CURSED CHILD to alter BW production — Page 3

VotePeron said: "I can’t find a link, but there was an article a few years ago about another Broadway show whose budget/capitalization had to include $XX to restore the theater back to its original state. Maybe Great Comet?"

Yes...was GC. The lobby was designed as a Russian gulag and the theater as a tea room with art, chandeliers, ramps stretching from stage down across tops of seats and coming down from mezzanine on both sides. Bar seating at edge of stage. Table and bleacher seating on stage. Was fun show.

Never got to see Potter. Often couldn't get the 2 parts within same day or close. Gave up. Could understand how that would trip up tourists.

Call_me_jorge said: "The fact they are keeping the 2 part version for the UK, Australian, and German productions makes me ponder; are Americans dumb? Do we just not have the attention span for a two part play? It’s also interesting Toronto will be opening as just the one part. "

Also keep in mind, 2017’s Angels in America and 2019’s The Inheritance were massive hits there. They both really struggled commercially on Broadway as well, no matter how critically acclaimed. (Inheritance even rebranded to have Part 1 be known as a singular experience and played 5x/week). The market is just different overseas, with ticket prices being lowered, etc.

I think the main reason it’ll be one part in all of North America is exactly that, so they don’t compete against each other. Similar to how Hamilton has what, 4 US companies at the moment? Keep em identical, no one can compare negatively or put off wanting to see “the official version.”

Press release says West End and Australia will remain two-part. Perhaps that's only for now? Or the costs of doing business in the US made the change necessary here.

Fosse76 said: "BJR said: "Press release says West End and Australia will remain two-part. Perhaps that's only for now? Or the costs of doing business in the US made the change necessary here."

Even factoring conversion rates, seeing the show in London was cheaper. Cast salaries are much higher in the U.S. The dynamic pricing on Broadway lowered the prices significantly, but only starting a couple of days prior to the performance. But with Harry Potter being directed at families,they likely had already planned all of the major sights and shows. It's two-part nature pretty much prohibits impulse buying."

While I understand your sentiment, week-of purchases for Cursed Child was extremely common in the final months of its original run. As someone who saw the shows regularly and always bought day-of for next to nothing, the houses were relatively empty about a week out of most performances. But you are right in the idea that it’s just not a sustainable model, and stressful for producers to move thousands of seats the week of shows.

Correct. 7pm evening shows, and 1pm matinees on Wed, Sat and Sun. (Sat being the only 2-show day) (EDIT: Wed and Sat are two-show days)

Updated On: 7/6/21 at 12:29 PM

Also similar to their new performance schedule was the 3hr 15min The Ferryman! However, Ferryman even had a 7:30p Friday & Saturday time, which leads me to believe that they are anticipating Cursed Child to be closer to (or a bit longer than) 3.5 hours, which is great news.

Updated On: 7/6/21 at 03:25 PM

Fosse76 said: "it's going to be hard for them to start differentiating the show with anything other Harry Potter project."



Actually, that was precisely the point. They don't want people to differentiate it. They did a big re-brand in 2019, where they changed the logo to match the classic Harry Potter font. And they did this specifically because they wanted to unify/homogenize the brand. I think it's also partly designed to discourage people from thinking that the play isn't "canon"

Presale technically starts now but I didn't get an email...anyone have any info?

Nada here too.