UPDATE: SIX to open at the Brooks Atkinson on March 12, previews begin Feb.- Page 4

[Kea4]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 2:29pm

I just saw this in Chicago (had an unexpected free evening on a work trip and got almost the last standby ticket, I was SO thrilled). Prior to seeing it, I was really apprehensive about the Brooks - I saw it as a "smaller show". Now that I've seen it I don't feel that way at all - it's really a concert, and concerts are usually in large venues. The lighting, the energy of the crowd, ect will probably work better in a larger theatre.

I also don't think the running time will be an issue - they certainly don't have to expand it. When I saw it, it ran 80 minutes with the Mega Six included. Once on this Island was 90 minutes and I don't remember anyone saying that was too short? It felt like a complete show.

I am worried about ticket prices, but let's cross that bridge when we get to it. I do hope that they have a good rush/lottery policy. I think it would be a great idea to do first row rush - there were clearly some big fans in the first two rows when I saw it, and it definitely brought a lot of energy to the show and added to the concert-like atmosphere. 

[Markecib]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 2:35pm

I find it odd how fast this show is spreading, good for them! But Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that SIX will be on three of their ships starting with the NCL Bliss September 1. This usually happens well after a show has run or long in it’s run. It will rotate with Jersey Boys on the Bliss.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 6:44pm

Just a guess, but perhaps they think having more concurrent production will help, whenever the broadway cast becomes fatigued and they start experiencing shortages of understudies like they have in the west end. Like if they have three girls out and only two to substitute with, they could just fly in one of the girls from the cruises or Chicago sit down/tour.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 6:50pm

I think the one thing that I think is really nice with all these productions is that young women who aren't the most well-known are going to get to star in a show and be the main focus. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 6:55pm

Good for them, I guess, but I worry that they’re REALLY oversaturating the market, for a show that already will have difficulty filling a Broadway theatre as it is.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 6:56pm

JBroadway said: "Good for them, I guess, but I worry that they’re REALLY oversaturating the market, for a show that already will have difficulty filling a Broadway theatre as it is."

You're joking right?

[Impossible2]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 7:11pm

Btw top price tickets in Sydney are only $159AU which is about $110US.

I’d say Broadway will be top price $150 at the most.

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 7:12pm

JBroadway said: "Good for them, I guess, but I worry that they’re REALLY oversaturating the market, for a show that already will have difficulty filling a Broadway theatre as it is."

What makes you think that?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 7:32pm

I can’t be the first person to say this, can I? Small, Off-Broadway style show in a medium-sized theatre with a balcony. Not based on a bankable property. Little to no tourist recognition. Passionate young fan-base that probably won’t be enough to fill the house (similar to BMC). Haven’t these points been made before?

I’m not saying it doesn’t have a chance, I’m just saying it’s kind of an underdog show right now, isn’t it? Am I going crazy here?

Anyway my main point was about the market over saturation, which I think still stands.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 8:06pm

JBroadway said: "I can’t be the first person to say this, can I? Small, Off-Broadway style show in a medium-sized theatre with a balcony. Not based on a bankable property. Little to no tourist recognition. Passionate young fan-base that probably won’t be enough to fill the house (similar to BMC). Haven’t these points been made before?

I’m not saying it doesn’t have a chance, I’m just saying it’s kind of an underdog show right now, isn’t it? Am I going crazy here?

Anyway my main point was about the market over saturation, which I think still stands. "

If it flops on Broadway (which it won’t) they can always pack it up after 6 months and move the cast onto Chicago & then on tour.

Personally I think it all depends on pricing. If they play their cards right they’ll do well, if they go for ridiculous top dollar pricing out of the gate they may be asking for trouble.

Cheaper tickets means a tonne of merchandising dollars freed up and that’s where most of the profit is these days.

We’ll see I guess.

[TooTiredForThis]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 8:14pm

This show has a lot of momentum, a lot of positive buzz around it, by starting with multiple runs outside of New York, it's going to gain ground among the roadies, it's the only original score currently slated for the season, it's both a fun crowd pleaser and an artsy high concept piece.

