Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/18
Ahhh this makes me sad. A really beautiful musical. I get why it’s struggling now commercially but woulda loved for it to last longer so more people get to see it!
WestEndGal said: "woulda loved for it to last longer so more people get to see it!"
But if more people wanted to see it... it wouldn't be closing?
Broadway Star Joined: 12/23/12
Who is replacing Brandon Uranowitz? Someone in the other thread said he leaves this weekend. And who here has seen him in this? How was he?
He’s great, but I’m intrigued to see his replacement when I see it again next Tuesday.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
HeyMrMusic said: "This makes me sad, but who can argue its success? Ten Tony Awards and recoupment for a show no one thought would fare well on Broadway. Congrats to all for such a successful run from a little show that could."
This. Millie and Spamalot should have run longer too. And these are just the Best Musicals winners. The length of the run isn't always an indication of the quality of the show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
VintageSnarker said: "HeyMrMusic said: "This makes me sad, but who can argue its success? Ten Tony Awards and recoupment for a show no one thought would fare well on Broadway. Congrats to all for such a successful run from a little show that could."
This. Millie and Spamalot should have run longer too. And these are just the Best Musicals winners. The length of the run isn't always an indication of the quality of the show."
I agree with your last point. I would also say that it was not a show that was ever going to appeal to a wide audience. It was just too 'delicate'. I probably liked it more than anyone I know, and I respected it more than enjoyed it (and this despite loving the score and Katrina Lenk's performance in particular). All of the people I know who have seen it (and that is about 15 - 20 people) had the same reaction: 'I got its message, but did it have to be so slow'...this in reference to a 90 minute evening. (I should also point out that these are people who generally see 5 - 15 shows a year, a significant difference from some of the posters on this board, although I do not know if that matters...just a fact).
One wonders if Katrina Lenk did not want to extend. To be honest I couldn't picture this show without her ...
poisonivy2 said: "One wonders if Katrina Lenk did not want to extend. To be honest I couldn't picture this show without her ..."
A whole show closing for that?!
haterobics said: "poisonivy2 said: "One wonders if Katrina Lenk did not want to extend. To be honest I couldn't picture this show without her ..."
A whole show closing for that?!"
Didn't a whole show close a few years ago because Audra was pregnant?
Featured Actor Joined: 11/28/18
This show has touched so many peoples lives and means so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken for them, and I feel for them. But what I've seen on social media about this show closing compared to Anastasia closing is very frustrating. You can absolutely have your own opinion. But the harshness and bullying and cruel things being said about Anastasia in comparison to what's being said about TBV is completely uncalled for. Both shows have changed peoples lives. Both shows mean things to people. Both shows have exposed people to the wonder and magic of theater. It really makes me upset. "Why don't you ignore those comments" you might ask. Anastasia was trending on twitter last night. Every other post on my Twitter feed was about people expressing their disappointment, how sad they were. Let people grieve the closing of a show without pitting another show against it. Shows close all the time, and aside from grosses, the only people who know why are the people who actually work on the show. So lets show respect and courtesy to people who have been changed by BOTH shows, and if you don't have anything nice to say, just don't. It's not that hard.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/7/18
theaterlyfe19 said: "This show has touched so many peoples lives and means so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken for them, and I feel for them. But what I've seen on social media about this show closing compared to Anastasia closing is very frustrating. You can absolutely have your own opinion. But the harshness and bullying and cruel things being said about Anastasia in comparison to what's being said about TBV is completely uncalled for. Both shows have changed peoples lives. Both shows mean things to people. Both shows have exposed people to the wonder and magic of theater. It really makes me upset. "Why don't you ignore those comments" you might ask. Anastasia was trending on twitter last night. Every other post on my Twitter feed was about people expressing their disappointment, how sad they were. Let people grieve the closing of a show without pitting another show against it. Shows close all the time, and aside from grosses, the only people who know why are the people who actually work on the show. So lets show respect and courtesy to people who have been changed by BOTH shows, and if you don't have anything nice to say, just don't. It's not that hard."
