How long will HAIR be around

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 7:43am

With it's numbers down a bit do we think it will last the winter? I was hoping to see it in March.....(crossing fingers...)

[D2]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 7:46am

Can RAGTIME and FINIAN'S RAINBOW at least exit gracefully before you vultures start circling around HAIR?

[metropolis10111]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 7:50am

I't not trying to be a vulture really. I REALLY REALLY want to see the show, but living in Chicago I can't just rush over and see it. I have wanted to see this show since I was 6 and don't want to miss it. I meant no disrespect really.

[D2]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 8:07am

Gotcha. Never mind, then. Hope you get to see it.

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 8:18am

I think HAIR still being around in March is pretty close to a sure thing. While its numbers have dropped, the show is still bringing in pretty good money and is probably either making or surpassing its nut (not to mention the fact that it has already recouped, which always helps matters). Plus, the OBC is transferring to the West End at the beginning of March, with a new cast replacing them on Broadway. If the show was in any danger of closing, I don't think the producers would bother with creating a whole second Broadway cast.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 8:31am

Since opening, their lowest gross was one week in November where they were just under $600,000. Given what must be a very reasonable running cost, I can't imagine they've ever had a losing week. Now, week ending January 10, I'm sure there will be a big drop in gross like most shows will experience, and it might have a few soft weeks this winter, but I think it could run through the winter and continue through Labor Day, 2010 or January, 2011, at the very least.

[Dantes]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 8:37am

I think it will close near to the time the London production opens.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 9:26am

I love Hair and have no desire to see it close. HOWEVER...I'm putting my money on the following prediction:

A new cast will NOT be hired (or at least not end up working) because they will choose to close the show when the cast departs for London.

Since my students have tix for April I REALLY really hope I'm wrong.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 9:37am

As long as it sticks around thorught February 3rd (when I'm seeing HAIR. One a side note, are Wed. matinees good shows to get tix to?)


However, with numbers slipping already, I believe that once the cast goes to London, the show will either...

A) Close without incident...or a new cast.
B) Hire a new cast, but crash and burn due to the popularity of the current one.
or
C) Pull a "God of Carnage" and close when the original cast goes to London, and reopen whenever they come back...

[JKlock]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:26am

quizking, it's already been announced that the new cast starts march 9th

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:39am

Aduh...I know that...but like I was trying to convey...with the numbers slipping (and continuing to slip), I fear that putting a totally new cast on board of a slightly sinking ship will kill the show completely...

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:40am

The original cast does not attract any ticket buyers really, there are no big names.

I don't think ticket sales will necessarily go down due to a new cast, maybe it will even go up!


The show is great shape now, as someone said, their attendance may be low but their grosses are fine, most likely above their weekly nut. And it always helps to recoup.

[tazber]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:43am

Once again I have consulted my crystal ball and it tells me that Hair will be on Broadway long after such stalwarts as Ragtime and Finian have closed.

So, maybe a few weeks?

I mean, there needs to be room for the next revival of Gypsy and Sweeney Todd.

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 10:52am

Good God...not ANOTHER revival of GYPSY!!!!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:12am

Has anyone heard if they'd had casting calls yet? If they were planning on closing, they wouldn't bother, but if they need a whole new cast in 2 months, they should be starting auditions.

[sweetTb'way]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:19am

I'll say it again, the entire cast of Hair will not end up transferring. Yes, all of them were offered the chance to transfer but from what I hear, not too many of them were interested in the pay cut it would involve or going across the pond.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:20am

A new cast will NOT be hired (or at least not end up working) because they will choose to close the show when the cast departs for London.

If the production is still doing reasonably well (see Smaxie's post), WHY would they do that?

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 12/31/09 at 11:43am

skittles,

ECC-Singers are next Thursday, ECC-Dancers are the following Tuesday.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 11:28am

Wasn't it mentioned, in addition to going across the pond to the West End, there was going to be a touring company in the states as well?

As far as new cast hiring, auditions/casting calls show up every once in a while:

http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/28126.html

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 12:15pm

Auditions that they have going on right now are for replacements on Broadway and the First National Tour! Not sure when the tour is going out but there will be one! As someone said before this time of year is rough for any show besides Wicked or Lion King(LOL) and there numbers drop in these next few months as well. I think Hair will at least go through the summer...I hope and pray for ALOT of personal reasons that it does! I do know for sure everyone is not going over too London!

[TreyKenyon]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 1:44pm

I believe the tour is scheduled for the 2010-2011 season, so I'm guessing it would probably launch some time in the second half of the year....late summer possibly?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 4:24pm

My thoughts are that while Hair is doing "ok" their numbers ARE slipping and that the producers may just choose to protect what they have.

In reference to whether the 'whole' cast is going: I have not heard any confirmations, but the press on it has been stating ALL. I personally find it hard to believe that those with families would be willing to leave them for that length of time...unless their housing will accomodate for their families. And who said any of them would be taking a pay cut? I would imagine the "pot" would have been made pretty sweet to entice them. (I have no info, but would assume very few of them would be willing to take a pay CUT)

[lmw8880]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 5:45pm

I was going to post something about this because I am hoping to see the show in January or the beginning of February. I am planning on going during the week (a Tuesday or Wednesday) and was wondering if anyone did rush lately and how it is in general. I'm debating on whether I should buy my tickets now or just wait until I get there. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[Disneyland Magic Man]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 8:40pm

As someone who went to the open call out here in LA a couple weeks ago, they are definitely looking for people. I know two people who were called back in LA and have been told that they're sending the creative team back the 3rd week of Jan to see them again.

Both of these people are Non-Eqs though. Which is what is so confusing. They even held an entire Non-Union day out here. Seemed like they were looking to cast non-eqs.

Maybe they're preparing to launch a non-Eq tour instead of an equity one. That would go with the productions' idea of keeping costs low. My friend on the JCS non-Eq tour makes about 1/4 Equity standard pay and Ted Neeley is staring in that crap.

[winston89]

Posted: 1/1/10 at 10:52pm

Disneyland Magic Man, Them doing an open call means nothing. It is not unheard of for an Equity show to do an open call. If a non equity person does get hired they would just have to sign an equity contract and join the union.

I also heard that if the cast comes back from London they wouldn't be allowed to rejoin the Broadway company. I would think that another thing that might prevent some of the cast members from going is job security. If they are on Broadway they might have a better chance of having a job for longer then those who decide to go over to London.