Grease big hit at PPAC, while Broadways show nears close
01:00 AM EST on Saturday, December 6, 2008
When one door closes another opens. As Grease launched its national tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center this week, producers of the New York production announced the 1950s-era musical will close on Jan. 4, the ninth Broadway show scheduled to fold next month.
The revival will have played 554 performances, compared with 3,388 for the original 1972 show. The new version, which like the original is set in and around the fictional Rydell High School, attracted national attention by casting its leads from a television program.
But the new national tour, headlining American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, is doing well at its first stop in Providence. Lynn Singleton, president of PPAC, said he expects the show to gross about $1.1 million this week, or about 10 percent better than Legally Blonde, which opened its national tour here in September.
Were very pleased, said Singleton. The market has responded well in a daunting time, and on top of that the crowds seem to love the show.
Singleton said he expects the show to play to about 80 percent capacity before it closes in Providence tomorrow. From Providence the touring show leaves for stops in 13 other cities by the end of May.
Seven Broadway shows will close on Jan. 4, including Young Frankenstein, Hairspray, Boeing-Boeing, 13 and holiday engagements of White Christmas and Slavas Snowshow.
January historically is a terrible time for Broadway, said Drew Cohen, president of Music Theatre International, a New York company that licenses musicals to theaters and schools. The tourists go home. Thats when a show thats on shaky ground takes the opportunity to close.
Cohen said that given the recent suffering of investors, its not clear how many new productions will fill the vacant theaters.
The Tour just might escape. 80% ain't bad. People are still spending. The Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden is virtually sold out, with tickets in the $200-300 range.
The Tour just might escape. 80% ain't bad. People are still spending. The Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden is virtually sold out, with tickets in the $200-300 range.
The Jingle Ball, which is a rock show that is held once a year, one show only, is an over hyped show with many of the latest stars of the minute, put on by a local radio station who gives away quite a number of the tickets. No comparison can be made between a Broadway show either on Broadway or on tour and a rock show. Very different vehicles.
The Tour just might escape. 80% ain't bad. People are still spending. The Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden is virtually sold out, with tickets in the $200-300 range.
The Jingle Ball, which is a rock show that is held once a year, one show only, is an over hyped show with many of the latest stars of the minute, put on by a local radio station who gives away quite a number of the tickets. No comparison can be made between a Broadway show either on Broadway or on tour and a rock show. Very different vehicles.
Yes, Dogs and Birds! Makes a difference when your selling tickets for eight shows a week in one city, even if it is New York! Just can't compare the two! I mean after all, you have to bring in people from across the country to New York. On a tour, people can drive down the road maybe to see a touring show!
This is a show with a number of Pop stars. No "play" with songs, just ones sung by the artists that are currently on the charts.They sing one or two songs. Apples and oranges, concert vs, Broadway show. This is also aimed at a certain audience, mostly under 30.
I wasn't lumping the genres together, just pointing out that there's still some discretionary money out there. We don't know what the Tour "nut" is (maybe Mr.E has some idea), and I don't suppose we'll be seeing weekly figures, but if they maintain 80%, things should be fine. We'll see what happens when Taylor is away.
Regarding Jingle Balls....If I lived closer to NY or one of the others, I would probably go, just to see Archuleta. He sings 5 of the best songs off his album, and the clips from Sacramento are fantastic. But I don't know if I could take the other "artists".
Yes there is always discretionary money and teens and young adults will always spend it on things like concerts, but not necessarily on Broadway or on show tours.
There usually isn't too much in the way of weekly grosses for tours. Although MrE knows a lot about Broadway, he has no inside information about how much any "nut" is for any show, just a good guess due to knowing who has to be paid and for what.
I have seen Archuleta. He is wonderful. I also met him at a meet and greet and he is a charming young man, but unless I have a great seat at MSG, I wouldn't go there for a concert. I stood in the mosh pit to see U2 there and while I was almost close enough to touch Bono, the guys in front of me gave me a shower of beer while they were cheering for the group. No fun!
Who else is playing at the Jingle Ball? Good question...made me laugh at how disinterested I am in the rest of the lineup. Kanye West and Katy Perry are two big names, but I haven't seen either of them for more than a few seconds on tv.
Archuleta has a fleeting connection with Broadway. Paul Anka wanted him for the lead in his autobiographical musical...a la Jersey Boys. But that was before the Crash. Archuleta has plenty of time for Broadway, after his star fades.
Kanye West, Chris Brown, Brandy, Rhiana, David Archuleta and some others the kids would know although I must admit I do Lady Gaga, although I am fairly sure she will be a one hit wonder. A bunch of others whose music I may have heard, but don't connect the artist with the music.
My Grandsons were just talking about how badly they want, to go to the Jingle Ball . They asked me if I had an extra two or three hundred dollars I could loan them to go LOL I'm glad I stopped in tonight and read this thread.At least I now know what they're talking about !
All-in-all, I think people still have a little spending money. They just chooses to spend it a little wiser.
A trip to NYC is crazy when you have to buy food and lodging. I don't think that its Broadways fault for the decline. Just the consumer refuses to make a trip to NYC because along with ticket prices, they have to pay for food and lodging. With food being $20 for a ham-n-cheese omlette for breakfast and lodging being approx $200 a night. Its just too expensive to have to pay those prices. Just my opinion.
I have a season pass to a local theatre that hosts 6 shows, I also frequent another theatre about 3 times a year. Plus, when I'm lucky enough to find one of my favorite productions, I go to that as well. I usually make a trip to Milwaukee or Chicago once or twice a year. When adding it all up, I usually see (on average) a production about once every 3-4 weeks. But, I just can't justify spending the money to get to NYC.
All-in-all, I think people still have a little spending money. They just chooses to spend it a little wiser.
A trip to NYC is crazy when you have to buy food and lodging. I don't think that its Broadways fault for the decline. Just the consumer refuses to make a trip to NYC because along with ticket prices, they have to pay for food and lodging. With food being $20 for a ham-n-cheese omlette for breakfast and lodging being approx $200 a night. Its just too expensive to have to pay those prices. Just my opinion.
I have a season pass to a local theatre that hosts 6 shows, I also frequent another theatre about 3 times a year. Plus, when I'm lucky enough to find one of my favorite productions, I go to that as well. I usually make a trip to Milwaukee or Chicago once or twice a year. When adding it all up, I usually see (on average) a production about once every 3-4 weeks. But, I just can't justify spending the money to get to NYC.
Take Care!!!!!!!!!
I think you're absolutely right,with less spending money people will use it in wiser ways. Perhaps they'll have to save before they can make a trip to BroadwayThough I believe that now more than ever people will need an outlet to just simply unwind from everyday stress Music is a great RX !