Stand-by Joined: 7/27/11
The summer bump tends to be selective but it happens--long run sell out hits wouldn't be adding a 9th performance if the tickets were not going to sell at full or premium prices.
There's a "Bandstand" FB page, and the fans who post are predominately younger women (20s/30s), and some men. I see no evidence that the show (only) appeals to people "over 75." I saw "Bandstand" at a Saturday matinee with a demographically diverse house. The guy sitting next to me was in his late 20s, a big theater fan, who'd bought his seat two weeks before. In front, a whole row of African-American women 30s-40s.
But if we're assuming "Bandstand" would appeal to those who personally recall swing, you'd have to target people in their late 80s. Hate to break it to you, but 75-year-olds were Beatles fans.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
broadwaysfguy said: "hogans wisdom pervails again
ask yourself with each of these shows, who is the ideal perfect fit customer?
I feel like that's a selective reading of things with the benefit of hindsight. So, for instance, if you were trying to predict who might see the show before deciding to bring it to Broadway.
War Paint- Women, who make up the majority of the Broadway going audience, many of whom use makeup and have some opinion on the feminist and/or female empowerment themes the show was supposed to deal with.
Groundhog Day- Fans of Matilda, which had an almost 4 year run on Broadway and a lot of critical praise. (Granted, I know there are a lot of reasons why Matilda and GHD are not equivalent but I'm making the same selective argument.) An Olivier-award winning transfer with an Oliver-winning star.
Bandstand- People who like vaguely patriotic period musicals (though that didn't help On The Town). People who like dance-heavy shows (difficult to quantify). People who are always dreamcasting Laura Osnes for everything.
(The reason I've stayed away from Bandstand is that what I've heard of the music doesn't particularly evoke the period, I don't really like either of the leads, and I've heard very mixed word of mouth on the quality of the book, score, and overall show.)
Come from away- As ChildofEarth said, this one didn't seem like it was going to work coming in. The connection to 9/11 actually turned off a lot of people in spite of positive word of mouth out of town. But it resonated with audiences.
Too soon to tell of course, but it is possible CFA will prove just to have been a gigunda summer bump.
If I had posted here 2 months ago that Great Comet would post a closing notice before War Paint, I'd be called crazy! Wow.
"There's a "Bandstand" FB page, and the fans who post are predominately younger women (20s/30s), and some men. I see no evidence that the show (only) appeals to people "over 75." I saw "Bandstand" at a Saturday matinee with a demographically diverse house. The guy sitting next to me was in his late 20s, a big theater fan, who'd bought his seat two weeks before. In front, a whole row of African-American women 30s-40s.
But if we're assuming "Bandstand" would appeal to those who personally recall swing, you'd have to target people in their late 80s. Hate to break it to you, but 75-year-olds were Beatles fans. "
My daughters are in their late 20's and loved Bandstand. My oldest nephew and his wife saw it and thought it was really good and they are in their early 40's. As for Beatle fans (lol), I would say most of them are in their 60's and not 75.
qolbinau said: "If I had posted here 2 months ago that Great Comet would post a closing notice before War Paint, I'd be called crazy! Wow."
Actually, no. War Paint is way more sustainable.
Swing Joined: 5/4/17
Really sad to see Bandstand's numbers. It's by far my favorite show of the season, and I hope it hangs in there. I've seen it 4 times and I'm planning on seeing it again this Saturday; every time I've gone it seems the whole audience loved it. I wish it had more hype. I'll be devastated when it closes. (Regarding the "75+" age demographic, I'm a girl in my 20's and love the show, I've seen many within my age group enjoy it too).
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