Why do some shows flop and some are a hit?

[broadwayaddict2]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:33pm

Why do you believe some shows are huge hits and some end up as flops? Is it more because of the marketing or more because of the show itself (such as weak story line)?

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 7:36pm

You might want to read through the, How was Tale today?, thread. As you read further into the thread you'll see that there is a rather interesting discussion regarding some of the themes your question poses.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 8:43pm

Timing.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 8:57pm

The show sucked. For example, Glory Days, Cry Baby, & Lestat (Which even Carolee Carmello is embarrassed of).

[Jane2]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 9:15pm

Some shows sell more tickets than others.

[sally1112]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 9:17pm

This is such a complex question. I often find myself asking how some shows are so successful and I just don't see many redeeming qualities about them.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 9:39pm

Agreed. The whole "because it sucked" argument doesn't work when shows like Wicked play to capacity every night all over the world.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 9:45pm

Ummm CATSNYREVIVAL

I love Cats too though.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 9:53pm

Cats too. The material is hardly prepossessing yet it managed to capture the public imagination, recoup its investment and run for years. Why?

[Scott Briefer]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 9:55pm

Mamma Mia... please, I saw Mamma Mia in London right after it opened. The producers were shocked that it gathered such rave reviews. Before it opened, they had posted closing notices (this isn't that uncommon), because they were sure it wouldn't run.

[winston89]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 11:02pm

CATSNYrevival, The reason why I think that Cats became such a huge hit is this. I think it's because the plot is next to none and it has a lot of catchy songs and flashy dancing and costumes etc. I think that it became the longest running show in Broadway history because it was a show that people who came to visit NYC from another country could enjoy without even speaking a word of English.

I think that some shows are successes based upon what kinds of shows they are. I think that most Disney shows are a success not because of reviews or anything like that. I think that it is because people will flock to see them because they are based on movies that people know and love. I think that this will be the same case with Shrek. While I don't think that Shrek will get good reviews I don't think that it will matter because I think it will sell regardless.

Also word of mouth plays into it a fair amount. Gone are the days where The New York Times could close a show just by a bad review. There are more and more places to get word of mouth opinions. There is this message board for example. Also The New York Times has reader reviews for all the shows that they review. So it allows more people to voice their opinion on a given show rather then just the critic.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 11/18/08 at 11:05pm

and also, with disney, i've seen Mary Poppins, Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, and besides being familiar, they are shows! I saw Mary Poppins and they put every ounce of pizzaz in that show! it was almost magical. i think the disney shows (minus tarzan) are indeed PRODUCTIONS rather than just a show