What is the secret to Chicago's longevity?

[GatorNY]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:23pm

I've often wondered why the current revival of Chicago, which opened on November 14, 1996, has outlived just about every other revival that I can think of BY FAR. Please don't suggest that the movie ensured a lengthy run, because the film was not released until 2002 (and not in wide distribution until 2003). By the time the film was released, the revival had already run for six years. Compared to the recent revivals of (A Chorus Line, Company, and now HAIR) a six year run is absolutely amazing. Is it the Weisslers? The stunt casting? That doesn't seem to work for every show.

[MeggilyWeggily08]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:27pm

I honestly hated Chicago. With everything in me. I have no idea how it's been running so long, especially compared to other revivals I've seen that have been 10x better, and not run as long. Maybe it's the stunt casting...who knows.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:29pm

I think the long and ongoing run is basically due to the show's outstanding score and book -- it was shortchanged in 1975 because of all the Chorus Line brouhaha, but certainly made up for lost time. I'm glad to see that a show that I loved the first time around has gotten its just dues. And the numbers, while not staggering, are still in the comfort zone.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:31pm

Love Chicago. One of my all-time favorite shows. Stunt casting is part of the reason it's still around, but more than that, it has a very low overhead. It also is a show that is broad enough and flashy enough for non-English speaking tourists to see, which is a huge factor. The movie gave it an extra kick too.

eta: and what Ed said. Updated On: 6/9/10 at 10:31 PM

[binau]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:31pm

I think obviously it is a combination of many things...like you can't write off the movie because it was only released in 2002 - you don't think it has had any affect for the last 7 years?

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:32pm

Just my opinions, but...

-The movie. Folks are much more willing to see something familiar.

-International success. The show has toured through several continents which helps bring in international tourists.

-It's a staple. Now that it's been running for almost 14 years, it's as much of a tourist attraction as The Statue of Liberty.

-International Marketing. The show markets specifically to those who don't understand english. Other shows do too, but Chicago was one of the first (I believe).

-It's dirt cheap to run.

Updated On: 6/9/10 at 10:32 PM

[AwesomeDanny]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:33pm

There is no single reason for the show's success. One part of it is the show's lower running costs. It has a mostly stable set, and the make up and costumes are not very elaborate. The stunt casting certainly hasn't hurt it. The movie adaptation has definitely helped since it was released. People come see the show again and again for different reasons. Once a show has been around and successful for a few years, the success feeds off itself because people want to see Broadway's biggest hits. It is impossible to name all of the reasons this show has stayed around for thirteen and a half years.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:37pm

I don't think the "stunt casting" has much to do with this shows success at all. When someone like Usher goes into it, it's obviously going to sell out but I don't think the C/D list celebs they put in have much of a draw. The show has become like PHANTOM, MAMMA MIA, CATS, LES MIS etc. Just one of those things you're supposed to see when you're in New York City. And good for them for it because it's much better than all of those other shows.

[PauloFanClem]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:37pm

Two words: RUTHIE HENSHALL!

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:38pm

Bottom line in my opinion is that it is an old-fashioned entertaining show. Stunt casting aside, it has some great songs, great dance numbers showcasing some HOT bodies, and an easy to follow storyline that is both comedic and dark. It's glitzy provocative fun!

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:38pm

It's a wonderful show/production that can survive all kinds of stunt casting.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:42pm

Sex.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:43pm

Dear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is a big sign out front of the theater that says "Now With Dancing With The Stars' Kate Gosselin"
i'll be a good boy all year if I can have this. Thank you and tell the Elves I say hi.
-J.C.

[PauloFanClem]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:44pm

You're right, Jordan. It's much better than those other shows. It's fun with style. It's even worth to watch just to look at William Ivey Long's costumes!

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:50pm

damn u Paulo... I was gona shout out RUTHIE HENSHALL myself :P
With the right cast (such as Ms. Henshall), the show can be the best thing you see... with the wrong cast (oh boy, the current West End cast!), it be the longest, most boring show you'll ever witness!

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:56pm

I don't know how much this plays into it anymore after all these years, but it was also extremely well reviewed right when it first premiered. It is supposedly the best reviewed show on Broadway right now, so maybe people look at that.

[PauloFanClem]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:57pm

I'm going to shut up, or else, ruthie is going to nag me about letting him sit through that long night. :P

[singtopher]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 10:58pm

The time I went to see the show, it was on tour and the cast was atrocious. I left at intermission scratching my head wondering why it was such a hit.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 6/9/10 at 11:59pm

I'll also say that it's dirt cheap to run and the movie did help. But then again A Chorus Line is also dirt cheap to run and the revival just missed running 2 years. But I think people(mostly tourists) still see it because it's familar and simple, but still funny and with great dancing.

[TimesSquared]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 12:55am

Sex is right, PalJoey.
It's a night out that is clearly for adults. Adults enjoy a night in the theater with no lion cubs or flying nannies on stage, and no kids in the audience.
Oh, and it's a damn good show that long ago hit that magical point when it becomes an institution.
And: no stars needed. The show doesn't hinge on who's in it. Most of the D-listers who do the show are not selling the tickets.
Another quality of many of these long-runners is that they sell fairly well, but it's known that you can always get a ticket at the last minute. It's the perfect "plan B" show when you're a tourist in town for the evening and you realize Jersey Boys ain't gonna happen.

[GatorNY]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 7:35am

I agree that it is a great show. I'm not saying that the film, and the Academy Award have not helped the show in the years following 2002. My point was that by the time the film was released, the show had already been running for 6 years, so something got them to that point. I was living in DC when it opened, and back then, most people I knew did not have access to internet info. We still heard the buzz about the show, and I remember the Clinton's going to see it on New Year's Eve. I think it's reliable entertainment. If I'm not going to get punched in the face with an emotional wallop, this is the next best thing. Great choreography, humor, and eye candy. However, I'm not like most tourists looking for a show to see. Interestingly, someone I work with told me yesterday that she had gone along with friends to see the show. She lives in NY and had never seen it. She loved the movie, but loathed the stage version. I thought that was interesting.

[tazber]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 9:31am

Low operating costs
High awareness
Excellent marketing
Stunt casting

Updated On: 6/10/10 at 09:31 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 9:39am

The timing of this revival was perfect. It came right on the heels of the OJ trial, and its themes hit home. That contributed to it being a hit. Its longevity is due to the lost cost, success of the movie, and stunt casting.

[JMPlayer6]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 9:49am

The various reasons have been stated already. It does have a great score, to be sure. The stunt casting? That may be a minor factor, but suspect not a big one.

Personally, I think it is one of those exceptions wherein it was a better movie than it is on the stage. Just saying.

[newintown]

Posted: 6/10/10 at 10:14am

Look at most of the ridiculously long runners like Chicago (revival), Cats, Les Miz, Lion King, and Phantom. They share these attributes:

1) you don't need to speak English to enjoy them
2) the longer they run, the more familiar they become, and tourists will almost always choose to see a show they've heard of, creating a sort of vicious circle. And it's the tourists who keep a show running after the first six months.