When will CHITA close?

[maybethistime]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:31pm

I currently and getting to New York in April and I'm trying to see as many shows as I can. I really want to see Drowsy but didn't know if it would make it to Broadway in time and bought tickets for other shows. The only two times I can see it due to it's unfortunate preview schedule would be Friday @ 8 (when I'm seeing Chita) or Saturday at 2 or 8 (when I'm seeing Pajama Game and Threepenny). The numbers for Chita are pretty low and getting worse and talk of it closing soon is already surfacing. As much as I hate to ask it, does anyone think it will close by April? I'm extremly excited to get to see the legend that is Chita Rivera live onstage, but if it's gonna close, I wanna see Drowsy! According to Playbill's latest grosses, the show is down 23%, now at 40% full. Tickets for Drowsy go on sale mid-March, so hopefully I'll know by then. Can anyone provide any substancial information on this? (Sorry this is so long!) Updated On: 2/8/06 at 05:31 PM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:34pm

I doubt it'll see March, let alone April.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 5:36pm

Well didn't they just get an additional million bucks to keep the show afloat?

[Hank]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:04pm

Maybethistime:
I can surely simpathize.
Chita "ADL", is a wonderful experience, but there's a limited audience for that kind of stuff, and it looks like it's run it's course.
As for Drowsy, there's a lot of breaking news on other threads here.
Stay tuned!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:06pm

I agree with Margo, that CHITA will probably close by the end of February.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:13pm

I can't figure why someone would put up an additional million for a show that's clearly sinking. There are only so many guest stars/gimmicks that can keep this show afloat.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:18pm

True. Dick van Dyke gave them a 9% bump and they still were under 60% attendance and didn't even break even for the week. Liza or whoever might give the show a similar mini-bounce, but it's just a matter of time.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:33pm

I don't know if Liza's bounce would be THAT mini, but I bet they'd have to pay her quite well and the one would essentially cancel out the other.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:40pm

Chita "ADL", is a wonderful experience, but there's a limited audience for that kind of stuff, and it looks like it's run it's course.

I completely agree. Chita is well known in the "community." But many non-theatre people that usually pay $101.25 for a night of theatre, don't have clue who she is.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 6:40pm

Then we'd have to worry if she'd actually show up. I mean, didn't she temporarily replace Julie Andrews during the run of Victor/Victoria and ended up with an attendance problem then.

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:23pm

Well, my husband gave me Chita tickets for June---so I'm already trying to decide which show I'll see in it's place once his charge is credited due to the cancellation. It's too bad, because I was looking forward to seeing it.

[Becky2]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 7:48pm

It is a shame that there are so few people seeing the show, it seems amazing to me.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 11:45pm

End of Feb at best.

Broadway needs space for successful theatre like THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED and/or a possible RABBIT HOLE or SHINING CITY transfer. Not that I invision BAREFOOT lasting at The Cort very long either, being the below par production that it is.

I love Chita, the person, to death...but this show isn't that good and the gimmicks are honestly painful.

[TheaterAddict7652]

Posted: 2/8/06 at 11:57pm

I hope that it will run for a couple of more months, just so I can see it. Chita Rivera is one of my role models and I've wanted to see her perform for years.

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:05am

I need it to stay open till the end of March so I can meet Chita.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:08am

"Chita is well known in the "community." But many non-theatre people that usually pay $101.25 for a night of theatre, don't have clue who she is."

Precisely, Wickedgeek 28. She is hardworking and talented but ultimately a second-tier performer who has never been a genuine star. Personally, I believe her manufactured camp persona has been a liablity to her career. Why she and the creative personnel affiliated with the show thought there would be interest about her at this stage of her career is a mystery. Talk about not knowing your audience!

Vivian Darkbloom
Ramsdale, New England

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:33am

what is this manufactured camp persona you harp about every two months or so. Everytime you post about Chita, you go on about this camp persona and her homosexual following....

what are you talking about?

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:37am

Yes. She has a huge gay following but what is this camp persona you go on about?

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:50am

I'm sorry but any actress who has worked on stage since the 50's and is still going strong is a Living Legend. If her show is still there in March I will see her. If not then it wasn't meant to be.

I was in a show with a friend of mine a few years back amd Miss Chita came to see my friend. After the show, everyone ran to meet her but I was too damn shy and did not want to impose. So I hope I will get a chance to meet her this time.

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:56am

Of course she is. I just don't get this "Camp persona" the enchanted always goes on about

[BwayBaby18]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 2:00am

i am seeing it on Saturday night and i feel bad cause i am only paying 33 bucks for prime seats

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 9:39am

If the show didn't play well at all on Broadway, what kind of reception do they expect if they tour internationally? I know Chita is recognized in theatre circles throughout the US, but is she world reknown?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 10:51am

Are they going to tour? It would be silly to do so except perhaps doing a few nights here and there in major cities (Boston, DC, Chicago, San Fran, LA). Sorry, but she's virtually unknown outside of New York City -- and as we're seeing IN New York City, she's a very limited draw even here. I can't imagine that even a short tour would be worth bothering with financially.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 10:55am

"Last Weeks", just another tactic to get people to hurry up and buy tickets.

[Sleeper2]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 10:55am

I agree, Margo. I think the only stop for this tour will be in Hollywood where the next sound you hear will be:

"I'll take Chita to block."
Updated On: 2/9/06 at 10:55 AM