My depression and The St. James Theatre

[WilliamT]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:04pm

I get out of the subway everyday by the St. James and the last week or so has been very sad! It's hard to walk by a theatre where a hit show has closed and watch as they slowly dismantle everything that went into making this hit.
Now, I know the show had seen better days and it was it's time, but it just makes me sad to see it gone and slowly loading out. I wasn't even in the show and I feel sad. I can't imagine what the people feel like who did the show almost the entire time it played here.

Don't worry or misunderstand, I'm not incredibly depressed by this, just sad to see a bit of Broadway gone.

How's the Vegas show doing?

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:08pm

Vegas show is doing badly.

I am also sad to see it closed. It was a great show and was the show that got me into theatre.

[WilliamT]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:15pm

It just amazes me how it was SUCH a huge show a few years ago and now it's gone. Again, not to be all over dramatic, but it is sad.

Was it only successful with Lane & Brodrick?? Is that why it couldnt sustain a run?

In the grand scheme of things, I guess nothings here forever. Long runs are rare and if we look at history, a shows life was far shorter than what we see today.

Hmmm...

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:21pm

After Broderick and Lane first left, ticket sales were strong...but after a while they eroded rather quickly, as I assume the public stareted to realize they'd left.

When they made their return engagement, things sky rocketed back up...that is, until they left again.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:25pm

It is weird to see the load out every day. I was just thinking today how weird it's going to be when the signage comes down.

But I'm awed it's taken over a week to load out that show! Every day I too have to walk past the St. James to get to work, I've never seen a load out take that long, and I've seen plenty of load ins and outs on 44th over the years. (I will say the Les Mis load-in last fall did take weeks, strange considering it's the touring set.)

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:29pm

Well, the St. James is VERY cramped backstage, and the show had some very large scenery. During run thrus back in 2001, intermission took 40 minutes because of set/space constraints.. (By the time previews came, it took 20 minutes). Think about it....two huge office sets, a parlor, an office. Plus, I'm sure it took a while to get the huge neon signs and other flown-in scenery out of there because of their sizes.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 6:42pm

WilliamT, I understand your feelings completely.

HELLO, DOLLY! played at the St. James and when it closeD the theater was a dismal sight for me.

I still venerate the spot where I first met Carol Channing outside the theater.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 7:17pm

The Producers ultimately failed because Lane and Broderick were the only couple that people wanted to see. Once they left, people were still flocking. Then, they came back, confirming their status as the "only" Max and Leo.

Still, 6 years is not too shabby in the scope of things. Not every show is a Phantom of the Opera or Chorus Line.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 7:20pm

Did anybody ever post pictures of it?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 7:21pm

Sadder than seeing Lestat stuff at The Palace well into the fall.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 7:32pm

When I lived in NYC I loved watching the load-ins/outs. Yes, it's sad a show closed, but think of how exciting it will be when the St. James has its next hit.

[Kringas]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 7:39pm

Is that why it couldnt sustain a run?

Shows like Phantom, Les Miz, etc have really warped people's perception of what it means to sustain a run. 2500 performances isn't exactly a short run.

[Raspberry]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 8:12pm

It's hard to walk by a theatre where a hit show has closed and watch as they slowly dismantle everything that went into making this hit.

I think it's been quite a while since they dismantled everything that made it a hit.

Updated On: 5/1/07 at 08:12 PM

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 8:28pm

Though I don't live in NYC, I have visited three times in the past year. If I walked by The St. James I would think, Thank God, maybe a really good show might take up residence at this theatre. "The Producers" is the most overrated show ever! Without Lane and Broderick, it was mediocre at best. I'm glad to see it go and look forward to the next tenant at The St. James.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 10:07pm

I snapped a just ok picture when I walked by the theater today...I guess Frankenstein is out??

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 10:24pm

What?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 10:27pm

How did they manage that big set backstage? Usually they fly the sets up into the air, right? To store them? Did they do that with the office sets? or did they take them on elevators backstage or what?

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 10:29pm

"Are You On The Boards: The Lizzya9 Story" is taking the St. James.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/1/07 at 10:29pm

The office struck me as something that could rise and fall.