The Palace Is Under Attack — Page 2

The stage at the Palace is notoriously high- so making it so the audience is closer/more eye level with the stage is great.

---

Premium seats and "dynamic pricing" have radically changed the calculus for shows. "Book Of Mormon" is a prime example of that - by limiting the amount of tickets for sale, they can charge top dollar for what they do have. They're managing better grosses in an 1100 seat house where they can upcharge than they would be in an 1800 seat house where they'd blow through their stock way faster and at a lower average price.

I imagine that the target demographic for "Holler..." is not the sort that is used to paying full price for orchestra seats. I imagine that the producers figure that they can make the same money selling 200 orchestra seats at premium 8 shows a week than they could selling (but not selling out) the full orchestra at list/discount price.

And the harder-to-sell mezz and balcony seats will seem that much more appealing, and probably priced more in line with what a lot of their intended audience is probably interested in paying for a night's entertainment.

That said, I do still find the whole endeavor a little confusing. What is the thinking here? Why are they trying to sell this particular show on Broadway? And immediately after last seasons' awards, when that's what's on peoples' theatrical radar? Are they hoping that summer tourist season will give them good numbers? That they're so out-of-the-mainstream that the normal "rules" won't apply? I'm legitimately curious.

I also find it a little curious that they're choosing to open in June rather than waiting for the fall or at least closer to the end of the summer. But I also feel like a significant part of their intended audience for this is not really people for whom the Tonys matter at all. I'm very curious as to what this will turn out to be.

I'm all for producers trying something new. Especially with a non-conventional show. Perhaps they assume this is not going to an Tony-bait show, so why compete?

---

I'm kind of super excited for this. I thought it was a juxebox type show, but it's not. It's just based on the writings. So that's kind of cool and interesting. And so far I've loved the direction they've taken with their marketing.

I'm sure the idea is that they want to get buzz going for the show while tourists are in town over the summer instead of opening in Sept when all the tourists have gone home, etc.

Checked out the configuration on Ticketmaster. As the Palace's stage is high and the distance between the stage and mezzanine close, the changes are quite substantial. The vast majority of the orchestra (everything under the overhang) is not accessible. Currently, they're selling the first few rows as premium.

I love the idea of reconfiguring Broadway houses into new and interesting seating arrangements. I just wish that this was more "unique" than creating a stadium situation between the apron of the stage and the mezzanine.

* * *

I would like to point out, that in a recent thread - don't remember which - I opened a discussion regarding non-procenium seating within a Broadway house. Some posters considered the idea and openly discussed such possibilities. Others - and you know who you are - made it clear that such an idea was preposterous within the current Broadway economic climate. They insisted, gone were the days of such productions as Dude and Candide, etc. "Holler" isn't going to the extreme of those productions, but the reconfiguration is still quite impressive.

Just want those who insist they they know everything about Broadway and what is and isn't possible to take note. There is still the possibility of change. It is not necessarily a bad thing.

Not sure I worded this as articulately as I'd have liked, but you get my meaning...

---

Updated On: 4/23/14 at 10:57 AM

I wish there were some Broadway houses that would allow for more inventive stagings. Like a large black-box theater, etc. But I suppose a 1,000 seat black box would be difficult. I love environmental stagings or interesting spaces, so I'm always disappointed with such traditional shows on Broadway.

Ripped-we've been down this path before but the bottom line is that the closest thing we have to a black box opportunity is also the hardest venue to rent. So no sensible business person would build what you are asking for.

When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought: a. The Palace Theatre is under attack on Broadway or b. Buckingham Palace faced some sort of attack. : )

---

Art-yes there are smallish things that can be done, but these do not get anywhere near creating a black box like you were pining for. And it is interesting to note that most of the grand experiments you are promoting have failed. And I feel confident Rocky and Holler will too.

I think this seems like a great idea for the Palace. Those seats under the overhang have always been terrible.
I can't wait!
"Under attack" is just a stupid description of what they are doing here.

Also - I'm not convinced this show will flop .... It may be something super interesting --- and there IS a world beyond the people who post here.
Kenny Leon is certainly no slouch. And those songs are incredibly emotional and meaningful.