PARADE On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread- Page 29

[BJR]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 9:31am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "Do we need a better example of "the Broadway business model is totally broken" when a show--without any major celebrities commanding insane salaries-- can sell to 95%+ capacity for six months straight, with avg ticket prices being well north of $100, and still maybe not turn a profit?"

Exactly my thought. If this doesn't turn a profit, little else has a chance. Not because the idea was a slam dunk, but because Ben has proved to be a major musical theatre draw. If running costs are indeed 650k and theyve been making over 1m/week, you can't ask for much more.

[binau]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 9:53am

Well I guess I'd like at it more glass half full. This is a very challenging show and subject matter, among the most difficult ever on a commercial Broadway stage. It's also very complex (i.e not a crowd pleaser). It doesn't have an A-List celebrity (which is unachievable for most productions) but it does have the kind of celebrity that is more realistic for many producers to get. And yet, It HAS sold at 95%+ at a $1m or close to for a long time now (much longer than any of the classic drop-offs that happen after about 12-15* weeks in shows like Follies, War Paint etc.). If it doesn't recoup, it'll be very close to the point where I'm guessing to investors it will feel like they made a small donation to the arts rather than lost a load of money. I feel it's an inspiring story and model personally. 

* It's interesting that they quote that the show could have recouped in 15 weeks if it made $1.25m. Makes me wonder if this runway length is talked about in the industry for these artistic New York musicals. 

Updated On: 7/16/23 at 09:53 AM

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 11:54am

only three weeks left. do we know if Ben Platt has any scheduled time off? I would love to see Max play Leo Frank again, (or Ryan Vona) 

 

Edit: Looks like Ryan will be departing the show today - July 16 : / 

Updated On: 7/16/23 at 11:54 AM

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 1:41pm

That interview in Rolling Stone is hilarious. Making a big deal of that question is now the main focal point of the article. Not being able to laugh off that label or understand that people will have an opinion on his work even if they don't know him is wild and extremely telling. 

 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 3:06pm

binau said: "Well I guess I'd like at it more glass half full. This is a very challenging show and subject matter, among the most difficult ever on a commercial Broadway stage. It's also very complex (i.e not a crowd pleaser). It doesn't have an A-List celebrity (which is unachievable for most productions) but it does have the kind of celebrity that is more realistic for many producers to get. And yet, It HAS sold at 95%+ at a $1m or close to for a long time now (much longer than any of the classic drop-offs that happen after about 12-15* weeks in shows like Follies, War Paint etc.). If it doesn't recoup, it'll be very close to the point where I'm guessing to investors it will feel like they made a small donation to the arts rather than lost a load of money. I feel it's an inspiring story and model personally.

* It's interesting that they quote that the show could have recouped in 15 weeks if it made $1.25m. Makes me wonder if this runway length is talked about in the industry for these artistic New York musicals."

sorry, i dont follow Binau. We all want to see productions that do not rely on a Hollywood celebrity, and do not skimp on cast size, and are not derivative of some Disney or Marvel movie. And yet here is Parade, revival of a non-Hollywood work, not celeb driven, of a tough issue---and it sells out! To rave reviews! You cant get a seat! Its doing great!

And the backers.... may not reap any profit? Thats a disaster if you want those backers to, you know, back the next one. And it tells me that the cost of mounting a production (like the cost of everything else) is hurting us, the consumer.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 3:18pm

BJR said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Do we need a better example of "the Broadway business model is totally broken" when a show--without any major celebrities commanding insane salaries-- can sell to 95%+ capacity for six months straight, with avg ticket prices being well north of $100, and still maybe not turn a profit?"

Exactly my thought. If this doesn't turn a profit, little else has a chance. Not because the idea was a slam dunk, but because Ben has proved to be a major musical theatre draw. If running costs are indeed 650k and theyve been making over 1m/week, you can't ask for much more."

whether it was the reviews, the subject matter, or Ben Platt, the show sold out, or almost did, 8x a week. and still not a hit!

if i invested $$ in a show that then *did what we wanted it to do* and still took a loss, i ain't investing again in anything unless you first show me a power point on which specific group is guaranteed to buy X number of tickets for X number of consecutive months. Ie, im not investing unless its The Neil Diamond Musical or the Samuel L Jackson Play or Star Wars Goes Dancin. Otherwise, im throwing away my money.

 

[inception]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 7:46pm

BJR said: "ilI'm not investing unless its....Star Wars Goes Dancin. "

OMG! Is that coming!! 

But seriously, even that Intellectual Property is losing steam.  Disney says they are going to cut back on the number of Star Wars films.  Anecdotally, when I was in San Francisco in June I did a bicycle tour,  and one of the things the guide asked the group was if we wanted to see the LucasFilm offices as we went through the Presidio towards the Golden Gate Bridge.  The teenagers were all like,  "Meh." I spoke up & said "Hey we're here we might as well see it." So we went & got selfies with the Yoda fountain and looked in the lobby at the Darth Vader etc for 10 minutes.  But, the younger generation really seems to care less & less about properties that were once cash cows.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 7/16/23 at 8:02pm

inception said: "BJR said: "ilI'm not investing unless its....Star Wars Goes Dancin. "

OMG! Is that coming!!”

I do wonder how Meco’s “Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk” would fare as a “dancical”. 

[nmartin]

Posted: 7/26/23 at 11:38pm

Tuesday I was in Mount Carmel Cemetery in Queens visiting graves. As I was about to leave, I remembered that I had seen on the internet that Leo Frank is buried there. I visited his grave, which gave me the motivation to buy a ticket to Parade.

I went tonight.

