How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit? - Page 2
How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
ErinDillyFan
Broadway Star Joined: 7/14/06
#25How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 1:45pm
Maybe broadway loves shows that references broadway. The Producers, Urinetown, Spamalot, Book of Mormon, and The Drowsy Chaperone all reference broadway or other shows. Maybe Something Rotten is keying in on the narcissism of the broadway audience or the smugness to get the "in" jokes.
Although, [title of show] and The Last Five Years didn't become hits based on that premise...
Updated On: 8/11/15 at 01:45 PM
#26How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:25pm
"Bridges should have succeeded. The problem was the story. People remembered the movie and it downer of an ending. They opted for happy go lucky fare instead."
Hasn't it been acknowledged by everyone in the world that Bridges' demise was almost single-handedly caused by its terrible early marketing? Why would I want to leave my house in the dead of winter to see a musical being advertised like it was Summer's Eve?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#27How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:40pm
For every reason/theory/explanation we can muster, there will be the anti examples that disprove them. The right book/composer/thee/cast at the right time with a whole lot of luck is what does it.
I LIKED SR. My kids, however, loved It- and I KNOW they didn't get all the show or Shakespearean references. My son listens to the recording everyday. (Granted, it's only been a week) For me, I just got a little tired with the whole predictableness of the premise. In fact, I remember thinking near the end of Act I thinking, "Wait, is this without an intermission, because I am so 'done" with this."
Interestingly enough, we saw Hamilton the very same day -- and THAT is the only show my son has ever asked to see again. (and on the way out) My dd was adamant that SR was her favorite of the day. A day or two later she had changed her mind. She admits, for her, it had to sink in a bit more.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
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.
#28How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:42pm
It's a fun show. People like seeing fun shows.
#29How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:43pm
""Bridges should have succeeded. The problem was the story. People remembered the movie and it downer of an ending. They opted for happy go lucky fare instead."
Hasn't it been acknowledged by everyone in the world that Bridges' demise was almost single-handedly caused by its terrible early marketing? Why would I want to leave my house in the dead of winter to see a musical being advertised like it was Summer's Eve?"
It wouldn't be BWW without douche-y comments...
Margo319
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/15
#30How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 2:49pm
Rotten is just a fun night at the theater, and especially in the summertime, lots of people just want something light.
Bridges would have been more successful at a non profit or off Broadway theater. And yes, their marketing campaign was the worst I have ever seen, but the show was embraced so lovingly for the few that saw it, and the score is still one of the best out there.
Updated On: 8/11/15 at 02:49 PM
#31How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:04pm
As others have mentioned, I think marketing is a large part of it. That marketing team is clever as hell and very strategic. Which is ironic because the show itself is so sloppy and not clever at all.
#32How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:07pm
"As others have mentioned, I think marketing is a large part of it. That marketing team is clever as hell and very strategic. Which is ironic because the show itself is so sloppy and not clever at all. "
I probably laughed too much at this. Very true.
#33How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:10pm
What do audiences want to see?
There is no single answer to that question, but there always is one, just like there is to the opposite question.
Rotten is, as has been rehearsed in multiple posts above, a well-marketed fun show. Some actors people like, ok music but what sells it is the light but not superficial fun. It is clever.
Bridges is not fun, not important and not exciting. It was poorly marketed. It has music that does not appeal to enough people to sustain a run at anywhere much larger than the basement at 45 Bleecker. And it has actors who are known only to that same crowd. It is not clever.
That's the simple explanation but it doesn't really need much trenchant analysis.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#34How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:11pm
I guess all the Tony nods were a fluke.
Poster Emeritus
#35How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:15pm
"I guess all the Tony nods were a fluke."
So when they get nods, they deserve them. When they don't, they were snubbed. When the critics like a show you like, they are accurate. When they don't, they have something against it?
Updated On: 8/11/15 at 03:15 PM
#36How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:43pm
It got Tony nods because there aren't that many new musicals eligible for Tony nods.
It's an upbeat, non-threatening, doesn't make you think show, that does broad references to other shows that makes the audience feel good about themselves when they get the reference without making them have to think. Didn't get that one or the one before it? No matter, you'll get the next one or one of the other five references in the next five minutes.
#37How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 3:50pm
i agree with marketing as well. Me and my mom were walking through times square and the first show she asked me about was something rotten. Finding Neverland is the same exact thing too
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#38How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 4:08pm
The marketing for this show is very smart because they have an actual voice that stands out. Most Broadway marketing goes for the usual route of pull quotes and touting great reviews. The team from Something Rotten embraced the style and self deprecating nature of the show. They have also realized that reviews are not the biggest sellers for shows anymore: word of mouth is. The decision to heavily discount the first week of previews was very smart. It allowed people (many young, social media using people) to see it and build up word of mouth. Even now, they still have affordable tickets in the Mezzanine for $37, yet manage to surpass the million mark each week. While you can never truly know why will strike a chord with audiences, they made all the right moves in marketing this one and its paid off.
