i think something has shifted and im not sure its Covid-related; i think its generational, maybe, but something has shifted away from people seeing shows because they like theater. Or, those people make up a smaller % of the buying public. Maybe its the availability of more entertainment on the internet? Maybe its a cynicism in general about not wanting to pay alot for subpar experience?

I don't know, but Ive been thinking: i wonder if it has something to do with the way we no longer are forced to choose between a smaller number of films and TV shows. In 1999 and 1979 and 1959 there were between 4-10 TV channels, and a set number of films/books that came out each year. Even music was gateguarded by record labels. Our choices were from amongst a few options.

Today, there are what, 100 TV shows to choose from at any given moment from 67 diff channels/services? Hundreds of movies coming out each year? ENDLESS ways to find music to listen to? But on Bway, audiences are still stuck choosing from amongst 10 musicals, 10 plays, etc. And so if it doesnt SPEAK DIRECTLY TO ME or isnt AN ACTOR I LOVE or a story/experience that PERTAINS TO MY LIFE, it doesnt resonate the same way.

just a theory. but I get the sense that 20 yrs ago, SLIH and Akimbo open and people feel like These Are The Shows. Now, if im not particularly into that old SLIH movie, or not particularly into the Akimbo story, or there isnt a star i can brag to myfriends back home that i got see live-- then, nah, it isnt for me. I think this is a totally subconscious, hard to identify, shift but its real.

Jarethan said: "Patti LuPone FANatic said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Look at “Dancin”…" I don't see a listing for "Dancin'".

Which is not going to do it any favors. It is on yet another cite, not Telecharge or Ticketmaster or Seat Geek. I found it by googling Dancin ticket sales. Then had to find which one was the contracted seller, it a semi-scalper. I think it was Criterion, which I had never heard of. When I saw the prices for what looks like something that will eventually go free lots of discounts, I ended up not buying.

"

Dancin' is on Telecharge, so maybe you're thinking of Pictures From Home or Fat Ham, which are on Criterion.

The tickets I got for Dancin’ via telecharge yesterday say otherwise

Judging by the shows that have been doing so poorly (average ticket price), do producers better understand what tourist audiences want to see, and what they don't want to see? Or will they continue along the same money-losing path? Do some of them bizarrely want to make a statement regarding certain shows, even if they lose tons of money? They should understand that some shows are better suited at the off-Broadway nonprofits, not on Broadway. Some of the comments here are really unfortunate, like saying Lea Michele shouldn't be a replacement lead at New York New York down the line, even though she's a huge moneymaker and a huge star that audiences want to see?

Updated On: 12/28/22 at 11:26 PM

Bill Snibson said: "FG was an exception! Lea Michelle will never replace on broadway again nor should she. She has proven that she delivers and sells tickets."

This. Like it or not, Lea Michele has become an A-tier Broadway leading lady. She will have the pick of the litter if she would like to return to Broadway in another show. (I can't guarantee a future project would sell on the level of FG, but this proves she will still move tickets.)

Let me state it more generally— if Lea left FG in March and originated a role, let’s say Hello Dolly, in a limited three month run from April to July, I think she would likely win a Tony. That probably can’t happen logistically, but if I were her management, I would try to make it happen.

singer234 said: "She would sound beautiful with Platt in Parade. Diamond is great, but a Parade revival with Lea and Ben would be more exciting, imo. Though I won’t lie, those are 2 polarizing figures!"

I totally agree, however, the fact that Ben and Beanie are old friends leads me to believe that casting Lea opposite him would never ever happen. Just sayin’

God, you'd think Ben Platt murdered someone with the way some people talk about him. Did he really do anything besides having a famous dad and being in a bad musical-to-movie adaptation?

I mean…if you haven’t heard, having a crappy high school experience combined with loving Broadway and having a twitter account allows you to have unhinged opinions on the internet!