How Much Longer for DRS? — Page 4

Well, Norbert:

1) just left
2) is doing the DRS tour till October
and
3)knows that Brian D'Arcy James is doing a fine job as Freddy.

As I said previously, I feel the worry is not because the new cast isn't doing their job. It is just that it lacks some draw now.

Updated On: 8/11/06 at 08:15 PM

I still believe that DRS is the best show on Broadway - and possibly the best that's played in NYC in many years. Having said that, I do think that a combination of some ridiculous criticisms in the Times, the jinx of opening the same year as Spamalot (which isn't half the show DRS is) combined with the nightmare of losing all three leading men at the same time, has probably dealt it the killing blow. (I know far too many people outside of the New York area who genuinely believe that DRS is not a good show because the Times reviewer said so).

It was going to take some spectacular stunt casting to get them past these horrendous odds. I mentioned it before - if they could have talked/bribed/blackmailed Steve Martin into coming in as Lawrence Jacobson - then every tourist hitting NY would have tried to see this show.... no matter what the Times hack said. Along with some spectacular casting like this, I think they should have re-thought the replacement casting for Andre and Muriel. DRS was a clown-heavy show before and Joanna and Greg provided a needed touch of charm in the midst of the mania. Now they've been replaced with two more clowns. Very, very funny people - but not what the show needed.

It's going to break my heart to see it close - but I think it's now inevitable. The really heartbreaking part is knowing that something like a "Mamma Mia" continues selling out while a wonderful show like this goes down.

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Updated On: 8/11/06 at 10:46 PM

He sings and his name has been considered in conjunction with DRS, but he turned the role down.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels? No, sorry, I'd rather hang out in L.A. and do sh*tty movies." ~Kelsey Grammar

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=851977#1402845

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Thanksgiving.

You cannot compare DRS with Producers. That's a joke. One made millions, one has recouped 70% so far. DRS has had very few weeks of losses until Norbert left. Last week was a disaster. They are trying to get stunt casting to get them through the year because the current cast is not getting it done. They do not want to lose 100K per week through September because they'll never make that money back. Although they would love to get through the year it might not be possible. It'll be interesting to see what they try and do.

for me, its a toss up. i think the producers have yet to pull out all the stops.

if you think about it, people intially saw DRS because of who was in it. (John Lithgow, Sherrie & Norbert) It opened with good reviews, that drew more people in. They were then nominated for tons of Tonys, again, atrracting more people. After Norbert won the Tony they reached their peak. John Lithgow left and people were excited for Jonathan Pryce's return to broadway, which again, drew more people. after the announcment of the "new and improved" cast, DRS lost their crowd. it's still a good show and a great cast but, people are thinking, "Who are they??" Even though the new cast is good, they should recast some roles, to draw people in. They need a big name in one of the two men, either Freddy or Lawerence.

Their has been buzz of maybe Jack Black in the role of Freddy, which would be a great marketing idea. The guy can sing well enough, he is extremely funny and the role doesn't require hardcore dancing. Why not? In my mind he'd be great.

But, anyway. I think the problem is all in the casting.

Can anyone think of any other names to draw people in??

I do not think it is fair to think about replacing any of the new cast. The low B.O. is not their fault. Perhaps they need to work on better advertising.

The new cast isn't NEARLY as fantastic as OBC.

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I think the problem is the casting... no one really knows who these people are. Except for Keith, Sherie and Lucie. They need to put a better well-known person for Freddy.When Norbert was in, it drew attention to the show because he won a Tony for that role. And Jonathan drew more to the crowd, also. My personal opionion is that Brian was amazing as Freddy. But he's not that well known to the public.

I also think they need to advertise more. All i've been seeing is The Wedding Singer.

This whole situation depresses me. When a 1st rate, top quality show cannot get a good enough run to recoup, well it's a sad commentary on theatre going tourist tastes.
It's strange it took so long to recoup. I met an investor in March who said they were 2/3 to 3/4 repaid @ that point.

GodIHopeIGetIt, The Producers was a hit?

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I saw this show in April as part of my senior trip. I was the only one who knew anything about the show, had any clue who any of the stars were, had heard the cast recording, etc. And to be honest, I was one of the only ones looking forward to seeing it. By the time we left the theatre, everyone was saying how much they loved it and how good everyone was. Now mind you, we saw it with Norbert and Jonathan Pryce, which were bigger names if you know anything about Broadway, however the group that went could have cared less who was in it, they just wanted to be entertained.

In a perfect world DRS would survive, but without the celebrities in it that draw the tourists in or the publicity in areas outside New York that shows such as "Wicked" or "Hairspray" or "Spamalot" get, DRS will have a hard time keeping it's doors open much longer. It's sad though, because it is a fantastic show and the new cast looks like they'd be fabulous!

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Based on the grosses, it will be lucky yo make it until the end of the year.

I hope I am wrong but it seems to be running out of steam. Luckily we saw it with the original cast

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