Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 7/7/19 — Page 2

@Brit, yes, Burn This, and maybe it will get a little bump once Burn This closes. (In general, I assume they are still open in hopes that they will see an uptick when the field narrows, but I wouldn't hold my breath.)

@kitsune, in the abstract, yes, though understand that most revenue to the landlord is driven by the grosses. Also, while the house charges are higher, the landlord can also abate them if need be.

Updated On: 7/8/19 at 05:56 PM

BritCrit said: "As Tootsie hits a disastrous new low, it is worth reflecting on the fact that Catch Me If You Can was the last musical to win Best Actor without winning in the Best Musical categories - that one didn’t last long, did it?

I am guessing that Tootsie’s weekly nut is around 750K at most, so it’s still making money, but we can expect further decline soon, so it’s likely to not reach its one year anniversary..."



I suspect that the Tony's actually hurt the show, since the number came across so badly, and Santino made no impression. I guess you need to see the entire performance to appreciate it.

I also am assuming that word-of-mouth is NSG. When I saw it, I enjoyed it because of the book, but have come to the point where i don't recommend it to anyone because it is, after all, a musical...with lousy music. Other barometers: the Act 1 curtain received tepid reviews, because the audience actually expected a great number, which they did not get; when leaving the theatre, I heard a lot of 'it was okay' comments, which the other four in my group all also thought. At Broadway prices, with no star, mediocre is not going to cut it.

Breaking: FRANKIE & JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE Will Conclude Broadway this Month

The score to 'Tootsie' is pedestrian at its best and I suspect damage was done by that Tony performance. Also, the movie is constantly shown on cable and maybe people are tired of it.

As for F&J, that's more confounding. I suppose people are right about the poor timing but attendance has been just so low. I saw the 2002 revival 4 months into its run and the place was almost full. I think it's a terrific play and I'm sure Audra and Michael have their own unique takes on their roles. Unfortunate.

Jarethan said: "I suspect that the Tony's actually hurt the show, since the number came across so badly, and Santino made no impression. I guess you need to see the entire performance to appreciate it.


I also am assuming that word-of-mouth is NSG. When I saw it, I enjoyed it because of the book, but have come to the point where i don't recommend it to anyone because it is, after all, a musical...with lousy music. Other barometers: the Act 1 curtain received tepid reviews, because the audience actually expected a great number, which they did not get; when leaving the theatre, I heard a lot of'it was okay' comments, which the other four in my group all also thought. At Broadway prices, with no star, mediocre is not going to cut it."

Santino's ability at singing in male and female voices is cute, but it's not really worth buying a ticket for. He was probably the only nominee in the musicals category this year to have any name recognition, which was a key reason for his Tony win, but people definitely overestimated his ability at selling tickets. His (two dimensional villain) role in Frozen was easily the worst part of that film, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was never a ratings hit. The millennial fanbase for those two works generally regards Tootsie as dated and problematic, so if his casting was an attempt to bring in a younger audience, it hasn't worked. I really like Santino Fontana and want him to succeed, but I think that he needs to start thinking about doing something new in a few months...

massofmen said: "i think its cute that people think that theatre people are a draw to sell tix to regular folk.

Like when people think tourists care about Audra Mcdonald, or Shoshana Bean being in a show."

Same with Nathan Lane. Like my school was having a trip to Gary and I assumed everyone would know who Lane was from The Lion King and The Producers, but I had to keep explaining to people what he was from anytime I talked about him in the show. Huge name in theatre, maybe not so much elsewhere.

Wonder what the fate of "Oklahoma!" is? They have steadily declined in Box Office revenue for 7 of the last 10 weeks. The last 3 weeks have been a decline each week. Right now they are at 69 percent of gross potential. Attendance can be up but they must be selling tickets at a big discount. I am really saddened about "Tootsie" I adored the show, the music and thought Santino Fontana was brilliant. One of the best performances I have seen in a long time and for me a truly delightful evening in the theater. I hope to see it again.

dramamama611 said: "Stage Door Sally said: "Mike Barrett said: "I really think Frankie and Johnny opened at a poor time. With Mockingbird being a record breaking hit for straight plays, Network selling out (although it closed towards beginning of its run) , Constitution, people still catching up on seeing Potter, Burn This, I ultimately think it was a crowded season for plays to contend with. Imagine if Frankie and Johnny opened in August this year knowing that a lot of broadway will be dark. It’s too bad."

Not sure I understand the comment about Network. It was a limited run, extended twice, and recouped."

Pretty sure the poster meant that NETWORK closed pretty early in F&J's run."

Ahh... ok, thanks!

FranklinDickson2018 said: "Wonder what the fate of "Oklahoma!" is? They have steadily declined in Box Office revenuefor 7 of the last 10 weeks. The last 3 weeks have been a decline each week. Right now they are at 69 percent of gross potential. Attendance can be up but they must be selling tickets at a big discount."

Wondering this too. The younger "Oklahoma f***s!" internet crowd can't sustain a run, and the older crowd may be alienated by it. Of course, everything's going to go up again next week with the real start of tourist season, but if OK! sticks around past Labour Day, it'll have a tough fall ahead and it may not be worth it for the Thanksgiving/Christmas sales bumps.

Updated On: 7/8/19 at 09:01 PM

jbird5 said: "Even Dann Florek got bigger entrance applause."

One of the world's most underrated actors. Plus, he was very sweet to my mom (who was 80 at the time) when she met him at the tribute to Jerry Orbach at the Richard Rodgers.

I wonder to what degree Frankie and Johnny was impacted by being at the larger Broadhurst instead of the smaller Booth/Golden/Hayes?

Stage Door Sally said: "dramamama611 said: "Stage Door Sally said: "Mike Barrett said: "I really think Frankie and Johnny opened at a poor time. With Mockingbird being a record breaking hit for straight plays, Network selling out (although it closed towards beginning of its run) , Constitution, people still catching up on seeing Potter, Burn This, I ultimately think it was a crowded season for plays to contend with. Imagine if Frankie and Johnny opened in August this year knowing that a lot of broadway will be dark. It’s too bad."

Not sure I understand the comment about Network. It was a limited run, extended twice, and recouped."

Pretty sure the poster meant that NETWORK closed pretty early in F&J's run."

Ahh... ok, thanks!

"

Yep, thats what I meant! My comment was more so to say that theatergoers have spent their money on straight plays this season, and with their being a lot of hits in terms of plays (Including Network which consistently had high grosses), F&J opening during tony season when hype was built around these shows, there just wasn't a consumer base really for this show honestly. I really feel if it opened in July/August it would have a bit better luck. Its too bad, I hope to catch it later this month when Im in for a day.