Time running out for Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?

[greygarden]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 11:45am

It's taken a little while for the advance to run out but takings suddenly seem to be dropping alarmingly. How much longer has the show got to run?

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 11:54am

I want to say a January closing and then they’ll go out on tour in September 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:09pm

I guess we shall see how business improves during the holiday season.

[raddersons]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:13pm

I would love for this to close and make room for something else. No one even likes it.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:14pm

I might be wording this incorrectly.

I certainly DON'T want to see cast/creatives/crew out of work, but in a way, I almost feel like Charlie needs its advance to dry up and for its ticket sales to plummet. Producers need to realize that you can't sacrifice artistic quality this badly and still expect a show to make money.

Again, I feel terrible for cast/creatives/crew when something closes...but producers need to think more carefully about where they pool their resources so these things don't happen to them.

[James885]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:24pm

That's too bad. I enjoyed the London production; despite its faults it was a theatrical spectacle and a true crowd pleaser - it ran almost 4 years, I believe. 

I haven't the seen the Broadway incarnation, but everyone seems to agree that Christian Borle carries the show. I seriously wonder why they decided to go the minimalistic route with the set design for the New York production. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:40pm

It needs to go. A total waste of valuable Broadway real estate. A January closing would make me elated. 

[little_sally]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:46pm

While I know this means nothing, they did just put tickets on sale through September 2018 so it makes me think the situation isn't as dire as we think.

 

[Cfried]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 12:50pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said:

"I certainly DON'Twant to see cast/creatives/crew out of work, but in a way, I almost feel like Charlie needs its advance to dry up and for its ticket sales to plummet. Producers need to realize that you can't sacrifice artistic quality this badly and still expect a show to make money."

This. I saw the London production and enjoyed it immensely, not because it's a well-written show, but because of the spectacle. The designs were simply breathtaking and it was a true crowd-pleaser. The Broadway production, unfortunately, is just a mess; there's nothing to hide the weak material. 

 

Updated On: 10/4/17 at 12:50 PM

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 1:05pm

raddersons said: "I would love for this to close and make room for something else. No one even likes it."

*braces for impact*

...I kinda liked it

[ACL2006]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 1:08pm

I think the producers will keep it going knowing it sell well during the holidays and when schools are out. I'm thinking it lasts until summer 2018. Sad, but that's my prediction.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 1:23pm

James885 said: "That's too bad. I enjoyed the London production; despite its faults it was a theatrical spectacleand a truecrowd pleaser - it ran almost 4 years, I believe.

I haven't the seen the Broadway incarnation, but everyone seems to agree that Christian Borle carries the show. I seriously wonder why they decided to go the minimalistic route with the set design for the New York production."

I've heard some of the creative team talk about in interviews how the London production was in a venue much larger than any Broadway theater. So the producers decided to do a revamp in order for it to work in a Broadway house.

[pdjennings]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 1:29pm

Other than being disappointed in some of the scenic work, I quite enjoyed it, too.  I listen to the cast recording all the time.

[James885]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 3:31pm

Jeffrey Karasarides said: 
I've heard some of the creative team talk about in interviews how the London production was in a venue much larger than any Broadway theater. So the producers decided to do a revamp in order for it to work in a Broadway house."

That makes sense. I wonder if they considered a modified/ scaled down version of the design from London. They really did a 180 for Broadway in terms of the sets!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 3:36pm

raddersons said: "I would love for this to close and make room for something else. No one even likes it."

 

What a ridiculous statement to make.   I'm not even interested in seeing it, but there have been plenty of people that have liked it, and probably some that thought it was terrific.

 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 7:17pm

I've heard some of the creative team talk about in interviews how the London production was in a venue much larger than any Broadway theater. So the producers decided to do a revamp in order for it to work in a Broadway house.

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane seats about 200 more than the Lyric or Gershwin and the stage is crazy deep, but many big spectacles have successfully transferred from there to smaller theatres either in the West End or on tour.  I can't imagine Charlie couldn't have been scaled down a bit for Broadway in its design without having to resort to such drastic measures.  It sounds more like the producers weren't wiling to risk the budget it would take for the original design.

[CoolDogeGuy]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 7:44pm

I can't remember where I read it, but it was announced there was going to be a closing in April 2018 and that there would be a tour after. 

[binau]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 10:24pm

ACL2006 said: "I think the producers will keep it going knowing it sell well during the holidays and when schools are out. I'm thinking it lasts until summer 2018. Sad, but that's my prediction."

If they don't dip too far below the weekly nut in the off-times I agree they will hang on. The amount of money that these type of shows can make in a few weeks during a peak time can be substantial and make it worth keeping a show that is running at its nut or just slightly below running. 

Updated On: 10/4/17 at 10:24 PM

[Snee17]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 10:42pm

To the person who said no even even likes this production... That is pretty obnoxious to say. I’ve seen the production several times and I rather enjoyed it. It is a production where you can just sit back and relax and enjoy the show. I laughed through the majority of the show and I’d be more than happy to go see it again. 

As for Christian having to carry the show, he does do an amazing job, he’s an incredible performer. BUT other members of the show are wonderful as well. Alan H Green will have you laughing with his facial expressions, Ben Crawford plays the perfect Mr. Salt, and Mike Wartella cracked me up constantly. 

I hope this show continues on, kudos to the cast and crew! 

[BroadwayNoob]

Posted: 10/4/17 at 11:21pm

I don't love this show, the modernization was kind of a failed attempt. They really stretched the "must be believed to be seen" aspect of the show, and I really don't think it works. I don't mind the music, and I think all of the cast is amazing. The parts themselves are just annoying and whiny. I have a feeling that Charlie is here to stay for a bit longer though, simply because it is an appealing, decently priced kids show that is definitely going to be an enjoyable experience for the whole family. They aren't marketing to the adults who want to try and critique the show and compare it to something that is definitely much better. There aren't any true kids shows on Broadway besides the Disney ones, and those tickets run $115+ if you don't want to buy them months in advance. Charlie starts at $59, and I'd assume you would be able to find tickets at the TKTS booth

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 10/5/17 at 12:40am

I liked.....Emily Padgett.

 

 

 

And that's about it.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 10/5/17 at 1:02am

I liked the entire cast. I thought it was a very strong group performance.