This may be a monster sweep at the Tony's next year.

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 8:18pm

JBroadway said: "Anyway my main point was about the market over saturation, which I think still stands."

Is it that you think the run in Chicago will jeopardise the Broadway audience (or vice-versa)? Pretty sure there won’t be much of a cross over from the Norwegian Cruise lines/Sydney/London productions.

Personally I think each run would stand on it’s own merits. There’s obviously the interest for parallel US productions so long as they are successful in pricing and marketing to a traditional (or non-traditional) Broadway audience. I admire how fast they can turn these new companies around - they are managing to capitalise on the social media interest brilliantly. Long may that continue.

[Rainah]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 8:28pm

I don't think you can say it's not based on a bankable property. Henry's wives are hugely well known, interesting, and bankable. When I think of my middle class tourist parents who know nothing about broadway, "girl power show about henry the 8th's wives" is way more appealing than most descriptions of shows on broadway. (once they have clarified "Henry the 8th is the one with all the wives right?"

I don't think it's a question of "is the show long enough" but "Does it feel worth broadway ticket prices". Which, we'll see. I wouldn't pay top ticket for it.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 8:41pm

Rainah said: "I don't think you can say it's not based on a bankable property. Henry's wives are hugely well known, interesting, and bankable."

Agreed, it is similar to Hamilton being a bankable property. Both are historical figures people kind of remember from middle/high school, which is probably enough familiarity for people to at least be intrigued by the idea. Imo, besides having a very modern score, that's where it's similarities to Hamilton ends. While I'm unsure if this show will reach that amount of raves, I think both shows are helped by people already having this vague ubiquitous knowledge on the subject.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 10:42pm

Interesting! I definitely didn’t expect this kind of pushback on what I thought was a fairly un-controversial remark, but here we are! A few responses to specific points raised:

1. The degree of Hamilton’s popularity was like lightning striking, and I wouldn’t think that any similarities between Hamilton and Six will work in Six’s financial favor. But maybe!

2. When I say a “bankable property” I mean something that is recognizable and has a draw in mainstream media. Something like Mean Girls, The Tempations, etc. Now, obviously being based on a recognizable property isn’t a sure-fire guarantee of financial success. Plenty of shows based on “bankable” properties have failed, and shows based on more obscure sources have succeeded. But if we’re just judging its prospects on paper, I don’t think we can call Henry VIII’s wives a bankable property. Let’s not forget that there was a play on Broadway about Henry VIII and his wives only 4 years ago. And as far as I can tell, it didn’t recoup. And yeah, there are lots of differences between Six and Wolf Hall, but that’s kind of the point. If Wolf Hall didn’t recoup but Six does, it will be because of Six's unique qualities: not the source itself, but what it DOES with the source.

3. If the show sweeps the Tonys, then sure. It will be extremely likely to succeed. I personally don’t think that will happen, but we’ll see. Nor do I think the show is good enough to warrant that (though I do like the show). But that’s entirely subjective, so on that point we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

4. Given how reliant Broadway is on tourism, I do think there is harm in saturating the market this early. You say there’s not much crossover in the audiences, but people to travel to NYC from all over to see theatre, especially if there’s a must-see theatrical event taking place, so I think it could very well be that a dangerously sizable chunk of its potential tourist audience will have already seen it when it comes to Broadway.

I stand by my reasoning, but I think some of your opposing reasoning makes sense too. It’s just a question of whether all of that will be enough: It's true the show has good momentum, but does it have enough momentum? It will likely get good reviews and good word of mouth, but will they be widespread enough? It will have a low running cost, but will it be low enough? Some people will want to see a show because they’ve heard of Henry VIII’s wives, but will that group of people be big enough? You all seem to think so, but I'm not so sure. And we won’t know until we see the outcome for ourselves.

