The funniest part of watching this past weekend's "Saturday Night Live" was this mock advertisement for hack trial attorneys Gublin and Green. Wonder how "uncool" the PR flacks at Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark think this is. I hate to pile-on, but personally, I think it's very cool that any Broadway show gets parodied on late night TV.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Broadway Box Office Tweets - Week Ending January 16, 2011
If you follow me on Twitter, you most likely know that each Monday, I offer my quick analysis of each preceding week's box office on the Great White Way. Last week's results were delayed until today because of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday.
Some people live for the latest sports stats. I love poring over each week's box office totals on Broadway. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are my tweets in chronological order for the week ending January 16, 2011:
1:00 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Broadway box office plunges 11.2% last week to just $14,896,892 in grosses
1:01 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Broadway capacity down 5.72% last week to 79.36% or 170,093 seats sold out of 214,092 possible
1:02 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Broadway's average ticket price last week was down slightly to $84.61 from $85.17 week before
1:03 p.m. January 18, 2011 - At 100.1% capacity SPIDER-MAN was only sold-out Broadway show last week. Gross: $1,258,330. Avg ticket price: $108.57
1:04 p.m. January 18, 2011 - WICKED back on top as Broadway's #1 show, grossing $1,540,868 on 98.3% capacity. Average ticket price: $108.30
1:05 p.m. January 18, 2011 - THE LION KING only other Broadway show to gross over $1million last week: $1,334,354 on 83.6% capacity
1:07 p.m. January 18, 2011 - THE LION KING had Broadway's highest average ticket price last week: $118.99
1:08 p.m. January 18, 2011 - COLIN QUINN LONG STORY SHORT had Broadway's lowest gross last week: $187,617 on 69.6% capacity. Avg tix priced $57.3
1:10 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Broadway's lowest capacity: TIME STANDS STILL at 59.4%. Gross: $363,619. Average ticket price: $70.89
1:11 p.m. January 18, 2011 - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST had week's lowest average ticket price: $50.43. Gross: $282,607 on 94.7% capacity
1:12 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Shows below 70% capacity: TIME STANDS STILL, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, AMERICAN IDIOT & COLIN QUINN LONG STORY SHORT
1:13 p.m. January 18, 2011 - MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET still grossing $456,566 on 62.8% capacity. Average ticket price at $74.85
1:14 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Only Broadway shows to increase capacity last week: IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, LOMBARDI and SPIDER-MAN
1:15 p.m. January 18, 2011 - IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST posted week's top capacity increase of 5.3% to 94.7%
1:16 p.m. January 18, 2011 - RAIN posts week's largest capacity decline of 24.3% to 71.2%. Grosses $681,640. Average ticket price is $82.64
1:20 p.m. January 18, 2011 - Finally, NEXT TO NORMAL closes with gross of $552,653 on 96.4% capacity. $92.82 average ticket price
So, dear readers, do any of these results surprise you? Do you have any other observations about last week's box office totals? If so, feel free to comment below.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Today is America's Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, a day where we take stock of how far we've come as a society, as well as consider what remains to be achieved.
While responding to the horrifying killings in Tucson, President Barack Obama's call for civility last week certainly seemed particularly well-timed given today's observances. Yet, since civility also naturally extends to those who look different from us, let alone think differently than we do, the President's remarks also provide a stark reminder that we have a long way to go before reaching Reverend King's dream.
Since Bono and The Edge have been in the news for their gestating work on Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark -- and since Steve On Broadway (SOB) is ostensibly about theatre -- today, I'm posting U2's seminal 1984 hit, "Pride (In The Name Of Love)."
While the tune references Dr. King's tragic 1968 assassination in Memphis, it also boldly proclaims, "Free at last, they took your life, (but) they could not take your pride."
Let's remember his enduring legacy through civility and love -- proud traits no one can take away unless you let them.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Even though I'm one of those dreaded theatre bloggers whom former Bloomberg critic (and now fellow theatre blogger) John Simon called "vermin," I have tried to play the Broadway game. That is, I have dutifully respected embargoes by not reviewing any show until the time it actually opens. After all, that's a Broadway tradition among critics, and I believe if you want to be taken seriously as a blogger, you just may want to observe the rules.
I've also gone so far as to defend this production from one particular writer, who at one time all but suggested that Spider-Man would never make it to Broadway.
Since I always buy my own tickets to see productions, I try my level best to time my attendance for each Broadway show to ensure I'm seeing one of the final previews if the work hasn't already opened.
Such was the case when I first purchased tickets back in 2009, nearly a year in advance of the originally scheduled opening date for early 2010 (those tickets were subsequently refunded after it became clear that the production was temporarily grinding to a halt).
Such was also the case when I bought tickets for a December 18 performance after the newly rescheduled opening night of December 21 was set. Subsequently, opening night shifted to late January. Since I could not get a refund, I decided to go see the preview anyway. Yet, I dutifully remained publicly mum on what I saw on stage, even after Christopher Tierney's nearly fatal fall occurred just two days later.
