To preempt everyone going crazy on Monday when the grosses come out about all the reasons why this show is still open, I offer this warning…….it's most likely going to be in the $200,000's this week.
Not pretty. And sad. But it is what it is. The show will close eventually, probably sooner than later. But for whatever reason, right now, the producers are continuing to run it. Yes, its probably disheartening for the actors to be playing to such small houses. But show me an actor who would rather be unemployed than playing to small houses on Broadway for a production contract paycheck.
That's the catch-22 of the business, sweetT. While you are thankful to have the job, it's still disheartening to see those far less than full houses, and of course scary as hell because, assuming you've been in the business any length of time, you know that despite what the producers may be saying that it's only a matter of time before you're fighting to find that next job.
Anyone know if know if Tony writes back. I kinda want to get my playbill with him from "the producers" signed. "I'll be quite head down and will be mute about his Max*
Also I keep hearing about comps. I don't pay or go for the discounted services. I don't live in the city. Cheapest I find with codes is around $90 ouch. I love the nederlander and all the seats. Former "Rwnt" fan always loved the mezzanine also liked if up there the couple times I saw guys and dollls (don't judge) but if you can help a boy out pm pm me
Yikes. Who's throwing money at this show and why? Seems like a lot to lose over such a mediocre offering. Makes me wish that something like Scottsboro Boys had producers with such deep pockets and no expectation of reward.
"maybe their show isn't as expensive as we all think it is"
and maybe the earth is flat.
Pinto, it's not what we all "think." The show's nut is not some mysterious enigma; it is an actual number that's actually calculated every week and that is not a guess. It averages over $550k. It would really be nice if you could wander down from fantasyland every so often.
We don't need proof, we have a better working knowledge of what the necessary components cost more than you do.
There is no way that a show with 24 person cast and a 16 member orchestra, that features that many sets and costumes (which both necessitate a larger contingent of stage hands, dressers, etc.), can run for under $400K, as Kad noted earlier.
Sorry I barely ever post here but I have got to say I'm kind of enthralled everyday about this one.
I read the rave Brantley NYT review and immediately listened to the score. From the review I was expecting the next Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, instead I basically got that show with its balls removed. It's a pleasant and catchy score with fun lyrics here and there, especially considering how utterly boring Jason Robert Brown usually is but there's just nothing really there that truly grabs you. Not terrible, but nothing to write home about. For a second I thought this would finally be the next breakout musical comedy hit, but nope.
And so it's kind of funny to see that everybody is rather indifferent to it, but not only that but the fact that the show ran for TWO MONTHS in previews and is inexplicably running while earning less and less and less. The mere fact that it hasn't closed yet is captivating. I'm guessing they're waiting to see if the spring break crowds will flow in but there is not a snowball's chance in hell young twentysomethings are going to plunk down a hundred-plus to see a musical based on a 1992 Nic Cage rom-com.
Weirdly enough, if they sized down the sets and possibly the orchestra, this could do decent in Vegas itself.
this thread continues to entertain me. philly pinto - i don't understand you.
i have seen this show three times (all during their crazy long preview period). I think it's an ok show. How it is still running today baffles me. Their numbers are at an all time low. They have been losing money EVERY week. They failed to bring in an audience during NYC's busiest time of the year, not to mention, their performance at the thanksgiving day parade clearly did nothing for their sales. They switched their marketing company, what, two weeks ago, and since have gotten a billboard in times square and a spot on that gigantic eighth avenue electronic billboard across from port authority but they are still not making ANY money! Time to call it quits!!!
So it's officially the lowest grossing show on Broadway? (or at least tied with "On the Town")
How is it not closed yet? Who is pouring money into this?
It reminds me of when I was working as an usher at the Venetian here in Vegas last year. They had this bland Chinese acrobatic show called "Panda" which was drawing the most absolutely pitiful crowds you'd ever see. I vividly remember taking some guests about ten minutes prior to showtime to their seats from the VIP level, when they would look up and see the incredible lack of people. They'd look down at the paltry thirty to forty people (the theatre sat over 1200) sitting and they'd turn to me and go, "Is that it? Is everybody else just late?" I'd shrug, and sure enough only about ten or so more people would file in before the show started. Afterward they'd usually say, "Well that was nice and everything but how the hell is it still running?"
We were told that the show was a pet project of a Chinese producer with very deep pockets. I left before the summer rush, and I don't know if the crowds picked up but to my amazement they kept it running until the end of the year. I'd be shocked if it picked up. My coworkers at my next job had barely even heard of it.
I wonder if the ushers at the Nederlander Theatre are going through the same motions right now. Absolutely amazing.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
I thought Phil knew the producers - so Phil must know the weekly operating costs. If Phil says it's not that expensive a show to run, then it must not be that expensive. The Honeymoon producers are just smarter business people who are able to run a big Broadway show for less than anybody else.
"Have the just been waiting for then press on this?"
That reminds me: why did they give Brynn this ugly-looking blonde wig to wear in the Broadway transfer? She looked incredibly gorgeous in both the Papermill version and these photos, rightfully because she's a natural brunette.
Did the producers really think making her to look more like Sarah Jessica Parker would sell more tickets?
The blodne wig truly does nothing for her. She claimed on her Broadway.com blog that she tried it on during the photoshoot and they all like it. Personally I don't know why they would.