Wedding Singer - Closing or not?

[JerseyScoundrel]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:42pm

Despite post-Tony sales, I don't think the show has a good chance of becoming a hit. Thoughts?

[RentHead2]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:48pm

Just my opinion that I am going to post: But honestly I think this is a word of mouth show. I think it will gain popularity, not to be a major hit like Wicked or Lion King but it will stick it out through the year I think. Especially with people like me going back for 2nd and 3rd dosings of this addicting show. I predict Tarzan to close before this one does. Anyway this is such a fun show, I cant see why people wouldn't like it!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:12pm

TARZAN will not close before TWS...no chance.

TWS is not doing horrendously, but it will not make it's investment back. No way.

[camthom]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:17pm

While I agree that TWS will not have the life on Bway that Tarzan will have (c'mon, it's Disney and families want something with that brand that's safe to bring their kids to), I do believe TWS will get it's investment back. It's a VERY easy show to tour and the title alone will sell very well on the road.

On top of that, It will do AMAZINGLY well regionally. The royalties from high school productions alone will be phenomenal. It's the Birdie for the 80's.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:23pm

It has nothing on BIRDIE.

It may make back some money on the road, but I'm talking Broadway - and it will not make back any of it's initial Broadway investment.

I would have to sell out for a year and a half to do that.

It is not doing stellar business, and it is discounted up the you know what. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNRELS - a show that has (or had) more star power, better reviews, and a Tony award - has still not yet made back it's money.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:28pm

WS is doing fine. It is not closing in the forseeable future.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:31pm

I see it as a Footloose kind of show. Footloose was around for about two years, but it never had rave reviews or fantastic ticket sales. It was just a fun, frothy show, and that's what Wedding Singer is. I expect it might be around for a little while longer -- or rather, I hope it might be.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:32pm

TWS has none of the charm or talent of BIRDIE.
Just my opinion.
"A BIRDIE for the 80's"?
Isn't this 2006?

[thespian geek]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:35pm

I dunno. I hate Birdie but I love TWS, so. :)

TWS won't close anytime soon, I'm certain of that. It's going steadily for now, and considering who's invested money into it, I doubt they'll pull the show before the holidays.

[camthom]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:10pm

YES, cpd, A birdie for the 80's...meaning Birdie is kind of the quintessential 50's show for high schools. My prediction is that TWS will be the quintessential 80's show as far as high schools go. Easy to get costumes, cute, easy story line and is the same kind of fun that birdie is for it's time.

And as far as making back intial investments, it's a pretty small fraction of shows that do make that back. Millie ran for a couple years, and never made back their money during the run, and they got a Best Musical Tony.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:11pm

It will be ok for the summer but if the box office takes its normal post-labour day nose-dive, it could be in trouble in the fall.

I agree it will make its money on tour and in post-NY regionals like FOOTLOOSE did.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:22pm

I don't think it will close anytime soon. It probably has about 1 or 2 years.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:24pm

I love this show, but I honestly don't see it finishing out the season. I think the story line is to simple for audiences. I know when I went to the first preview a lot of people were complaining because it was a very simple story. I mean, you KNEW they were going to get together. There was no mystery involved. I think they should have spiced up the story a bit. I think it will sell great on tour and that's fine. It doesn't need to drudge along at 50% capacity for a couple months. I'd rather it close while it's doing good and keep its dignity.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:58pm

RentBoy, your post doesn't even make sense. Beauty and the Beast has one of the oldest, simplest storylines in Broadway, and it's been running for more than a decade. Talk about a complicated story, a little show called Tarzan ran for 72 performances.

[thespian geek]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 4:54pm

And here I thought a lot of audience members (IE tourists) wanted something simple and something that doesn't mean they'll have to think? Haha. Theatre is entertainment to most people in those seats, nothing more. If it's too complicated, they complain. If it's a "duh" storyline, apparently they complain (though considering it's based off of a movie - one a LOT of people have seen - I don't see why they should complain).

And WaltSummers, I think you mean Lestat? :p

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 4:56pm

I'm guessing that it will close once Lynch leaves which isn't that around April?

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 4:58pm

YIKES, lol, yes, I meant Lestat.

And I don't know anyone who has gone to the show specifically for Stephen. It's the SHOW that's the name here, kids.

[gustof777]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:00pm

all of my straight guy friends all went for Stpehen...not to say that he is the main attraction but he is drawing in a new group of people

[MistressoftheHouse]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:01pm

I would disagree with that WaltSummers...if you look at the "Love Is What We Do!" thread, or the ones on the new message board just for TWS (www.robbiehart.proboards74.com) the majority of the people say they knew of the movie and/or some of the other people in the show, but once they heard Stephen was in it, they just had to make the trip to the Al Hirschfeld. He's bringing in more people than some might think.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:03pm

That's true. The whole row behind were Stephen fan's from when he did stan-up comedy. He has a big cult following.

I think it makes perfect sense. The story is very bland. I like the music and I had a great time, but when the Act 1 curtain went down, I didn't for a second think, "wow, I wonder what will happen."

[jdixon69]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:17pm

Replacing Lynch is going to be a tall order.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:21pm

I know a lot of ppl who saw the show only because of Stephen. And many of those people had also seen the movie and loved it and they loved the show. I really think this show can last but it needs more people spreading the word. A lot of people are like, well how can they do a show as good as the movie. they need people encouraging them to go so they can enjoy it for themselves. I really hope this show will last at least for a good run!

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:44pm

When I showed my little brother a video of the Tony performance, he saw Stephen and went, "Thats Stephen Lynch! I love him!" and that was the main reason he went to the show.

[snl89]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:56pm

yeah, Stephens definitely drawing in a whole new group of people, which is totally awesome :P I mean it just so happened that I was indeed obsessed with both Stephen AND broadway for a long time, but that's fairly rare I think! So its great that he's getting all those people who prob dont know too much about broadway to come, PLUS all the regular broadway finatics are hopefully going too I think its gonna do juuust fine, at LEAST while the OBC is still there. But even after that, I really do think it has the strength to hold up. Its an extrememly clever, witty, fun show and no matter WHO is in it you'll STILL walk out of the theater feeling good I think!

That said, Lynch and the others really DO bring something HUGE to the show- that is going to be very, very hard to replace :P He's just... amazing at what he does, he really is. haha

Updated On: 7/25/06 at 05:56 PM

[Phantom2]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 5:57pm

Why would it close? It seems to have a growing fan base. Spread the Tina love!! Haha