GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE... - Staying Power

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 4:32pm

GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE..., having opened this past week, I was curious as to what the consensus was as to its staying power through the holidays and into the new year. The reviews by all accounts were ridiculously strong, many of them rave reviews. With the positive word of mouth spreading, do you all think that it will have a life, surviving the wintertime chopping block? I ask more so from the perspective of someone still looking to buy tickets, and dreading an email sighting in early closing date for a performance I would likely be booking in January or February.

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 4:39pm

One way to help you gauge that is by following weekly Briadway grosses. They are posted on this site (as well as others) each Monday.

[loliveve]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 5:01pm

^ I'm pretty sure that LimelightMike has known that for quite a while.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 5:41pm

I think it's going to be running for a very long time.

[HoundDoggydog]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 5:43pm

My guess is that despite the great reviews, they start seeing really low numbers in January/February, but do their best to fight through to try and get to the Tony's in hopes that Jefferson Mays will win. Not sure if they will be able to though. And if Tony season doesn't go well for them, they will be done for.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 5:43pm

I hope you're right, PJ. I had such a great time at this show!

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 5:45pm

Let's hope so, I booked it for March already...

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 6:03pm

"My guess is that despite the great reviews.... if Tony season doesn't go well for them, they will be done for."

Why so pessimistic about their prospects?

[HoundDoggydog]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 6:19pm

While I think the show is sort of fun and cute, I don't think it merits a full price ticket purchase, and believe eventually audiences will begin to feel the same way. I could be wrong, just my prediction.

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 6:21pm

This is a show that just doesn't have that appeal that is needed. If it were premiering off-broadway, or in London, or in the 1990's, I would say yes, but nowadays, no.

[Hair-Do Lempke]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 9:30pm

Despite all the glowing reviews, I think this is a real 'word-of-mouth' show, which is why I received the Deep Discount Offer in my Email this week. It will make more people willing to take a chance on it and spread the (hopefully good) word.

Even if they have rough weeks in January & February, the producers are going to keep this show going till Tony time. I think this show has a lot of industry good-will behind it. It's a solid show with terrific performances (the score has been rather underrated) and has been created by fresh theater writer talents. All the reason to support it.

GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE reminds me of much of Peter Mills works, particularly the luscious THE PURSUIT OF PERSEPHONE. I'd love to see that on Broadway!

Updated On: 11/22/13 at 09:30 PM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 9:59pm

"Why so pessimistic about their prospects?"

I believe the thread was asking about whether or not the show will last. God forbid someone thinks a show won't run forever.

I personally don't see it lasting that long even with those reviews.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 10:13pm

I do.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 10:50pm

Totally agree, PalJoey. Audience loved it, and those were a pretty amazing set of reviews. Unless the producers are unwilling to spend the money to publicize the show, this should have a long run, and Tony noms in many categories.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 10:54pm

It's not an expensive show. It'll survive without a problem on the strength of the reviews. It doesn't need to sell full price tickets to make money.

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 11:11pm

"I'm pretty sure that LimelightMike has known that for quite a while."

Cool. And now others know too. That's what boards have over emailing.

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 11:17pm

"I believe the thread was asking about whether or not the show will last. God forbid someone thinks a show won't run forever. "

And God forbid someone should be encouraged to elaborate.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 11/22/13 at 11:21pm

Not only will it last. But I see it being nominated for Best Musical. If ANOTHER jukebox musical can demand top dollar, I don't see why this one with such BEAUTIFUL original music, stellar acting, solid book, and all around great cast can't. I'm rooting for them!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 12:33am

Were all the theaters that it had it's "Tryouts" at on as producers?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 12:52am

both of them received "in association with" credit.

[loliveve]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 1:18am

Theater'sBestFriend- my point was simply that LimelightMike is not a newbie, so since you were pointing out the obvious, I did too.

and PalJoey- I hope it runs for a long time as well! I keep recommending it to people who I know who live there, or how are going to be visiting NYC.

[Theater'sBestFriend]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 9:03am

Thanks Loliveve - no hard feelings at all. My point was that, while these chat room discussions can have the appearance of an intimate conversation among a small circle of participants, a much larger audience is actually reading them. For example, as I write, regarding this thread:

Number of postings = 20
Number of Viewings = 1,819

Since it's impossible to say who's a veteran and who's a newbie among the viewers, I think it's nice to be inclusive of all.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 10:22am

"Since it's impossible to say who's a veteran and who's a newbie among the viewers, I think it's nice to be inclusive of all. "

Theater'sBestFriend, you can get an idea of who are veterans and who are newbies by looking under their name on the left side of the post. It has date joined, the site also gives you a title according to how frequent you post.


From the FAQ page:

The little title that says "Swing" under your username signifies the number of posts you have. The number of hours/days/months/decades you have been here does not affect this title. This is how the titles are classified:

Member Levels:

* Swing = 0-25
* Chorus Member = 25-50
* Stand-by = 100-200
* Featured Actor = 200-300
* Leading Actor = 300-400
* Broadway Star = 400-999
* Broadway Legend = 1000+


If you are interested you can find out more under FAQ link:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=858987

Updated On: 11/23/13 at 10:22 AM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 4:19pm

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

As something of an update, I was able to nab Row D for a performance in January. How *is* Row D? The set looks gorgeous, I'd want to be able to take it all in! :)

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 11/23/13 at 6:54pm

Row D is the 2nd Row, the stage is not overly high, the set stage is a few steps up it is set back a bit so your view should be great.