Does Holiday Bounce Provide Second Honeymoon for Wedding Singer?
Does Holiday Bounce Provide Second Honeymoon for Wedding Singer?Holiday weekends typically provide a huge box office boost for many a Broadway show, particularly as tourists converge on the Big Apple in force. This Labor Day weekend appears to be no exception as all but five Broadway shows enjoyed increased attendance.
With the weekend closings of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sweeney Todd and The Lieutenant Of Inishmore, it's not surprising that each went out with a bang with weekly capacities logging in at 80.6%, 84.3% and 73%, respectively. Among those shows, Sweeney Todd had the smallest week over week increase at 7%. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels saw an increase of 11.3%, while The Lieutenant Of Inishmore skyrocketed an amazing 24.6%.
As previously noted here, the speculation continues on which musical will be the next to vacate one of Broadway's larger venues. While many have been betting that The Wedding Singer will be next, I'm placing my money on The Producers, and this week's box office underscores my rationale. Yes, the latter improved week over week by 4.5% to come in at 62.4% capacity, but the former saw a large bump of 14.8% to enjoy a capacity of 71.7% -- better than any other show that survived the weekend.
What's more, there's still some buzz left in The Wedding Singer, considering its recent casting announcement (OK, so I personally had never heard of Constantine Maroulis since I don't watch "American Idol," but since the television show resonates with virtually every demographic out there, his addition is likely to spur interest somewhere).
One similarity with The Producers is that The Wedding Singer is now offering huge discounts of up to $50 off on tickets purchased through October 29. Tickets for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are reduced to $61.25, and $66.25 for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays by using promotion code WS24PBE.
Will it be enough to outlast The Producers? I think it could be just the ticket.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Click here for The Wedding Singer tickets.
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Going: Three for Three (September 5, 2006)
Labels: Box Office, Broadway, Musical, Stunt Casting, The Producers, The Wedding Singer
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Tuesday, September 05, 2006
6 Comments:
Now that the Imperial is booked for "Billy Elliot" in 2008 having "The Producers" close and free up the St. James would be wise. "Curtains" would be a good fit for the St. James. However, one thing needs to be put into this equation.
That is Kevin McCollum.
In the early nineties Jujamcyn (which owns the St. James) put its efforts into an alliance with Pace Theatricals. Pace had invested in Broadway and sought further development of a large subscription base across the US.
At that time Kevin McCollum headed the Ordway in Saint Paul which booked the State and Orpheum theaters in Minneapolis as well as its own home. After the alliance with Jujamcyn Pace took over booking theaters in Minneapolis from The Ordway. This action was tantamount to war between the two operators. McCollum only allows "Rent" to be booked into the Ordway and not the Minneapolis venues.
Pace has now evolved into a Clear Channel spin-off.
Has McCollum as lead producer of "Curtains" buried enough of the hatchet to go with Jujamcyn? Presently he has two offerings in Nederlander theaters and one in a Shubert house. "Rent," "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Avenue Q" respectively. I don't recall his use of a Jujamcyn theater in his past Broadway endeavors.
Or, one added thought.....a show like "Legally Blonde" may totally bomb and the Nederlanders look to McCollum for a show that may have legs and swoop in and grab "Curtains" for the Palace.
Only time will tell......but waiting and watching could prove interesting.....and fun.
Thanks for keeping me up on what I am missing. Boo hoo from London
I truly appreciate your thoughtful in-depth analysis.You raise some very intriguing points, and certainly the politics of Broadway are every bit as active there as they are elsewhere.
Like you said, "Waiting and watching could prove interesting.....and fun." I couldn't agree more!
City Slicker - And I appreciate you keeping this Anglophile up to speed on what's happening across the pond!
oops...from anonymous........McCollum is not the lead producer for "Curtains"....got things mixed up on this one but at least you all get a little added info on a battle that may never be resolved......I apologize for my error.....
Anonymous - I appreciate your clarification (I regret that I don't typically keep close track of who's producing each show).
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