Riedel on Steve Martin keeping Bright Star open

[10086sunset]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 10:52pm

http://nypost.com/2016/05/31/steve-martin-is-spending-his-own-money-to-save-bright-star/

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 10:54pm

None of this surprises me in the least. Both that the financially well-off and emotionally invested Martin is spending money on the show, and that the bloodsucking Riedel would take to his keyboard to share this with the world.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 11:01pm

If I recall, last season people were making fun of tony Danza for keeping Honeymoon in Vegas open. What makes Steve Martin an exception? 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 11:05pm

Bright Star really is sweet, it just needs more advertising. I really wish theater websites would take a break from Hamilton and support other shows.

 

I also don't see how the show costs that much...

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 11:28pm

Yeah, 600,000 does not seem right nor does 500,000. There shouldn't be any star salaries and it basically has not set. 

we should start a Kickstarter to help keep bright star afloat!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/31/16 at 11:33pm

Call_me_jorge said: "If I recall, last season people were making fun of tony Danza for keeping Honeymoon in Vegas open. What makes Steve Martin an exception? "

not an exception; it is a different situation. Bright Star's numbers are not nearly as bad as Honeymoon's were, and there is a path, albeit a narrow one. Honeymoon had no path.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 12:00am

If I had the money I'd be keeping American Paycho open and I didn't even write it. I just love it. I can only imagine how passionately Steve Martin must feel about Bright Star given that he actually wrote it. If he has money to burn why not keep it running for as long as possible? At least wait and see if the Tony awards performance brings more attention to the show. Everyone may be tuning in for Hamilton, but no one can get tickets to Hamilton. They can get tickets to Bright Star.

[theatreguy12]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 12:42am

Good for him.  I hope it works in his favor.  This musical is absolutely charming, and quite the emotional ride.  And the music was such a pleasant surprise. Never all that knowledgable about bluegrass, but I just loved the score.

[Tag]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 12:50am

If he's putting in part of $100,000/week, then it's not THAT much.  But why does this show cost $600,000 a week to run?!

[BroadwayPeasent]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 12:52am

He obviously believes in this musical. He has so much passion. I hope he continues writing musicals .

 

[gleek4114]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 1:19am

I don't know why Steve doesn't pull a Sting and just join the cast already. He could easily play the mayor. If he could commit to even as little as 6-12 weeks, it could end up saving the show at least for the summer.

[BrockMButler]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 1:23am

I give Steve and Edie a lot of credit as it's very clear that this isn't an ego thing but rather two artists who put their blood, sweat and tears into a beautiful show that they want to see succeed. You can tell that EVERYONE involved in this show has a genuine love and passion for each other and the work they're doing 8 times a week at The Cort, which is something that's all too rare. I'm not really sure what the point of Riedel's column was..

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 1:59am

I don't really think there is a difference between Danza keeping Honeymoon open and Steve keeping Bright Star open. They are both shows that they really belived in, and at the end of the day, it will likely be for naught. Like Danza, he probably shouldn't be doing it; however, he has the money to spend, and he can do with it what he chooses, just like Danza.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 2:14am

jimmycurry01 said: "I don't really think there is a difference between Danza keeping Honeymoon open and Steve keeping Bright Star open. They are both shows that they really belived in, and at the end of the day, it will likely be for naught. Like Danza, he probably shouldn't be doing it; however, he has the money to spend, and he can do with it what he chooses, just like Danza."

but there is a difference. First, it's Martin's show; it was not Danza's. Martin is supporting his literary property, Danza was just a desperate actor who did not want his last Broadway gig to end. Second, put the frigging numbers from both shows in a spreadsheet: Honeymoon was hopeless; Bright is not. Yes anyone can waste money on anything they want if they have it; but they are going to be called out on it when they are foolish. 

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:31am

Basically agreeing with what everybody else has said. I hope it works and they can keep it open at least through Labor Day.

I also agree that Steve Martin could easily join the cast. He could play the Mayor or Billy's dad. But maybe he doesn't want to put an actor out of work... although I guess Steve Martin could do 5 or 6 out of 8 and they could keep the other one as an alternate on the same payroll. I don't know if it would really make a difference though. It didn't save The Last Ship (but then again, The Last Ship couldn't be saved, much like Honeymoon)

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 3:50am

Actually, The Last Ship closed because Sting had to leave to go on tour. If he had stayed, it probably would of done very well. Sting going in wasn't the issue, when he left was the issue.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 5:45am

Well, of course him leaving was the issue. I'd imagine it would be the same here, if Martin joined. But if he did join, the show would obvious get a huge bump in sales and he might even be able to pay himself back some of the money he's put out with his salary. 

[newintown]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:37am

I had forgotten that Brickell was wed to Paul Simon.

Of course it's their "right" to pump money into their show to keep it going, but it still (unlike merely waiving royalties) gives the thing a definite whiff of "vanity project" (particularly to those of us who find Bright Star to be amateurishly, clumsily written).

I wonder how Michael Mulheren would feel if he were to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time while Martin took his role? There are those who would say "he would be thrilled that his paycheck continued," but I wonder if it's as simple as that. I could imagine an actor taking the message as "we need to put someone in your part who can sell tickets, because you certainly can't."

[10086sunset]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:52am

Martin going into the show would be the greatest bump the show could receive. 

It's unlikely to happen due to his touring schedule.

The bigger issue, which has been mentioned would be Martin leaving after going in. 

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 8:55am

newintown said: "I wonder how Michael Mulheren would feel if he were to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time while Martin took his role? There are those who would say "he would be thrilled that his paycheck continued," but I wonder if it's as simple as that. I could imagine an actor taking the message as "we need to put someone in your part who can sell tickets, because you certainly can't."

I highly doubt that Michael Mulheren is under the impression that his name has sold one ticket to this show, except maybe to his wife.

 

[newintown]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:10am

"I highly doubt that Michael Mulheren is under the impression that his name has sold one ticket to this show, except maybe to his wife."

I was thinking less his name than his performance, but the idea remains the same.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:20am

"I wonder how Michael Mulheren would feel if he were to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time while Martin took his role? There are those who would say "he would be thrilled that his paycheck continued," but I wonder if it's as simple as that. I could imagine an actor taking the message as "we need to put someone in your part who can sell tickets, because you certainly can't.""

 

Jimmy Nail didn't seem to mind.

[newintown]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:24am

"Jimmy Nail didn't seem to mind."

Seemed that way. But then, the public statement and the private reality can often be very different things.

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:26am

I don't love that he mentioned people might not see Steve martin. While it's the truth, I think that's part of their drive right now. People go to the show, "magically" see Steve then run home and tell their friends to buy tickets because Steve Martin was there. I have seen Bright Star 4 times and 2 times (after he started his appearances) I have seen him and the audience truly goes nuts. My friend didn't even know he wrote the book/music/lyrics until I told her afterwards. I don't think they're doing a good job marketing that aspect.

it wouldn't hurt them to pull one of the Dad actors and put Steve in their part. The show would certainly sell out. I love each of their performances but this is show business...

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/1/16 at 9:27am

 But why does this show cost $600,000 a week to run?!

This is a great question.