CHICAGO closing in April?

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:22pm

A friend of mine had tickets for CHICAGO this weekend, but the blizzard made it impossible for him to attend the show. Of course he called TeleCharge, yada, yada, yada. He was told he could exchange the tickets he held, but was informed that the show would be closing in April. Does anyone know if this information is true? I thought it sould run forever once Richard Chamberlain took over the role of Billy Flynn.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:24pm

Get the f*ck out of here. (that was not aimed at you).

CJR??? PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:27pm

Must you resort to that kind of vile language?

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:27pm

I'd hope not, it seems to be doing well with its comings and goings in the cast.

[edenespinosalover]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:26pm

AHHHH! That doesn't sound good.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:28pm

Double post. Sorry!

Updated On: 1/24/05 at 09:28 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:28pm

Must you resort to that kind of vile language?

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:30pm

When I hear my first and favorite Broadway show is closing, I MUST RESORT TO THAT LANGUAGE.

[Plum]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:30pm

Their attendance isn't too good right now, but that's a January thing. Last summer their attendance was very strong, if I'm remembering correctly. Strange.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:31pm

If that's true CJR will shoot herself in the face. Where are you>!?!!!?!

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:32pm

The attendance was low this week. But has been GREAT usually. Attendance was in the 90's for a while. The Christmas busy week they grossed over a million dollars.

I can't see the Weisslers closing this show now, it's their gem.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:35pm

Still, it's no excuse to use that kind of language. You may not realize it, but you're talking to a gentleman of elegance and refinement.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:36pm

i'm sure the weisslers will keep this open... its been a decent money maker, especially with the frequent celebrity replacements (even the bad ones filled seats) and its running costs must be incredibly low by now. They have got to have recouped in the almost 9 years or so the show's been open...plus they were just at the tdf benefit so i'm sure tour groups should be booking soon

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:36pm

I sincerely doubt it, but we'll see what CJR says. Business has actually been surprisingy strong for the last few months (87.4% attendance just two weeks ago and 93.9% the week before that -- the 65% from last week is the lowest attendance they've had in many months, but the snow killed just about every show last week).

Knowing the Weisslers, I'd be very surprised if they pulled the plug before the show had had a few MONTHS of numbers in the 60s (look at how they've kept Wonderful Town open for over a year despite numbers in the 40s and 50s most weeks).

Updated On: 1/24/05 at 09:36 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:39pm

Wow. Dollypop, I guess you haven't cursed before. I must be a trashy and rude gentleman than.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 9:40pm

Updated On: 1/24/05 at 09:40 PM

[magruder]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:02pm

I doubt it too. Could be that Telecharge told Dollypop's friend that the show is just on sale thru April, which would mean that 12-14 weeks are on sale, which is a fairly normal business practice. Plus, you don't keep a show open through the difficult winter months just to close in April when tourists start returning to the city. Now, if there is any truth to it, an April closing would probably be to make room for a show like the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, though the Ambassador is never a producer's first choice for a Broadway home...

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:05pm

Am I the only one who suspects that Sweet Charity will eat into some of Chicago's audience?
I think the Weisslers are kinda nutty to have them both on B'way at the same time.
Not that it took that to make me realize that the Weisslers are nutty.
Ya gotta love/hate them.

Updated On: 1/24/05 at 10:05 PM

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:07pm

CJR is coming soon...

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:08pm

I've thought about that also, Priest. I think in a way, they are similar shows(Fosse directed-choreographed/ Verdon originated both roles) But another way, different shows. Sweet Charity is happy & fun. Chicago is dark & sexy. I think Chicago will still do fine with Charity on Broadway.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:10pm

I don't think so. Any show that can still post near capacity numbers more than 8 years into its run, strikes me as damn near bullet-proof. Lots of dance oriented musicals have come and gone in those 8 years (including "Fosse"), yet Chicago is still going strong (clearly the movie helped immensely). Not sure when it's going to run out of gas, but I bet it has another year or two left in the tank.

[CJR]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:13pm

Chicago is not closing in April. They might only be selling through April, but all shows sell that way. It's an open ended run as always and it has been selling fabulously. Very recent attendance might have been low, but cmon, it's a freezing January in NYC. It's the slow time for theatre.

Early April Fools joke, my dear DP? You know I say it out of love

As for where I've been.... I've been snowed in in Manhattan. Just got home about an hour ago.

[me101]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:14pm

>>Am I the only one who suspects that Sweet Charity will eat into some of Chicago's audience?

I don't think so. Most people outside of the theater world go see chicago because they saw the movie, and it's a familiar story to them. The one huge draw of Charity for tourists and stuff is Christina Applegate. Just a hunch though

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:15pm

I love you, Heather. Thank you for the clarification!

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/24/05 at 10:16pm

I think that Charity & Chicago is sort of apples & oranges -can't see that one will detract from the other. Chicago is an older show, and on its 4th? (help me on that, Margo?) theatre.Its nut(ie overhead) is minimal compared to the average show's, and if Charity does not do well, I could easily see Chicago outliving it.

Seriously hope the rumor's not so - I love that show....