The sound mix in Act 1 was absolutely appalling. 70+% of the lyrics were unintelligible. I was in the center mezzanine, seat 101. During intermission people were voicing their displeasure. I turned to the people behind me and joined their conversation. My final comment as Act 2 started was "I think there's a good show in there somewhere, but who knows if you can't understand the lyrics. The first number in Act 2 saw an improvement in the balance. As the act continued, the mix became much better. By the closing number, I finally heard the lyrics that I should have heard at the beginning of the show. 

Having flown from New Orleans, I am extremely disappointed; therefore, I just bought a ticket for Friday night: orchestra center, row G, seat 101.

This brings my Parade investment to $568. I hope my experience Friday is much better.

If anyone knows whom I can email to voice my displeasure, please let me know.

Since the sound mix got markedly better, I assume this is not a regular issue

[Kate Monster3]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:16pm

Anyone rushing Parade this week? Curious what the lines look like for the last week. 

[qafgenius122]

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

I didn't rush it this morning (Tuesday) but I did walk by at just after 10am and the line was longggggg. No chance most of those people got tickets. Especially considering they have about 8-10 rush tickets. The show was sold out for the day by 11am (per a sign in the box office)

I imagine some people in that line who didn't get rush tickets paid full price causing rhe show to sell out.

[inception]

Posted: 8/2/23 at 2:27am

It's a shame this couldn't be recorded for something like PBS Great Performances.  If this doesn't tour, I hope it at least inspires more regional theatres to produce this show.

Gosh I've come a long way from the beginning of the year when I was like "Meh I've never dug the OBC" to now when I'm all " This was the best thing I saw in NY this year!"

Updated On: 8/2/23 at 02:27 AM

[inception]

Posted: 8/2/23 at 9:53am

Whoa! Glad I'm not trying to get tickets for one of the last shows this week. $248 for mezz. $318 for same seat in Orch where I paid $180.

Edit: Also makes me sad to remember how easy it was to get a cheap seat last year for last week of Company in the same theatre.

Updated On: 8/2/23 at 09:53 AM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/2/23 at 11:07am

I don't remember it being easy to get tickets the last week of Company.   Anyway, are there any reports on standing room?  They have one right?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/2/23 at 12:53pm

I hope they’re able to recoup in this final week, if they haven’t done so already!

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 8/2/23 at 9:48pm

Hoping to rush either tomorrow or Friday. Telecharge says no regular tickets available, but if I'm one of the first in line I should be able to get a Partial View / Box Seat option, right?

[Kate Monster3]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 8:03am

BCfitasafiddle said: "Hoping to rush either tomorrow or Friday. Telecharge says no regular tickets available, but if I'm one of the first in line I should be able to get a Partial View / Box Seat option, right?"

if you’re going to rush, get here early. I  rushed this morning and ended up being 7th in line at 530a, the first person was here around 430am. 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 8:45am

PipingHotPiccolo said: "BJR said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Do we need a better example of "the Broadway business model is totally broken" when a show--without any major celebrities commanding insane salaries-- can sell to 95%+ capacity for six months straight, with avg ticket prices being well north of $100, and still maybe not turn a profit?"

Exactly my thought. If this doesn't turn a profit, little else has a chance. Not because the idea was a slam dunk, but because Ben has proved to be a major musical theatre draw. If running costs are indeed 650k and theyve been making over 1m/week, you can't ask for much more."

whether it was the reviews, the subject matter, or Ben Platt, the show sold out, or almost did, 8x a week. and still not a hit!

if i invested $$ in a show that then *did what we wanted it to do* and still took a loss, i ain't investing again in anything unless you first show me a power point on which specific group is guaranteed to buy X number of tickets for X number of consecutive months. Ie, im not investing unless its The Neil Diamond Musical or the Samuel L Jackson Play or Star Wars Goes Dancin. Otherwise, im throwing away my money.

"

In this case, we are talking about a show with a cast of 36 (including standbys), more than 20 people in the pit, and a less than six month run. It can't be easy to turn a profit with a cast and orchestra that size with such a short run. 

Also worth noting, many of those who invest in Broadway shows are investing in the arts. A lot see it as philanthropy rather than a business venture.

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 10:50am

I walked by the line this morning at 9:50 and counted about 70 people. I think I'll go early Saturday to have two chances. Anyone who was there today or is going tomorrow please post updates with the seating availability! 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 11:40am

Kate Monster3 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Hoping to rush either tomorrow or Friday. Telecharge says no regular tickets available, but if I'm one of the first in line I should be able to get a Partial View / Box Seat option, right?"

if you’re going to rush, get here early. I rushed this morning and ended up being 7th in line at 530a, the first person was here around 430am."

Thanks. Will do. Were you able to get a ticket?

[Kate Monster3]

Posted: 8/3/23 at 12:31pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "Kate Monster3 said: "BCfitasafiddle said: "Hoping to rush either tomorrow or Friday. Telecharge says no regular tickets available, but if I'm one of the first in line I should be able to get a Partial View / Box Seat option, right?"

if you’re going to rush, get here early. I rushed this morning and ended up being 7th in line at 530a, the first person was here around 430am."

Thanks. Will do. Were you able to get a ticket?"

Yea but they were out of rush seats by the 5th person. I got standing room. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/4/23 at 6:14pm

I'm seeing this revival tomorrow night. Will def report back — expecting some big-time energy all around for closing weekend.

[Dom P]

Posted: 8/4/23 at 6:18pm

I'm sure the final performance on Sunday,will be extremely emotional for Cast,Crew and Audience .

Anyone going,please report back. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 8/4/23 at 6:42pm

FWIW, Douglas Lyons just tested positive for COVID, and Prentiss E. Mouton will be on for Riley for the rest of the run. 

Updated On: 8/4/23 at 06:42 PM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 8/5/23 at 11:51am

Any rush reports