The Last Ship Lasting — Page 2

I really, really enjoyed “The Last Ship” when it was in Chicago (I have not seen it on Broadway). It certainly had its flaws (some which may have been fixed in its transition to New York - which, according to most reports, my biggest issue of Gideon not being a very likable character seems to have been worked out), but I thought it had a lot of heart, good songs, characters to root for, and had a lot of substance to it.

That being said, I always think it’s such a risky move to open a show in the fall no matter how good it is or how great the reviews are. It’s extremely hard to build any sort of traction opening during a slow period and then, after a few weeks of good holiday crowds, enter the worst months on Broadway and hope you can eke by either until the Tony nominations/awards or summer crowds.

I’m interested to see how the sales for both “The Last Ship” and “On the Town” play out over the next several months, for comparison’s sake, and to see if one seems to do better during the notorious winter months. Each has different benefits and disadvantages (a classical musical that got excellent reviews but may not appeal to tourists and a new musical with a rock star name attached to it that got mixed reviews and similar word-of-mouth) to them and I’m intrigued to see how those effect sales. (Of course, there are plenty of other factors including PR, the willingness of producers, etc.)

I think “On the Town” will have a harder time appealing to a wider audience than “The Last Ship,” even with its great reviews. This kind of old-school musical comedy show might not be one to draw many tourists (especially those who aren’t usual theatre-goers and might be looking for something more contemporary) or much of the younger generation, no matter how good it is, unfortunately. I certainly think it will struggle through the winter months and its closing date will be a matter of whether the producers are willing to wait it out until the Tony frenzy (where they will likely earn some nominations/awards) or not.

Not to say “The Last Ship” won’t have a tough time of it (and may very well close in early winter), but I do think that it has a bit more chance of building some traction and appealing to wider audiences during the winter months than “On the Town,” even with the word-of-mouth for “On the Town” being a lot better than “The Last Ship.” That being said, if both “On the Town” and “The Last Ship” make it to Tony season, “On the Town” may fare better once that time arrives.

I wish for success for both shows!

Updated On: 10/31/14 at 04:04 PM

The ship appears to be taking on water fast

This morning, TDF had about 3 dates. I just checked and it is now on for almost every show thru mid November. Reminds me of the availability Rocky had before they threw in the towel.

Absent a miracle, it will sail away right after the holidays like Big Fish did last season at the same theater.

Looks like another one bites the dust.

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Has there been any talk of a cast album or are they just going to sell Sting's concept album?

Nice of Ship to offer discounts to union members....they should be comped since the show is doomed.

The logo is definitely not a good selling point. To me, it looked like an abstract painting. It could be a cow or a wave but it ain't a ship which is really what it should be. Good luck trying to sell it.

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Updated On: 10/31/14 at 05:38 PM

How can they expect to stay open 30 weeks from now to appear on the Tonys? It seems like basic math that their reserve will run out around Xmas. I think the key art is the least of this show's problems. Brian Yorkey was smart to run away from this sinking ship.

I saw the preview on the Thursday night before opening. I was surprised that the theater was nearly full and the audience very attentive. Maybe it was cast's family night.

I liked the show, but would not see it again. The reviews were mixed to good. But it has no star. The Last Ship is certainly better than the ball of confusion called If/Then, but the latter has a star to carry it. Although when I saw the show even Idina's vocals were marred by a sound system that had me thinking she was singing at a high school dance in the gym.

The Last Ship is also not a cheery show. Out of the R&H big five, to many Carousel had the best score yet it had the shortest run, I would say because it was the darkest of the big musicals.

Whatever the fate of the show, Sting comes out a big winner. Just about every reviewer, no matter what else they said about the show, had either love or respect for the score. Who would have thought that Sting would be compared to Kurt Weill in more than one review.

"I saw the preview on the Thursday night before opening. I was surprised that the theater was nearly full and the audience very attentive. Maybe it was cast's family night."

Critics technically review the show in the last few previews leading up to opening, so if press was invited that night, they would make sure the house was full.

mystic-
You are assuming the point you are trying to prove. If the grosses do not improve, no one thinks the show will continue to run until the Tonys. But you assume they will not improve, whereas some of the best producers in the business (as well as Sting) are working overtime to sell more tickets. Will they succeed? Who knows? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. But it is just silly ask they expect something that no one expects.

At the curtain call of tonight's show Sting walked up from those stairs downstage wearing black ears or horns for Halloween and with a cigar or pipe in his mouth (I was too far back to tell).

Sting looked amazing when he came up the stairs in his devil horns and full length jacket. Trudy Styler and Kevin Spacey were definitely there; they stood on stage talking after the show.

it seems we now have the back seat drivers to the back seat drivers opining. That's pretty much the signal that a thread-weak from the get-go-has come off the rails.