Is Ben Platt Reopening The Palace theatre with a concert for his new Album? — Page 6

It is absolutely absurd to me that the reopening act of the LEGENDARY Palace Theathre is Ben Platt. Like in what world is that in any way meaningful? The sales show exactly what I mean.

What I will say though is that originally, the plan was Lady Gaga doing a residency to re-open the venue. Rumor is she’s pregnant, so I imagine that fell through relatively last minute and they weren’t ultimately able to book a replacement given that the Nederlanders no doubt were the ones to add in that line about Ben maybe not being the first act there in the press release. If Ben was the original plan, the release would have been “BEN PLATT TO REOPEN THE PALACE!” And it was very much not that lol.

What a fumble.

Unless he’s in a show that gets great reviews he can’t sell tickets, his Palace shows are basically empty. I mean who came up with idea that he needed that many, four would have been enough. But yes this seems to be bank rolled by his father.

TheatreFan4 said: "The Gaga Pregnancy rumors were way back in October, she'snot pregnant."

You must not be online much because this is very much still speculated.

Impeach2017 said: "Here's an idea: why not lighten up, pull out your daggers and wish him well? He's not an axe murderer (as far as we know). The word "residency" seems to be triggering for some people, as well as the fact that he comes from money."

Ben Platt is a good musical theatre performer, but he is not the act to reopen a landmark theatre. He doesn't have the draw or charisma for this gig. The palace has hosted some legendary concerts, and this isn't likely to be one.

It don't care about how he got in this position. I don't find anything wrong with family, friends, or friends of friends opening doors, but this does feel like an unearned vanity project. For a show that opens in less than a few weeks, it is grossly undersold and will likely result in steep discounts and heavy papering to make the place look full to those who did pay full price. That really suggests this idea was a colossal miss for all involved, and being a Broadway interest board, it is perfectly acceptable to discuss what lead to this, and what the likely outcome will be.

It is absolutely absurd to me that the reopening act of the LEGENDARY Palace Theatre is Ben Platt.



***This is what everyone in the industry and around town is saying.........Why did Nederlander get Ben Platt??? He's not a star, it should have been a top music star in the league of Gaga, Bette, Cher, JLO!

Ben Platt scheduled for Seth Meyers tonight.

I have to admit that I was surprised when he was announced, but I figured that he had a lot to do with the success of DEH and Parade, so maybe I was wrong. Friends asked me to purchase tickets for them, because they don't like to buy on-line, etc., and it was a present for their 20 - 23 year old granddaughter who loved him in DEH when she was like 12 or 15.

I was amazed how many seats were available essentially all the time for an engagement that is starting so soon. I guess people would rather see in in a show with a book, rather than a concert.

Is there a discount code? Do you think it will be on TKTS?

I honestly don’t think the mistake was going with Ben Platt. His audience from DEH are now adults with (hopefully) their own income, and he was incredibly well received in Parade. His audience skews younger and most of them probably have no idea about the history of the Palace, other than it’s another Broadway theater, so this has/d the potential to extend its legacy.

The real mistake was using this monumental occasion to promote a new solo album that no one was ever asking for. This should have been built as an evening of Broadway standards and classics, with special guests (‘Ben & Friends’) to round out the evening. This should be a celebration of the history and reverence for the stars that came before and a new era for the theater. Instead we’re getting…..this.

I’m not particularly fond of his voice myself (specifically chose to see both DEH and Parade when his understudy/alternate was on) but if he doesn’t at least open with Judy’s Palace Medley, this entire thing will have been a misfire.

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "I honestly don’t think the mistake was going with Ben Platt. His audience from DEH are now adults with (hopefully) their own income, and he was incredibly well received in Parade. His audience skews younger andmost of them probably have no idea about the history of the Palace, other than it’s another Broadway theater, so this has/d the potential to extendits legacy.

The real mistake was using this monumentaloccasion to promote a new solo album that no one was ever asking for. This should have been built as an evening of Broadway standards and classics, with special guests (‘Ben& Friends’)to round out the evening. This should be a celebration of thehistory and reverence for the stars that came before and a new era for the theater. Instead we’re getting…..this.

I’m not particularly fond of his voice myself (specifically chose to see both DEH and Parade when his understudy/alternate was on) but if he doesn’t at least open with Judy’s Palace Medley, this entire thing will have been a misfire.

"

The mistake was absolutely going with Ben Platt. He does not have a single hit song. Ask anyone who is not one of his diehards (of which there are few) to name a song of his. On Spotify, only one of his songs that isn't from DEH is among his Top 5 most listened. He only has 3M monthly listeners on Spotify, which is pitiful. None of his singles have charted on Billboard. Where is the evidence to support a 3 week residency in one of the largest broadway houses? He is not a pop star. It isn't real.

SweetLips22 said: "Where is Peter Allen when you need him??

We need camels/kick lines etc etc

Ben Boring Platt---Nah!"



Yea, Hugh Jackman as Peter Allen at the Palace!