Spamalot closing January 18 — Page 4

"Bashing Clay is a hard habit to break but its happening, even in the gay press."

Sad isn't it. Bashing of any kind should never become a habit in the first place. Expressing our opinion is wonderful and being critical is just what we all do sometimes, but to relentlessly nitpick and ridicule is just a foolish waste of time.

Anyway. Sometimes a show just runs its course and no amount of stunt casting will save it. Most people who wanted to see Spamalot have most likely already done so. Those who wanted to see Clay, have also probably done so. It only makes sense that his presence wouldn't have the same outcome as his last outing. Now, post notice that the OBC is returning for the final shows and 'Katie bar the door!'. <- That's an old expression for 'trying to hold back a rush' for all you young folks.

Variety disagrees with you. I'll go with their opinion over yours. He's only been back a couple of weeks so the bump to 70% is a good sign.

Well, reality disagrees with Variety. I'll go with facts and official numbers over someone's opinion.

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As much as I love this show, and am sorry to see it go, it had a great run. I'd like to see it again but I don't want to see Clay Aiken.

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I need to hear Merle's find Your grail sooner rather than later. maybe ill check it out...

Seriously Cartwheel, get a life! I've seen the show twice, once with Clay, and once without. He is not terrible, but he is not the best thing to ever hit the Broadway stage. Actually, I rather liked him when I saw it, but again, he is not my favorite.

So yes, this "hater" has bought her tickets for the final show, and it is going to be all about Clay, and nobody and anything else because it is not important. Right...I'm going because I had a blast the two times I saw it, and I love the cast album.

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"Sometimes a show just runs its course and no amount of stunt casting will save it. Most people who wanted to see Spamalot have most likely already done so. Those who wanted to see Clay, have also probably done so. It only makes sense that his presence wouldn't have the same outcome as his last outing."

This makes the most sense of anything in this thread. It's been running for nearly 4 years. Some people just don't get Monty Python to begin with & foolishly think they won't enjoy it. The economy is in the crapper. It doesn't have the family appeal of the big tourist shows. I think it was clear this summer, even before it was announced that Clay was coming back, that it was headed toward its final curtain. I've no doubt that without him back this fall, its box office would be even worse right now & who knows, it may not have even made it thru the holidays.

I saw 3 versions of the show: OBC, touring company & the Aiken/Waddingham/Hadary cast. Clay was my favorite Sir Robin by far, just goofier & more of a comedian IMO. He fits the silly just fine. In fact, DHP was my least favorite. Way too dry for my taste & he seemed too old. Taking Eric's movie version into account, I have to say that DHP was just plain miscast. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed him, but compared to the other 3, sorry no.

I'm a huge Python fanatic & everyone I personally know in that fandom preferred Aiken, much to their own surprise. He was damn good. Wouldn't hesitate to see him in something else. And this may be heresy or something, but frankly, I preferred Rick Holmes as Sir Lancelot to Azaria as well, altho I think Hank was much more entertaining than DHP.

I may just try to catch it again around the holidays to check out the new LadyOfTheLake. I've heard that Tom Deckman (hilarious), Holmes & somebody else I can't recall right now are scheduled to leave same day as Clay. But maybe they'll all extend another couple of weeks? I don't see the OBC coming back at all, JMO.

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Updated On: 10/20/08 at 06:51 AM

"But maybe they'll all extend another couple of weeks? I don't see the OBC coming back at all, JMO."

I'm not sure. If I understand correctly, HAIR is moving in right away. While everyone anticipates a quick load-in, there are some concerns over Spamalot's load-out not being quick enough. Which to me indicates that HAIR should begin previewing sometime in February.

Last week sales were 71% and with Clay away for the weekend it dropped to 63%. Next week it will be up again, you'll see.

There is no doubt in my mind that the producers value Clay. Look at the new article on Playbill.
Clay Aiken Leads Current Cast of Tony-Winning Spamalot

I think at this point for casting, it would just be easiest to extend contracts for cast members than bring in new people or former cast members. Besides, I know that Christopher Sieber is doing Shrek. I think Sara Ramirez would probably have to be in California for Grey's, and I have no idea what the rest of the cast is up to.

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Last week sales were 71% and with Clay away for the weekend it dropped to 63%. Next week it will be up again, you'll see.

Yes, and two weeks ago, Clay was there for all 8 performances and it was at 54%. The week before that was 54.5%. His first full week back was 59.6%. He raised attendance 4.8% from the week previous. Clay's presence does not have as great an effect on attendance as you would like to believe.

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"Clay's presence does not have as great an effect on attendance as you would like to believe."

Why is it so important to you to downplay Clay's success? The first week he was only there for the weekend. All of the shows took a downturn in September, as they do every year. You are like a dog with a bone. Move along now.

"Load out takes about a week, usually. What is the proximity of the load out/load in dates?"

That's what I'm not sure about as my attention was beginning to wander to the text I was typing at the time. For all I know, at that point they may have been talking about an entirely different show! :o)