Why Didn't Lloyd Webber?

[winston89]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 9:11pm

I was wondering, Why didn't webber make a huge deal ouf of Phantom getting the title of longest running show on broadway like he did with cats. With Cats he closed down the entier street for a fireworks show atop the winter garden.

[BobbyErikValjean]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 9:19pm

I don't know... maybe its because Phantom surpassed one of his own shows, and it wasn't the first time one of his shows became the longest running and it wasn't a big deal for him? Maybe because he lost a lot of money by closing down the entire street? It was easier to close down the streets Cats was on?

Many possiblities.

I had no idea that he even did all that for Cats, lol.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 9:25pm

Maybe because he couldn't close down the street cause there are other theaters on it, and therefore he doesn't have control over them? I wish he'd freakin' just close Phantom already.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 9:29pm

Yup, it's all about the location. Besides, they had a pretty big bash, I'd say...huge masquerade gala, press, posters...

:)

...and he'll close it when it no longer makes money...not because it's been running for 19 1/2 years. From an unbiased viewpoint (I'm forgetting my phandom here), it's not in nearly as bad shape as many other long runners have been.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 9:56pm

I don't get this, why people want a show to close just because they don't like it.

Has anyone ever forced you to see said show, i am not a fan of Rent, should it close, no. It's making money, people are happy buying tickets to see it, the same with Phantom ( pretty to look at ) leave it alone.

If everyshow was to close because people didn't like it, there would be nothing playing on Broadway.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 11:29pm

"Maybe because he lost a lot of money by closing down the entire street? It was easier to close down the streets Cats was on?"

Ummm...The Winter Garden is on Broadway, not exactly what I'd call an easy street to close, at least as far as traffic is concerned. But I think a poster above has it right. There are several theatres on the same block, so it would have been a problem to have a big event while some shows might be finishing up a performance, and the crowds leaving the other theatres.

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 2:00am

If I recall correctly, the fireworks celebration for Cats was at its closing performance, not when it became the longest running show in Broadway History. Broadway is also a wider street than 44th, It's easier to do fireworks off the rooftop of the Winter Garden and remain safe than at the Majestic. There are radial fallout minimums that are required. While it's easy to install fire suppression equipment and what not on buildings directly adjacent the theatre, it's not so easy to do on buildings across the street. Broadway, is wide enough that building across the street really don't come into play and its not like you're going to catch the street on fire with fallout from they pyro they'd use from an urban rooftop.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 2:47am

Plus I think even for someone like Lord Andy it would reek of a bit of hubris to do this when ANOTHER of his shows tops the past show only a few years later....

E

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 2:54am

No, clark, I believe that the fireworks from the Winter Garden were for the record breaking performance.

There was also a fireworks display (though MUCH more grand) out on one of the piers for the closing.

[clarkstallings]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 2:58am

Thanks for the clarfication. When it closed, I remember seeing a blurb on CNN about it and seeing footage of firworks being launched off the rooftop of the theatre. It might have been stock footage of the record breaking performance fireworks though the story was about the closing.

[mrcacou]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 9:48am

Wasn't it during the London 20th aniversary ?

[KQuill]

Posted: 5/11/07 at 10:02am

Yeah how does someone called RENTBOI have the gall to say Phantom should close??? This place baffles me sometimes.

So Phans, let's let Rentboi make his sneering remarks in the corner, and enjoy Phantom for many years to come! Sound like a plan?
Updated On: 5/11/07 at 10:02 AM