Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
#1Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 6:08pm
My favourite part is seeing all the empty seats in the background:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=345631
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#2Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 6:34pmLordy me! Those empty seats are plentiful and obvious!
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
#2Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 6:55pm
Avoiding my usual gloom and doom comment about this production of Godspell, I will simply say Paul has lost none of his talent and skill, and I loved the cute "WRONG SONG PAUL!" nod at "Morning Glow" from Pippin which opened the song.
(COUGH) The Harlem production used a very similar arrangement of the reprise without the riffing. Just sayin'. (COUGH)
Oh well, I tried.
"There is no problem so big that it cannot be run away from."
~ Charles M. Schulz
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#3Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 6:58pm
Those of you who point out the empty seats are nothing but uneducated haters.
You must know that this revival of Godspell is now the biggest hit in Broadway history. It can afford to run for decades without charging a penny and every week it returns a few millions to those who only put in a thousand dollars.
Kenny D. and my friends are laughing at you - see you at the revival's 50th anniversary, haters!
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#4Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 7:14pmActually, I'm taking my granddaughter to the show this week and really looking forward to it. However, the empty seats ARE obvious.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#5Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 7:52pmI know it was a stunt, but damn that was painful (once Shaeffer stopped singing)! I hope that isn't representative of the whole show.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 8:04pmDolly -- I'm taking my kids this week, too! We're all looking forward to it.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#7Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 9:28pm
At least you know you'll be comfortable, as you each can have your own row! 
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
HereIAm
Swing Joined: 2/6/12
#8Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 10:07pmDo you think this will still be here by March 10th? I am actually really looking forward to this and I have the second row! I don't think the album is actually that bad. Some songs are cool. But wow those seats were pretty obvious.
HereIAm
Swing Joined: 2/6/12
#9Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 10:07pmDo you think this will still be here by March 10th? I am actually really looking forward to this and I have the second row! I don't think the album is actually that bad. Some songs are cool. But wow those seats were pretty obvious.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#10Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 10:16pmIt will obviously run for another 30 years, as it is the most successful musical to ever be on Broadway. I heard of a guy who invested a thousand dollars and now wants to buy Central Park and rename it the Ken Davenport Miracle.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#11Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 10:24pm
March 10 is just around the corner -- since they haven't announced closing, I would say you are pretty safe.
There is usuallly at least two week notice. (which puts you on the cusp...but there haven't been any rumors) I'd like to think they will hold on until the Tony noms.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#12Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/19/12 at 10:27pmPlease note: Matinees are selling out. If they were wise, they'd put in more matinees for the Easter week and maybe keep it that way all summer.
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
BwayKitty
Swing Joined: 10/17/11
#13Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 1:25pm
Please note, in no way are matinees selling out.
Signed,
One who was recently at a matinee and knows others who had the same experience.
PS there's no better way to build your youth targeted audience then with a 60 something year old man I'd venture to guess maybe 10% of your target demo is aware of.
PPS For god-sakes, if you're having a press event, fill your house.
PPPS Oh, you've been papering for weeks and get give your tickets away at this point. I see.
#14Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 1:45pm
Wednesday matinee and Thursday evening were the only houses this week that were empty and probably had 400-500 people. Otherwise they had a solid week. Again, I don't know how many of the tickets were comped so we are going to have to wait until tomorrow to see the numbers.
Also, I am not a producer or anyone involved with the show, but the running cost is under 300k, in case any of you were wondering.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#15Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 1:54pmI really do not understand the mind set of people GOING To a show in order to report back how bad (or empty) it is.
mattywhits
Understudy Joined: 5/30/10
#16Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 1:54pmthe cast was tweeting/facebooking about how exciting it was to have SRO houses all weekend.
xoffender45
Broadway Star Joined: 8/12/07
#17Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 3:07pmI was at last night's Tweet Seats performance (with a non-tweeting seat) and can vouch that it was completely sold out, with standing room too.
PlayItAgain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/11
#18Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 5:41pmthe show sold out all 4 shows this weekend....
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#19Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 5:47pmGood thing it was sold out! Considering the tickets were 2 for 1, you might as well fill that tiny space with free tickets.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#20Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 5:48pmIndeed. I think we need to use the term "given out" as opposed to "sold out" in special cases like this.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
PlayItAgain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/11
#21Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/20/12 at 5:53pmstill don't understand why your being so negative toward this show Blaxx.....
mikey2573
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/10
#22Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/22/12 at 9:16amJust out of curiosity, why does seeing empty seats in a Broadway house please you?
tamra2
Stand-by Joined: 1/9/07
#23Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/22/12 at 10:07am
For all those who said they are looking forward to going please don't let the negative comments on this board affect your excitement. With all things there are people that like it or hate it. Unfortunately there seem to be a lot of people who are very vocal on here that like to trash it every chance they get. Do I think the show will run as long as phantom? as much as i would love for that to happen there is this thing called reality. There is no certainty with anything but I am more than fairly confident it will have a fun run.
Most people actually like the show and I personally love the show, see it for yourself and then decide, but I am sure you will have lots of fun.
#24Paul Shaffer in GODSPELL
Posted: 2/22/12 at 2:54pm
I don't think there are "a lot" of haters. Just the same ol' ones that keep posting time and time again about how awful the show is. Maybe they have nothing better to do, or maybe they have an ax to grind, I think their feelings are valid. Whatever the reason, here we are 4 months after the show opened and GODSPELL is the only musical holdover from the fall season.
Say what you will (and those of you that want to will), it's not the fiasco y'all were hoping for.
Prepare ye for a longer run.
:)
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