Well said. I've been following both this and the Anastasia thread and have been annoyed by how many comments are still bashing these shows or discussing what's next for these theaters. Allow the folks who cared about these shows a place to grieve and keep the negativity elsewhere. The worst has already happened for these shows with the closing announcements.
Jarethan said: "All of the people I know who have seen it (and that is about 15 - 20 people) had the same reaction: 'I got its message, but did it have to be so slow'...this in reference to a 90 minute evening. "
Well... Yes!
"Let me tell you about Bet Hatikva..."
RWPrincess said: "I've been following both this and the Anastasia thread and have been annoyed by how many comments are still bashing these shows or discussing what's next for these theaters."
Unless these are the first two closing threads you ever saw on here, I'm not sure why this would be a surprise?!
While I agree that I don't understand bashing a closing show, talking about "what's next" seems like a natural extension of any closing notice. Say goodbye, and welcome in the new.
"Plus, best musical is the only award that really matters of the 10 as far as box office, without that, they would have closed a while back. No one's making sure to make sure they see the show that landed Best Lighting Design"
I don't totally agree, I think winning best actor and actress probably helps box office a bit also.
yankeefan7 said: "I don't totally agree, I think winning best actor and actress probably helps box office a bit also."
Shalhoub hasn't been with the show for a while, and they won the Tony Awards nearly 8 months ago, so any residual boost for any award is long gone by now. That said, without the win, this thread would have happened far earlier, even if they swept acting categories.
Based on now at least three recent examples: Fun Home, Gentlemen's Guide and The Band's Visit we can see that the "Best Musical" Tony definitely has a noticeable and lasting impact on ticket sales. In theory I would have thought the acting Tonys should help box office, but to be honest there appears to be countless examples where the impact seems rather unnoticed or slim. There is only one Tony Award I'd bank on as a Producer, and that's the Best Musical award.
Unless you have a true star winning an acting award, they likely won't have a major affect on the box office. Only die hard will really know who they are, which won't hurt sales but may not necessarily provide the financial bump that winning best musical does. Like for me perosnally, Katina Link is a major selling point, but I don't the average theatre goer will pay attention to it all that much. It's no disrespect to her but it's just how it goes.
And people with big enough star power dont need awards to sell tickets.
The only example i can think of that an award besides best play/mysical made a difference wasperhap Alice Ripley's win for Next to Normal. Im sure there are others. But not many.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/6/11
Another point to make in regards to acting wins, Tony Shalhoub was no longer in the show by the time he won his Tony. That also made things a little bit more difficult to capitalize on.
It is interesting if Shalhoub was still in the show thru the end of 2018, with the success of Mrs Maisel, along with his Tony win if it would've created some box office for the show.
Mike Barrett said: "It is interesting if Shalhoub was still in the show thru the end of 2018, with the success of Mrs Maisel, along with his Tony win if it would've created some box office for the show."
So you want someone to argue the pro and someone else to take the con? I mean, it's all speculative and no one would know whether they were right.
haterobics said: "Mike Barrett said: "It is interesting if Shalhoub was still in the show thru the end of 2018, with the success of Mrs Maisel, along with his Tony win if it would've created some box office for the show."
So you want someone to argue the pro and someone else to take the con? I mean, it's all speculative and no one would know whether they were right."
Literally what is the point of this entire board if we don't speculate? Of course none of us know if we're right, but I'm interested and wanted to discuss. If you aren't interested then there's no need for you to comment.
Mike Barrett said: "Literally what is the point of this entire board if we don't speculate?"
Trying to not spend money on bad theater.
Today’s the day. Sad to see it go, and so grateful I got to see it last May as my first-ever Broadway show. Loved running into Katrina Lenk that morning. I was so excited.
In just under a year from now I’ll see it again, this time on tour, curious now to see who they cast in the lead roles.
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