So happy for War Paint. Proof that Patti CAN sell tickets especially when combined with Ebersole. Even if the momentum only lasts a few months, there shouldn't be a doubt that Patti's name still has some box office appeal.
I'm happy for both War Paint and Come From Away as both shows don't have the name recognition from a movie or animated film.
This has been rehearsed so many times but:
1. 1st couple weeks are not good barometers.
2. Some of these shows that some think are the bee's knees are going to fall by the wayside.
3. Things are VERY crowded out there.
Terrific numbers for Anastasia. Looks like it can easily get over $1m with a full week of shows. Come From Away could get there too, hopefully, especially if it has a good show at Tony nominations.
Hopefully The Play That Goes Wrong will stay open in the Fall. I'm probably headed to Broadway then and it looks hilarious. I see on the website they're selling tickets through September 3rd.
It'll be interesting to see how Charlie does next week. Have a feeling it could be another hurdle for The Book of Mormon getting back into the top 5.
This season is crowded. However, I am shocked that many shows are finding their audiences - besides a few examples there are many musicals doing decent business at the moment - Bronx Tale; Anastasia; Come From Away; Dear Evan; Dolly, Sunday; Sunset; War Paint. I wouldn't be surprised if the musical grosses were some kind of record at the moment. I understand that unfortunately given Broadway economics and the need for sustained grosses over a very lengthy period of time that this doesn't mean they will all succeed - and the Tonys will be spread so thinly. But still, it is comforting to see.
Very happy that War Paint is finding an audience at the moment - to the question about whether these are advance sales or not - a lot of it is but they are definitely selling a lot of tickets after the run started. I was a bit embarrassed about comments I made earlier in this year (that War Paint would start well given its success in Chicago) after looking at the tickets - they had wide open availability and it was starting to get a bit concerning. As someone else noted in a previous grosses thread, they definitely are selling tickets at the last minute/as time goes on.
It really is amazing to me how well ALL of those musicals (with the exception of In Transit) are starting out. Thinking back of last season, which wasn't nearly as crowed, there were a bunch of shows that started off much lower (and stayed down there): Bright Star, Tuck Everlasting, American Psycho never hit grosses like all of these news shows (from memory, correct me if I'm wrong). Charlie will at least initially be a hit as well (tickets are really expensive and sold well in advance already).
I expected this crowded season to be much more of a blood bath right from the get go. It does make one wonder how long they will be able to sustain it and how much (more that usual) weight Tony noms might carry
If Brantley gives Patti and Christine another rave, I think that could help them get through the summer at least. Tony nominations will also help. Critics are going to be mixed on the actual show, I'm sure they are counting on raves for the two women.
Updated On: 3/27/17 at 05:27 PM
Reminds me of 2004 when we had Dirty Rotten, Spelling Bee, Piazza, and Spamalot all running for awhile.
With so many new shows opening, and several doing quite well, it was clearly a brilliant move for Waitress to have Sara Bareilles step in right now. Amidst all the new shows, they are selling full-price tickets for her 10 week run and it's really going to help them not only weather the storm of new shows, but excel. That will put the show in a good place entering summer which would already be a strong time for it. Perhaps she'll have an extension and then we'll see who steps in. This was perfect timing for her to enter the show though.
From last season, only Hamilton and Waitress recouped, right? School of Rock is posting strong numbers each week so they're probably closing to recoup? Unless its weekly production costs must be super high?
What surprised me the most about Anastasia is the average ticket price paid of $137, which is quite high for a new musical with no huge stars! Normally for the first week, there are comps and discounts given yet for an avg ticket price of $137, it doesn't seem like there were any (unless the premiums offset the discounts?)
Swing Joined: 12/8/16
Something I haven't seen picked up yet is that with this last week's grosses, Wicked passed Phantom to become the 2nd highest grossing Broadway show of all time (not accounting for inflation). That's pretty amazing!
Broadway Star Joined: 12/20/16
neonlightsxo said: "So far Groundhog Day has made no changes from London, from what I've read here, so..."
Is that really true? The wikipedia list of songs seems to have some differences....
Broadway Star Joined: 12/12/11
Skimbleshanks2 said: "Also, people should see COME FROM AWAY before the buzz truly picks up... I see it winning Best Musical..."
Skimbleshanks2, has your opinion of Come From Away changed since you previously posted you did not like it (two days ago in the Reviews thread)? Or how is that you see it winning Best Musical despite your dislike?
I just read the two threads back to back, thus the bewilderment.
Damn, I feel pretty bad for Significant Other. It's a shame!
Book of Mormon did sub-par... How long do you guys think it'll go on? It's six year anniversary was recent, so how many more years are they planning to go for?
Broadway Star Joined: 1/24/16
Chicken_Flavor said: "Book of Mormon did sub-par... How long do you guys think it'll go on? It's six year anniversary was recent, so how many more years are they planning to go for?
"
Only on BroadwayWorld is 96% of gross potential and over 1.2 million dollars for a show that's already recouped sub-par.
Leading Actor Joined: 9/12/16
Chicken_Flavor said: "Damn, I feel pretty bad for Significant Other. It's a shame!
Book of Mormon did sub-par... How long do you guys think it'll go on? It's six year anniversary was recent, so how many more years are they planning to go for?"
Based on what they have made so far, I'd imagine they could easily keep it running for a 10th anniversary. After that point, I've no idea but I hope that it can push past 10 years.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
Since when is netting around a half mil a week sub-par?
trpguyy said: "Since when is netting around a half mil a week sub-par?"
Holy crap guys, sorry. I was looking at Sweat thinking it was Book of Mormon...
silly ol' me
Those grosses for COME FROM AWAY are fantastic. Have to imagine with a bunch of Tony noms they'll reach $1 million.
Leading Actor Joined: 6/18/16
Words can't describe how happy I am to see Come From Away do well.
I have tickets for Sweat the week before the Tony's - I'll be sweating if they stay open until then.
ljay889 said: "So happy for War Paint. Proof that Patti CAN sell tickets especially when combined with Ebersole. Even if the momentum only lasts a few months, there shouldn't be a doubt that Patti's name still has some box office appeal. "
Yes yes yes!!
I can't imagine Book of Mormon has that high of a weekly operating cost. I think they could get down to 700,000 and still have a ton left over. They will be around for awhile. That's all. I'm just waiting for the film.
I don't really get the 'how is On Your Feet still running?' Kinda remarks on this board. Yes it's fallen but most week it's making what it needs.
trpguyy said: "Since when is netting around a half mil a week sub-par?
"
Are their running costs seriously that high?!
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
I was erring on the conservative side in relation to their profit, but $700k/week seemed like a reasonable estimate for running expenses, I know they pay their people well.
Updated On: 3/28/17 at 12:13 AMVideos