Broadway in Philadelphia...

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:41am

If anyone goes to the theater in Philadelphia you know that the Merrian is not full at all...what are the reasons for this? Marketing??

I also just heard that Chicago---> which was supposed to run from Dec. 21-31... has now been cut to 26-31.

I feel bad for these hard working actors and crew that are not getting the audiences they deserve.

[alexdrovna]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 11:51am

you can always go to the Academy of Music instead...

[chicolini]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:00pm

I don't know - it was pretty packed when I saw 12 Angry Men a few months ago and that was on a weeknight. Maybe it's just hard for Chicago to compete at this time of year? The opera season has been pretty audience-friendly this year (La Boheme and Cinderella so far), the Nutcracker is always a big draw, and there's the typical collection of other holiday concerts (Peter Nero, etc.)
Plus the Chicago revival has been going on in NYC for so long I think most people who wanted to see the show got their fix by now.

How did Spelling Bee do?

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:06pm

Spelling Bee was really packed the night that I saw it and the crowd was pretty good for Altar Boyz last Thursday.

[HughE2030]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 12:25pm

The Academy of Music sponsers the Merrian productions.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 2:30pm

The Kimmel Center presents the Academy of Music. The Phila. Orch. & Peter Nero & Philly Pops are resident companies of the Kimmel Center. But to my knowledge, the Academy or Kimmel does not "sponsor" the Merriam theater organization.

RE: Broadway at the Merriam. It's usually hit or miss. What sells well on Broadway usually does well in Philly. Merriam and Academy get tons of touring companies throughout their seasons. Being 90 min. from Broadway offers a real advantage for them.

Don't forget that besides the Kimmel Center, other theaters such as the Walnut St., The Prince, The Wilma, The Arden and for now the often dark Forrest Thea. are all competing for the holiday theater crowd.

It's a great time to put cheeks in the seats in Philly, but the competition's fierce for the venues.

:: waiting for my check from Go. Phila .com :) ::

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 2:53pm

I have fond memories of seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera at The Academy of Music.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:06pm

still can, uncaged. The Academy still has the finest acoustics in the city. (Let's not share that little tidbit with Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall).

[chicolini]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:14pm

C'mon PB, you mean to tell me you actually want to hear all of the notes played and not just certain ranges?
There's no pleasing some people.

[qwerty2]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:41pm

HughE2030 - The Academy of Music sponsers the Merrian productions.

No. No, it does not.

Truthfully, I'm not sure why the Merriam does not do well. They advertise on TV and on the bus stop signs.

Plus there's half priced tickets for students.

Who knows.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 3:55pm

from this season I saw spelling bee (friday)- it was pretty crowded but that was mainluy the orchestra the balcony was so/so.

producers (wed) very empty i would say 65% of the orchestar was filled thats all.

altra boyz (wed) very empty- no balcony and like 50% of the orchestra

[qwerty2]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 4:54pm

All the old ladies at the Walnut should subscribe to the Merriam and Academy too.

[singingshowgirl]

Posted: 12/5/06 at 5:45pm

i've seen several shows in philly this fall....the least filled was On Golden Pond at the Merriam. I had family circle tickets (the really bad ones) and they moved me to balcony because that wasn't filled enough....

i feel like lots of things aren't filled enough and it's a sad commentary because i'm able to get so many last-minute great seats. I got my tickets for the Pillowman the day of the show for 10 dollars and my seats were like 6th row center. It was perfect.

philly theater is awesome. people should go!