"This is a war!" In My Life in the NY TIMES- Page 2

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:19pm

The guy throws 1.5 million into an ad campaign what makes you think a few thousand of that didn't go to those "people on the street" to say those wonderful things for the camera.

Also, having been the target of some threats of a lawsuit, I too, would be interested in knowing what the woman said that led Brooks to believe he could sue her...

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:31pm

"Can you see into the future and see how long it's going to run?"

Yes actually I can see into the future. In My Life will close on Friday December 30.

Unlike The Last Five Years, the show will fall into obscurity because the producers don't know how to create tours and market the show to community theaters where it belongs.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:38pm

As for the other critics, Mr. Brooks discounts their opinions - "They didn't get it," he says - and goes so far as to say he may sue one for a remark he says she made on the way out of the theater.

What could she have possibly said that would cause him to SUE her?

Updated On: 11/8/05 at 12:38 PM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:45pm

"What could she have possibly said that would cause him to SUE her?"

"The part of Winston must be autobiographical"

[ken8631]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 12:46pm

I can't form an opinion until I see it. Now I'm planning on seeing it.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 2:04pm

You have to see it, to believe it.
It is so bad and campy that at times I liked it.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 2:24pm

I saw the show on Sunday and the theatre was completely full (from what I could tell). At the end of the show about 90% of the theatre stood immediately for a nice standing ovation. I went to the stage door, as I do with most shows I think will be flops, and found it was packed with audience members, all of whom loved the show and said they would be back. So while the initial word on the street was not positive, I think that as more people see the show the word on the street is becoming more positive and ticket sales should increase (but I am not convinced they will reach Mr. Brooks' 85-95% at Christmas but they should reach well above 50% and may make it out of the red for a few weeks).

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 2:32pm

It is called papering.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 2:47pm

Whether its papering or not the audience still loved the show. That was my point that the word on the street is getting much better the longer it is on Broadway.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 3:15pm

I felt bad for the cast, all were wonderful singers.
The writing was the problem.
I am craving lemonade.
Clap your hands for Lemonade little girls! If you believe in flying fairies.
(CLAP) (CLAP)

Updated On: 11/8/05 at 03:15 PM

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 3:22pm

Strange as In My Life is, Corine just topped it.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 3:58pm

50% still won't keep the show running. I say good! The only reason why I feel bad is because of the actors. Another job gone. I imagine, some are looking for more work.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 4:11pm

Once again I have to say, if this had opened off-Broadway (like The Last Five Years) it may have had a longer run.

It may have had a longer run? I obviously missed something...

The show is still open. It may not be doing very well, but as of right now it's still open. Nobody can really see into the future and say when it's going to close. For all anyone knows, the ticket sales could turn around.
Believe me, I'm not defending the horrible writing that is shown in this musical, but you shouldn't assume anything, either.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 4:15pm

It's really not assuming. All it takes is knowing a little bit about the economics of a Broadway show. I'm not saying it's a definate thing yet. But it stands to reason that unless something BIG happens(and it'd have to be big). The show will be closing in a few months. That's not assuming that's called reasonably theorizing.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 4:27pm

Forget percentages.

According to the Times article In My Life needs to take in 320k per week to make expenses. This figure, supplied by the show, seems low because of the complex set and light plot, but let's accept it as the amount. Then there is the grey area above that mark when variables like royalties are figured and then comes profit.

The figure that you want to see is $320,000.

Since no one is chomping at the bit to get into the Music Box this moment, they may last until New Year's depending on how much money Mister Angel wants to flush down the john.

One of two things will happen. The money will dry up or the stop clause will be invoked.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 4:29pm

All it takes is knowing a little bit about the economics of a Broadway show.

No kidding...

What I'm trying to say is that based on the figues, attendance went up this week. Who's to say it's not going to go up more in the future?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 4:48pm

"The show is still open. It may not be doing very well, but as of right now it's still open. Nobody can really see into the future and say when it's going to close."

Yes actually I can see into the future. In My Life will close on Friday December 30.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 5:55pm

Yes actually I can see into the future. In My Life will close on Friday December 30.

I hate to sound like a brat, but... proof?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 6:09pm

I hate to sound like a brat, but... proof?

Proof closed on January 5, 2003. You don't need to look into the future to see that.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 6:35pm

"In My Life" is a really pretty song.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 7:46pm

Its an okay song, but it gets pretty repetitive, at least on the sampler.

I hope he puts money into a Cast Album.

So, everyone says that the show is alwasy full when they go, but obviously not, or maybe you went on a good day, cause percentages have always been in the 30-40%. I hope it picks up, the cast is very talented and I would love to see this show last till Tony awards.

Its not the show that urks me, but Brooks sheer stubborness. He thinks that anything he puts on stage is going to be a masterpiece. I hate that. He's too full of himself. I Think if he was smart, he would have had an out of town tryout AT LEAST. Its just not a smart business move. I mean, look how many shows have been hits on Broadway with just a cold opening, no out of town try out or anything. Trying a show out of town starts word of mouth around the city and gets ppl interested.

As for advertising, I think Brooks should start selling lemondae outside the theater, or something.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 8:42pm

i have to say i give in my life alot of credit for devoting a whole commercial to winston. Its like having a beauty and the beast commercial all about gaston

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 8:52pm

The show lasting until the Tony awards will only help it if it A)gets nominated and B)Wins something big. Thats not gonna happen. Also keep in mind that having an out of town try out isn't a given for a producer. Depending on the cast size, tryouts get pretty hefty money wise. You're putting up an entire cast and mounting an entire production for a couple of months. I think it's totally valuable and should be done, just keep in mind that it takes A LOT of money to do.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 10:43pm

No, I understand that it does. But think about the outcome of the out of town tryout. Hopefully, it will help the show in the end, ya know? Also, It seems Brooks isn't skimming back anything because of money, so yeah.

[alli2]

Posted: 11/8/05 at 11:30pm

Um, as someone once said, any publicity is GOOD publicity. Even if it's Brantley saying it's the biggest piece of crap ever produced, people are going to be intrigued to see it!

So, as long as people keep bashing it, other people will keep seeing it.