On the Town "Safe" for now?

[NiceWork2]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 8:06am

If On the Town has not posted a closing date by now, smack dab in the middle of January, is it safe to say that the producers are going to ride it out until late March when the Tony noms are released , i.e.: the Bridges, Gentleman's Guides, etc statregies from last year? The show has been here since last fall, it's been around the block a little now - it's evident it's in a barn of a theatre, it does have problems drawing a crowd, it struggled mightily last week, it's also evident it does well in holiday weeks with tourists, but it's also evident that the cold months of FEB and March are probably not going to be kind towards its ticket sales. The thing is going to get loaded with Tony noms, with Yazbeck leading the way. Am i wrong in assuming that OTT is on safe ground now? This week's grosses will not be an accurate reflection of the show's staying power because this is another holiday weekend. A wonderful show, John Rando is great at what he does, just in too big of a theatre..



Updated On: 1/16/15 at 08:06 AM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 8:13am

Tony Nominations come out at the end of April, not March.

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 10:07am

Saw the musical last night and loved it. The music and terrific dancing by the whole cast brought back to me the glory days of Broadway. The orchestra by the way was about 90% full. I agree the theater is to large but looking around The Lyric I must admit is is a beautiful theater. I may even go back in a few months to enjoy this musical once again.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 10:13am

The Tony cutoff is the end of April, not March. The nominations have a long way to go from March.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 6:10pm

What is this American Idol? Has America voted to save On the Town?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 6:17pm

1. Do not watch Idol
2. Did not see it so cannot comment on it
3. Doubt we will

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 6:19pm

it's also getting a tour. i hope it has a long as a run as 2009's West Side Story.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 6:29pm

No, this does not mean it's safe. It depends on two things: how deep the producers' pockets are and whether they are meeting their nut.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 7:19pm

if their weekly nut is around $650K, they were making way above that in November & December. Now, their grosses are barely reaching 650K. I think the producers will keep the show going and see how is does when spring rolls around. I, too, hope for a long, successful run.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 7:45pm

I would imagine most of the cast is making scale, right? And doesn't seem like there's a lot in way of tech and stuff. There running cost could be lower than we think.

[Smeds2]

Posted: 1/16/15 at 8:17pm

Its such a gigantic theatre, probably the wrong choice of venue or at the least a misjudgment as to how much audiences would be interested. Its gross percentages are incredibly low right now, but the grosses themselves may still be enough for them to be breaking even. It certainly has a hope of winning Best Revival at least, but until 20th Century and King And I have opened it won't be too clear. Anyway, I'm visiting NYC in Feb so my hope is its open til then at least!

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 6:22am

From an inside source... They built enough into the budget to run till May even with poor weekly sales. Some of the investors needed a loss for tax reasons and really wanted this show to get Tony noms. They will not post a closing notice anytime soon.

Updated On: 1/17/15 at 06:22 AM

[lotiloti]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 7:35am

I have to be honest. I thought it was a dreadful show. Charmless.

[Baileyboo]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 10:47am

99% sure it runs through the Tonys. Another 6mo-year after that if it wins.
Large tour planned. A Tony winner tours very nicely, in general.

[ads08]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 10:53am

@lotiloti 100% agree with you - I do not understand all the praise!

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 2:00pm

I agree with you guys too! I just think it's an outdated show and not funny at all

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 2:12pm

I loved the show, but it was DESPITE the hokey humor, not because of it. I could have skipped over whole patches of the show featuring Jackie Hoffman-- not my cup of tea at all.

But the overwhelming emotion and love shown in the REST of the show is what made me adore that performance. The naked longing of "Lonely Town", the heartbreaking wish-fulfillment in the Act II ballet, or the simple sense of love and loss in "Another Time" are what make this show a masterpiece. I'm just cheered by how many playgoers ARE touched and moved by this production. Despite the great shows being brought back to Broadway this spring, I can't imagine another revival surpassing it this season.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 2:37pm

What about Sideshow?

By the way, it is on TDF for 8 performances thru 1/25 for those interested.

Updated On: 1/17/15 at 02:37 PM

[rjm516]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 2:57pm

Glad I'm not the only one who didn't think it was fantastic; I thought I missed something or fell asleep without realizing. I thought it was super fun and well acted, and the dancing was marvelous, but it felt like a crazy random assortment of scenes.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 2:57pm

because of it playing the Lyric, it's always up at TKTS for 50%. Always, without fail, and they're typically good orchestra seats, too.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 3:38pm

Can't be doing much for investors and recouping. Like Sideshow made a mistake opening before the 3 month slump in January & going for the St James, going into this barn was a huge mistake. Put it off until a smaller theater opens up. Saw it previously on stage and the movie so no urgent need to see it again.

The jury is out here. If it makes it, fine. If not, this happens constantly on Broadway and will again and again.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 1/17/15 at 3:41pm

Count me among those who was very disappointed with the show. I felt it to be cartoonish. I also thought I was pretty much a minority of one in not gushing about it.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 1/18/15 at 2:49pm

I also found it to be devoid of pretty much all enjoyment not to mention there was just no meaning to extract. I know not all shows are meant to change your life or mind, but I want to walk out feeling SOMETHING and I just did not after this show.

Also, the show did not age well as far as its views on women and I'm not sure why that isn't talked about more amongst all the praise.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 1/18/15 at 3:25pm

it's going to win best revival

[Anthony12]

Posted: 1/18/15 at 3:57pm

Has anyone done TKTS for this show? If so, what did you spend?