Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 2/10/19 — Page 2

dramamama611 said: "Earned it? Im pretty sure she was upfront about her commitments to Younger before they signed contracts. As said, she isnt really proving to be an asset at the box office, so I doubt many will be too upset by her necessary absences.

If it wasnt ok with the producers, it wouldnt have happened."

I get the impression that this was news that just broke during the last couple of days. Maybe she has been making some guest appearances all along.

You don't think that the rest of the cast will be put off? I saw the show not too long ago on a Tuesday night with Kerston and half the orchestra was empty. Only forty were in the entire orchestra left, leaving a wide expanse of empty seats. I felt so bad for the cast having to look out on a sea of empty seats while performing in the "best musical of the season." (Times and New Yorker)

But, you would know better than me.

Saying the MFL cast resents Benanti b/c she "invented her own schedule" is imagining a scenario that doesn't exist. She is a working actor who had obligations after her initial contracted run (including her role in Younger, and many concert dates). Producers offered her an extension fully aware of her conflicts and decided that was ok. This is far from the first time scheduling accommodations have been made for a Broadway star and it will not be the last.

Hiring a new actress for Eliza and paying her and other company members for weeks of put in rehearsals as she learns the part is an added cost that doesn't make sense for them. LCT shows do not run indefinitely, they will need the Beaumont back for other shows in the upcoming season. So getting a new hire and paying for rehearsals could be a waste of money for them when they will only get 2 months of performances from a new actress.

If you have some silly vendetta or axe to grind with her, then buy a ticket for Kerston's performance again.

Hiring a new actress for Eliza and paying her and other company members for weeks of put in rehearsals as she learns the part is an added cost that doesn't make sense for them. LCT shows do not run indefinitely, they will need the Beaumont back for other shows in the upcoming season. So getting a new hire and paying for rehearsals could be a waste of money for them when they will only get 2 months of performances from a new actress.

If you have some silly vendetta or axe to grind with her, then buy a ticket for Kerston's performance again."

Well, Audra, you were fairly civil in your comments. Basically, I love this musical and especially this production and I was distressed to see it doing so poorly despite great reviews, great second reviews and being assigned "best musical of the season" by Times and New Yorker. Despite heavy discounting, especially on weekdays, of all except center orchestras, still leaves under 90 percent occupancy at an average ticket price of $115. This is very substantially less than many other musical are doing that would be considered lesser.

My assumption that Ms. Benanti's decision to join the cast of Younger had just occurred was too hasty a guess. It's possible that it was known of before casting her into the role, and that was the reason for the original February exit. Perhaps they decided to work around her schedule instead of having to find another replacement.

In my opinion generating a messy schedule for March is going to wind up in the disappointment and confusion of many visitors. But the show, as noted, is not doing that well as things are now.

I was hoping to see a person of color perform as Eliza at some point during this production.

Havn't had time to read the grosses this week. How is MFL going?

Thank you for your in-depth reply but I just think you might have taken me seriously. I was responding after the Mods. had stepped in re MFL.

Kisses anyway.

Wick3 said: "I was hoping to see a person of color perform as Eliza at some point during this production."

My first thought was Cynthia Erivo.

theaterlyfe19 said: "Someone told me they’re worried about Frozen. Given the name, it’s stars, the new casting announced....I doubt it will be closing anytime soon, right?"

Not sure why "someone" being worried would matter, unless they have inside info.

You forgot the most important bit on your list, though. The grosses (aka the thread we're in). If you aren't selling tickets, nothing else matters.

Sweetlips made me laugh