Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

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Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 8:10pm

Does A tony really affect the theatre box office takings?

Look at the first revival of 'La Cage Aux Folles' won the best musical revival but only managed a meager 229 performances and closed three weeks after its triumph.

The second revival of La Cage Aux Folles fared a lot better with 433 performances, but really wasn't a long run despite winning the Tony for best musical revival, best actor (Douglas Hodge), great reviews and stunt cast with Kelsey Grammar.

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 8:12pm

Difference

Now all I see are cute boys with short haircuts in a maze of their own...

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 8:12pm

No, it makes a sames.

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 8:32pm

No it doesn't necessarily make a difference. The "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" revival closed shortly after it won a few Tonys.

There's a book called "Making it on Broadway" that talks about this a great deal. Excellent collections of interviews from actors who have "made it" on Broadway.

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 8:42pm

It CAN make a difference, depending on each show's unique circumstances.

For WICKED, it didn't matter that it lost.

But for AVENUE Q, I think winning the Tony helped make it a "must-see" phenomenon. Q opened earlier in the season and, if I remember correctly, was slowing its box office draw until it got Tony attention.

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 8:47pm

The Tony always bumps ticket sales for the best musical winner, not necessarily for revivals.

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 9:04pm

^^^Which makes sense. The most dedicated theatergoers already know the shows that are revived and probably already have opinions about them. Winning a Tony for a revival probably isn't going to change anyone's mind. If you like PORGY AND BESS, you've already seen it or are planning to go; whether it wins "Best Revival" isn't likely to change your mind if you don't like the show.

But with a new musical, winning "Best" may bring it to the attention of people who don't know it and prompt them to go and see it. It's hardly a guarantee, however.

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 9:07pm

Haven't some shows like The Producers, Hairspray, The Book of Mormon have a big increase in sales the day after their wins? Once winning Best Musical will boost its box office whereas Newsies if it wins probably won't benefit as much as its already doing stellar business anyway.

Updated On: 6/9/12 at 09:07 PM

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 10:00pm

THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE PRODUCERS, and HAIRSPRAY were already box office smashes pre-Tony win. As for ONCE, it's doing pretty darn well for such a small show on word of mouth alone, but winning Best Musical will definitely help to make it a hard show to get tickets to. NEWSIES is going to get a nice boost in advance sales regardless of it winning the big award because of their performance the night of the Tony Awards ("Oh! Look at those boys dancing!").

#10

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 10:48pm

Regardless, I think if NEWSIES does win tomorrow night, it will add several more years onto its run (allowing it to run much longer than Mary Poppins, for sure). I think NEWSIES winning will result in a very nice box office increase (increase in tickets prices and demand, so grosses for it will go way up), and definitely it getting a huge national tour (as if it weren't already, but demand will be much higher). A Tony win for NEWSIES would be the last little push it needs to turn it into Disney's next mega hit.

Whatever show wins, they will no doubt experience I nice healthy increase in grosses. But ONCE, in my opinion, has a whole lot more riding on it. The Tony could potentially literally make or break ONCE (in a way). Though many people might oppose this, I don't see the show touring (or at least having a large tour) unless it wins the Tony. I also don't see it lasting past Kazee and Milioti's contracts if it loses (or at least I doubt it makes it 2 full years). All of its momentum will start to decline dramatically, which it what is making it so successful financially at the moment. I could be wrong, but that is my opinion on the current state of the situation.

#11

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/9/12 at 10:49pm

Generally, the conventional wisdom has Best Musical being the only category that matters as far as box office goes. If a show is on the border of becoming a big hit, Best Musical can put it over the edge. I certainly don't think Memphis would still be running without the statue.

This goes somewhat for plays as well, I remember Red went from success to sell-out smash in the few weeks after it won, as did The Normal Heart.

Updated On: 6/9/12 at 10:49 PM

#12

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:13am

I really hope Disney don't jack up prices if Newsies win but to be honest, they probably will although not to the same degree as Mormon.

I imagine the Newsies National tour is in the pipeline and I think a Best musical win will help the show if or when Disney decides to transfer it overseas.

#13

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:15am

Memphis is still running, isn't it?

"Through The Sacrifice You Made, We Can't Believe The Price You Paid..For Love!"

#14

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:22am

I'm sure there will be a slight increase because the theatre is so small (just as they increased the prices once it became a hit) and there would be such high demand. though, they are pretty high at the moment. I wouldn't expect them to ever get higher than THE LION KING's, though. That is a good gage.

#15

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:30am

I wonder if they'll revoke the discount code or keep it running and simply not issue a new one. The Lion King doesn't do rush, lottery or discounts so the seats are sold at face value. Disney will likely keep the lottery and SRO so people and fans can see the shows for less.

#16

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:34am

It really makes a differents. In the past 12 years, only one Best Musical winner has not recouped (although Memphis could be the second, if it closes before then).

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#17

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:43am

NEWSIES will most lokely never be a Mega-Hit.

It's a small show, limited title, feel good kinda thing.
I have already received several discount emails, early in the run for that. (for the Summer too).
A TONY win will def help it, DISNEY will publicize that to death).
It will have a healthy run, then clean up on the road and in schools with lots of little girls cross-dressing.

Now if LOF wins, that will certainly make a differents.

#18

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 12:46am

Should they win, idk what they will do about the discount code (I want to think they will keep it bc the buy time expires early July and that would ensure a very healthy advance, but who knows - they could just as easily pull it), but I guarantee they will keep the rush and SRO (Thankfully at the Nederlander they let you lean, whereas I'm told they do not at the Minskoff... lol).

And yes, I actually really hope they get to launch their new "King of New York" marketing campaign! That would be perfect. Hey, they might even do it regardless if it wins Best Musical.

Updated On: 6/10/12 at 12:46 AM

#19

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 1:42am

Which Best Musical did not recoup? Contact?

#20

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 1:51am

TITANIC

#21

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 1:53am

In the past 12 years, the only Best Musical winner to not recoup is Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE

#22

Does A 'Tony' Really Make a Differents?

Posted: 6/10/12 at 3:19am

Phan of Londontown, can you por favor edit the thread title? It's driving me nuts.

It would really make a differents.

Recreation of original John Cameron orchestration to "On My Own" by yours truly. Click player below to hear.

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