It's one thing to post pics of celebs seeing a show on social media, but they're running a paid advertisement about Lupita attending the opening, which feels awfully desperate. How bad are these sales?
Be warned if being in a "splash zone" is not your idea of entertainment. I saw the show's previous run and bought tickets to this run months ago, and there was no warning at the time of purchase about my front row seats being in the splash zone. I'm guessing that was added subsequently. I asked the box office if I could change my seats, since having fluids launched at me didn't seem like my kind of fun. They told me no - I had to keep the seats I purchased. They did give me the poncho. After the first sprays of "blood," it was dripping from the hood onto my face, and I spent the second half of the show peering through a narrow opening in my poncho hood. And then spent time at my hotel afterwards trying unsuccessfully to remove the red stains from my white sneakers.
I think it's an excellent show, but for me, the whole experience was very frustrating.
Saw this tonight. Did not see at PH, have not seen the movie, went in totally blind and ADORED it. One of my favorite new musicals of the past ten years. God bless Michael R. Jackson for continuing to bring to the table fresh, exciting work. Alyse Alan Louis is giving a star-making performance. Andy Karl is delightful. Jared Loftin, Jason Gotay, and Will Connolly are uniformly excellent and hilarious. And ALL of the PKGs are SERVING us a meal of comedy, vocals, and feminine power.
1000/10 stars. Will be returning and shouting from the rooftops to everyone to see this. Deeply rooting for this one to succeed. Off-Broadway is BACK! What a BLAST!
Menken Fan said: "Be warned if being in a "splash zone" is not your idea of entertainment. I saw the show's previous run and bought tickets to this run months ago, and there was no warning at the time of purchase about my front row seats being in the splash zone. I'm guessing that was added subsequently. I asked the box office if I could change my seats, since having fluids launched at me didn't seem like my kind of fun. They told me no - I had to keep the seats I purchased. They did give me the poncho. After the first sprays of "blood," it was dripping from the hood onto my face, and I spent the second half of the show peering through a narrow opening in my poncho hood. And then spent time at my hotel afterwards trying unsuccessfully to remove the red stains from my white sneakers.
I think it's an excellentshow, but for me, the whole experience was very frustrating.
I bought my 2nd row seats during the presale back in July, a week before going on general sale, and the first two rows were very clearly disclosed as splash zone. 🤷🏻♂️ Both at seat selection and checkout.
Sat in the third row center today (which I asked about earlier in the thread). A couple in my party who were dressed in lighter clothes asked the usher going in if there was any reason for concern and was assured we were not in the “splash zone.” They asked for ponchos anyway as a precaution and were told none were available. Of course, we were DOUSED…”blood” all over clothes and skin. And we weren’t the only ones… several people complained to the house manager after the show. Really took away from the experience of an otherwise fun show, and wholly unnecessary.
I was also at the same matinee in the second row. I enjoyed the show, but the splashing of fake blood out into the audience was completely unnecessary.
Dan6 said: "Sat in the third row center today (which I asked about earlier in the thread). A couple in my party who were dressed in lighter clothes asked the usher going in if there was any reason for concern and was assured we werenot in the “splash zone.” They asked for ponchos anyway as a precaution and were told none were available. Of course, we were DOUSED…”blood” all over clothes and skin. And we weren’t the only ones… several people complained to the house manager after the show. Really took away from the experience of an otherwise fun show, and wholly unnecessary."
They have since added a warning on Telecharge in the last week or two for the 3rd and 4th rows that they may get hit with residual and to avoid light fabrics. I know from talking to friends with the production that they spent quite a bit of time experimenting with the blood during previews - mostly to determine how much would be launched toward the audience, as well as the formula that would be used to allow for easy removal.
I recommend bringing a package of wet wipes or hand sanitizer wipes with you when you go:
1) Avoid long lines in the bathroom after the show.
2) The blood is primarily a sugar-based blend which, while sticky, is easier to remove with conventional means
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quizking101 said: "The blood is primarily a sugar-based blend which, while sticky, is easier to remove with conventional means"
Followed the house manager’s suggestions with a light colored shirt (presoak in warm water and dish liquid, then machine wash) and unfortunately the stains did not come out. Shirt is ruined. As good as the show was, it’s hard to carry a positive memory of the experience now. And again, it was all completely unnecessary.
