Company publicity - what can they improve? — Page 2

Which the reason for my asking this question?

I wonder if there should be more outreach to younger people (this is not for obvious reasons a typical "ladies who lunch" show), or (with appropriate PC caveats on my part), the Hispanic audience?

Perhaps the problem is not promoting that this is a classic work receiving its best production since it original incarnation. A sense of urgency and purpose to attend is fundamental to a show that isn't a sure sell.

What none of the publicity for the show has communicated is a call to action for regular and occasional theatergoers. They haven't accomplished making it the first choice for potential attendees.

Cabaret was astute at this, as was Carousel. The "miss this and you will die" approach could make a difference at this point in its run.

Updated On: 4/2/07 at 09:09 PM

what's wrong with his current shape? wtf?

I don't want to derail the thread because of a comment I made in jest, but I was just joking around about the fact that he's a bit on the chubby side.

And I can't agree with the "no reason" - he is the central character.

Performing in the role of the central character is really absolutely no reason to bill someone above the title. I'm not really sure why billing Raul above the title would have a negative effect, though - why do you think, Thesbijean?

gosh, i should see it again.

Personally, (and I'm serious here) I think they should be using Norn's caricatures of the COMPANY company. They are fabulous (we all know that) but they also perfectly capture the inherent humor in the show. The drawing of Raul alone would start everyone talking (and not just on this board) and spark added interest.

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I saw that 47% percent and that heart just sank.

Maybe they should just splurge and take out a big color (the blue of the marquee) ad in the Friday or Sunday Times spotlighting Raul and tons of reviews--especially if it lasts through nomination time and gets a few, which it should, at least for Raul, revival and a couple of techincal awards. He was the main draw for me and while I thought the rest of the cast was fine, he was the highlight...the current group shot just looks kind of odd.

Take a hot photo shoot with the cast (they can be in costume) and start using pictures from it as ads in The Times, etc. with quotes. New York Magazine named it best musical of the year, it was on the top 10 list of many magazines. The Times raved about it. They do have an ad in Time Out New York pretty much every week. But the poster art is boring quite frankly. And the dull blue does nothing to attract attention. Sleek, hot black and white would be more effective than the dull blue and boring poster photos at this point. Times Square billboard? (I know that's not going to happen)

They need to revamp their print ads. Perform on The View, Leno, Letterman, etc. It is time for them to step it up if they want to stay open. Revamping the website wouldn't hurt either. The site as it currently stands is boring and ugly.

If the die hard fans think the website and print work for the show is dull and boring, imagine what the general public looking at it thinks.

Updated On: 4/3/07 at 12:13 AM

Ths show took in $253,000 last week.
they barely have enough money to pay the cast and crew, they can not afford a photo shoot or a color ad in THE NEW YORK TIMES which costs a fortune.
And a sexy or revealing pic of the cast????
Fred Rose is the only cast member I would wanna see half dressed.

Well if Raul was anywhere near as hot as Matthew Risch
(and he can't hold a candle to him) Maybe.

SH*T, I'll come take the photos and make the ads. I could do a better job than the people they have doing it now.

Well, to be honest, it wouldn't really say much for the show if they needed to resort to marketing it on their leading man's looks. Yes, it would probably be a more viable option if he were more of your standard pretty boy, but still. If it were really necessary, he can photograph incredibly sexy -- in terms of having sex appeal versus being attractive to your average person -- even if not physically everyone's cup of tea. I think it's a show that could be marketed in a LOT of different ways... and yeah, sex sells, but I dunno.

... which is why I am not in marketing.

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I actually do think it would be a lot easier to market the show in that manner if Raul were more conventially attractive. It's hard to market someone who isn't a complete knockout as the ultimate "hot" bachelor if he doesn't entirely look like one.

You're breaking my heart...

I don't think it says any less for the show. Marketing and a show's content itself aren't always intertwined. Unfortunately, marketing a conceptualized show as just that - a conceptualized show - isn't going to sell as many tickets as selling the looks of a conventially attractive leading man. It's moot considering Raul was probably the best combination of physical attractiveness and talent out there anyway, not to mention everyone's been long cast.

I truly don't think that most people who know absolutely nothing about the man and see a picture - even one posters here would consider "sexy," such as the Elle one - would find him stunning. I haven't shown pictures of Raul to too many of my friends who aren't interested in Broadway, but those who I have haven't found his physical looks alone too enticing. I don't feel he's unattractive or ugly by any means, but I don't think he's so sexy on a purely physical level that those who know nothing of him would find him overwhelmingly attractive. This CERTAINLY doesn't mean they still can't do more photoshoots along the lines of the earlier Vogue picture - just that I feel it would be a harder sell. Maybe not too much harder, though.