London Production Of 'Spring Awakening' To Close Early- Page 3

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 12:11am

I'm still trying to figure out how the closing is "early".

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 6:49am

Its initial booking period was until October.
All advertising etc was geared towards that. If the show had taken off as they had hoped, around about June time, another period would have opened until February.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 7:03am

"But it's hard to defend West End taste for musicals when DROWSY CHAPERONE and SPRING AWAKENING die a quick death there and DIRTY DANCING and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER are considered hits."

And Avenue Q and Hairspray are also considered hits. There has always been commercial crap for coach parties and hen-nights in the West End, sat alongside successful and unsuccessful Broadway transfers. There is nothing new here.

For those seriously interested in why SA has failed in London there is an excellent debate on the West End board that gives the matter some perceptive and thoughtful analysis:

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=996662&dt=40&boardid=3

[WestVillage]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 9:34am

"Too bad the British have no taste."
"The musicals that "sell" and succeed tend to be the big splashy mindless and/or jukebox-oriented shows."

And this is coming from one who likes 9 to 5! If that isn't splashy and mindless, what is? And isn't this also the same person who loved the revival of Sunday in the Park, which came directly from London.

I guess it doesn't matter that the show that is more than likely going to win Best Revival and got the best reviews of any show this season and the cast is getting special awards and the audiences are embracing is a direct transport from London ... The Norman Conquests.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 11:39am

Well said

[hunterchi]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 12:26pm

Next to Normal's grosses have been picking up and closing in on breakeven from an operating costs standpoint. Ticketing is up since nominations and if that keeps up (with some wins) it could actually turn into a pretty stable run.

I guess the lesson is that a producer like David Stone can afford to force a Next to Normal into the market and give it a chance (thank goodness) because he's made enough money on splashy shows like Wicked. Love or hate the splashy stuff...Broadway is an inter-dependant economic microcosm (as is the West End) and it takes a balance of show types to make it work.

I personally enjoyed Spring Awakening and I'm always sad to see a show close...but it's the way of the theatrical world. Part of what makes this business so fun is that it's always a little bit unknown. Meanwhile?some of the moneymaking ?junk? (a highly debatable term) that will last in the West End may be funding the next truly moving artistic piece to hit the street!

[JenNYferTheatrical]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 12:55pm

It has nothing to do with British sensibilities or the quality of the show. Spring Awakening was a great show - that's why it did so well here in the States. Maybe it just wasn't the right time for SA to hit the West End. But such is the way of the world.

[Weez]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 1:05pm

Ignoring the US vs UK "discussion" that has the potential to flare up (which didn't end so well last time; why CAN'T we all just get along? O_o), I really can't pass up a reply to this:

It seems like the REALLY FLUFFY stuff like Dirty Dancing, Bombay Dreams, and Saturday Night Fever are huge hits over there.

And all y'all reckon Legally Blonde is going to *flop* when it opens up over here? I've been saying it for months; the theatre-going masses - and I mean "mass" in a semi-derogatory way - are going to LOVE Legally Blonde. It may not last forever, but I'm confident it'll do at least fairly well, and the news about Spring Awakening only adds another scrap of evidence to my proof pile.

[nealb1]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 2:38pm

Always sad news when a show closes, which means that actors, musicians, crew, box office staff, ushers and the like will be umemployed.

And, it's a ripple effect, too. All of the shops, taxis, cafes and restaurants that theatre patrons would go to, either before or after a show, will be losing out on that money, as well.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 3:37pm

I told you the Act One finale wouldn't be sexy enough with those British teeth.

That would be hilarious if it wasn't an incredibly outdated and bigoted remark. Millions of gorgeous Brits out there.