Dan6 said: "quizking101 said: "The blood is primarily a sugar-based blend which, while sticky, is easier to remove with conventional means"
Followed the house manager’s suggestions with a light colored shirt (presoak in warm water and dish liquid, then machine wash) and unfortunately the stains did not come out. Shirt is ruined. As good as the show was, it’s hard to carry a positive memory of the experience now. And again, it was all completely unnecessary."
HenryTDobson said: "Dan6 said: "quizking101 said: "The blood is primarily a sugar-based blend which, while sticky, is easier to remove with conventional means"
Followed the house manager’s suggestions with a light colored shirt (presoak in warm water and dish liquid, then machine wash) and unfortunately the stains did not come out. Shirt is ruined. As good as the show was, it’s hard to carry a positive memory of the experience now. And again, it was all completely unnecessary."
Life is so hard for you.
This board has always attracted the rudest people. What do you get out of being nasty? The patron is unhappy their clothing is stained; seems pretty understandable.
WldKingdomHM said: "Going tonight. Sitting third row all the way to the left, so I still need to put on the poncho or I’m good ? Lol"
It’s hard to say. Most of the splatter comes from the cast members flinging it into the audience, so I don’t think there’s a ton of consistency. There is a moment when an actor exits stage right/audience’s left and does a couple extra flings so you may want to poncho up just in case.
Ok so the show was a good time. Amazing ? No. But if you want to laugh and have a good time this is the show for you. That I did. This show suffers what Heathers had. Great cast, Great songs…Ugly set. The splatter zone is such a gimmick and I felt bad for myself and the first three rows with the splash coats on. I had more paper glitter on me than a speck of blood.
The lead is excellent thou. She gave 100 percent in every scene.
I found it all to be quite tedious. The acting wasn’t very good and the direction was heavy handed to the point where the actors looked like they were moving to their places because they were told to do so. Jason Gotay had some nice vocals and Andy Karl’s doctor number worked well but other than that……..
tomwsjr said: "I was also at the same matinee in the second row. I enjoyed the show, butthe splashing of fake blood outinto the audience was completely unnecessary."
Unnecessary? Maybe. Fun and innovative? Absolutely.
I bet you are one of those people who wants everyone around them to sit at a concert.
jenn328 said: "tomwsjr said: "I was also at the same matinee in the second row. I enjoyed the show, butthe splashing of fake blood outinto the audience was completely unnecessary."
Unnecessary? Maybe. Fun and innovative? Absolutely."
Definitely not innovative. Evil Dead: The Musical had a "splash zone" in 2006. New World Stages in Theater 1 (same as Teeth). Teeth is using the gimmick.
Tickets to Evil Dead: The Musical at New World Stages' Stage 1, 340 West 50th Street. "Splash/Splatter Zone" tickets – in the front rows of the theater – will be available for $25. (Patrons in that area "should be prepared for a bloody good time and dress accordingly".
The poncho was absolutely stifling. Being wrapped in plastic sheeting in an overly-warm theater sucked. I knew the seats I chose and def should have chosen differently, but that's on me. Held poncho over myself for the majority of the show just to not asphyxiate (super exaggerating, but...) only to get sprayed pretty well. Not sure how they clean costumes etc. afterwords as it still hasn't come out of my shirt. (jeans are ok, but shirt is pretty ruined... just a basic cotton dress button-down with no high-maintenance fabrics.) Oh well. Was over-the-top off-B'way fun aside from that.
I'm surprised they're aiming to continue through to the existing closing date (January 19). It doesn't appear to be selling at all and there are comps galore.
They must have listened to the feedback about the splash zone because the first 3 rows had ponchos when I was there and nobody else appeared to get splashed with blood.
I found the confetti to be an absolute nuisance and kept finding it around my home for days after!
Urgh, I loved A Strange Loop but I just did not enjoy this show at all. I only just realised that Michael R Jackson did not actually write the music and was a lyricist/book writer so maybe I should have read a little more closer. I'm not saying it's the worst way to spend an evening especially as they do Monday nights where not much else is on but I guess I have very high expectations for the theatre that also originally produced A Strange Loop and Sunday in the Park with George.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000