What is with this Theater Season -- Will it Have Any Hit Show?

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 11:39am

Will this season produce any show that is both a critical and commercial success? So far, it has not even come close.

It looks like the Wonderful Town revival will receive some positive notices. Interestingly, the long length of the first act and the conga are what a few critics wrote about when the original production opened.

Are there any original productions slated for this season that you suspect may do well?

[magruder]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 12:02pm

Yes, it has been a strange season, with a lot of shows crashing and burning, but the news is not all dire out there.

Though not successful with the critics, and not a Hairspray-sized juggernaut, both The Boy from Oz and Wicked seem to be performing well at the box office. Avenue Q is also bringing in respectable numbers in its small theatre with no apparent public discounting, and that show certainly can qualify as a critical success. And Golda's Balcony is chugging along at the Helen Hayes quite nicely and received mostly positive reviews (though not from the Times) but is still bringing in lots of group business. As for previewing shows, Never Gonna Dance and Wonderful Town seem to be generating mostly positive word-of-mouth.

Updated On: 11/19/03 at 12:02 PM

[sparky310]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 12:05pm

i think Wonderful is going to be the biggest hit of the season.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 12:07pm

Avenue Q all the way!
Caroline Or Change should get some nominations for Drama Desk awards. Updated On: 11/19/03 at 12:07 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 12:08pm

I don't know why, but my gut tells me Never Gonna Dance is gonna end up being something special.

Here's hoping it's on tkts for next Wednesday's matinee!

[logan30]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 1:45pm

Avenue Q
Iron
The Beard of Avon
The Long Christmas Ride Home
I am my Own Wife
Matt & Ben
Golda's Balcony (if ever there was a shoo-in for a best actress tony)
Omnium Gatherum

[Hank]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 5:06pm

Seems like Wicked is a hit with us fans, if not with the critics. I still have hopes for Never Gonna Dance, but I haven't heard much buz yet. So yeah, looks like no new musical is gonna get the raves this season. Wonderful Town (revival) might , but I don't think it'll be a BO smash.
Depends what you define as a "hit", raves or ticket sales?

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 5:49pm

Hank, as I said in my original post here,

a show that is both a critical and commercial success.

[magruder]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 5:52pm

Doesn't Avenue Q qualify as a critical and popular success?

[MusicMan]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 9:31pm

Caroline or Change is a dud.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/19/03 at 9:32pm

Omnimun is closing already

[JKB2]

Posted: 11/20/03 at 10:57pm

It's hard to imagine how anything could be a *critical* success when the critics seem to hate everything. But don't you think "Wicked" will clearly be a hit, in terms of box office if not reviews?

[bluemangirl]

Posted: 11/21/03 at 1:33pm

Maybe Assassins ? I haven't heard much about the current revival for the spring, but that's my early, early, early, best revival winner prediction.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/21/03 at 6:29pm

Wicked will be a hit

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 11/21/03 at 6:36pm

"Little Shop of Horrors" has already been rated #1 by the Zagat Theater survey.

I believe that makes it both a critical AND commercial success.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 11/21/03 at 10:11pm

It means absolutely nothing.