And BTW I hope I’m wrong! I hope the show recoups and has a healthy run! 

Updated On: 8/6/19 at 10:42 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 10:49pm

They were smart to open when they did and hopefully they get a big push with TV appearances and get the name and songs out there because, at least in my circles, it’s very popular. The gays love it and the teens love it. I think it’s in for a healthy run.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 8/6/19 at 11:04pm

JBroadway said: "Let’s not forget that there was a play on Broadway about Henry VIII and his wives only 4 years ago. And as far as I can tell, it didn’t recoup. And yeah, there are lots of differences between Six and Wolf Hall, but that’s kind of the point."

I guess that disproves my idea haha, but very true point here. There was also another Henry VIII and his wives musical that was playing a few months ago and that only got buzz (at least on here anyway) from it being so much like Six. Then it was forgotten, to the point I don't even remember the name of it, nor what to look up to find it. 

[Kea4]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 9:23am

I just wanted to add that I see the "bankable property" as two-fold: both the history and the pop star tie-in. There are some very clear references that certain Queens are based on specific "divas", and I see that as itself as just as marketable as the historical aspect. Will that bring in everyone? Of course not. But that, combined with the terrific score and feminist message makes me think it has so much potential to do well. Yes, it has the young enthusiastic fanbase of BMC, but it has a lot more that is appealing for a lot more people. 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 9:32am

I’d say Broadway will be top price $150 at the most.

For previews, perhaps.

I wouldn't pay top ticket for it.

I've never paid top price for any Broadway show since the advent of premium pricing, no matter how badly I wanted to see it.

[binau]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 9:36am

JBroadway said: "I can’t be the first person to say this, can I? Small, Off-Broadway style show in a medium-sized theatre with a balcony. Not based on a bankable property. Little to no tourist recognition. Passionate young fan-base that probably won’t be enough to fill the house (similar to BMC). Haven’t these points been made before?

I’m not saying it doesn’t have a chance, I’m just saying it’s kind of an underdog show right now, isn’t it? Am I going crazy here?

Anyway my main point was about the market over saturation, which I think still stands. "

I pretty much agree with you 100%. I can barely even imagine seeing this show on a Broadway stage right now. I guess stranger things have happened and the show appears to have been a hit elsewhere. But I personally don’t think this show is a guaranteed hit at all.  

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 9:59am

They could do a lot worse than following Hamilton’s very creative and successful marketing/branding campaigns. And maybe the pre-release of a Six:Mixtape featuring the artists that inspired the songs 

[RagzJr]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 10:11am

ukpuppetboy said: "They could do a lot worse than following Hamilton’s very creative andsuccessful marketing/brandingcampaigns. And maybe the pre-release of a Six:Mixtape featuring the artists that inspired the songs"

I was JUST thinking that this morning (though there are other vocalists I'd prefer to the actual inspirations, but still).  

[Shh_413]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 10:19am

ukpuppetboy said: "They could do a lot worse than following Hamilton’s very creative andsuccessful marketing/brandingcampaigns. And maybe the pre-release of a Six:Mixtape featuring the artists that inspired the songs"

I would LOVE that. Imagine Beyonce, Adele, Rihanna, Britney, etc. in the same album.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/7/19 at 10:49am

Some of you are talking about this like it has the intimacy of The Fantasticks or John & Jen or Fun Home.

It's clearly striking a chord with audiences, and it has one of the fastest rollouts in recent memory: London, the pre-Bway regionals, Broadway, cruise ship, Australia, and the return to Chicago all opening within the span of about a year and a half.

There's obviously method and research behind it, and they wouldn't be rolling it out like this if they didn't believe in it. Kevin McCollum's a smart guy who might be the most prolific producer of new musicals of his generation. As we've all seen from Hamilton and DEH, and as he probably saw producing Ave Q and Motown and Rent, when you have a hit, you can't roll it out fast enough. Even if this doesn't win Best Musical, they want to capitalize on it as quickly as they can before the tide shifts to something else.