Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 7/19- Page 2

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 4:16pm

I didn't say Allison was a phenomenal singer, Stephanie should have won the Tony for her acting, or Megan didn't imitate Dolly. I said they all have "star power," something LBB sorely lacked in LEGALLY BLONDE.

I agree that the actresses' weaknesses are, in fact, the aspects of their performances that you mentioned but I thought they all exuded star power and carried the show successfully; much more successfully than Laura Bell did. Having a lead who is basically in over her head, as LBB was in LEGALLY BLONDE, takes a lot away from the show. I'd rather watch three performances with admittedly weak aspects carry a show effortlessly and exude star power than one performer who is a fine singer, dancer, and actress but who just doesn't deliver the star power that a role like Elle almost demands.

And I think LEGALLY BLONDE is the best example to save your money and rent the movie. The movie is so much better (no pun intended) than the show in every way. 9 TO 5, I think, much to many other peoples' chagrin, works better on stage than on screen. But to each his own.
Updated On: 7/20/09 at 04:16 PM

[WestVillage]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 4:25pm

I do agree that LBB was lacking in the star power department. But the only star power I saw in 9 to 5 was Allison, because she is a fine actress/comedienne. The balance between the 3 ladies was so off for me, with Allison clearly being a "star" while the other two aren't in her league.

I think in the case of both shows, the movies are infinitely better than the musical versions. To me, 9 to 5 was this year's Legally Blonde. I liked LB better, but I wouldn't want to sit thru either one of them again.

We do agree, 100%, on being thrilled for HAIR's success!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 4:36pm

Im sorry but apart from 3 songs (9 to 5, Shine Like The Sun and Get Out) the score is horrid, as poppy and campy as Legally Blondes was it fitted the content of the show far better and was much more memorable

[heo1128]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:11pm

I definitely think Legally Blonde's score is better than 9-5. The entire 9-5 score is pretty mediocre, while LB has some great tunes and some clunkers. I enjoyed LB much more than 9-5.

It seems the Tony shine might be wearing off from Next to Normal. I know gross is what matters (which continues to go up) but attendance has gone down steadily for 3 or 4 weeks now. Let's hope it plateaus pretty soon!

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:15pm

jeez why is 9 to 5's sales so low. It's such a great show, great story, score, and the cast is amazing, what more do people want?

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:18pm

Soliantu - I agree with you, but, unfortunately, I think people are looking for more critical acclaim rather than word of mouth from a few.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:37pm

My issue with the Tony nominations for 9 TO 5, also (and this is kind of random but whatever), was that the TECHNICAL aspects of the show totally deserved nominations. I could understand people having issues with Hilty and Block's performances (although they should have been nominated over Foster --who is getting nominated for giving virtually the same performance show after show-- and Channing --no comment.-- but whatever) but I am just baffled by the fact that the Tony nominating committee didn't see 9 TO 5's set, lighting, costumes, and orchestrations fit to be nominated. It deserved to win for its set.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 5:41pm

"It's such a great show, great story, score, and the cast is amazing, what more do people want?"

Not everybody thinks its a great show and score, so people who do want a great show and a great score aren't necessarily finding in 9 to 5. You may have, but plenty of people think the show is bland to mediocre ... and when the Jones family goes back to Syosset and tells their friends it was ok, but nothing terrific, their friends aren't running out to buy tickets.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 6:22pm

I'm so happy for Rock of Ages!

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 6:30pm

I love wickedeocks! S/he always says what I'm not great at articulating, in almost all threads. I totally agree! The set is just so wonderful, and (I haven't seen BE) but I think it should have won for choreography. Perhaps it's just me. The technical aspects are something to marvel at, even if you don't think the book, songs, and cast are the best.

[Sauja]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 8:16pm

I have to say that I agreed with the technical shutout for 9 to 5. While it had the MOST set, possibly, of any new show, I thought it was unattractive, distracting, and obvious. The lighting wasn't in the same league as Billy Elliot, Hair, or Next to Normal, and even the costumes (beyond Janney's white pantsuit) felt lackluster. It could have and should have been an amazing show, but for me it fell short in every way other than maybe Kudisch's performance.

My problem with the show was actually that expectations might have been too high. Dolly Parton is one of my favorite performers, and I loooove the movie. I expected a slam dunk. So when the show ended up being merely okay, it registered as a much bigger disappointment than it would have normally.

With Legally Blonde, I expected very little and had a lot of fun. Is either show objectively better than the other? I'm not sure. But I got way more of a kick out of the latter.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 8:55pm

Thanks, iflip

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 9:38pm

9 to 5 in my opinion was such a big build up and everyone was expecting for it to be a huge hit and to be like Hairspray.

I have a feeling that the show is in worse shape compared to when it had its run in LA. It seemed a lot of people raved about it in LA but didn't like it on Broadway. It is a shame, because it had potential, and it seemed as if the writers got lazy or something and just didn't care about the book.

[philly03]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 10:46pm

"jeez why is 9 to 5's sales so low. It's such a great show, great story, score, and the cast is amazing, what more do people want? "

Hmmm seems to be like A Tale of Two Cities. Everyone has different opinions about what should be a GREAT show, and no one's opinions were really at all behind one great show this year (Although I've heard minimal bad things about something like BE).

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 7/20/09 at 10:55pm

While speaking of BE, I see that their gross just keeps climbing. Of course most of the increase is ticket cost, but I noticed that this house that does not sell standing room DID sell 2 more seats than they had capacity for. Do you think they've got 2 people sitting in the same seat? (and does the one on top pay more than the one below?)

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 12:46am

9 TO 5 and LEGALLY BLONDE are each just as mediocre as the other.

[massofmen]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:07am

i can admit when i am wrong.
9-5 won't close in Nov when i assumed it would close.
It will be done right after labor day.
I hate when i am wrong.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:12am

If a show can last to November it's silly not to hold out until Jan 2ish. From Thanksgiving through NewYears is an EXTREMELY lucrative time for B'way.


As for 9 to 5, I've never been that 'gung ho' on the idea, but the lukewarm reception from many whom I respect, has allowed me to pass on this whatsoever. I kept saying that if the person I was going to the theater with REALLY wanted to see it, I would do so without grudge. Funny thing: NO ONE I frequent the theater with wants to go!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/21/09 at 9:13am

Tom's Cat, BE probably had some cancellations and resales, which account for them selling more than capacity.