The struggling SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS — Page 3

qolbinau said: "Mmm, I can't imagine them spending this amount of money if the main goal was just to have schools perform it afterwards. To me, it really looks like they (perhaps overly ambitiously) thought this show was going to be a mega-hit like The Lion King or Wicked. It did seem to absolutely tank in Chicago, but I'm guessing the producers thought there wouldbe more of a market for it in NYC (e.g., more tourists). And the show itself has its moments - so I imagine those close to the show thought it'd be a good crowd pleaser. But yes, they seem to have been mistaken. Given sales have been slow from the very start (i.e., before the moment people even walked through the door) it does make me feel that the market for this show just isn't there.At least, not in a way that is financially sustainable in live theatre today. ESPECIALLY at this time of year."

While all of these points are 100% valid, I think we are vastly underestimating the amount of money a recognizable property can make from licensing. Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID and TARZAN had very similar runs and financial tanks. Yes, they are DISNEY...but professional theatres (and non-professional) with subscriber bases sell to single ticket buyers by having their subscribers invite friends to such recognizable properties.

The reason so much money is being dumped into this property is because it is a long-game strategy. there is something that draws audiences to a regional/high school/whatever production AFTER the show has been on Broadway or made into a film. That encourages hundreds, if not thousands of theatrical organizations, both professional and non, to produce said work. And they all pay to produce it. And I'm sure there are many young auteurs out there who feel they truly know Spongebob and would want to direct. Folks will want to put their marks on this show for years..

Example: the Paramount Theatre outside of Chicago recently did a production of MERMAID that was lauded by critics and audiences alike - the same crap show we saw on Broadway with the spinning bongs and dreadful book. But it was beautiful to watch (far more than the Broadway production) and enraptured children. It was a massive hit. You couldn't get near this nearly 2,000 space, producing 8 shows a week for 6+weeks - and then they ADDED shows to some 10 performance weeks.

No one in New York wants to see Spongebob sing. But many people in this country would, and on top of that, have children that would die to - and if the musical and be legitimized as a property, it is one that is more attractive for other organizations to produce.

If I recall correctly, Sondheim claimed most of his money is made with the 'after-life' of a show. And the initial idea behind reviving Carrie was, apparently, to be more about licensing the show rather than have it simply presented at another venue. So I definitely am sympathetic to the argument that this is a long-term goal of the show. Had the producers known in advance that Spongebob would be such a financial failure in Chicago and on Broadway, would they have still proceeded though even with the prospect of revenue once the show after-life begun? That is what I wonder.

Updated On: 2/13/18 at 11:23 PM

I think you can stunt cast to keep breathing new life into a long-running property... but when you're stunt-casting to make it to Tony nominations, that's not a good sign.

haterobics said: "I think you can stunt cast to keep breathing new life into a long-running property... but when you're stunt-casting to make it to Tony nominations, that's not a good sign."

Exactly. And that's just what Ken "P.T. Barnum" Davenport is trying with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with Norm Lewis and Tamyra Gray (not exactly stunt casting --- but far better known than the people they replaced).

Re: Once on This Island - is it stunt casting if it's not advertised? I don't see any big banners or billboards anywhere.



And this show will do well in colleges/high schools, but the problem with the show is that they asked different composers to write songs. Therefore, they couldn't just cut songs here and there. The David Bowie song is AWFUL. It should have been cut. etc. They boxed themselves in.

And they couldn't still a cut a song, why? I'm sure their contracts didn't guarantee they'd use each song regardless of quality or vision or anything.

"You guys are familiar with Broadway in February, right?"

Oh, yes, we've all seen how Hamilton, Waitress, Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King, The Book of Mormon have all had their grosses drop to 1/2 a million, like that equal hit, Spongebob Flop-pants.

"February" must be the only reason it's not selling.

Updated On: 2/15/18 at 07:57 AM

markypoo said: "newintown, I dearly love you."

Nothing brings people together on here more than a negative pile-on.

Updated On: 2/15/18 at 10:21 AM

haterobics said: "A0326T said: "I am seeing Spongebob Mar 1. Now after reading all the comments I am wondering if its worth it."

I saw it recently, having never watched a single episode of the cartoon, and just found it to be a fun, entertaining night. I had zero regrets seeing it, and have recommended it to other people. I haven't quite sorted out any rhyme or reason as to why people love or hate this show, but for $50, I think it's definitely worth a look.

Whether it should be on Broadway, whether it will last, and all of the talk on here, is interesting... but often separate from the experience of actually seeing a show. If you saw the handful of Spongebob clips online (Thanksgiving parade, GMA, etc.), I'd just watch those and, if you want to see more, go for it... if they make you think 2+ hours of that would be a long night, then bail. I think it is very clear what you are signing on to with this show and, if that interests you or not, it seems easy to sort out. I know the show was exactly what I expected from doing just that..."



Great assessment @haterobics! That was exactly my rationale after having seen multiple clips in various places. Not for me--though some of my friends loved it. Different strokes.

Though the show did get nominated in the Best Musical category. Go figure!!!