#1
Posted: 3/6/07 at 4:27am
What makes a hit Broadway show aside from the obvious, good songs, good story?
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What makes a hit Broadway show?
#2
Posted: 3/6/07 at 4:33am
a loyal fan base
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#3
Posted: 3/6/07 at 4:37am
Strategic marketing
Call the understudy / I can't go on tonight / I'm drinking with my buddy / I'm getting good and tight / Before they raise the curtain I'll be higher than a kite / So call the understudy
I can't go on tonight
#4
Posted: 3/6/07 at 5:58am
Right or wrong, the truth is for a show to be a hit on Broadway it would also need good reviews.
....but the world goes 'round
#5
Posted: 3/6/07 at 6:59am
There are a lot of exceptions of that rule Taz, I wouldn't say it's a requirement as much as some of the things that other people have mentioned. Specifically, a loyal fan base and good marketing.
There's plenty of shows that have been hits in spite of awful scores.
There's plenty of shows that have been hits in spite of awful scores.
Theatre is a safe place to do the unsafe things that need to be done.
-John Patrick Shanley
#6
Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:04am
Lots of people spending lots of money on tickets, at a guess. :P As to what would encourage these people to buy these tickets? Good reviews, advertising OUT THE WAZOO, a VERY LARGE loyal fanbase, and uh... dogs. Or children. Or boobs. Or something.
#7
Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:09am
Paint your protagonist green or make the characters have sex on a flying platform.
#8
Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:45am
What makes a hit Broadway show?
None of those things previously mentioned. Weez hit it right on the button.
TICKET SALES.
None of those things previously mentioned. Weez hit it right on the button.
TICKET SALES.
#9
Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:51am
Is anyone else singing the cast recording of "[title of show]" right now?
After all, you do need a recognizable commodity.
After all, you do need a recognizable commodity.
"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." -- Maya Angelou
#10
Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:55am
FANTASIA!
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#11
Posted: 3/6/07 at 8:55am
Not even that: I direct you to the failures of Lestat, Wedding Singer, etc, etc.
#12
Posted: 3/6/07 at 11:22am
Margo would tell you that in order for a show to be a hit it has to recoup its initial investment. if it closes at a loss, and a lot of show do, then it is a flop. the end. that's all that matters.
#13
Posted: 3/6/07 at 11:37am
If people knew what made a hit Broadway show, there wouldn't be so many flops.
broadwayunderstudies.com - most underrated performers on broadway
#15
Posted: 3/6/07 at 1:55pm
Audience desire to see it, Money and Good word of mouth. That's it. The Phantom of the Opera has one of the most boring, repetitve scores, banal lyrics, and poor pacing, and it's a smash. Mamma Mia is ridiculous, yet it's a hit. Jersey Boys is practically a cartoon and it's a hit. Wicked's sold-out sign is DRILLED into the wall, despite mediocre reviews and a poor score. All these have two things in common: HUGE audience response and tons of money!
#16
Posted: 3/6/07 at 1:58pm
"You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews!"
ETA: Actingbugg474 - just saw your post - you beat me to it!
ETA: Actingbugg474 - just saw your post - you beat me to it!
Updated On: 3/6/07 at 01:58 PM
#17
Posted: 3/6/07 at 2:11pm
Definately a loyal fanbase. Wicked didn't get such hot reviews and look how well it's doing now.
Also, definately mass appeal, such as with Mamma Mia!, Jeresy Boys, Spamalot, etc.
Also, definately mass appeal, such as with Mamma Mia!, Jeresy Boys, Spamalot, etc.
#18
Posted: 3/6/07 at 2:43pm
Actors who scream and don't sing. Fangirls.
#19
Posted: 3/6/07 at 2:50pm
"Margo would tell you that in order for a show to be a hit it has to recoup its initial investment. if it closes at a loss, and a lot of show do, then it is a flop"
Any of us would tell you that, dear.
Any of us would tell you that, dear.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#20
Posted: 3/6/07 at 2:54pm
The ONLY thing that makes a Broadway show a "hit" is recoupment. If it doesn't recoup, no matter how good it is, no matter how long it runs, no matter how large the fan base, no matter the reviews, it is a flop.
#21
Posted: 3/6/07 at 3:16pm
"Margo would tell you that in order for a show to be a hit it has to recoup its initial investment. if it closes at a loss, and a lot of show do, then it is a flop"
Any of us would tell you that, dear."
I wouldn't say that. A simple explanation would be this:
Being in the right place at the right time, and showing your piece to people who like it
End of story.
Any of us would tell you that, dear."
I wouldn't say that. A simple explanation would be this:
Being in the right place at the right time, and showing your piece to people who like it
End of story.
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual."
-Keen on Kean
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual." - muscle23ftl
"Fenchurch is correct, as usual." - muscle23ftl
#22
Posted: 3/6/07 at 5:27pm
You can show your piece to people who like it and it still may not recoup. If an incredibly expensive production ran for five years and had a large fanbase, but didn't recoup, it is a flop. It doesn't matter how many people saw it or how many people liked it. If a show recoups, it is a hit, if, by the time it closes, it hasn't recouped, it is a flop. Simple as that.
#23
Posted: 3/6/07 at 6:01pm
A plot that everyone could understand. (In most cases.)
#24
Posted: 3/6/07 at 6:42pm
Personally? I think its the audience. If people enjoy it, they'll recommend it to other people. Half of the time people don't listen to reviews.
Well, me at least. Whatever.
Oh yeah, and Jews. I love Spamalot :-P
Well, me at least. Whatever.
Oh yeah, and Jews. I love Spamalot :-P
The Best of Times is Now!
#25
Posted: 3/6/07 at 6:45pm
Fairy dust.
Then you just think lovely, wonderful thoughts.
And, UP you go!
Then you just think lovely, wonderful thoughts.
And, UP you go!
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