Theory on the Legally Blonde Closing

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:07pm

On Youtube, someone said that LB has been having a hard time selling tickets for the last 5 months. Regardless or not you think it was caused by Bailey Hanks or not.

My opinion of the closing all circles back to the September/October MTV broadcasting of LB.

I mean, why spend $1000 on airfair, $1200 for hotel in the city, and $85 for a ticket. You can stay at home, and see it for free...the taping should not have been done until it closed, or later on in the run...it ruined the show. Why see a bunch of replacements now, when you can download a full production with the original broadway cast (minus leslie kritzer, and dequina moore) for free. It should have never been broadcasted until peeople REALLY wanted to see it

BTW, does anyone know the grossings, or attendance for the tour so far?

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:13pm

It lost a little money when it first aired. Then it recouped. Then sales started going down, it was destined to close; Bailey had nothing to do with it.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:13pm

Bailey extended the shelf life of this show several months.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:15pm

i totally agree with wishing on wounds

[BrianS]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:19pm

fashionguru, you should call Hal Luftig's office immediately with this info (212-479-7990). With your guidance, it may not be too late for him to do something with the show.

Seriously, it's one thing to know next-to-nothing about the business and ask questions to understand it better, but to try to explain why a show is closing with same lack of knowledge about the business is arrogant and a waste of everyone's time (including your own). Sorry to bag on you fashionguru, but after that other thread where some new fish explained how licensing works on Hairspray and now your remedial explanation on how the MTV broadcast killed ticket sales (which weren't exactly flying out the door before it aired), I guess I'm allowing myself a little sarcasm at your expense.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:21pm

WishingOnlyWounds2 - The show didn't recoup.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:24pm

BrianS, you're starting to accomplish the goal stated in you signature. I was hoping someone would point out just how obvious, arrogant, and stupid the OP was being.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:25pm

The numbers in the Summer were actually quite good, then came September and the show tanked, and most likely had no advance. My theory is that some sort of show or concert wanted the Palace for the Christmas season before WSS takes over.

But only the producers and the Nedelanders know for sure.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:26pm

Apparently, it's going to be Liza Minnelli.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:29pm

I just want to point out that back in the late '80s, PBS recorded the OBC of Into the Woods, and it was not aired until 1991 (two years after the show closed) now there was a smart idea

[b'waydreams12]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:31pm

to make way for WSS
DUH!

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:31pm

I must say, I'm happy that Liza will be at the Palace for a few months instead of Legally Blonde: The Musical struggling there until WSS opens. Liza is much better fit for the Palace than LB ever was.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:42pm

If I remember correctly the show was ready to close before airing on MTV and people here commented on how the box office received a boost after the show aired and how it actually helped despite everyone's prediction that it would close the show. I really don't think the broadcast did anything but help.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:47pm

it's not makeing enough money as it should.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 10:56pm

"it's not makeing enough money as it should."

Ohhhhhhhhh! That's why it's closing! What about [title of show], Xanadu, Hairspray, Rent, and all other shows that close? Could money possibly be a factor there, too? The whole world just became a little clearer!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:04pm

Did we really need a "theory" about LEGALLY BLONDE closing? The show was losing money and there was little advance so it closed.
Seriously, it's not like it's WICKED or JERSEY BOYS closing. There is no need to develop any theories about it.

[wicked91]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:08pm

I think the MTV broadcast/reality show helped the tour more than the Broadway show.

[winston89]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:22pm

The only show that closed recently that I could even see creating a theory about is why Xanadu bumped up its closing date.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 10/6/08 at 11:54pm

Here's a theory, winston: The producers released a statement saying that the decision to close Xanadu early was made to avoid losses in the current economic climate.

[??]

Posted: 10/7/08 at 12:22am

Brian,

I believe I am the "new fish" you were speaking of. An easy mistake as I don't waste my time badgering others enough to rack up the impressive post count.

And by the way, I was simply asking a question and using Hairspray as an example. I never claimed it to be fact.

I hope you have a good day and avoiding falling off that pedestal of yours

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/7/08 at 1:09am

Don't worry, I caught him. He's back up there now.

[musicalangel12]

Posted: 10/7/08 at 1:45am

"Here's a theory, winston: The producers released a statement saying that the decision to close Xanadu early was made to avoid losses in the current economic climate."

Honestly, I think that's all the "theory" we need for why Broadway shows are closing at this time. The economy is in crisis and people aren't going to pay for Broadway tickets and everything that could come with seeing it (dinner in the city, transportation, etc).