Riedel on Tarzan today

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 11:37pm

Surprised this hasn't been discussed already...

"with "Tarzan," it appears that Disney's grip on that vine is starting to slip.

Around Broadway, the word is that show, which was pummeled by critics and snubbed by the Tonys (it got a single measly nomination for Natasha Katz's lighting), is in serious trouble.

Unless Disney can work a marketing miracle - not beyond the realm of possibility for a company that's squeezed a 10-year run out of the much-maligned "Beauty and the Beast" - "Tarzan" could wind up being Disney's first mega-flop in the New York."

He neglects to mention Mary Poppins, however, which is bound to have a negative impact on Tarzan's box office
Riedel on Tarzan

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/5/06 at 11:50pm

I thought this was a boring Reidel column.
He doesn't like Disney, we knew that but the story says maybe it will be a flop but maybe not,
He is just tring to spread negitive vibes, but Hey, that's what he does best.
And actually Mary Poppins can help TARZAN, DISNEY sells tkts to all it's shows at the New Amsterdam, so if you can't get into Mary you might get TKTs to TARZAN.
Don't count TARZAN out yet.

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 12:04am

Tarzan is not on it's way out. It's selling very well, and is gauranteed to run through January if advance sales matter.

The show is not great- but there is much worse to hate out there.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 12:17am

I think it will do fine. I think Beauty and the Beast is the one that might faulter when Mary Poppins opens.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 12:32am

"The show is not great- but there is much worse to hate out there. "

Personally, with Mamma Mia! being the exception, I disagree with this statement very much.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 5:53am

Riedel will be Riedel...

And looking back at Tarzan's weekly grosses, for the last 6 weeks it has taken in over $700,000 a week, which would average out at over $100,000 dollars a day, making the info in his article faulty.

Mary P x

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 9:13am

Did you not read the article carefully? He's not talking about its current grosses. He's talking about its advance sales. He acknowledges the show is doing fine right now because of its advance. He's speaking about what wll happen when the advance dries up.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 10:40am

IMO, it's all speculation and negativity. Everyone involved with Tarzan seems to be pro-active about doing what needs to be done to put forth the honest effort to ensure the show's viability. It was a rather pointless article seeming to attempt to throw another log on the fire of burning Tarzan at the stake. I really wish fans/critics didn't personalize so much just because they don't like a show. It's so unhealthy on a spiritual level.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 10:48am

Well I'm sorry, but my spirit has been fatally wounded ever since I decided to see this debacle.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 10:52am

I read the article yesterday and didn't bother to post it because I thought Riedel was a bit premature on the entire situation. Yet, Tarzan has seen a slip, but there was a major marketing lull taken by Disney, and I think we'd all be surprised how effective Disney's marketing is at getting butts in the seats. I'd definitely wait a few more weeks to see if things start to turn around before playing the bagpipes for this show.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 10:55am

'Sources say daily ticket sales have at times dipped below $50,000.

The rule of thumb on Broadway is that, to remain healthy, a musical the size of "Tarzan" must sell at least $100,000 worth of tickets a day.'

Maybe I'm being ignorant, but I don't see how this is referring to the musical's advance - surely this is in reference to the sales they are making everyday?

Mary P x

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 10:56am

Advance sale. Tickets sold NOW for performances LATER.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 10:57am

Munk, your candor always makes me smile. :)Your spirit is always honest, I give you that my friend.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 11:01am

Oh I see, thanks for clearing that up. I apologise for my mistake, adamgreer, but let's not insult my reading skills...

Mary P x

[James885]

Posted: 7/6/06 at 11:36am

Very interesting article. I haven't seen the show so I can't comment on how good it is but judging from the grosses, it seems to be doing all right. Even though it slipped to 92% this week, its still playing at above 90% capacity, which is very good for any show.

I think that if it keeps up those numbers, it will definatly run for a few years. I guess we'll have to see how word of mouth is for this show. But I don't think we'll be seeing a 10+ year run, like BATB, for this show.