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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 7, 2016 15:12:26 GMT
I'm really shocked by the success of Jersey Boys. I mean..why and how? How does this show not only cater to a certain age demographic, and do they really love The Four Seasons that much to keep it running for so long? It's a sharp story, slickly produced, and with a clientele that has enough money to support it. |
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Post by Snciole on Apr 7, 2016 15:19:12 GMT
I was invited to Jersey Boys Trade night yesterday (I couldn't go sadly) but it seems to be okay. All 4 cast members have changed and yesterday was sort of the press night for them. I don't think they would go to such trouble if it was dying.
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 7, 2016 15:31:36 GMT
Jersey Boys for me is a mix of songs I enjoy listening to combined with a - for a jukebox musical - tight and well delivered storyline. It works and appeals to not just the generation that grew up with listening to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I'm not saying it's in the same league as lets say Sondheim and such. But in my eyes it's definitely one of the good jukebox musicals and I'm glad it's still doing well. In a way not true that people who grew up with Frankie Vialli, want to recapture their youth, they going to see the Jersey Boys, how an excellent book is combined with those songs. Several years ago The Four Seasons did a reunion concert on Broadway, Jerey Boys out sold them. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 7, 2016 15:37:37 GMT
As pointed out on here the closure of Chicago and Blood Brothers have certainly freed up some theatre space, Billy Elliott (sad) has too and don't forget We Will Rock You, then you have War Horse and 39 steps also gone.
Mamma Mia, Sunny Afternoon, Queens and Lyric are in traditional play houses, that tend to be sort of 'circuit' theatres, by which I mean a play would pitch up for 3-4 months then move on, so limits plays coming into the West End.
Thriller isn't going nowhere (shamefully).
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Post by Jon on Apr 7, 2016 16:16:03 GMT
The Novello is both a musical house and play house due to its capacity.
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 7, 2016 16:39:41 GMT
Jersey Boys for me is a mix of songs I enjoy listening to combined with a - for a jukebox musical - tight and well delivered storyline. It works and appeals to not just the generation that grew up with listening to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. I'm not saying it's in the same league as lets say Sondheim and such. But in my eyes it's definitely one of the good jukebox musicals and I'm glad it's still doing well. In a way not true that people who grew up with Frankie Vialli, want to recapture their youth, they going to see the Jersey Boys, how an excellent book is combined with those songs. Several years ago The Four Seasons did a reunion concert on Broadway, Jerey Boys out sold them. You can probably convince more people in a multigenerational group (like a family) to go see Jersey Boys, because even if they're not into theatre, they may still be attracted to the storyline and name recognition. You also might learn something about the group from JB, but you probably wouldn't from a concert. The Four Seasons/Frankie Valli concert series was also booked at the Broadway Theatre, which is much larger than the August Wilson -- that may have had something to do with its sales. |
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Post by Jon on Apr 7, 2016 16:44:22 GMT
I wouldn't be surprise if JB moves or closes in the next few years. I imagine ATG would want the Piccadilly for a new show, if it did move, the Phoenix wouldn't surprise me as its third home.
Aren't JB's sales slipping on Broadway? I imagine the running costs are low enough to survive a couple more years
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Post by 49thand8th on Apr 7, 2016 16:47:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2016 18:27:43 GMT
How is Beautiful doing? I wouldn't be surprised if that ended up leaving at some point soon because I know it was having a bit of a dip a while back but I don't know how it is now. Which is a shame as it is a great show!
I pray for a Thriller closing notice everyday.
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Post by caa on Apr 7, 2016 22:47:23 GMT
My view is that too many long running shows is not good for the West End, theatre isn't a museum and new shows good or bad bring variety to the West End. As much as I agree, I'm kinda glad that there are shows I don't need to see again as it allows me to not spend all my money going to the theatre, that said it would be good if there were more new shows in the WE but producers over here seem to be very safe in their choices. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 7:51:30 GMT
How is Beautiful doing? I wouldn't be surprised if that ended up leaving at some point soon because I know it was having a bit of a dip a while back but I don't know how it is now. Which is a shame as it is a great show! I pray for a Thriller closing notice everyday. Yes I totally agree that Beautiful can go soon. I think next year will be its last. It has done well, 2 years is quite good (longer than Memphis what h deserved more!) I hope Thriller goes soon too, it's had its day! Also, do you think Mamma Mia needs a revamp? As much as I love the show so much it's been the same for 17 years! How do they keep going? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 8:09:51 GMT
I actually really love Mamma Mia! much as I know a lot of people dislike it. It is what it tries to be... good fun and I really enjoy it, so that can happily stick around and I won't mind.
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Post by firefingers on Apr 8, 2016 9:19:10 GMT
Interestingly, I've heard from a friend who is applying for a position on Beautiful, that their contract would only run to December. Could mean nothing (Billy Elliot went through periods of only doing 3 month contracts), or could be a sign of yet another free theatre for early 2017.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 9:22:18 GMT
Interestingly, I've heard from a friend who is applying for a position on Beautiful, that their contract would only run to December. Could mean nothing (Billy Elliot went through periods of only doing 3 month contracts), or could be a sign of yet another free theatre for early 2017. Which is a massive shame if true, as that is a great theatre... though funnily enough, the theatre is one of theatres I imagined Finding Neverland to go into. |
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Post by ali973 on Apr 8, 2016 9:22:39 GMT
Does anyone know whatever happened to Big? Did I dream this or was there talk early last year that it would made a London appearance.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 9:22:46 GMT
I actually really love Mamma Mia! much as I know a lot of people dislike it. It is what it tries to be... good fun and I really enjoy it, so that can happily stick around and I won't mind. But that set though...  When I saw Beautuful last month they were offering lots of us upgrades to the stalls as they hadn't sold them. Whilst I love the show, I too, can't envisage it staying beyond another year. |
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Post by viserys on Apr 8, 2016 9:32:20 GMT
They still don't do any discounts though, do they?
I mean, if it's not selling well, why not do a discount code, sell tickets through TKTS or something? I've been mildly interested in Beautiful since it opened, but not willing to pay full price. They don't do dayseats though and I haven't come across any offers yet.
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Post by ali973 on Apr 8, 2016 9:34:21 GMT
^ Same. I could consider day seating for this but this theatre seems to have an anti-day seat policy. I waited until the end of On Your Feet and they didn't budge (eventually bought a discounted ticket).
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Post by viserys on Apr 8, 2016 11:23:24 GMT
Ah, interesting, thanks. Will keep an eye out for more then.
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Post by Jon on Apr 8, 2016 15:57:44 GMT
I actually really love Mamma Mia! much as I know a lot of people dislike it. It is what it tries to be... good fun and I really enjoy it, so that can happily stick around and I won't mind. But that set though... I like Mamma Mia! but I think the set is so cheap looking and it was clearly downsized when it moved from the Prince of Wales to the Novello. Aside from having new shows, I think letting the theatres themselves have a short period to be refreshed and refurbished can do a lot for the audience experience. Look at the Prince Edward and Prince of Wales, both of which were extensively refurbished and the results are stunning, I look forward to seeing the Victoria Palace when it's fully refurbished next year and that couldn't have happened without Billy Elliot closing. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Apr 8, 2016 16:20:01 GMT
I bought a top price ticket for Beautiful last year from TKT''s for £39, they don't advertise this on their website.
If Mamma Mia did close in the West End, it would always be on tour, bit lik Chicago or Hairspray, so it will be around for years to come anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 16:45:38 GMT
Mamma Mia still seems to be doing great business too. I think it's their 17th birthday tonight or last night. Great news! I don't like it but I want it to run and run and run. |
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