Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 9/17/23- Page 3

[LuckyDipster]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 5:28am

RippedMan said: "...cash grab movie to musicals..."

BTTF took over a decade to reach the stage and its very existence costs an absolute fortune.  That doesn't seem like a cash grab to me.  It feels like a passion project for Bob Gale and all involved.  If he wanted to cash grab, he would just allow Disney or someone to bang out some sequels/prequels/reboots.  It's not strong from a writing viewpoint, but it is big on joy and that's something which is in short supply these days.  I'll get mine where I can and right now it's at BTTF.

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 7:24am

Well the movie is beloved by many so I could see it peaking a lot of interest for folk and then it relies on word of mouth. I think on paper the numbers seem great but from a producers perspective I’m sure they’d rather be doing double that. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 9:16am

LuckyDipster said: "RippedMan said: "...cash grab movie to musicals..."

BTTF took over a decade to reach the stage and its very existence costs an absolute fortune. That doesn't seem like a cash grab to me. It feels like a passion project for Bob Gale and all involved. If he wanted to cash grab, he would just allow Disney or someone to bang out some sequels/prequels/reboots. It's not strong from a writing viewpoint, but it is big onjoyand that's something which is in short supply these days. I'll get mine where I can and right now it's at BTTF.

"

Follow your joy!! Don't let any grouch or elitist snob take it away from you. Or people on these boards who like to criticize others but are never brave enough to admit when they are wrong about something or saying something rude, obnoxious and unnecessary. I'm with you :)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 9:30am

LoL elitist snobs

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 9:32am

RippedMan said: "LoL elitist snobs"

You can say I'm wrong I truly don't care hun 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 10:03am

Same 

[B212323]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 2:29pm

saxpower said: "DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "saxpower said: "Kimberly Akimbo is still making money, but barely. It likely won't make it past January, but for that's in line with what you would expect for a run for such a quirky little musical that could.I am going to assume they announce in October a January closing and try ride out "Last chance to see this year's Tony Winner for best musical."While 14 months is less than the runs forFun HomeandThe Band's Visit, which both ran for about 16 months with how the calendar shaped up it still respectable for a musical with no recognizable names, IP, and a concept that's hard to convey through marketing materials.


Has there been any word about what's going on cast-wise after the one-year anniversay in November? If the original leads don't stay on, an announcement in October can't note "last chance to see Tony winners Victoria Clarkor Bonnie Miligan" which may affect how long it stays open."

This is not a dig at Bonnie and Victoria, but I highly doubt people are seeing this show specifically to see them."

Its still an advertising point for people seeing to just "see a show". The other question, from a practical standpoint, is how much of an expense/hassle would it be to hire/train new cast members for just a few months. BTW I'm not looking for ways to predict KA's demise, just noting the anniversary (assuming one year contracts) may play a role in the schedule. (Actually I'm seeking KA one week after the anniversary)."

I heard a rumor that the original cast members of KA have extended into 2024. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 3:22pm

hearthemsing22 said: "LuckyDipster said: "RippedMan said: "...cash grab movie to musicals..."

BTTF took over a decade to reach the stage and its very existence costs an absolute fortune. That doesn't seem like a cash grab to me. It feels like a passion project for Bob Gale and all involved. If he wanted to cash grab, he would just allow Disney or someone to bang out some sequels/prequels/reboots. It's not strong from a writing viewpoint, but it is big onjoyand that's something which is in short supply these days. I'll get mine where I can and right now it's at BTTF.

"

Follow your joy!! Don't let any grouch or elitist snob take it away from you. Or people on these boards who like to criticize others but are never brave enough to admit when they are wrong about something or saying something rude, obnoxious and unnecessary. I'm with you :)"

 

Aren't you the one always chastising others for being rude and name calling?   I'd like to see your rules on why it's ok for YOU to criticize, but no one else. 

 

[Ensemble1686998462]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 9:07pm

saxpower said: "Kimberly Akimbo is still making money, but barely. It likely won't make it past January, but for that's in line with what you would expect for a run for such a quirky little musical that could.I am going to assume they announce in October a January closing and try ride out "Last chance to see this year's Tony Winner for best musical."While 14 months is less than the runs forFun HomeandThe Band's Visit, which both ran for about 16 months with how the calendar shaped up it still respectable for a musical with no recognizable names, IP, and a concept that's hard to convey through marketing materials.