I further respected the embargo, even after the opening night shifted yet again to February 7, which was when theatre critics Linda Winer (Newsday) and Jeremy Gerard (Bloomberg) provided mini-reviews of preview performances they saw much to the chagrin of the production. Naturally, a spokesman for the production cried foul.
Fast forward to Thursday. With no new reports of mounting casualties or incidents, I began to think that Spider-Man just might open on February 7 after all. I decided to take the plunge and purchase tickets for my third time, booking the show for the very end of January when critics would start seeing the final, untinkered (or "frozen") version.
Later that same evening, reports surfaced that Spider-Man would postpone opening night once again, this time to March 15. Friday morning, I tweeted, "Spider-Man delays opening for fifth time to March 15 to deploy new ending. I should have waited a day to buy new tix."
It wasn't long before I heard from The New York Times' incisive theatre writer, Patrick Healy, who quotes me in his story today on how the producers are defending their decision. I told him, "As a blogger who pays for his own ticket, Spider-Man is getting to be very expensive. This is the second time I thought I had tickets to see a frozen production, only to learn that I'm only going to see another preview. They need to reconsider what they're charging for preview tickets. It's very disappointing to think I'll have to pay even more to come again and see the finished product."
Thanks, Spider-Man,for making me feel like such a chump. You've not only betrayed someone like me who, at least until now, has respected both your creative process and time-honored traditions by remaining silent on what is to be found on your stage (as well as flying over your audience), but through what is looking more and more each day like a web of deceit, you've also likely duped thousands of audience members who think they're seeing a finished product and paying full price to do so. That's just wrong.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Broadway Box Office Tweets - Week Ending January 9, 2011
Spider-Man Edges Out Wicked As Number One Show
If you follow me on Twitter, you most likely know that each Monday, I offer my quick analysis of each preceding week's box office on the Great White Way.
This week is particularly noteworthy for two reasons. Not only did Broadway's box office not fall-off as dramatically as expected for this time of year, but Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark has officially replaced longtime champ Wickedas the top-grossing show, yet only by web-thin margin.
Here are my tweets in chronological order for the week ending January 9, 2011:
January 10, 2011 4:22 pm - Broadway box office down 30.13% (over $6 million) last week, but grosses still at respectable $20,750,910
January 10, 2011 4:23 pm - SPIDER-MAN is Broadway's #1 show edging WICKED by just $58! SPIDER-MAN gross $1,588,514 vs. WICKED gross of $1,588,456
January 10, 2011 4:24 pm - Broadway capacity down by just .93% to 85.9% or 232,314seats sold out of 267,513 possible
January 10, 2011 4:25 pm - Broadway's average ticket price down to $85.17 from last week high of $100.22
January 10, 2011 4:26 pm - Broadway shows grossings $1 million+ : SPIDER-MAN, WICKED, LION KING, MERCHANT OF VENICE, JERSEY BOYS, IN THE HEIGHTS
January 10, 2011 4:27 pm - Broadways shows at 100% or more capacity: MERCHANT OF VENICE, NEXT TO NORMAL, IN THE HEIGHTS, SPIDER-MAN, WICKED
January 10, 2011 4:28 pm - SPIDER-MAN became Broadway's top grossing show last week w/ $1,588,514 on 100% capacity. Average ticket price: $102.86
January 10, 2011 4:29 pm - #2 WICKED grosses $1,588,456 on 100% capacity. Average ticket price: $109.76
January 10, 2011 4:30 pm - #3 LION KING close behind with $1,550,640 gross on 95.4% capacity. Average ticket price: $121.21
January 10, 2011 4:31 pm - #4 MERCHANT OF VENICE had Broadway's highest capacity (102.5%) & avg ticket price ($134.79). Gross: $1,114,050
January 10, 2011 4:32 pm - Grosses for IN THE HEIGHTS ($1,083,254) and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC ($737,852) help shows close with bang
January 10, 2011 4:33 pm - Billie Joe Armstrong boosts AMERICAN IDIOT. Grosses $952,123 on 80.2% capacity. Average ticket price: $86.79
January 10, 2011 4:34 pm - Broadway's lowest grossing show: COLIN QUINN LONG STORY SHORT at $217,312 on 75.9% capacity. Avg ticket price: $60.99
January 10, 2011 4:35 pm - MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET had week's lowest capacity of 65.5% (not bad) with $423,658 gross. Avg ticket price of $66.59.
