Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 7/23/2006 — Page 2

I agree that SWEENEY TODD is a more fall/winter show. And besides, tourists want to see something usually light and cheerful, not a dark and gothic piece like Sweeney Todd.

The other thing is that this production itself isn't tourist friendly. Tourists like to "see" stuff. And this production of Sweeney Todd is very minimalist. Tourists don't really like that kind of stuff. The addition of it's morbid air and plot may turn off some tourists.

I, personally, think the show is brilliant, but that's just me. Frankly, I don't see this show running past the end of the year. If it does, I will be VERY surprised.

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Updated On: 7/24/06 at 08:25 PM

Yeah I don't see Sweeney lasting much longer after Patti and Micheal are gone. I wish it would, I've been dying to see it and won't be going to the city till next spring break

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Variety was also quick to notice the large DRS drop. Its numbers will need to rebound a bit if its going to survive.

At the risk of people who think I am constantly bashing THE PRODUCERS; I think it is interesting how the show - now that we can clearly see how the movie and dvd release are affecting the Broadway production - is lingering steady at just under 70 percent. Keep a close watch on those numbers' progress leading into the fall. The St. James is so hotly coveted, vultures really will start swarming if they aren't able to bump attendance.

Updated On: 7/24/06 at 09:39 PM

How'd you like Wedding Singer?

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SWEENEY TODD will probably close once the contracts for Cerveris and LuPone are up. The show took a nosedive when Kaye was in for that one week, I cannot imagine how much it will suffer without the marquee names. It would have had a little over a year run, and it is a critical and economic success. It was a great production, but not everything can last.

I have a feeling DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and THE WEDDING SINGER will close sometime around December/January in order to reap the benefits from the tourism season and avoiding the dry spell during the winter months.

THE PRODUCERS is very much a question mark. Its true test will be during the winter months. If it slips quite a bit then and fails to fully bounce back, the St. James may be an empty theatre come this time next year. Although, it might work out with Mel Brooks, who can open YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN in the same theater.

Another question mark is BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. There were rumors floating around that Disney is planning to close it sometime within the next year once MARY POPPINS opens. Having four shows on Broadway means they are competing with one another. Its grosses are not terrible at all, it has been doing good steady business, however it is the longest running of the four, TARZAN still needs to recoup its massive investment, and THE LION KING is too big of a hit, grossing over a million weekly.

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I'd hate to see Beauty and the Beast close and I hope that doesn't happen.

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I'd say Wedding Singer, DRS, and Sweeney will all close sometime during this season. It seems this season is very crowded with new shows opening, so I think some shows that aren't doing so well are going to be squeezed out. I'm ready for the Producers to close, it's not doing that great of business - but not horrible, but still.

I'd say most of the medium sized musicals like The Wiz and High Fidelity. Also, is Sister Act opening this season? I know it has a tryout or something in Atlanta later in the year.

Patti won't be there, she's out until August 15th doing Gypsy in Chicago.

Updated On: 7/25/06 at 02:03 AM

I saw Judy Kaye in June when she covered Mrs. Lovett for a week and she was fantastic, I doubt you'll be disappointed.