Republican Convention and Closings

[bdwybug55]

Posted: 8/29/04 at 10:43am

Does anyone think the republican convention will actually force any shows to close down? I've heard that ticket sales to even the big ones are shotty during this time. How will shows like Bombay Dreams (good ridence anyway....although I don't want anyone out of work) or Wonderful Town survive? Has anyone heard any grumblings? Could this convention mean death to certain shows? That would certainly be sad.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 8/29/04 at 11:34am

Do a search on the topic on these boards. There has been a lot of discussion about that and links to articles with quotes from Producers, etc.

[mule]

Posted: 8/29/04 at 5:25pm

just out of curiousity I searched Wicked, The Lion King and Avenue Q all week. Nothing available.

From what I hear the convention will actually help sales, especially matinees.

Also, the norm with big conventions is for a lot of last minute show purchases.

All in all it should be a good week.

[lc1965]

Posted: 8/29/04 at 11:35pm

i think those 3 shows are convention-proof -- they probably sold out before anyone realized what horrors awaited nyc these couple of weeks! i can saw w/ a fair amount of confidence that the convention is truly hurting broadway. i think when the grosses come out next week the numbers will be breath-taking in the bad sense of the phrase.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 8/29/04 at 11:57pm

I think shows will stick it out--one week probably won't be enough to completely close a production, if one does, I'm sure there are more circumstances than one week of sales, although stranger things have happened.

[mule]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 11:03pm

Protesters aren't helping things a bit. News today showed protesters harrassing patrons going to shows (which surprised me since so many shows are dark on Mondays).

Nonetheless, that kind of PR will hurt as it looks like the convention folks want to see shows.

I am not a "Trekkie" but I certainly welcome the Star Trek convention business to Broadway.

What is the problem with Repulican business?

Best mayor this city ever had was Republican.

[the-one-you-want]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 11:13pm

Mule, I'm not so sure it's a probelm with the republican BUISNESS--I'm sure some of those chorus boys hot footin' it in "Mama Mia" will take any loose change they can get--but I think it's more a probelm with the fact that the republican party has asked, in masse, to be entertained by a community which is, at the least, agressively liberal.
These people care a lot about whats going on in the world, espically since one of the republicans parties platfroms this year is "protecting marriage." I don't think the dating chorus boys from "Lion king" would be too happy knowing that they're dancing and prancing for a group of 1000 people who think what they do is disgusting.
Just my two cents. Or three. Wow, I wrote alot...well, that's my dollar, then.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/30/04 at 11:18pm

"Best mayor this city ever had was Republican."

John Lindsey or Fiorello LaGuardia?