Meteor Shower Advance

[GreenGables]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 2:50pm

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but WOW did anyone expect Amy Schumer to be this much of a box office draw?  I would've thought the news around Alan Tudyk departing might shake some ticket buyers, but it appears not to have been the case.  Advance expected to be $8mm by first preview!

http://nypost.com/2017/10/24/amy-schumer-is-an-even-bigger-broadway-star-than-predicted/

[kaykordeath]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 2:55pm

I like to think Steve Martin has SOMETHING to do with it. And to a lesser extent Laura Benanti and Keegan-Michael Key...

 

That being said, I'm sure Shumer's draw is contribution to this is much larger than expected.

[10086sunset]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 3:04pm

I give Schumer all the credit on this.

As one of the first people who thought she wouldn't be a draw, I happily eat my past words. 

I tend to think Martin doesn't have very much to do with it, as his name didn't help much with Bright Star.

[raddersons]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 3:16pm

I really thought the producers were crazy for selling so many seats at $169. When I went to see how many tickets were left a few days ago, it was almost sold out on every day.

It's almost all Schumer. I do think Steve Martin helped a little bit more than he did for Bright Star, since it's a comedy. But not much.

Updated On: 10/25/17 at 03:16 PM

[GreenGables]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 3:47pm

I feel like more people are talking about this show as being a Steve Martin show, whereas I remember a common complaint on these boards being that no one knew that he was involved with Bright Star.  So maybe his star power is at least helping a little bit (plus this show actually has some marketing power behind it).

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 3:51pm

Key is not like some unknown. I don’t know why people would place him on the same level of Laura. Sure he hasn’t had a mega hit film like Amy, but he’s pretty in demand with a tv show or two on Netflix and a couple different films. I think his name is helping sell the show as much as Amy.
Happy for laura, though!

[raddersons]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 3:54pm

^^That's a good point Jorge. When the show was first announced, my main thought was "Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key, and Laura Benanti in the same show?? Written by Steve Martin??!?!! Sign me up!"

But then I saw the ticket prices and was very turned off. I guess I'm not the only one who had the same thought, since it's selling like crazy.

[BroadwayLuv2]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 5:32pm

Can the Booth Accommodate Standing room?  Hoping they will have SRO tickets for the sold out performances. 

[leighmiserables]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 8:11pm

raddersons said: "^^That's a good point Jorge. When the show was first announced, my main thought was "Amy Schumer, Keegan-Michael Key,andLaura Benanti in the same show?? Written by Steve Martin??!?!! Sign me up!"."

For me (16yo) I was really "drawn" by Keegan-Michael Key, as was pretty much everyone else my age that I know. Most of us don't like Schumer (in fact, she almost made me not want to go). While I wouldn't call Laura a draw, she was definitely a pleasant addition. 

Whereas my dad barely heard Steve Martin before he bought two tickets for our birthdays. 

This all depends on the person, I guess. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 10/25/17 at 9:23pm

leighmiserables - I think you hit the nail on the head. There is broad appeal across the cast & creative team from a wide range of entertainment spheres. That’s why the advance is so high.

[mpkie]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 12:33am

Agree with the last comment... the only draw for me was Alan Tudyk and I was struggling with how to get an affordable ticket or an expensive but still crappy ticket. Him dropping out made that decision for me. I do hope to see him in something though.

Didn't care for the other three or that Steve is behind it, but not at all surprised its advance is good.

[Higerolis]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 1:47am

they are. all selling tickets

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 2:26am

Me thinks this might be a great advance for a crappy play, so I'll wait and buy a ticket. At least get SOR. 

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 11:04am

Though most people here probably know who Alan Tudyk is, we are a small little club and 99% of the ticket buying public has no idea who he is, nor do they care. From a marketing/sales perspective, this show is all about Amy Schumer with a bit of Steve Martin thrown in. Personally, I love Laura and she's a brilliant woman and I trust her judgment about what's likely to be a good play, which is why I'm looking forward to seeing it. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 11:37am

I love Benanti but this just sounds like a hard pass for me.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 4:51pm

RaisedOnMusicals said: "Though most people here probably know who Alan Tudyk is, we are a small little club and 99% of the ticket buying public has no idea who he is, nor do they care. From a marketing/sales perspective, this show is all about Amy Schumer with a bit of Steve Martin thrown in. Personally, I love Laura and she's a brilliant woman and I trust her judgment about what's likely to be a good play, which is why I'm looking forward to seeing it."

Alan was also on Firefly, which has a massive cult following. I imagine he would have been something of a draw for a group that may not typically see Broadway shows.

[haterobics]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 4:56pm

I like Amy and I like Steve. Not sure I would have pulled the trigger on either standalone.

[LxGstv]

Posted: 10/26/17 at 5:26pm

The show does well: “well, Schumer isn’t the main draw here, it’s ALL the cast members and Martin’s involvement”

The show fails: “Schumer can’t sell tickets, what was she thinking coming to Broadway?!”

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 10/27/17 at 9:34am

Of course everyone tries to discredit the woman. Schumer is a HUGE draw!

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/27/17 at 2:59pm

MadonnaMusical said: "Of course everyone tries to discredit the woman. Schumer is a HUGE draw!"

I don't think that word means what you think it means. I think IdinaBellFoster had it right. All the elements together make it appealing to ticket buyers.

"leighmiserables - I think you hit the nail on the head. There is broad appeal across the cast & creative team from a wide range of entertainment spheres. That’s why the advance is so high."

[Kad]

Posted: 10/27/17 at 3:11pm

Anyone arguing that Schumer isn't the primary draw here is delusional. She's one of the highest earning comedians working.

The other names involved are certainly draws for some audience members, but they're all gravy compared to what Schumer herself can draw.

Updated On: 10/27/17 at 03:11 PM

[Anna Lan]

Posted: 10/27/17 at 3:15pm

mpkie said: "Agree with the last comment... the only draw for me was Alan Tudyk and I was struggling with how to get an affordable ticket or an expensive but still crappy ticket. Him dropping out made that decision for me. I do hope to see him in something though."

We shared the same interest in this, and I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger. I'd rather let the people excited about Amy have at it. I was turned off her after having gone to one of her live comedy shows where she didn't seem to be trying - one of the only things I find it almost impossible to forgive.

Alan's worth seeing if you get the chance. I caught him in Spamalot and he was very funny.