Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 9/10/23- Page 2

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 4:00pm

Just a reminder that the Broadway week BOGO offer wasn't valid for any matinees for A Beautiful Noise.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 4:02pm

Barring some reverse of fortune HLL looks to be dead. 

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Kimberly announce a January closing ahead of time to juice the final months of sales

Purlie is a bummer because the show is actually really great but barring a total rethinking of the marketing it is going to be a struggle even with rave reviews 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 4:52pm

I've screamed for the longest time that shows that are suffering have NOTHING to lose from switching up their matinees. Tourists have a limited amount of shows they can go to and giving another option means, folks in town for theater will go to see a show they might not have otherwise, if it's their only option. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 4:55pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I've screamed for the longest time that shows that are suffering have NOTHING to lose from switching up their matinees. Tourists have a limited amount of shows they can go to and giving another option means, folks in town for theater will go to see a show they might not have otherwise, if it's their only option."

Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 5:08pm

This topic has been debated ad nauseam in many threads here.  Could we please not do it all over again?

[willep]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 5:21pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I've screamed for the longest time that shows that are suffering have NOTHING to lose from switching up their matinees. Tourists have a limited amount of shows they can go to and giving another option means, folks in town for theater will go to see a show they might not have otherwise, if it's their only option."

Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences."

When they are doing a show, that is their JOB. It’s their job to do the schedule they are given. That’s like saying I can tell my bosses what days I want to work because I want to go to this other job interview or workshop or something.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 5:32pm

How does a show switching their matinee days mean someone can’t do the other stuff?

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 5:39pm

Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences."

Jesus Christ. They are in the entertainment industry and show up when their schedule tells them to. I wish more shows would do this considering how well Thursday matinees worked for Moulin Rouge pre pandemic. They have nothing to lose. Good on A Beautiful Noise. Then again, you thought a Funny Girl cast recording would never happen because, and I quote "That would be so mean to do to Beanie!" so maybe learn a bit about this industry before posting. 

Updated On: 9/12/23 at 05:39 PM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 5:44pm

JasonC3 said: "This topic has been debated ad nauseam in many threads here. Could we please not do it all over again?"

Nah, we'll keep living our lives and discussing things completely relevant to this thread. Feel free to not participate tho! 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 6:42pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I've screamed for the longest time that shows that are suffering have NOTHING to lose from switching up their matinees. Tourists have a limited amount of shows they can go to and giving another option means, folks in town for theater will go to see a show they might not have otherwise, if it's their only option."

Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences."

That is such a silly response for reasons mostly already discussed. It's not like a show is springing this on people week by week. Actors in a show with an unusual performance schedule have plenty of time to schedule their classes, auditions, etc. 

I'm all for the grosses improving for A Beautiful Noise because I would love to see more non-traditional performance schedules

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 8:09pm

Can't remember what summer it was when Phantom, Chicago and Mamma Mia! all switched to having Thursday matinees. Only Phantom kept them after the summer. I think it all depends on the show and needed an older audience to sell these Thursday matinees to. HARMONY will have these once it opens. What other shows would benefit with a 4th matinee? Some Like It Hot? Hadestown?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 8:13pm

SLIH would probably benefit but they'd probably also just benefit from having their matinee on a Tuesday or a Thursday. Hell, even do it on Friday.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 8:16pm

I've wonderied if doing a Friday matinee would really change their schedule. A 5-show weekend is tough on actors. So maybe they would be dark on Thursdays?

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 8:23pm

I have a hard time imagining the actors who would choose an extra day of odds and ends over the chance to save their show and relatively stable (for the theatre world) job. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 8:25pm

ACL2006 said: "I've wonderied if doing a Friday matinee would really change their schedule. A 5-show weekend is tough on actors. So maybe they would be dark on Thursdays?"

 

Friday matinees wouldn't fly well.  Most readings and workshops have their industry presentations on Fridays.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 8:46pm

The Thursday matinee at ABN is going over well with the actors. They've been raving about having 3 nights off a week now(per their IGs).

[lapinitsa]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 9:36pm

ACL2006 said: "Can't remember what summer it was when Phantom, Chicago and Mamma Mia! all switched to having Thursday matinees. Only Phantom kept them after the summer. I think it all depends on the show and needed an older audience to sell these Thursday matinees to. HARMONY will have these once it opens. What other shows would benefit with a 4th matinee? Some Like It Hot? Hadestown?"

 I also think the preference for matinees is another post-pandemic phenomenon much the same way restaurants are reporting that 6PM rather than 8PM is the new dinner reservation time of choice.

