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

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 3:17pm

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.  
 

 

 

[Rainah]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 3:31pm

One thing I've noticed in general is that, post covid, there seems to be a higher appetite for fun, silly, and uplifting shows rather than dramas. People are sick of doom and gloom, seriousness and tragedy.

The other trend I've noticed is that people are going back to nostalgia favourites rather than new works. People are seeing Wicked for the 4th time rather than taking a chance on something new. 

It's not 100% - Leopoldstat is still doing crazy well and bucks both trends - but it's a bigger trend I've noticed.

[ijest22]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 5:46pm

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]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 6:03pm

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.

Updated On: 12/28/22 at 06:03 PM

[Phillyguy]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 6:20pm

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. 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 6:30pm

Phillyguy said: "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."

This has nothing to do with the audience, and putting Lea Michele in a role already cast with a Black actress is obviously not the same thing as the Funny Girl situation. Does anyone really think there wouldn't be backlash?

Updated On: 12/28/22 at 06:30 PM

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:22pm

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

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:39pm

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.

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:47pm

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. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:50pm

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.

"
https://dancinbway.com/
The Music Box is a Shubert house - https://www.telecharge.com/Broadway/Bob-Fosses-DANCIN/Overview

Updated On: 12/28/22 at 08:50 PM

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:52pm

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.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:53pm

Nvm. Covered three times over now.

Updated On: 12/28/22 at 08:53 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 8:54pm

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

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 9:21pm

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."

Link (at Telecharge)

FYI Criterion is the Roundabout ticketing entity. Those old enough will remember that the Roundabout had two stages in the Criterion Center once upon a time.

Updated On: 12/28/22 at 09:21 PM

[Theater3232]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 11:26pm

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]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 11:39pm

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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/28/22 at 11:47pm

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.)

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 4:43am

She definitely has proven that she delivers.

She definitely has proven she can sell tickets to Funny Girl.

How much of her ticket sales appeal will transfer to future efforts likely is still somewhat dependent on the production. 

As has been noted in several threads of late, celebrity status/appeal doesn't sell exclusive of the vehicle in which it is showcased. It will be interesting to see what show next brings her to the stage.

[ijest22]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 10:32am

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]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 10:37am

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!

[Bill Snibson]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 11:08am

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’ 

[Penna2]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 8:37pm

ijest22 said: "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

She's committed to FG until the end of May.

 

[Nicticorax]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 9:02pm

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?

[ijest22]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 9:19pm

Penna2 said: "ijest22 said: "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

She's committed to FG until the end of May.

"
This rumination is just a fantasy, but if you want to play in the real world, contracts are made to be broken or at least modified.  A three month vacation while X steps in, and then after she wins her Tony, Lea returns for a triumphant three month farewell.  Everyone wins.

 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 12/29/22 at 9:23pm

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!