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Rentboy - These One-Man shows are starring a famous performer who audiences come specifically to see (i.e. Will Ferrell, Patinkin, Liza, Billy Crystal...) and plays are sold towards a very different audience than musicals and usually a two person play will have significantly lower running costs than a musical (musicians, mics/sound operator, etc.)

But, as I said on the other thread... ANYONE, answer the following question and I will stop!!!

"Name ONE Broadway show with a cast of 4 or less that has recouped (and not a one man show based on the star name [i.e. Liza, Mandy, etc])... I CAN'T "

And to answer someone's question about why I care, no I do not wish it will flop; however, I know that once it does everyone here will be "Oh, the economy is killin Bway" -or- "Oh, Bway is dying", but it is also stupid choices by the Producers to put a show on Broadway that I can easily see will be unsuccessful. So, I am just trying to lay down all of my thoughts before we hear the "tears" of BWWers when it closes.

As far as I know, there haven't been a lot of Broadway shows with casts of 4 or less. Off-Broadway, yes... But I really had trouble coming up with such small Broadway productions.

It's not of recent history, but in the sixties, there was a production of I Do! I Do! that did not flop. It had a cast of 2.

In recent history, Avenue Q comes to mind (more than 4, I know) but that's about it. Anyone else maybe?

>Name ONE Broadway show with a cast of 4 or less that has recouped (and not a one man show based on the star name [i.e. Liza, Mandy, etc])... I CAN'T<

Doubt
Proof
Life x 3
Topdog/Underdog
Copenhagen
Freak

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You do yourself a disservice comparing this
show with Sunday, Follies, Grey Gardens, Caroline,
etc. Those shows told incredible stories.

This show, which I saw at Goodspeed, tells a very
unremarkable, teensy tiny story. With a teensy tiny
score.

It isn't about the size of the show, literally, it's
about the size of the story and the emotions. This one
belongs in a space no larger than the second stage at MTC.

Updated On: 1/19/09 at 01:24 PM

This show, which I saw at Goodspeed, tells a very
unremarkable, teensy tiny story. With a teensy tiny
score.

I do not think this is fair to say. Just because you found the story to be unremarkable and teensy tiny, does not mean that it did not touch others. As stated numerous times, I think this show will find an audience. Do I believe it would have a longer run in an off-broadway house, yes. I'm just happy I get to see it again, whether it stays open for weeks, months or years.

(edited, because I can't spell today)

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Updated On: 1/19/09 at 06:36 PM

Just one more note on this. In response to PRFRMR20's post above, asking if there have been any two-character Broadway musicals that have recouped, I believe that THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG (Marvin Hamlisch/Carole Bayer Sager/Neil Simon) was two characters, and that played more than 1,000 performances in its initial run. So, I assume that recouped since it ran more than 2 years, but I could be mistaken.

I haven't seen the show. I hope it is successful and delights audiences. That said, the marquee design just simply isn't very good. The photographs aren't very flattering (they look sort of insane), too much white, and the font and colors are rather dull and look too much like the opening credits of a soap opera. I'm not saying that to be bitchy, it's just my honest first impression.

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First of all, in response to frontrowcentre2-
THANK YOU for a very, very thoughtful and intelligent response. Sorry I haven't been able to write back sooner, I have been involved with a reading that I have been rehearsing 10-6 since the weekend and had two shows today, but now have some time to respond.

First, regarding "unless you are investing"... as ambitious as this may sound I would like to get into Producing and might be caught up in my personal ideas and views of where I stand regarding this show that I want to make them verbal. You are 100% correct that the financial success and failure of this show won't affect me. However, regarding the artistic success, I do believe that if this show does (hypothetically) become another Glory Days or even to use your example Grey Gardens, if it financially fails on Broadway it won't last long enough to 1. be seen by those who would be affected by its "art" or interested in continuing with there own production and 2. it won't be able to get the acclaim of its artistic capabilities. I believe a critical acclaimed longer run Off-Broadway would provide a better artistic outlet for a small show over a short, if not miniscule, run on Bway.

As you said, TOS was playing towards a basically equal audience at the Lyceum as it was Off-Bway. So for the same amount of ticket sales (with a somewhat increase in price, though most TOS audience members probably used the various discount possibilites) the Producers now had the significantly higher theatre rental costs, higher Actor salaries (due to Equity rules), higher and more stagehand/crew costs, advertising/maintenance, etc. If the Producers kept it at the Vineyard, it might have run for longer and spread to a larger audience over time...

You mention the current economy and the theory of putting in less money into a show... which I agree with! However, there is a difference betwen SITPWG and SOML. As people have mentioned here the latter is a 90 minute musical (that is over $1 a minute) with a 2 person cast and a likely minimal set. Sunday, on the other hand, was a LONG two act musical with a wonderful and creative set and a core ensemble cast that made it worth the money. As you also seem to agree, the main Broadway audience are the tourists and I can't see them paying full price (if not ~$60) for a 90 minute musical that they won't relate to or be wowed by (by it's entire theatrical production quality, not just artistic value).

I will conclude that I guess we will wait and see. I honestly wish it all the best (I happen to have been rehearsing and performing the reading next to Story of My Life rehearsals at Chelsea Studios). However, unfortunately, my business mind as well as my artistic aspirations can't see a positive outcome for what could have been if different producing choices were made (i.e. Off-Bway). I am very excited to hear people's thoughts once it starts previews... and hope that if it doesn't succeed, people will realize that it is more due to poor business decisions than the current economy. SOML, Good Luck!

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To Smaxie and Insider2:

Smaxie, when I saw that you posted, I was excited and presumed you would name a show that fell under my criteria. You did; however, I had said in the other thread and thought it was intended here (which I see that it wasn't) that I was referring solely to musicals. Unfortunately, you named all straight plays and as I mentioned before, in my opinion plays have a very different audience/market and theatrical qualifications. So to clarify, I am looking for a musical.

Insider2: They're... Song opened in 1979 which was 30 years ago (which is out of the 25 year limit I asked). Granted it is close, though it also starred Robert Klein (known for his comedy) and Lucie Arnaz (known for her parents ). I think it is a very valid answer and I would put it right on the line... because I think it opened in a significantly different theatrical and economic time (which is why I said recent). So, I still don't think that is answer but VERY close... :P

Many thanks for the "boomtown STORY OF MY LIFE" video link. I agree with you, it was nicely done in the black & white format. I hope this show is given a fair chance because so many people I know on the West Coast have such fine things to say about its' book and score. I just hope it can get enough audience to stay open for at least the period of summer 2009 because so many people go to NYC during the warmer weather and I think this show may be a real winner. Let's hope it get a fair shake because I think it deserves it.