The sobering financials of broadways latest season.- Page 2

[DAME]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:11pm

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]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:16pm

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.

[DAME]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:23pm

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

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:28pm

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. 

[Fetus]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:36pm

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.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:38pm

Ya I think that Shannon is phenomenal and wanted for
Sure, but like I said I’m not sure how we categorize a list. I guess for me it’s strong acting AND box office, so they’re a total package. Just my opinion though.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:43pm

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.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 2:46pm

Ferryman is expected to tour! Hopefully it comes to fruition, but with the Best Play in their hand I hope it does. I was hoping to catch Gary in its final weekend, but obviously that didn’t happen. It’s unfortunate

[BritCrit]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 3:10pm

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?

[ccbway]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 4:06pm

I think the problem here is people confusing "critically acclaimed" or "award winning" actor with "A-list" actors. While there can be overlap, these aren't the same things. The majority of people on the street would probably have no idea at all who Michael Shannon is. He's not a box office draw outside of people who appreciate his award winning acting in largely unwatched critically praised independent movies, in mostly co-starring and supporting roles.

More people know who Bryan Cranston is, as the star of a highly watched AND critically acclaimed tv show for over 5 years. I'm pretty sure that's basically it.

If you got The Rock to star in a broadway play, he would be considered an A-list name. Richard Jenkins, probably not. It basically all comes down to name recognition, status, celebrity. Richard Jenkins is a fine actor, but most people probably couldn't even tell you his name if he was standing in front of them, ditto Michael Shannon. In this scenario/discussion, when you're specifically talking about box office draw and financials, an actor's pedigree has far less to do with being an "A-list" name than actual celebrity and name recognition.


Updated On: 7/12/19 at 04:06 PM

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 4:45pm

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

[IHeartNY2]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 5:08pm

It does feel like there will be a lot less theaters running this Labor Day vs. prior years  

[AADA81]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 6:28pm

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

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 8:07pm

It’s too expensive so people are being choosy. When you see something like Pretty Woman, I don’t think my money is being put to good use. It looked super cheap. But Hadestown is a quality show and a quality production.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 10:13pm

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.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 11:25pm

DAME said: "Wick3 said: "DAME said: "Wick3 said: "
Also, casting matters. It's really hard to flop if you have an A-list Hollywood/TV celebrity headlining the show. Yes, they're expensive too but at least the show has a higher likelihood of recouping the investment."

Because Frankie and Johnnie did so well."

@DAME, as much as I love Audra on Broadway I do not consider her (or Shannon) A-list hollywood/TV celebrities."

I have been agent for 26 years. Michael Shannon is most certainly a A-list actor these days. Audra is certainly a A lister in the broadway world and her name has some cache out of it. And Glenda Jackson is in the legend status. "

Michael Shannon May be an A-list actor (I find him using the same Schtick too frequently) but he does not have the celebrity that sells tickets, as demonstrated by ticket sales.  Had Brian Cranston decided to open Network in May, it would have sold mega-well, because Breaking Bad and the LBJ play gave incelebrity statis as well as Broadway validation.

My personal opinion re Audra is that she sells tickets in a musical (remember when Shuffling Along closed because she was leaving) or gets the kind of reviews she did for Lady Day (and, if I remember correctly, won the Tony as close to the opening as possible).

IMO there was no interest in F&J because no one really wanted to see it, It was a drama, Shannon definitely doeS not sell tickets, and Audra apparently does not sell them for a drama that people don’t have much ch interest in seeing.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/12/19 at 11:50pm

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]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:16am

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.

[AADA81]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 11:38am

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

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 12:26pm

Most open-runs that announce summer closings traditionally closed Labor Day weekend. The fact that so many of them are closing early to mid-August is a troubling sign to me. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:01pm

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.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:09pm

And of course some shows in the past that pushed past Labor Day to get to a mid-September closing also should have given up at Labor Day, if not before then (I'm looking at you, Gettin' the Band Back Together).

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:22pm

"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.

[Mike Barrett]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:30pm

There just seems to be a downward trend the last few years. Not many musicals have become big enough hits to warrant a year or two on broadway. I wonder if this year will be much better though. Typically jukebox musicals sell more, and not only do they sell more but the jukebox musicals coming in seem to be really strong shows, or solid at the very least. Moulin Rouge, Jagged Little Pill, Tina, A Girl From The North Country, Once Upon A One More Time, all have notable names alongside them score wise, and other than OUAOMT, all the others have gotten good reviews in their out of town tryouts/West End. Should be interesting to follow. But as ticket prices get higher and the income inequality grows in the US this is a trend to be concerned about at the very least. Just my two cents. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/13/19 at 1:57pm

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