For example, I feel like I remember some shows in the past announcing their closing and then extending that date due to a sudden influx of ticket buyers/interest? I feel like it used to happen but not as much these days.
Of course, I am not talking about shows that have initially planned "limited runs" or closing dates before beginning, nor am I talking about performers who are scheduled to one date and then extend due to demand (ex. JCM in Hedwig).
I'm not sure it ever happened with great frequency.
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These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
It is extremely rare for a show that is struggling to announce their closing date, which is usually only a week or two in advance of said date, and then manage to garner enough interest in that short time to be able to push the date back. The revival of Ragtime is the only show I can think of in recent history to do that. The few other shows that have extended past their originally posted closing date seem to have been the long-running hits that announced a closing several months in advance and actually had time to gain enough interest and handle the logistics of pushing that date back.