Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
sfboy20
Chorus Member Joined: 4/20/05
#0Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:29pm
Sweeney's reviews total to 7 positive and one negative (two if you count Talkin Broadway).
If the usual reaction to positive reviews occurs and the box office lights up, then Sondheim may finally have a show that recoups!
How exciting...
#1re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:35pm
What was the other negative review? I think that Howard Kissel's review was mixed, and he doesnt recommend not seeing it.
...just wondering if I missed a review...
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
jasobres
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
#2re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:36pmIt seems so. I was expecting it to actually get mixed reviews, though.
"Ev'ry-buddy wants ta get into de act!"
- Jimmy Durante
"Breathe from your hoo-hoo."
-Kristin Chenoweth
#3re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:39pm
A "hit" referrs to box office sales and audience attendance. If you mean a "critical success," Sondheim has had many of those already.
Only time will tell if the Sweeney revival is a "hit." Once it recoups its initial investment, then it starts making money.
Very few of Sondheim's shows have recouped their initial investment on Broadway.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#4re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:40pm
Very few? I didn't think that ANY had...
Wait, didn't COMPANY recoup?
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."
-Charlie Manson
Updated On: 11/4/05 at 12:40 PM
#5re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:41pmAssassins revival is techincally a hit. It was a limited engagement that got extended.
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#6re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:46pm
Assassins was a non-profit production, so doesn't really fall into the hit/flop classification afforded to commercial productions.
And Forum, Company and A Little Night Music all paid back or made a slight profit in their original productions, and Into the Woods recouped thanks to its national tour.
Even with the reviews, I think it's fair to say that the jury is still out on whether this production will be a long-running hit.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
Plum
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/4/04
#7re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:55pm
The original production of Sweeney also recouped on tour.
The one truly negative review came from Talkin' Broadway's Matthew Murray, who obviously has issues with English directors he needs to work out with his therapist.
And good reviews, sadly, do not necessarily translate into financial security. However, I have the weird feeling this production will recoup, and then some. It's mostly an instinctual reaction, but I really think this might become the "hip" show to see this season. It certainly isn't going to be The Pajama Game, is it? :)
#8re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 12:57pmPajama Game is a not for profit limited run engagement though, which has already extended and has the support all the Roundabout subscribers.
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
#9re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 1:00pm
The comment was relating to Pajama Game as a "show with buzz" Sweeney, especially this stripped down version is very timely and relevant, it will be "cool" to see. Probably not so much for Game.
Pajama Game could easily sell better than Sweeney, but it won't be "hip."
I stand corrected, you are as vapid as they say.
#10re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 1:04pm
Yes Smartpenguin my post was not intended to disagree with the previous statement, it was merely adding to it about Pajama game.
While I'm not sure Sweeney will remain as the "hip" show for the entire season it will remain that for atleast for a short while.
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q
"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
#11re: Does Sondheim finally have a hit?
Posted: 11/4/05 at 1:11pm
Pretty much all of Sondheim's shows do well in attendance initially. He has enough of a built-in fan base to guarentee an initial flock.
The proof will come after the die-hard fans of his works have seen it (at least once).
As they say in the industry, that's when we'll see if it has "legs."
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
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