Why isn't Sweeney extending?

[sfboy20]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 12:50am

Though I know 'Sweeney' has certainly not been setting the box office on fire for months and months now, I am surprised it is not extending past its closing date.

The take last week still pulled a (very) small profit and, one imagines, they could get another couple small profits it they extended a week or two.

Not to mention, Patti just received a ton of press for Gypsy, which COULD make people see her in a nyc show for last time in perhaps awhile...

And I know extensions are the exception, not the rule, but i though they might extend by at least a week or two...

thoughts?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 12:52am

Tickets aren't selling. It is not a tourist show. If there had been a very large increase in sales when the show announced it was closing, then maybe it would extend.


Edit: Sorry Patronus. Fixed my sig to credit you.

Updated On: 8/27/06 at 12:52 AM

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 12:54am

Sweeney doesn't really have a closing date; it just sold tickets through December 31st. It's an open-ended run that didn't have a closing date until recently.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 12:54am

Wow, nice sig file wonderfulwizard11 - where have I seen that before?
Updated On: 8/27/06 at 12:54 AM

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 12:59am

Also, Broadway annually takes a big dip in box office immediately following Labor Day after which tourist season is over until the holidays (people go back to work and go back to school). September and October are always two of the weakest months of the year financially and that's why Sweeney, Inishmore and DRS are closing when they are -- they don't want to take a further financial hit.

[sfboy20]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 1:03am

thank you, margo.

i didnt think about that. and it makes perfect sense.

[zwielight]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 3:05am

There's so much magic with the current ensemble -- do you think the producers wanted to avoid replacing some members (ex. we know Alexander is definitely leaving soon for the next Gig) and thus altering the delicate balance? By no means am I saying it impossible that worthy replacements could be found!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 11:16am

I also feel that many people have realized that this production of SWEENEY TODD is really a case of "The Emporer's New Clothes". The press for the show has been exceptionally good, but many of us feel that it's an empty production; especially when compared to the original production. The tuba playing and the odd staging made it an uninvolving show for me. Many of my friends agree.

I'm assuming that there was an equal amount of good word-of-mouth and bad word-of-mouth as far as this whow was concerned. I love Patti LuPone, but I'm glad to see this show leave us.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 11:23am

I know this isn't an answer, but....

I do think there was more appeal for Sweeney than there is for Company. Company is definately not a tourist show and, like most of Sondheim's works, is an aquired taste. It also has no name actors in it. On 55th and 9th, people know who Patti LuPone is. Do people on 55th and 9th know Raul Esparza?

Updated On: 8/27/06 at 11:23 AM