ON THE TOWN Box Office Yikes!- Page 4

[CurtainsUpat8]

Posted: 11/7/14 at 11:14pm

I agree with Augie27. I saw the show last week. Yes it has many wonderful elements but there are big chunks of "blah" going on too. I've seen many productions of ON The Town and it's just not a very good book. This is the best production of it anyone will probably ever see. It's just too dated. And one big flaw, I think, are the projections. They don't make NYC look great. It could have been done in the style of Radio City Christmas Show and really attracted the tourist trade... which they are trying to do anyway. The dancing is fantastic. The three guys are wonderful. The ballerina amazing. The orchestra a real treat... but all the pieces don't add up to the hit they need to fill that theatre.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:04am

hate--
"industry veterans could just sort that all out in advance"

They did more or less. You'll notice that there are no "veteran producers associated with this show, and that the lead producers are first timers in that slot. That's because the "vets" looked at it and ran in the opposite direction. That said, your basic point is correct. Take Last Ship as an example: an impressive list of the bluest of blue chip producers, and they all guessed wrong.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:15am

The show will not be reducing the orchestra. The Bernstein estate was very specific in not cutting a note of music or trimming the orchestration.

[brdway411]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:22am

I saw it in previews, it's long, boring, and dated. It should have waited until a smaller theater opened. I knew they going to have trouble filling that barn of a theater.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:23am

" the show appeals to boomers over 60 (or 65)"

Yeah, that commercial definitely appeals to old people. However, younger people like me can absolutely appreciate the incredible talent, world class choreography, and a rapturous, glorious orchestra. I do love that children and tweens aren't really interested in this though

[brdway411]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 12:25am

As far as TDF and it not being offered, I was able to get 2 $37 tickets center mezz, great view, day of.

[broadwaysweetheart]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:14am

I'm going to NYC from Mexico after 11 years next week and was really excited to see this one... now I'm scared is it that bad?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:14am

I don't think they're so much worried about selling out that theater as just covering their expenses, etc. I mean 42nd Street ran there for awhile, but never turned a profit.

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:19am

"it's long, boring, and dated. It should have waited until a smaller theater opened."

None of those things seem to have anything to do with the size of the house, though. So, the food is horrible, and such small portions?!

"I don't think they're so much worried about selling out that theater as just covering their expenses, etc."

So, they are putting this show up as a $8.5M gift to NYC? I mean... a show that costs $8.5M to put up, which only covers it weekly expenses... ultimately loses all of its $8.5M, no? Who would do that?

Updated On: 11/8/14 at 01:19 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:23am

Wouldn't it be great if producers did that though?

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:35am

Eh, I kind of rather they make smart, well-made shows and get well-paid and rewarded for it across the board.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 2:10am

I sincerely hope this lasts until I have my tickets booked to take my students to see this in February. It has, by far, the most reasonably priced student tickets on Broadway. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 9:03am

I took a group of 10th-12th graders to see the show last night and they all loved it, they were talking about it for the entire 2 hour ride back to Pennsylvania. Is the book a touch corny and maybe a little weak sometimes, yes, but the performers, the music, the dance, and that full orchestra more than make it.

The balcony was completely full last night, and from what I could see below that was full too. Hoping the show sticks it out til the Tonys, the word of mouth is starting and any awards might just be the push it needs (possibly like Gentlemans Guide)

[Baileyboo]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 11:26am

Hater- I was wrong about On The Town. I expected a short run prior to opening, as did many other industry vets. Most industry insiders have an idea (or an opinion, at least)about a show's prospects. Most producers and investors are too close to their projects, which explains how some shows labeled "certain bombs" get produced. When the occasional certain bombs (like City Of Angels)are massively successful, it furthers the production of more "certain bombs". Most insiders are not expecting much from Side Show. But, we will see.

[sctrojan65]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 1:00pm

Broadway sweetheart, go see it. If you're excited about seeing it, I'm sure you'll like it.

There are enough people on here saying it's good.

I like Sutton's take on it. Though it is a classic that goes way back (and will be seen as popular among many of the older generation), there are younger audiences who will always appreciate good music, great choreography and entertaining performances, as well….even if the story is a bit dated.

My friend and I saw Bullets over Broadway this summer and, after the reviews it had received, I almost changed my mind. Glad I didn't though. Because while it might not be a favorite of most people (and it did close pretty quick), I thought it was very good. As did my friend, who is very critical of musicals.

Susan Stroman is what sold me on it so I decided to see it. Again, glad I did. It was an entertaining show.

[broadwaysweetheart]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 5:57pm

thank you, i will :)

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/8/14 at 11:35pm

I'm going to NYC from Mexico after 11 years next week and was really excited to see this one... now I'm scared is it that bad?

You're going to have a fabulous time seeing it and you'll go back to Mexico and remember it for the rest of your life.

[grandpianoalex]

Posted: 11/9/14 at 1:51am

My playbill was in color on Tuesday. Someone who went tonight posted a picture and it was B&W. I guess they've made the switch.

Cast members were also tweeting that the show was sold out tonight.

[Brian Song]

Posted: 11/9/14 at 5:47pm

of course they were!!

[Meap]

Posted: 11/9/14 at 6:05pm

Saw this today. There were a lot more people there than I expected. I was in the balcony and it was relatively full. There are some great elements to the show, but also some very dull points. It needed some cutting, but I assume the estates of the creative team would never allow that.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 11/9/14 at 6:37pm

"of course they were!!"

Oddly enough, that's also the answer to the question "Were Brian Song's 7 posts in this thread written like he's got something personal against On The Town?"

[ddrourr]

Posted: 11/9/14 at 6:56pm

Saw it on Saturday afternoon. Sat 12th row right seats 10-12. The people on my left paid premium $199, the people on our right paid $75 from TKTS that day and we paid $89 with a Playbill discount ($147 seats). Its like an airplane; you can't find 2 people who paid the same price. Show was at least 90% sold (couldn't see balcony)and got a rousing standing O. Yes, its an old fashion book, but considering it opened in 1944, only a year after Oklahoma changed musicals forever, the book and especially the dancing, moved the plot along very nicely. The dancing, the 28 piece orchestra (one of the stars of the show), the Bernstein score and direction were exceptional. For me, highly recommended and hopefully the BO will soon reflect it. If not, I'm very glad I got to see this production of a show that holds a place in Broadway musical history.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/9/14 at 11:50pm

Take it from me, this show has got legs:




LEGS!




And MORE LEGS!

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 9:06am

PalJoey, you're the best! Thanks for championing this show, and for keeping the good thoughts going. I also saw it at Barrington and loved it, and was surprised to hear it was coming to Broadway and to this theatre in particular. But it works, it's wonderful to watch and listen to, and I'm recommending it to everyone I know!

[Replacement Cast]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 10:32am

Saw it Saturday night. I don't get the Yazbeck appeal. Maybe he and Beth Leavel can do "I do, I do" so that we can all experience mediocre talent.