I should think the producers would be smart enough to know that an original, small, two-handler musical like STORY OF MY LIFE isn't going to catch on right away. Even SPRING AWAKENING, despite the across-the-board raves, didn't really catch on until it won its eight Tony Awards.
Give it a chance, man. If it gets mediocre-to-poor reviews, then we'll have real reason to worry.
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Well...eventually EVERYTHING closes. (Except Phantom, it seems!)
But let's let it struggle for at least a little while before digging its grave, eh? I'm seeing it next week....so it needs to last at least THAT long!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Here's a question for you (and I'm not trying to be insulting): Has there ever been a Broadway show that closed in previews due to poor ticket sales alone?
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
I really hope that SOML runs for a while, at least until after the TONY"s. It really is the best new musical I've seen this season, and with the only other two new musicals coming this season being Rock of Ages, and 9 to 5, this will probably be my favorite musical of the season hands down.
I'm seeing it on Thursday and can't wait. The allusions to A CATERED AFFAIR have gotten me even more excited considering how much I loved that show (the best new musical of last year IMO).
I hope it catches on...but to be honest, I doubt it will. But I'm hoping.
I don't think "catch on" is the right word. I mean, I doubt the kiddies that flock to Wicked and SA are going to come see this show. Its such a great piece of musical theater, and a great piece for students to see - it shows how book and music should flow effortlessly into each other. But I think it all depends on reviews...so here's hoping!
For those of us on the West Coast who come to NYC in June, we hope it can gain enough of an audience to remain a viable show simply because we would like to see it as it is being done with its' original cast. Although I know it's not usually the case, but I wish it could move to maybe the Public Theatre with the same cast and set, if it is unable to maintain its' run on Broadway. Shows like this rarely make it to the West Coast if their Broadway run is brief and therefore, we never get a chance to see it with a first class cast like this one. It might stand a greater chance surviving off-Broadway in a smaller theatre, although the Booth seems ideal for a small musical like this one.
"Bobbi Boland didn't close JUST because of bad ticket sales, right?"
Right - in fact I doubt if ticket sales had much to do with it. The play was amatuerish, and Ms Fawcett, possibly dealing with her illness that was later disclosed, was clearly struggling with her lines, and behaving erratically, often calling characters by the actors' names, and so on.
I cringed to watch her in that condition, and, in this case, I think the producer showed compassion and wisdom by pulling the plug to save further embarrassment. The question was, how did it get to Broadway to begin with?
I'm really looking forward to this musical next week. At least Bobbi Boland had an interesting playbill, great conversation piece with poor Farah in glorious color!
Yeah, that's what I thought. It's strange though. I saw the Wednesday matinee (2nd preview) and the theatre looked pretty full. Not sold out, because several side seats were empty, but still...
The percentage is only the tickets for which a sum of money was paid whether it be $35 via tdf or full fare with every discount in between. Comps are not included. If they were, the percentage and attendance figures would be much higher.
And let's get this damn show OPEN before we discuss it closing. Its just not right to do otherwise.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable."
--Carrie Fisher