In the Heights Vs. Passing Strange Grosses

[barcelona20]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 11:44pm

I need some help from smart people out there.

In the Heights and Passing Strange are both two brand new musicals without a widespread knowledge base.

How is it then, that In the Heights sold 80% of tix, but Passing Strange only 30%. What's going on here?

[Boq101]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 11:47pm

in the heights has really publicized their move, the commercial has also been a great help.

i seriously didn't know about passing strange until last week, and I live in the city.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 11:51pm

Passing Strange must also be papering heavily, because there have been lots of reports of full houses.

[BenKaye]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:00am

I really am confused by this as well. In my opinion, Passing Strange looks like the superior show.

Also, is there any score that someone can compare the "In the Heights" score to? I haven't heard any of the songs from the show, and I really want to know what the music sounds like.

The point is, I really hope "Passing Strange"s grosses go up.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:01am

Just in size of production, accesibility and appeal, that is like comparing Wicked grosses with Xanadu.

[barcelona20]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:22am

It has to be more than one commercial. What are those producers at In The heights doing to pull this off?

And yes, papering for a new show makes sense to build word of mouth. That's not a surprise for Passing Strange.

Anyone have a frame of reference for brand new musicals other than Rent?

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:38am

Of course, wait until it opens and the reviews are up.

As a reference, Spring Awakening barely made it through their previews, it was doing terrible (to be honest, a lot of us here even questioned if it would make it to opening night).

Then it opened, rave reviews and voila!

[teka21]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:43am

I saw both shows off broadway and enjoyed them both for different reasons. In The Heights is all about love of family, neighborhood and immigrants who work hard and dream big. The music is joyful, contagious and stays with you long afterward. The set, choreography and dancing is wonderful, and there are some real stand-out acting performances. They won the Lortel award for best ensemble- no mistake there. The show should do very well- it will be a critical hit, and should be embraced by wide audiences.
Passing Strange is another story. The show is creative, witty, poignant and very edgy. The rock music score and onstage band was captivated me, but I imagine will be less accessible to many people. The show is for adults, and will most likely appeal to those of us who remember the '60's fondly. It is a coming of age story- the young actor Daniel Breaker is fantastic. PS is in your face, provocative and gripping, it is also messy, confusing, and irritating. I loved it. I wish it well.

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 12:44am

And to be clear, I'm not saying that Passing Strange will make millions even if it gets great reviews.
The show actually needs to find its audience, almost pushing people in the theater to give it a chance, while just by the sheer target audience of a hispanic-friendly musical...you just can't compare.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 1:07am

"In my opinion, Passing Strange looks like the superior show.
Also, is there any score that someone can compare the "In the Heights" score to? I haven't heard any of the songs from the show."

How can you judge which is the superior show if you haven't seen or even HEARD any of at least one of the shows you're discussing?

Are you saying that Passing Strange "looks like" the superior show due to it's publicity design??

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 4:00am

Passing Strange's Target Audience would seem to be young, african american families, musicians, artists, entrepreneurial types, arty buzinessmen and women, gay and lesbian, high school, college, actors of all ages, and "hip" older europeans and travelers. I don't see "matinee ladies" en force, or elderly Lincoln Center/traditional types--yet.
It's been a pretty eclectic youngish mix, so far....

[BenKaye]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 4:30pm

I've seen clips of the show online, and I've itty-bitty sound clips from the songs. Even before I saw Passing Strange, and not hearing any of the songs from that show, I thought that Passing Strange looked better.

And when I say "looked better," I mean it sounded more interesting.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 7:26pm

Ive heard songs from In The Heights and Passing Strange and In The Heights is the stand out.Passing strange sounds good though

[blaxx]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 7:28pm

Why compare the two? I don't get it.

Can I start my Wicked grosses VS. Xanadu grosses thread?

Updated On: 2/20/08 at 07:28 PM

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 2/20/08 at 8:33pm

in the heights score is just new, fresh, brilliant! it is like nothign else on Broadway. I have not see Passing Strange but the music sounded very good and interesting. i just feel that in the heights will appeal to a wider audience. and the producers aren't doing a bad job either. they creating a new logo and new artwork that make you want to see it. passing strange used the same artwork that it used from it s off-broadway run.