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#39How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 4:11pm
I really think it has to do with the producing and the marketing after reading all of your comments. I love the big "LOSER" sign in Times Square. It's pretty hilarious, and gets my attention. I found the show a bit of a retread - every song was a "showstopper" with tap and showgirls, which got old. But I'm soooo curious to know what changes would have been made had this had its Seattle premiere.
GreasedLightning
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/11/14
#40How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 4:16pm
It's a good show and people enjoy it, talk about it and tell others to do the same. Plain and simple.
I think the "every song was a showstopper" thing was part of the whole joke of it, no?
#41How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 4:31pm
It wouldn't be BWW without douche-y comments...
Douchebags are hygienic products; I take that as a compliment.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#42How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/11/15 at 5:32pm
"It wouldn't be BWW without douche-y comments...
Douchebags are hygienic products; I take that as a compliment."
If anyone should have understood my joke, I'd've thought it would be you... oh well... 
mamaleh
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
#43How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/12/15 at 9:32am
BRIDGES should have emphasized the heat between the illicit lovers and underscored the TV ad with the best of the show's sweeping score. It truly deserved a longer run. As to SOMETHING ROTTEN, I kind of checked my inner-critic at the door and had a great time. I had a fantastic orchestra seat for that intro $15.95 price and made a return visit courtesy of their online lottery. The performers are ingratiating, and I find the largely upbeat score superior to the mostly lugubrious, "important"-sounding scores that drag down so many shows these days, like DOCTOR ZHIVAGO and AMAZING GRACE. SR is a fun show that makes you feel good. And like the old movie asks, "what's so bad about feeling good?".
Updated On: 8/12/15 at 09:32 AM
GilmoreGirlO2
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/13/05
#44How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/12/15 at 9:57am
As has been stated, there is no absolute reason we can attribute to it doing well. It is likely a mix of things. The $15 tickets, the excellent marketing (I haven’t seen the show, but I find their posters more hilarious than any of the jokes I hear on the cast album), the appeal of James and Borle, and it seems to be able to appeal to both traditional theatre-goers as well as tourists.
But, I think one of the biggest things that drew people right at the beginning was the word of mouth for “A Musical”. Not just the word of mouth for the show itself, but word of mouth specifically about that number. When the show opened, all I heard about was that number. Even people who didn’t like the show would mention what a show-stopper it was. Even after I had decided that the show wasn’t going to make the cut on my list of to-see shows for my trip, the lure of getting to see that number and see what everyone was talking about gave me pause. After seeing the truncated version on the Tonys and hearing the full song on the album, however, I concluded that I don’t think I am missing much by not getting to see that number, but up until then, hearing about the thrill of that number kept making me question my decision not to see the show on my trip.
Updated On: 8/12/15 at 09:57 AM
#45How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/12/15 at 11:19am
I think it's absolutely word of mouth and the advertising team. For me personally, it became a confirmed part of my summer trip after seeing the Tony performance, which I thought was much more fun than just about anything else on the Tonys this year
#46How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/12/15 at 11:46am
I didn't like Something Rotten all that much, but I really admire and enjoy their marketing strategy. That is a huge part of their success.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
KnewItWhenIWasInFron
Leading Actor Joined: 6/23/14
#47How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/12/15 at 12:40pm
I didn't like "Something Rotten" much, either (of the five shows I saw in May, it was my least favorite), but I do think it occupies the "pure fun" niche nicely. If you already saw "Book of Mormon" and you're looking for something else that has music and lotsa laughs, "Something Rotten" is the one that leaps out at you.
#48How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/13/15 at 12:46am
Mr. Wormwood, I, too decided to see SR based on the hilarious Tony performance. The, "but that sounds miserable line," followed by, "I think they pronounce it MiserABle" was a true groaner, and I love puns. I laughed my head off during the entire show.
Audrey
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.
#49How Did 'Something Rotten' Become a Hit?
Posted: 8/13/15 at 12:06pm
I invested in Something Rotten before I ever heard a single note or word of dialogue. Time will tell if it ends up recouping (I'm hopeful). I don't usually like to talk about my specific broadway investments on this board, but given the question and the curiosity as to how it become a hit so quickly, I thought folks might be interested in an investor's perspective and why I thought it would be a hit.
What sold me on it as an investment was #1 Kevin McCollum's involvement. He has a great track record for a producer and has produced a lot of shows that have been commercial successes. Second, I was drawn in by the fun premise and all the good buzz it was getting here on the forums. It was also not the easiest show to get into as an investor (it was committed quickly), so I think I was, probably irrationally, also attracted to the scarcity of and demand for the investment.
Side note: Although I called it a hit above, I actually feel like it is selling way below its potential and I wish it were doing better. Further, I'm not saying that how I made a decision to invest is a good way to make a decision, so please don't flame me for being open and candid. I'm just giving some insight into my own considerations, right or wrong.
Updated On: 8/13/15 at 12:06 PMVideos