Many Good Reviews

Max Star · Veteran Member

Many Good Reviews

Max Star · Veteran Member

It's clear that changes were made since the "previews" and I think it is showing up in the later reviews. I'm really rooting for Kathleen Marshall too! She took a risk and I know it's going to work out just fine for her.

Max Star · Veteran Member

Okay, I swear this is the last response to my own post. smile

I think that the "reality show" naysayers believed that Grease would fold if "mainstream" Broadway reacted with bad reviews. That clearly is not happening.

Just imagine how many lives have been absolutely enriched by this whole process. (Look at me--I have never joined a message board before! So be nice.) And it really is good for Broadway too. I think that one reason the "older" actors were cast in supporting roles was it was one way to give opportunity to them as well. Jenny Powers made the comment in an interview that the hype of Max and Laura allowed her to be cast, a relative unknown, as Rizzo. It sounds like she is fabulous, as are most of the other cast members.

Max just "stole" my heart when I watched him on the TV show. This is what living is all about.

I just need to come up with a plan to get to NYC to see for myself. And I'm working on it.

MrE1111 · Guru

Actually, I think the naysayers still believe that Grease will fold within a year or so. "Just look at Tarzan" (huge advance but closed soon after their 1 year anniversary) is their example.

greatwhiteway · Senior Member

I think the naysayers are still "hoping" Grease will close. First they said the reality show casting was an awful idea, they would not audition and there would be no one cast from the show. When that did not happen they said the show would close after it's first preview and not get to opening night. When that didn't happen they said it would close on opening night. Now that that has not happened the naysayers say it will close when the advance starts to run out.

Tarzan did not make its money back but stayed open for about a year. If Grease stays open a year it will make a profit.

Max Star · Veteran Member

How is "success" for a Broadway show defined?

Clearly, there needs to be a profit, but how big?? Any thoughts?

greatwhiteway · Senior Member

That sounds like a question for the Broadwayworld board but I hesitate to post there.

Max Star · Veteran Member

I'm with you on that!

MrE1111 · Guru

There are varying degrees of success, traditionally defined in terms of "flop" and "hit."

The common definitions:
hit - a show that gets universally rave reviews (and plays for a long time)
flop - a show that gets universally poor reviews (and ultimately closes shortly after).

Then, you get into the financial aspect. At which point, the definitions become:

hit - a show that makes its complete initial investment back.
flop - a show that closes without recouping (making their money back).

Technically, even the most popular shows are considered "flops." Thoroughly Modern Millie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, many of the original runs of Sondheim shows, Tarzan...all are "flops" because they didn't make their money back, despite long runs.

A financial "hit" doesn't come around very often. It's usually a show with a big name celebrity or recognizable property that makes its money back (Producers, Three Days of Rain with Julia Roberts, Wicked). That's why shows like Spelling Bee, Avenue Q, Drowsy Chaperone, and Spring Awakening are all remarkable. They returned their investments without help from celebrities, just great word of mouth.

The average, $10 million musical, depending on ticket sales, could take between a year and two years to recoup the initial investment. Of course, if they play to million dollar business weekly, it happens a lot quicker.

VICKI KO · Veteran Member

Thanks, Max Star, for this URL for the review site. smile

I will be seeing the show in February, 2008 twice and the good reviews are what I what to hear!!

I just wish from what I hear about Laura as Sandy not being in the sceens as much! I see and hear that Max is and that is great!, But I wish they would in time if they change anything or can change anything in the Grease on Broadway Revival in future shows that Laura was more present since she is so my favorite and proved to be so talented on the GYTOTIW in every song she performed and made each song her own, just like Max did on all the songs he performed on TW.

I wish Laura would cut a CD someday also and Max and I would sure buy it!They both are so talented or (even more talented in my opinion) than any of the American Idol Contestants, who I voted for and enjoyed. Laura and Max just did not have prove they could sing, but act and dance as well. To have all this talent from two young people. God has been so good to them and I hope they will go far.

I have never been to a Broadway Show and I do not head to Chicago to Shows (where I live near-45 mins) since I can't normally afford it-nor do I go on vacations, but because I watched Laura and Max all through the Grease "GYTOTIW" on TV and voted for them and was so glad they won, that no matter how much it costs, I will be there Feb. 12th and 13th, 2008 and this is my dream come true! February is my birth month and this is my birthday present to me from me! biggrin

I can't wait and am glad to hear the good reviews.

And like someone commenting about Grease on Broadway in this post, it may have to be by word of mouth of others spreading the word to their friends and family and then maybe others will care to see the New Grease on Broadway with Laura and Max and the other new, but skilled actors, and just totally disregard any of what the critics say! Right?? idea

Max Star · Veteran Member

Vicki,

From everything we have heard from other posters (and watch the video clips that have been posted), you will have the time of your life in February. Have no concerns. I absolutely can't wait to see it myself.

Laura's part may not be as big as we had hoped but by all accounts she is fabulous (and they may have "beefed" it up a bit). Can't ask for more than that. (She was my total favorite too!)

You must see it. Stay tuned as we get more reviews from "the real people that count".

gramps3 · Senior Member

Broadway theater goers' personal reviews

See:

http://www.broadway.com/gen/General.aspx?ci=551726

Stan/gramps

koko3 · Veteran Member

Hi Max Star and Vicki and anyone else who is planning on seeing the show but hasn't yet. I just wanted to add in that it is my opinion that anyone who is a real fan of Max and Laura will LOVE this show (and I think that they are gaining new fans every day). Put your worries to rest and just don't read the negative reviews. They are not representative of people like us who really just admire these two and love the show Grease. It is an absolute blast and an incredible show! I can't wait to hear everyone's experiences!! I really want to go and see it again, maybe in the spring!

Max Star · Veteran Member

Thanks, koko3, for sharing your encouragement and insights with us. Max and Laura have the best fans.

VICKI KO · Veteran Member

Hi, KOKO3 and MaxStar,

Thanks for your comments regarding listening to the good reviews and not the bad ones. biggrin

And being fans, as we are of Max and Laura and Grease, that makes coming to New York and Broadway for the first time in my life (58 yrs) so special to me to see Grease on Broadway and them. I only care to see them and have planned to see it twice in Feb., 2008. So whether to the critics think they are not superstar material yet and too young and inexperienced does not bother me, since I feel that everytime I saw them perform each week on TYTWTIW on TV, their performances were better and better. I looked forward to every Sunday Night to see them perform. They were under pressure competing and being seen by many millions of viewers. I still feel because they started so young as performers in singing , dancing and acting, that they were the most experienced of all the contestants on the TV show. They cam through every week! I believe this will be the case as they months go by in all their performances.

I loved the YOUTUBE video that was shown of Laura and Max performing on the MDA Telethon. And their talents shines through to me. It makes me even more want to see them. I keep watching the video over and over. And they are "Sizzling together" as David Ian first said about Laura!

Keep up with the positive comments and maybe we will be able to spread the word for others to come and see Grease on Broadway! smile