PARADE On Broadway - Reviews & News Thread — Page 9

When Telecharge crashes, pretty much no one is able to get through and buy tickets, so, when it gets back up and running, they will have the same availability as before, for the most part.

Updated On: 1/22/23 at 11:45 AM

BETTY22 said: "I'm surprised this isn't selling better.

The show never exploded with commercial success - but I thought Ben's fan base would sell this out."

I saw this at the Beaumont when in college. It was a big failure back in 1999 closing after a couple of months on Broadway. Brent Carver and Carolee were amazing and I recall she received great reviews and the score is beautiful. It will be a hard sell even w/ Ben Platt and checking on telecharge it's not selling well.

The musical premiered on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center on December 17, 1998 and closed February 28, 1999, after 39 previews and 84 regular performances. Directed by Harold Prince, it starred Brent Carver as Leo Frank, Carolee Carmello as Lucille Frank, and Christy Carlson Romano as Mary Phagan. Judith Dolan designed costumes for the production.[5]

Most critics praised the show, especially the score.[6] However, the public and some critics received the show coolly. A number felt the show took too many liberties in the use of racial slurs. When the show closed, Livent had filed for bankruptcy protection (Chapter 11). Lincoln Center was the other producer solely responsible for covering the weekly running costs

Maybe Hugh Jackman lol.

I anticipate that the word of mouth on this is going to build into something really big among the JCC mom crowd, for lack of a better term. (I say that as someone tapped into that scene.) I have been witnessing word already start to spread in suburbs across the US, and people in this world are very interested. It's unfortunate that anti-semitism is as hot a topic as it is right now, but I think it will certainly bring more people to this production.

My prediction is that it will have a slow-to-medium first few months and by the second half of the run will become a much hotter ticket. There are countless casual Jewish theatergoers in NYC suburbs and around the country who wouldn't typically choose a depressing show but will hurry to this.

JasonC3 said: "This may seem snarky, but I'm genuinely curious how one witnesses "word already start to spread in suburbs across the US.""

Maybe eavesdropping in the rosé aisle at the local mid-to-upper-tier supermarket? (Sorry, couldn't help myself...)

I'm increasingly baffled why they'd open this this season. It seems like this is a prestige production that will really only have legs if it snags some awards, and both the show and Platt have extremely stiff competition this season.

I also wonder if this is the right climate for this show on Broadway. Leopoldstadt found success tackling some similar themes, but I wonder if that was just because it's a play and plays tend to attract a very different audience. All the musicals that have found their footing recently seem to be decidedly lighter fare.

I totally agree with your point on paper, and I really hope the show is a success!



I'm more reflecting on the fact that, as several users have pointed out, ticket sales have been a bit disappointing thus far. So, I was just speculating why folks might be tepid about buying tickets. It seems like more serious musicals, or musicals perceived as being “message shows,” are struggling to find a foothold right now.

I have to imagine Leopoldstadt's success was a huge factor in Parade's choice to open right now. And look at that show's trajectory: not a runaway hit out of the gate, but built and built and built until it achieved really substantial success for a show of its nature. I foresee something similar happening here.

As far as how I have observed this: I am Jewish and have family in Jewish suburbs across the US, some of whom talk to me about theatre. Many of them will see a Broadway show about once a year and typically choose a Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, etc. Most have never heard of JRB or, say, Next to Normal. Yet many of them have already heard about Parade through friends or some kind of press/marketing and are very eager to see it on their next visit to New York. Totally anecdotal but I found it pretty surprising that it had made it that far and stuck with them.

Great cast!

Interesting to see that Howard McGillin has John Dossett's track now and will get to be the Old Soldier in the opening now.

Updated On: 1/30/23 at 08:45 AM

I wonder if John Dossett wasn’t interested. He was excellent at NYCC.

Surprised they didn’t replace Jay, who was less than excellent at NYCC.

It's so exciting to see so many Broadway debuts!

Fun fact, John Dossett was announced for REBECCA, and then Howard McGillin replaced him in that when Dossett got NEWSIES. They also both played Father in RAGTIME.

Pashacar said: "I anticipate that the word of mouth on this is going to build into something really big among the JCC mom crowd, for lack of a better term. (I say that as someone tapped into that scene.) I have been witnessing word already start to spread in suburbs across the US, and people in this world are very interested. It's unfortunate that anti-semitism is as hot a topic as it is right now, but I think it will certainly bring more people to this production.

My prediction is that it will have a slow-to-medium first few months and by the second half of the run will become a much hotter ticket. There are countless casual Jewish theatergoers in NYC suburbs and around the country who wouldn't typically choose a depressing show but will hurry to this."

My Mom, who literally works for the local JCC, is having a thrill being a trendsetter. We saw it at City Center (and of course she made a big Facebook post about it) and now a lot of her friends are reaching out to inquire about it. Inquiring doesn't equal buying, but there is definitely an awareness and interest. A lot of these people are not locals. SO, if they are interested, they're probably not gonna be able to make it to the city until Spring Break or summertime.