Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 2/22/15 — Page 2

Still feel that the next show for the Neaderlander is Hunchback, so they don't need to force out Honeymoon In Vegas, because Hunchback is not coming this season

Welcome back, Bryan!

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Looking at the availability for Honeymoon this week, it looks like the next 36 hours will indeed be interesting!

That seems like a very, very good number for Cabaret to me. Especially considering Sienna Miller isn't exactly a household name. I do wish it wasn't closing, I would have loved to see who they could have gotten to replace Miller and Cumming.

Especially considering Miller missed a performance to attend the Oscars last night. Seems like they had all eight performances, though. But for her first week in the show and for missing one performance, that number doesn't look bad to me.

Jackie was on.

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To slightly enlarge the VEGAS topic, it seems as if no one can accept the idea that a Times endorsement didn't pull audience. The opposite of the SIDE SHOW situation, where it was clear rather early the review had almost no impact. Here, the sense seems to be: if we got the Times review, we must run. Must. Have to. Are entitled to. If we get to the Tony's, we will turn around. It's very old school, if decidedly narrow: a Times rave equals a hit. Period. This show, and the aforementioned one I much preferred at the St. James proved the Times will not convince any consumer to buy a ticket to a show that isn't attractive to him.

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A summary of demographic bits supplied by Davenport via Broadway League:

* In 2007-2008, 38% of theatregoers were prompted to buy tickets by advertising.
* In 2013-2014, 25% of theatregoers were prompted to buy tickets by advertising.

* In 2007-2008, word of mouth was cited as the strongest factor in deciding to purchase tickets.
* In 2013-2014, personal recommendation was cited as the strongest factor in deciding to purchase tickets by musical goers and a specific performer was cited as the strongest factor in deciding to purchase tickets by straight-play goers.

Hm.

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One big missing tidbit in the summary is where "reviews" fall in terms of persuading ticket buyers, since it's not the top reason for a majority of patrons according to the Broadway League. I tried to do a little digging on the BL site, but the full report is $25, and that ain't happening. :)

What's interesting is that if "word of mouth" is general buzz, and taking into account the decreased power of buzz alongside the reduced RoI of advertising over time, then perhaps information overload is happening with the wider usage of media venues including social media? Maybe people are just tired of it and are relying on their own personal circles as filters.

I mean, only 25% of theater patrons were actually affected by advertising. Will that number keep falling? How much are these shows spending on advertising these days? I'd venture to guess more than in previous seasons, which is sobering in light of the data.

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ON THE TOWN producers need to take heed. With the buzz on 20th Century sounding so good, they may lose the top prize to them. In addition, if HAMILTON does open this season, I can guarantee you that Blankenbeuhler will take that trophy before it reaches Bergasse's hands.

Honeymoon numbers are at an all time low. Lowest they've ever been. Meaning the review not only "hasn't done much for them", it has done nothing.

Also, if you say Hamilton won't sweep, it's clear you haven't seen Hamilton.

Hamilton would be weakest in design categories, particularly up against what will surely be a sumptuous revival of King and I and the art deco glamor of On the Twentieth Century.

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I have seen Hamilton. I don't think it will sweep. It's good but not great. Think they should hold off and smooth over some of the rough spots. Also needs a smaller theater.