Has there been any word about what's going on cast-wise after the one-year anniversay in November? If the original leads don't stay on, an announcement in October can't note "last chance to see Tony winners Victoria Clarkor Bonnie Miligan" which may affect how long it stays open."

I feel like if the show outlasted Victoria Clark (I unfortunately don't see that happening) the role of Kimberly is ripe for stunt casting. A role like Kimberly doesn't come around often for actresses over 60 and I would like to think any of them would jump at the challenge if offered. Any semi-popular/beloved actress over 60 who can hold a tune and they could potentially extend the show's life a few more months. I would think theatre fans would race to the box office if they somehow got someone like Donna Murphy for a limited period of time. Hell, what is Glen Close and Cyndi Lauper's schedule like next year? (that's a joke LOL) 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 10:26pm

I agree, and I wonder if they've even started putting feelers out to replace. I mean I'd love to see any of the "Broadway divas" like Murphy, etc take a crack at the role. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 10:42pm

RippedMan said: "I agree, and I wonder if they've even started putting feelers out to replace. I mean I'd love to see any of the "Broadway divas" like Murphy, etc take a crack at the role."


Murphy wouldn't mean anything for sales. It would have to be someone BIG to turn this show around.

I don't know about Clark, but a few of her costars have just gone through re-negotiations and are staying on. Which I guess means the producers are hoping to sustain past the one-year mark if sales allow.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 10:44pm

I mean it’s in a weird situation where they aren’t knocking it out of the park but they also aren’t currently losing money. Did they do the talk show circuit? Is there any advertising in nyc? I loved the show but it’s a bizarre little show so i am

happy it’s not like bleeding money. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 10:59pm

Of course there is advertising. It's just not translating to massive sales.

"Doing the talkshow circuit" -- for the ones not currently on strike -- all depends on those talent bookers wanting to spotlight the show and people from it. There's little incentive for the bookers to do that, and even if they did, it doesn't usually move the needle in a big way.

Updated On: 9/21/23 at 10:59 PM

[leefowler]

Posted: 9/21/23 at 11:27pm

As Sol Hurok once said, "If people don’t want to come, nothing will stop them.”

[binau]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 4:00am

The only person I can think of who might be able to move the box office for a little while at the Booth, is suitable for the role and might actually consider doing it based on her replacement history of Tony-winning stars (Dolly & Night Music), is Bernadette Peters. However, I suspect the show won't last long enough for this to even be an option as she is currently tied up in London. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 9:30am

Besides "The View" and the morning news shows, are there any other talk shows taking place currently because of the strike? 

[uncamark]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 9:56am

ACL2006 said: "Besides "The View" and the morning news shows, are there any other talk shows taking place currently because of the strike?"

Sherri Shepard, Karamo and Tamron Hall.  The latter two are more into relationships than show biz. I guess you can add "ET," "Access Live" and "TMZ Live," although I think that no one wants to go on anything involved with TMZ voluntarily.

[quizking101]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 12:14pm

Tamron Hall has spotted Broadway performers and shows in the past. More recently, she did an episode with Chita Rivera at the time of her memoir, as well as an episode dedicated to Bob Fosse’s Dancin with Wayne Cilento and some of the performers.

Kelly & Mark are also live, but they don’t often feature Broadway shows themselves - but they will interview celebrity performers featured in upcoming shows. From experience, their stage area for performances is WAY too small for a full-fledged number.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 1:52pm

You'd think given the strike there would be a ton of Broadway promotion since they're likely hurting for guests. But maybe not.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 9/22/23 at 3:24pm

binau said: "The only person I can think of who might be able to move the box office for a little while at the Booth, is suitable for the role and might actually consider doing it based on her replacement history of Tony-winning stars (Dolly & Night Music), is Bernadette Peters. However, I suspect the show won't last long enough for this to even be an option as she is currently tied up in London."

Doesn't Old Friends end in January? If the KA contracts only extend until then, Bernadette could get the New York crowd to return during the winter months and help get the show to spring.