Shrek Lottery - Adding Tickets!

[massofmen]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 12:53pm

its sad when a 40 million doallr musical cannot even sell out its own opening night.
And i hear the comps have been flowing like rain for this show for the past week.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:29pm

Yes, they've been papering.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:42pm

It isn't $40 million. You are thinking of Spiderman.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:43pm

How much did it cost? I saw it the other night and while I was watching, couldn't stop thinking about how expensive it must be.

(I kind of loved it. I am ashamed.)

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:58pm

I believe it was around $20 million.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 1:58pm

That would've been my guess.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:16pm

Em, you loved it?? I'm shocked (considering your mostly good taste).

We can all love crap once in a while I guess (i've loved a lot of flops).
Updated On: 12/12/08 at 02:16 PM

[AntonEgo]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:20pm

Two questions:
Are these extra tickets only for opening night or for the lotteries after as well?
Also, pardon my ignorance but how exactly does one get comps other than knowing someone. I've read about papering sites, but I don't know where to find those. Thanks.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:27pm

Yes! And I feel so ridiculous. I had a really good time! I love the movie, though, and I think I liked it mostly because it's so true to the movie. And I thought it was one of the best-cast musicals I've seen in a really long time.

(I went to see Mandy Patinkin sing Sondheim the day after, to redeem myself.)

Updated On: 12/12/08 at 02:27 PM

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:32pm

Why does one have to feel ashamed for liking SHREK? I really liked it too and feel no shame.

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:35pm

^ As do I.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 2:38pm

I feel like liking something that you expect to hate because you disagree on principle and having a good time sort of... in spite of yourself can be really disarming.

Updated On: 12/12/08 at 02:38 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 3:03pm

Em, I agree with you 100%.

and I love that you saw MP sing Sondheim to "redeem yourself." Hilarious.
Updated On: 12/12/08 at 03:03 PM

[BrianS]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 3:04pm

It's definitely more than $20 million, though nowhere near $40 million. Even medium sized shows with a smaller cast and crew and much simpler sets and costumes than Shrek easily get into the $12-$14 million dollar range.

A lot of people seem to feel that just because a musical is expensive, the quality is low. I've been impressed with how the producers and creative team have been working to make the show the best it can be, including a very expensive revamp since the out-of-town version (if only Disney would take note).

And remember, they have more movies coming out so while they do want to sell tickets and be a hit, they don't care as much if their nut is higher since it's just as much about brand awareness as it is making a profit. Much more so than with other shows.

Broadway is at it's best when there are huge, spectacle shows and smaller, more daring shows running side by side.

[massofmen]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 5:52pm

how do you have any idea how much it is?
you don't.
and you have "been impressed with how the creative team is trying to make it better"....isn't that what a creative team is suppossed to do?
Wow, i guess standards for a creative team are getting lower and lower.
The show began at 25 million and it has jumped up to around 36 million since.

[Parks]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 6:28pm

Is opening night tomorrow??

I want to see it again this weekend, so I'll be trying the lottery hopefully!

I loved the show when I saw it. It's not a great musical, but it's FUN and very enjoyable. One of the few musicals/shows that I really feel is even worth the full price of a Broadway ticket today.

It's a cute show. And the cast is wonderful!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 12/12/08 at 6:40pm

SHREK opens Sunday, the 14th.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:47am

For those interested, the lottery tickets on Sunday will be in the first row on the sides as well as all 4 boxes (they usually only do 2 of the boxes).

[BrianS]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 12:55am

hey massofmen, no need to get pissy. It's just a comment on a chat board. And did ya see the thread on the variety article that came out just after you posted? Turns out I did know what I was talking about, huh?

And while I don't know the exact number, I have a rough idea and my number is slightly higher than what's published in that article (I think the cost has risen since they sourced the info).

And yes I have been impressed that they are spending as much money as they have to do a major revamp as A) they could have decided not to pump any more money into it and just do minor tweaks that didn't cost a lot and B) my comment was obviously a dig at Disney who did freeze TLM a full month before they opened when it was obvious that there was much room for improvement.

[massofmen]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 1:03am

brianS,
i apologize for my "snippiness" as I didn't have my ensure before I posted.
Sources inside the show that I know say the show began at 24 million and have ballooned to over 35 from all the revamping of the show.
I agree that its better that they at least try to make something out of it than TLM and freezing the show like you suggested.
I believe the show has a life. Sadly in this economic climate i don't think it will be a long one. But what do i know.

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 12/13/08 at 6:19pm

I would very much appreciate it if everyone could stay away so that I have a greater chance of winning tomorrow. :-P

hah, see ya'll bright and early at 9 AM!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 12/14/08 at 10:23am

I won, and I think almost everyone did! They actually ended up with 24 PAIRS to give away. I'm not sure if anyone walked away without a ticket, but if they did it was only a couple of people.

[Parks]

Posted: 12/14/08 at 10:41am

Damn! Wish I had gone!

Congrats, and enjoy the show!! Be sure to let us know how it is!!

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 12/14/08 at 10:49am

Woo! I won as well. Second to last person called, I was almost an unhappy boy.

First opening night on Broadway, very excited.

[lightguy06222]

Posted: 12/14/08 at 11:00am

If anyone ends up having an extra ticket, email me- I slept through the lottery this morning...

[e-mail]

would greatly appreciate it!!