January10, 2011 4:36 pm - Last week's lowest average ticket price was $50.95 for IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Gross: $269,557 on 89.4% capacity
January 10, 2011 4:37 pm - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST posted last week's biggest capacity increase of 19.3% to 89.4%
January 10, 2011 4:38 pm - PHANTOM OF THE OPERA posts week's top capacity decline of 19.7% to 78.9%. Grosses $808,761
So, dear readers, do any of these results surprise you? Do you have any other observations about last week's box office totals? If so, feel free to comment below.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Broadway Box Office Tweets - Week Ending January 2, 2011
Wicked Soars To New Heights
If you follow me on Twitter, you most likely know that each Monday, I offer my quick analysis of each preceding week's box office on the Great White Way and this week marks a banner week, not only for all of Broadway, but for a show that has just broken its own Rialto record: Wicked.
Some people live for the latest sports stats. I love poring over each week's box office totals on Broadway. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are my tweets in chronological order for the week ending January 2, 2011:
6:42 pm January 3, 2011 - Banner week on Broadway as grosses up over $10 million (28.58%) last week over Christmas week to whopping $34,997,576
6:43 pm January 3, 2011 - Broadway capacity soared 14.3% to 87.85% or 329,604 seats sold out of 368,210 with many shows in final performances
6:44 pm January 3, 2011 - Broadway got expensive last week as average ticket price shot up to $100.22 from $91.63 week before.
6:45 pm January 3, 2011 - Sold-out WICKED sets new Broadway box office record grossing $2,228,235. Also had top average ticket price: $153.97
6:46 pm January 3, 2011 - Broadway's #2 show, sold-out LION KING came close to grossing $2 million at $1,992,270. Average ticket price: $148.49
6:47 pm January 3, 2011 - Sold-out #3 show SPIDER-MAN played 1st complete 8-show week, grossing $1,880,833 w/ avg ticket price of $121.79
6:48 pm January 3, 2011 - Only other Broadway show grossing over $1.5 million:BILLY ELLIOT at $1,518,486. 99.1% capacity.Avg ticket price $119.79
6:49 pm January 3, 2011 - All totaled, an astounding 17 Broadway shows enjoyed grosses of more than $1 million last week.
6:50 pm January 3, 2011 - Broadway's top play MERCHANT OF VENICE had week's highest capacity: 102.5%. Grosses $1,175,750. Avg tix priced $142.24
6:51 pm January 3, 2011 - Show drawing 100% or more capacity: MERCHANT, FELA, JERSEY BOYS, WICKED, LION KING, SPIDER-MAN, BLOODYx2 ANDREW JACKSON
6:53 pm January 3, 2011 - The average ticket price for an amazing 20 Broadway shows was more than $100 each
6:54 pm January 3, 2011 - Only two Broadway shows saw declines in capacity last week: MERCHANT OF VENICE (-.1%) and TIME STANDS STILL (-5.8%)
6:55 pm January 3, 2011 - ELF (-$227,843) and DONNY & MARIE (-$49,826) were only 2 Broadway shows grossing less last week than week before
6:56 pm January 3, 2011 - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST had Broadway's lowest gross last week: $235,694 on 70.1% capacity.Avg tix priced $56.83
6:57 pm January 3, 2011 - A FREE MAN OF COLOR had Broadway's lowest avg ticket price of $53.05. Gross: $236,459 on 53.5% capacity.
6:58 pm January 3, 2011 - LA BÊTE had Broadway's lowest capacity last week of 49.5%. Grosses $308,549 with average ticket price of $68.83
7:00 pm January 3, 2011 - As truly stratospheric as past week's Broadway box office was 9 shows closed because January marks the start of annual doldrums.
7:01 pm January 3, 2011 - Plus even more shows will close throughout the rest of the month.
So, dear readers, do any of these results surprise you? Do you have any other observations about last week's box office totals? If so, feel free to comment below.
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Greetings from Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, and Happy New Year!
It’s been years since I’ve been to Philly, but this is where the Love Of My Life (LOML) and I decided to ring in the New Year. Why? Aside from being one of my longtime favorite American cities – thanks in part to its rich history, culture, charm and its friendly character – it is in part mercenary for me to benefit my LOML, who was within a stone’s throw of platinum status on our favored airline. Silly, right?
But wait! There’s more!
Not only does this mark the eighth New Year’s we’ve been infinitely blessed to share and enjoy together, but by moving our celebration to Pennsylvania, the two of us have now visited 44 out of 50 states together. Not bad for eight years. (Look out, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Oregon and West Virginia – we have you in our sights!).
It’s the little thing, isn’t it?!
May health and happiness follow you throughout the New Year! And remember to hold those dearest to you very closely because all those little things add up to a life worth living and loving.
(P.S. I'm resolved to be back with much more discussion on theatre very soon!)
In keeping with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post.
Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles Limited run extended through May 31, 2011 (Show will go on hiatus starting January 15 and reopen at Brooks Atkinson Theatre on February 8)
Rock Of Ages - Open-ended run (Show will go on hiatus starting January 9 and reopen at Helen Hayes Theatre in March)
As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!
