I was at the lotto for this and it was a madhouse. After having people come in in three different massive groups to the box office area to sign up. When they had us wait outside for the calling of the names, the group was so big that it started to go out into the street.
I had overheard someone talking to their friends about how they read on either Broadwayworld or playbill.com, one of the two, that they heard that there was an extension. I was having a small conversation while waiting for the lotto to start with one of the ushers there who told me that they were extending for a week and that the cast found out today in between shows. Of course I lost the lotto, however, there was someone next to me who had an extra SRO ticket and asked if anyone wanted it. I jumped on the offer and glad that I did. The audience was clapping and cheering during the entire thing. They had to wait a couple of extra moments for the audience to calm down as the curtain went up.
I do feel that the extra energy coming from the cast, was due to the fact that they found out prior to the performance I was at that they were going to be extended a week.
I also don't get the impression that the producers are doing this as a stunt. I do get the impression after reading the quote from Noll's Twitter page, that she meant one of two things. Either the producers said that they will extend the show a week and then take it from there. Or she was having the mindset that if they extend once then anything can happen at this point and that it is anyones guess.
Also, I did the lotto for the 2 PM show on Saturday. Now, I am not sure if it was due to the fact that it was raining or whatever. But, when I was sitting in my seat and looked back at the rest of the orchestra, I could see people sitting about half way back. I didn't have a good vantage point to see how the Mezz was. Also, as far as the lotto was concerned almost everyone who entered won.
I think that the show got a huge boost in ticket sales when they announced their closing due to word of mouth. In other words, During the times I have seen it, I have overheard people on their phone outside at intermission calling someone and saying that they had to see this show or people talking to one another about who else they know that they think would enjoy it. I get the impression that when people were told about the show from others, they might have had the mindset that they would see it eventually but once the closing was announced they rushed to see it.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
