Will ON YOUR FEET be the next hit?

[Trish2]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 6:25pm

After Hamilton of course, since Amazing Grace doesn't seem to have much positive early buzz.

I wonder if ON YOUR FEET has a chance of a great run considering the mixed to positive reviews in Chicago? People were comparing it to Mama Mia, Jersey Boys and Beautiful-all hits.

Updated On: 7/14/15 at 06:25 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 6:30pm

Time will tell. No one has  any way of knowing.It is safe to say it will do better than Amazing Grace.

Contrary to what other posters say, I wish it well and hope it succeeds.

Updated On: 7/14/15 at 06:30 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 7:23pm

It doesn't seem likely.  This hasn't come up in conversation with my theater peeps..(Not implying "we" are the end-all of theater...but I have quite a varied and large group of theater geek friends, and this is on no one's to see list.)

 

 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 8:01pm

I doubt it will flop, but I doubt it will be a huge hit. I saw it and really enjoyed it, but I don't see it having the staying power of those other shows. I think Jersey Boys and Beautiful appeal to a huge target audience of baby boomers that might not have an interest in this. I'm sure there is a contingent of Gloria fans who will make a special trip or put this high on their list, but I don't know how large a group that is. Of course, the insane popularity of Mamma Mia is not explained by this rationale and frankly is inexplicable to me so what the heck do I know?

I would think it would be pretty popular through TKTS  to people who just want to get last minute tickets to see a fun show, though. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 8:07pm

I second everything that Chi said.

 

It may do well, but will most likely not become a long-runner.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 8:08pm

With such a busy and promising season coming through, it's doubtful. I think it will receive some attention in the Fall and through the holidays but sad to say it may get swallowed up with all the new musicals also happening. 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 8:16pm

I think it will hit. I really didn't expect beautiful to be a hit but look at it now 

[eaticecream]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:11pm

"I think it will hit. I really didn't expect beautiful to be a hit but look at it now "

 I think Hamilton and American Psycho will be the big hits

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:36pm

Hamilton is already a hit. Everything else is up for grabs.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 10:38pm

Hamilton is already a hit, writes the man who hates the show for that fact alone.

[asmith0307]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 11:12pm

Ok, full disclosure first: I am associated with the show. Not important enough that my name will be in Playbill, but still pretty closely associated. 

 

However, that being said, I have really gotten a mixed bag of reactions when I mention the show. Some people are immediately excited and interested, others frankly have no clue it even exists. I think it is too early to tell. Even if I wasn't involved, I personally would be interested because I am from a latino-dominated area where anyone could sing you any Gloria Estefan song you wanted if you just asked. However, for many people, that is not their cup of tea. There is a market for it, now the question is will that market show up to the box office? 

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 11:20pm

I am from a latino-dominated area

I have an area that loves that.

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 11:42pm

I am looking forward to it. I love her music. 

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 7/14/15 at 11:52pm

Hope this show will do well. I loved it in Chicago and will be in NYC in Jan (already booked my flight!) to see this show, among others!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 11:08am

Please keep in mind that the creative team is likely working on the show right now with all the stuff they (probably) learned in Chicago.

If Jersey Boys, Motown, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical were all hits, it should be interesting to see how On Your Feet does.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 11:27am

Please keep in mind that the creative team is likely working on the show right now with all the stuff they (probably) learned in Chicago.

Please keep in mind that few creative teams make material changes when transferring from a Chicago tryout to Broadway.  

If Jersey Boys, Motown, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical were all hits, it should be interesting to see how On Your Feet does.

All three of those shows featured legendary and enduring catalogues of major classic hits.  On Your Feet features a few fun hits mostly known for their 80s kitsch.  I think it might do pretty well for a few months if it's well-marketed, but I doubt it will be a runaway hit, especially with the Hamilton phenom in the same season.  If Hamilton truly becomes the predicted sensation (and not just by scalpers), then On Your Feet needs to strategize now on how to pick up their overflow.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 11:52am

"If Jersey Boys, Motown, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical were all hits, it should be interesting to see how On Your Feet does."

The big difference, of course, is that the Four Seasons, the musicians of the Motown era, and Carole King were artists who were wildly popular all over the country.  Their music was beloved by just about everyone during a specific time period.

Gloria Estefan, who I happen to LOVE, certainly doesn't have the same widespread appeal as those other musicians.  She has a giant Latin following and she's huge in big cities with lots of diversity, but I really doubt that Sally Sue from Arkansas knows may of Gloria's songs.  I think the show could do well, but I don't see it having the instant ticket sales that the other three aforementioned shows had.  It's going to need some help.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 11:53am

And please keep in mind that at the helm of this show is Jerry Mitchell whose last show Kinky Boots tried out in Chicago, and worked on that a lot.

Updated On: 7/15/15 at 11:53 AM

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:03pm

I think it will be a hit. Plus I can see Gloria Estefan taking every opportunity to promote the hell out if it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:10pm

I love Jerry Mitchell and Kinky Boots certainly had a lot going for it right out of the box, especially with Fierstein's experience.  I wouldn't say he worked on it "a lot", but the creatives did make some improvements.  But On Your Feet is an entirely different show both in style and construction and we don't know how the other creatives on the team will be able to adapt.  Dinelaris won an Oscar for his first screenplay and this is his first book of a musical.  The score team has no experience with musical theatre and are composing very little original material.  Jerry Mitchell is the only thing Kinky Boots and On Your feet has in common.  I don't know if it will be enough.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:12pm

"And please keep in mind that at the helm of this show is Jerry Mitchell whose last show Kinky Boots tried out in Chicago, and worked on that a lot."

Because the name of the director has everything to do with a show selling tickets to tourists...  I'm not saying the show needs work (I haven't seen or heard it yet).  I'm saying it will need "help" in the form of good reviews/good word of mouth to be a hot ticket.  And it may very well get those things.  My point was simply that it's not going to be as much of a NATURAL sell as those other 3 shows. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:13pm

On Your Feet features a few fun hits mostly known for their 80s kitsch.

Excuse you? Gloria Estefan's music is not 80s kitsch. She and her group The Miami Sound Machine weren't a novelty act, they were a real group that fused latin rhythm and soul with pop sounds that resonated with audiences across the board.

If her music is not your cup of tea that's fine, but don't minimalise her contributions to the music industry.

Updated On: 7/15/15 at 12:13 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:20pm

She and her group The Miami Sound Machine weren't a novelty act, they were a real group that fused latin rhythm and soul with pop sounds that resonated with audiences across the board.

I actually do know that.

If her music is not your cup of tea that's fine, but don't minimalise her contributions to the music industry.

I love her and her music.  That's why I said "mostly known" (though I should have replaced "for their" with "as").  As in, the majority of the general public do not know her story or the history of her music (hence the intent of the show itself).

[Kad]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:23pm

Kitsch doesn't equal novelty act and it's not a perjorative.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 7/15/15 at 12:44pm

Her music is not in poor taste according to these definitions of the word kitsch.

kitsch

noun: kitsch

1. 
   
   
   

   
   

   1.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

   
   

   "the lava lamp is an example of sixties kitsch"

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   

adjective

adjective: kitsch

1. 
   
   
   

   
   

   1.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   considered to be in poor taste but appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

   
   

   "the front room is stuffed with kitsch knickknacks, little glass and gilt ornaments"

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   

Updated On: 7/15/15 at 12:44 PM