The Public's THE VISITOR - Previews- Page 6

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:03am

Am I correct in saying that The Public is a non-profit with a subscriber-base? If so, given these reviews, would they keep the show running until it’s already planned 11/28 closing date even if they are having trouble selling tickets to fill seats? I believe traditionally these subscriber houses would just keep the show running through its planned run, but wondered if there is any history of The Public pulling the plug early.

I know reviews don’t always have much to do with a show’s popularity, but as someone who admittedly hasn’t seen the show, I’d think a show like this might be more vulnerable to poor reviews and also that the reviews might be more closely aligned with the thoughts of its core audience.

Obviously, I’m not wishing anyone out of a job. Just curious.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:22am

@Miles I don't think they will have trouble getting enough bodies in the seats to keep going and that's what matters. I'm sure a decent number of tickets are committed, and I am sure others who have not seen it (including me) will still want to see it, so no, I don't think they would contemplate pulling the rug out from under it. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:23am

All their shows play through, but this is a new pandemic type thing we're seeing, so who knows? I've seen them extend shows and then just put them up on TDF. 

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:25am

@Hogan & @RippedMan - Thanks!

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:56am

HogansHero said: "@Miles I don't think they will have trouble getting enough bodies in the seats to keep going and that's what matters. I'm sure a decent number of tickets are committed, and I am sure others who have not seen it (including me) will still want to see it, so no, I don't think they would contemplate pulling the rug out from under it."

i agree 100% that the Public will likely see it through to the end, but I was there on Sunday and it was no more than 3/4 full. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 3:17am

Remember also that ticket sales make up a fraction of The Public’s revenue streams. They also have donors, sponsors, and of course revenue from bway transfers (Hamilton above all). It’s a heck of a lot cheaper to run a show in the Newman than it is for Roundabout or LCT to run a Bway show. If some Public shows have half-full houses in this transition year, that’s ok.

[binau]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 5:00am

It feels like there is a chance they might not record a cast album? Eek. Has anything been announced?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:14am

@Zion24 3/4 full is fine and would never result in cancellation. What I was suggesting is that if they were only drawing, say, 35 people a performance, they might re-evaluate but so long as they are getting numbers like that, I can't imagine. There would be almost no cost saving. An off-B show in an owned house is not evaluated like a commercial Broadway show.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 10:18am

According to the Public's website, the show has extended by a week, now running through 12/5.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/5/21 at 1:19pm

Good thing that the reviewers didn't shy away from calling out the white savior narrative, what were they thinking?

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 11/6/21 at 5:25pm

Tonight’s show is cancelled due to a “personal emergency in the company.”

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 11/6/21 at 10:58pm

The number in Union Square was stunning. I have issues with the original book, but the show was a great night at the theater! Don't miss it guys.

[Codeman109]

Posted: 11/6/21 at 11:12pm

We had tickets for tonight and had just arrived in the city when we got the email, text and call at 5:30 that tonight’s show was cancelled. We were bummed for sure!!

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 11/7/21 at 12:43pm

David Hyde Pierce is out of the show for today’s matinee. Hmmm

[bfreak]

Posted: 11/11/21 at 8:17am

I saw the show last night, and thought it was fine, not terrible, not great. It has a lot of elements that are working for it. David Hyde Pierce is excellent (he was the main selling point for me anyway) and the cast was well committed.

When the show dealt with broader emotional topics like music, spirituality, and romance/connection, the material worked best. However, the immigration aspect of the story (which is most of the piece) was definitely schlocky, preachy, and one note, only scratching the surface of these issues without ever teaching us anything new or really ever going anywhere interesting.

Some of the songs were solid and well delivered, but many of them, again, suffered from surface level depiction of events and ideas. The white savior problem with the show exists, however it didn’t personally bother me as much as others. Walter is an interesting enough character, and I was fine that he was the lead.

The audience seemed to somewhat enjoy it, there was laughter and polite (if not quite rapturous) applause in some moments. Again, I overall felt this show was just okay. It has some elements that do work really well and others that simply fall flat. I do not think this show is terrible, and it is a relatively engaging night at the theatre. If you’re a fan of anyone involved on the creative team or of any of the actors (particularly David Hyde Pierce), check it out. I was on the fence, and I’m overall glad I saw it.

[joshdog2014]

Posted: 2/28/22 at 8:23pm

https://www.instagram.com/p/CairXh1rt2Y/?utm_medium=copy_link
 
Tom Kitt: “Nothing better than spending your birthday doing what you love with people you love.” posted as a caption on a picture of the cast in a recording studio.

Ahmad Maksoud also posted a story of him in the studio “Studio Recording Magic”

Anthony Chan posted several stories including “@cassiewassie295 and I always joked about being able to be on an original cast recording, but today, I get to be a part of one! WHAT” and “happy birthday @tomkittmusic. why not make an album for your birthday”

Robert Ariza: “Having the best time being reunited with my VISITOR cast, singing @tomkittmusic’s incredible score (on his birthday, no less!). Life is good” 

Looks like it’s getting a cast recording! I personally liked the show but given the general reception this seems pretty surprising
 

Updated On: 2/28/22 at 08:23 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/28/22 at 8:47pm

If they have any hope of licensing the show, it basically needs some kind of cast recording. Concord Theatricals probably put up some of the money.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/28/22 at 8:51pm

It’s almost startling to see a photo of a large group of people indoors, shoulder to shoulder and no masks on. But very very cool. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/1/22 at 1:09am

Glad to hear this show is getting a cast album. I didn’t get to see it and I’m curious to at least hear the score. It seemed like this show had a ton of buzz and then a cultural shift kicked it to the curb. I’ll be happy to judge for myself.

[AntV]

Posted: 3/1/22 at 1:51am

I liked this a lot better than Kimberly Akimbo. With some edits this should've moved to broadway instead. But I know the demand at the public was very low for some reason.

[RunningThatRoad]

Posted: 5/19/22 at 11:23pm

Interestingly, I got Berkeley Rep's new season announcement, and it included this:

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OUT OF CHARACTER
Written and performed by Ari’el Stachel | Directed by Tony Taccone
Peet’s Theatre | Starts Jun 2023

Tony Award winner Ari’el Stachel’s new solo show explores the intersections of race, mental health, and survival in a way that’s raw, authentic, and entertaining.

---

Given the description and title, I wonder if this show has to do with Stachel's departure from The Visitor.

[Owen22]

Posted: 5/20/22 at 5:06am

RunningThatRoad said: "Interestingly, I got Berkeley Rep's new season announcement, and it included this:

---

OUT OF CHARACTER
Written and performed by Ari’el Stachel | Directed by Tony Taccone
Peet’s Theatre | Starts Jun 2023

Tony Award winner Ari’el Stachel’s new solo show explores the intersections of race, mental health, and survival in a way that’s raw, authentic, and entertaining.

---

Given the description and title, I wonder if this show has to do with Stachel's departure from The Visitor."

Well then I wonder if he will go into how he was a very problematic performer and was eventually fired for it.