The sobering financials of broadways latest season. — Page 2

Mike Barrett said: "Never said a word about Ms Jackson, thank you. If we’re talkiny Hollywood a list, that’s not Audra. I think if anytbing Frankie and Johnny certainly proves Michael Shannon is not an a list name to sell tickets. He’s a phenomenal actor, so I’m not out of touch, look at the sales."

Honey; don't take things so personally. This is just chit chat. Michael Shannon not selling tickets has more to do with the poor interest in this production, it's dates, and a very poor marketing campaign. Michael Shannon is in huge demand. "Alovingfan "made reference to Ms Jackson. That is why I mentioned her. Have nice weekend.

Mike Barrett said: "What constitutes an A List actor then? Is it someone who is just on another level when it comes to acting, or, is it someone who’s on another level AND can sell tickets. Sure this production has issues but people will go see a star no matter the show. Until the critics shattered King Lear, the show was selling pretty well. Frankie and Johnny never sold well their entire run. So I’d say the better question with regards to Shannon are what is an A list actor. Cause clearly, he cannot sell tickets on Broadway as a leading man. Idk how you can’t but some of the blame on him when he’s one of the two above title stars in the production."

You bring up some very valid points. To me a A List actor reference come from the hollywood world. Every director and producer wants to work with Michael and they put their projects on hold for his availability. Obviously his name didn't translate to broadway box office this time. But my opinion ( and it is just that.. a opinion) is that the blame is not on him.

Updated On: 7/12/19 at 02:23 PM

I do wonder when the tipping point in the Broadway economy will be reached. I assume it's years off, but the steady commercialization of Broadway in the last decade has made it harder for plays especially to keep afloat. I'm still kicking myself for missing The Ferryman the last time I was in the city, I expected it to run longer.

poisonivy2 said: "Michael Shannon is definitely A-list. If Bryan Cranston is A-list (and he is) then Michael Shannon is A-list. What they aren't are Hollywood leading men types. They're strong character actors."

Does A-List mean being desired by studios, or having popular success? I'm sure lots of studios and films want Shannon (especially in the last few years - good lord he was in 9 films in 2016), but I don't think you could call him a household name.

Alex Kulak2 said: "poisonivy2 said: "Michael Shannon is definitely A-list. If Bryan Cranston is A-list (and he is) then Michael Shannon is A-list. What they aren't are Hollywood leading men types. They're strong character actors."

Does A-List mean being desired by studios, or having popular success? I'm sure lots of studios and films want Shannon (especially in the last few years - good lord he was in 9 films in 2016), but I don't think you couldcall him a household name."

The problem is not how famous Shannon is, it’s the fact that he is best known for playing fanatical, monstrous villains. Who wants to see the tyrannical, racist government agent from “The Shape Of Water” in a romantic drama?

I think many who watched Boardwalk Empire would definitely know who Michael Shannon is. He gave an amazing performance in that series.

That article is misleading. Most shows, but especially musicals, don't recoup their initial investments on Broadway. However, many shows that go on tour eventually do, even if it takes a while. Frank Wildhorn is a name that comes up when I've read about this in terms of investors. In any case, a Broadway show that plays like a hit may still lose money; it's almost expected. It doesn't the property won't earn money in future iterations for be the initial investors.

Also, several of the shows the article mentions had pre-set closings dates, others had decent runs (MFL) and others will tour (Cher Show). It's not as black as the author paints it, especially since attendance and profits for the 2018-2019 season were at all-time highs. I don't think this season was significantly different from most seasons.

Updated On: 7/13/19 at 06:28 PM

I watch WAAAAAAAY TOO MUCH television and I had to look up who Michael Shannon is. Of course, I recognized him immediately from his head shot, but if I were a tourist visiting NYC his name alone wouldn't inspire me to buy tix.

And I think Audra McDonald is a fine actress, but if she ain't singing, I ain't paying hundreds of dollars to see her in a play that starred Al Pacino and Kathy Bates when I saw it 30 years ago.

Mike Barrett said: "What constitutes an A List actor then? Is it someone who is just on another level when it comes to acting, or, is it someone who’s on another level AND can sell tickets."

Only that they can sell tickets. A lot of people move tickets and aren't on any special level.

AEA AGMA SM said: "I've never taken any of the "Lists" to be an indicator of talent one way or the other. It's much more a ranking of the actor as a commodity. Do the press and tabloids fall over themselves to cover their every move? Do they get their pick of projects because producers and studios know that, good or bad, their participation in a project ups the chances that it will be a box office hit? Would product companies fight over the chance to get an endorsement from said celebrity?Those are the types of things that indicate if someone is A-List, B-List, and so forth and so forth, actual talent plays a minor part in that sort of ranking."

That's an excellent description of an A-lister. I think Audra is A-list where Broadway is concerned, but F&J just proved to be the wrong property for her. Nathan Lane, another Broadway-only A-lister, typically moves tickets but even his presence couldn't save 'Gary' this past season. There's been a lot of competition for audiences this past year and these two productions simply missed the mark.

Updated On: 7/13/19 at 11:38 AM

August through labor Day is just bad all around. The locals are out of town and tourism is down because it is hot and muggy.

"a troubling sign"

what about this is troubling? that there were some shows this year that folks didn't want to see? (Many of which I might add had the best of reasons for being brought in.) This is the nature of the beast. People love something and produce what they love. They hope everyone else loves it too. Sometimes they do; sometimes they don't. As I said before it has always been thus. What's troubling is that people here and elsewhere seem oblivious to the history and nature of this business.

a friend of mine that's a concierge said, his top requested shows from tourists are:

Harry Potter

Hamilton

Moulin Rouge

Hadestown

To Kill A Mockingbird

Ain't Too Proud