SOME LIKE IT HOT - $65 “Advanced Rush”

Yes the choice of wording is bad but the idea is intriguing. Let people spend a little more to plan in advance, with a still below-ideal-average price. It’s about $3 more than TDF and probably engages a different audience. Worth a try.

I was startled to see it on TDF the very morning the mostly glowing reviews appeared. But it's that difficult window between Thanksgiving and Christmas when weeknights are historically a harder sell (at least back in the day, pre-Covid). When I read the Times review Sunday night, I was angry I hadn't secured TDF during the lengthy previews. And now I'm going this afternoon.

Folks, I was there yesterday afternoon -- this is a helluva terrific show -- and it's just not selling. I suspect the advance is pitiful. I checked Christmas - New Year's and the week is wide open. The Wednesday matinee 12/28 is about 1/3 sold, and the Saturday evening 12/30 is about 1/4 at most. Those are like late January sales.

This is startling. Full disclosure: I wasn't terribly interested prior to the reviews, and only went because I grabbed TDF on Monday for yesterday's matinee. I accept the displeasure with the Telecharge offer for all the reasons, but these producers are facing a rough winter. A rough December (the original Side Show comes to mind). I don't see how the show can survive without a quick turnaround. These sales for a big, audience-pleasing entertainment -- and I can attest, it is -- are more like, say, Girl from the North Country last season (which I also loved, but another conversation).

This pleasure-awarding old school musical needs to sell tickets, fill seats, create buzz. Arguably, fast. If you're half interested -- and I was only mildly curious, not wanting to revisit Sugar -- go now. Take friend or family members. It's a terrific piece for anyone of any age. Basically profanity free, devoid of any smarmy innuendo (a toilet joke is about as naughty as it gets), and full of showstoppers, not teachable moments. I fear it's being resisted for fear of what I call "I Am What I Am" fatigue. The equivalent moment here, "Coulda Knocked me Over with a Feather" is a joyous paean, not an anthem or call to action. I offer that to explain how traditional and wonderful the goals here are: you leave with your own takeaways

But if you plan to see it, don't wait.

I was in row B of the balcony, but before you balk: it's a damned good seat at the Shubert, leg room aside. The angle isn't steep, you are surprisingly close, with a terrific prism on the dancing. I sat up there for the Midler Dolly, almost the same seats, and when I picked these up Wednesday, wasn't upset. I will always prefer front balcony to the rear mezz, which is the most compromised view of any stage on Broadway. I sat there for Leopoldstadt -- first time in that location in a while -- and found the view far, far more limited than any front balcony in any theater. I saw the Craig Scottish Play from the balcony, and production aside, had no problems.

For what it's worthy, the Wednesday matinee was the first I'd heard of balcony being offered on TDF. Some folks, farther back, were unhappy. But this show is selling so poorly, I suspect future TDF seats will be side orchestra, where they often were located in previews. The balcony and mezz are wide open for the end of December and January. This show, sadly, is in trouble: no advance. Check Telecharge; you will be shocked.

Updated On: 12/16/22 at 09:48 AM