 

[B212323]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 10:21pm

hearthemsing22 said: "Shark is Broken...unless it's a limited run, that has to be the next to close. I mean...ooooofff"

It is a limited run  - it's supposed to close the week before thanksgiving but I cannot imagine it lasting that long with those numbers. I know Spamalot is waiting to see if they can bring Alex Brightman back on board. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 10:43pm

Also, actors at that level - for the most part - are getting appointments so the just schedule it around their schedules. they know they’re working. And they don’t have to be at the theater until 1pm/1:30pm… 

[Musigamist]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 10:58pm

lapinitsa said: "ACL2006 said: "Can't remember what summer it was when Phantom, Chicago and Mamma Mia! all switched to having Thursday matinees. Only Phantom kept them after the summer. I think it all depends on the show and needed an older audience to sell these Thursday matinees to. HARMONY will have these once it opens. What other shows would benefit with a 4th matinee? Some Like It Hot? Hadestown?"

I also think the preference for matinees is another post-pandemic phenomenon much the same way restaurants are reporting that 6PM rather than 8PM is the new dinner reservation time of choice.

I agree with your observation, but I'd like to point out that while this shift may have been exacerbated by the pandemic, the desire for matinees over most evening performances isn't new. I just finished rereading The Season and was once again struck by the section on performance schedules. Granted, he goes in to much more detail in his book about reasons and solutions, but the takeaway back in the late 1960's was this: "The five most requested times in order were: Saturday matinee, Friday matinee, Sunday matinee, Wednesday matinee, and Saturday night." While most of these desired slots have been added (although Sunday performances these days seem to split the difference between a 2 and 7/8 start), the general desire for matinees over evenings still seems to persist from way before the pandemic's effects were felt.

 

 

[saxpower]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 11:02pm

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Kimberly announce a January closing ahead of time to juice the final months of sales

  Do we know what's happening cast-wise after the one-year anniversary in November? KA seems to be the type of show to attract a more "theatre people" audience, for whom the cast may make a difference if the producers want to hold on through the end of the year (or longer). 

 

[BroadwaysBroad]

Posted: 9/12/23 at 11:09pm

Why doesn’t here lies love operate as a nightclub after shows. There’s an adult club across the street, I imagine with the right type of vibe it could attract some of that clientele? 
 

this could fund their run forever 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/13/23 at 5:37am

hearthemsing22 said: "Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences."

What an inane response. Without the schedule change, the actors from A Beautiful Noise would not most likely not even HAVE the show to keep them employed through the fall months.

Also, I remember the most recent Annie revival did Friday matinees in the summer of 2013. I specifically remember this because I was able to "squeeze in" an extra show that trip (it was before I lived in the city) thanks to that unique schedule. I'm all for mixing up the schedule on shows to A) boost sales and B) provide more options for people like I was back in 2013 just try to take in as much theatre as possible in a short trip.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/13/23 at 8:36am

Mr. Wormwood said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I've screamed for the longest time that shows that are suffering have NOTHING to lose from switching up their matinees. Tourists have a limited amount of shows they can go to and giving another option means, folks in town for theater will go to see a show they might not have otherwise, if it's their only option."

Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences."

That is such a silly response for reasons mostly already discussed. It's not like a show is springing this on people week by week. Actors in a show with an unusual performance schedule have plenty of time to schedule their classes, auditions, etc.

I'm all for the grosses improving for A Beautiful Noise because I would love to see more non-traditional performance schedules"

My response is just as valid as any other on this thread. But thanks. Apparently only certain people are allowed to have certain views, and heaven forbid I disagree. It's not audience first, performers second. It's what the production decides. With the work I do, we got rid of matinees, and it has not had a negative effect-quite the opposite, actually. We are doing very well, and very good business. So no, we do not need weekday matinees. And there is no need to invalidate my opinion, because I never do that to you. Thanks! 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/13/23 at 8:39am

bwayphreak234 said: "hearthemsing22 said: "Have you ever considered that actors also need time during the day to audition? Take classes? Do workshops. The list goes on. Those matinees won't even be a possibility if they don't have time to do those shows during the week. Why are Saturday and Sunday (and potentially Friday?) matinees so awful? They're better for the actors which in turn is usually better for audiences."

What an inane response. Without the schedule change, the actors from A Beautiful Noise would not most likely not even HAVE the show to keep them employed through the fall months.

Also, I remember the most recent Annie revival did Friday matinees in the summer of 2013. I specifically remember this because I was able to "squeeze in" an extra show that trip (it was before I lived in the city) thanks to that unique schedule. I'm all for mixing up the schedule on shows to A) boost sales and B) provide more options for people like I was back in 2013 just try to take in as much theatre as possible in a short trip."

While I disagree with people, I never insult their opinions. Why can't y'all have the same courtesy for me? if you disagree, there are nicer ways to say that rather than insulting me. Learn that. Accept that. Teach yourself how to better treat people. Good luck to you