Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 5/14/23- Page 2

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 10:55am

Regarding Shucked specifically: I think that's an interesting point regarding the "legitimacy" of the show. While I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea, it's been gaining solid momentum from day 1. I know grosses have been lower but it's because they've sold lower-priced tickets, which was part of their strategy and budgeting. They knew and were prepared for the shortfall in funds to get people in the door. They've made the show accessible to more people than normal to build word of mouth and legitimize raising prices in the future.

I don't know why people keep counting it out or talking about the show like it's closing next week. I work in the theater and it's almost full every show. I know a lot of tickets sell at TKTS, etc., but that's how it is right now for almost every other show on Broadway. I got a ticket yesterday for Fat Ham and I swear 80% of Broadway (and off) was on the list. Audiences really seem to love it and are returning with their friends, and their friends return with friends, and we are getting a lot of out of town people who have seen marketing for the show LOCALLY where they are from. That means Shucked is marketing outside of NYC so, by the time tourists land here, they already know about and are excited for the show. Especially from the South/Midwest.  Everyone involved seems really excited and there is zero sense of the doom and gloom inside the theater every day that you read on these message boards. And it doesn't seem to be an act of putting on a brave face or ignoring the reality of the situation (kind of like Bad Cinderella seemed to be doing for a while). 

I actually think, of the new shows, Shucked needed the Tonys the least. They've already lost out on the same marketing everyone else has in regard to late night and early morning shows and other media appearances that aren't happening because of the strike, but they're thinking out of the box and doing things like getting Alex on The Voice. Also, word of mouth is affecting this show a lot, and I don't think they expect to sweep the Tonys or anything else. They aren't banking being open on the Tonys and they aren't planning on the future by hinging it on how many awards they win (at least it doesn't seem like it).  I don't think this show can be counted out yet, and it's not struggling in the enthusiasm department the way that KA or even SLIH is. Granted, it's much newer, but the enthusiasm and appetite for the show is there, and the grosses do not tell the entire story. That said, I'm glad the numbers are picking up (mostly due to higher priced tickets).

Updated On: 5/18/23 at 10:55 AM

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 12:05pm

I agree that Shucked probably needs the Tony for Best Musical the least of all the nominated shows except for & Juliet. But I do think winning something like Featured Actor and/or book might help legitimize their grass roots strategy. Going home empty handed probably would be a little rough.

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 12:22pm

Mr.Liir said: "Regarding Shucked specifically: I think that's an interesting point regarding the "legitimacy" of the show. While I understand it's not everyone's cup of tea, it's been gaining solid momentum from day 1. I know grosses have been lower but it's because they've sold lower-priced tickets, which was part of their strategy and budgeting. They knew and were prepared for the shortfall in funds to get people in the door. They've made the show accessible to more people than normal to build word of mouth and legitimize raising prices in the future.

I don't know why people keep counting it out or talking about the show like it's closing next week. I work in the theater and it's almost full every show. I know a lot of tickets sell at TKTS, etc., but that's how it is right now for almost every other show on Broadway. I got a ticket yesterday for Fat Ham and I swear 80% of Broadway (and off) was on the list. Audiences really seem to love it and are returning with their friends, and their friends return with friends, and we are getting a lot of out of town people who have seen marketing for the show LOCALLY where they are from. That means Shucked is marketing outside of NYC so, by the time tourists land here, they already know about and are excited for the show. Especially from the South/Midwest. Everyone involved seems really excited and there is zero sense of the doom and gloom inside the theater every day that you read on these message boards. And it doesn't seem to be an act of putting on a brave face or ignoring the reality of the situation (kind of like Bad Cinderella seemed to be doing for a while).

I actually think, of the new shows, Shucked needed the Tonys the least. They've already lost out on the same marketing everyone else has in regard to late night and early morning shows and other media appearances that aren't happening because of the strike, but they're thinking out of the box and doing things like getting Alex on The Voice. Also, word of mouth is affecting this show a lot, and I don't think they expect to sweep the Tonys or anything else. They aren't banking being open on the Tonys and they aren't planning on the future by hinging it on how many awards they win (at least it doesn't seem like it). I don't think this show can be counted out yet, and it's not struggling in the enthusiasm department the way that KA or even SLIH is. Granted, it's much newer, but the enthusiasm and appetite for the show is there, and the grosses do not tell the entire story. That said, I'm glad the numbers are picking up (mostly due to higher priced tickets)."

 Well said! Shucked is not my cup of tea since I basically hate country music so it's not in my plans to see it. However, I believe their strategy is smart, I mean it's preferable to have a full theater while making less money at the beginning than having 50% of theater empty. If it has legs after the Tonys, then they might start rising the ticket prices

 

[Mr.Liir]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 1:49pm

I do think Alex is at least taking home the Tony.