Last week the grosses show it was at 64.9% and the week before it was at 52.5%. These numbers are not anywhere near high enough to support the show.
Actually, it would be high enough if the show had an average ticket price of $80-90. Attendence percentages are not a determining factor. What makes the attendence percentage significant is the average ticket price, which is far too low for A Tale of Two Cities to have in previews to support a show with negative reviews. Positive buzz coupled with a generous advance sale could have possibly pulled it through the holidays, but the prognosis is not encouraging.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
'Two different trial sequences, a street riot and the fall of the Bastille are among the show's grander segments. Set against blue backgrounds for London and red for Paris, designer Tony Walton's movable, three-story, skeleton units efficiently roll around accommodating the action. All shafts of light and washes of color, Richard Pilbrow's lighting adds visual drama. Too bad the bustling staging by Warren Carlyle tends to be more cluttered than dynamic.'
'James Barbour, as Carton, with a kind of Barbra Streisand wig (unless -- a far, far worse thing -- it actually is his hair), looks a bit daft, which is, apparently the way one portrays a man progressing from drunkenness into lovesickness. He can sing but prefers to bellow, croon or whisper -- the last, given the lyrics, especially considerate. He is particularly good at wittily throwaway lines, albeit more could be thrown. I had some trouble with his speaking voice, which often suggests an internal echo chamber.'
'IT was the worst of times... and the worst of times. Who knew how eagerly I'd await Sydney Carton's closing words, "It's a far, far better thing that I do..."
Actually, this Carton - a sensational James Barbour - didn't put a foot wrong all evening. It was where he had to put his foot that things fell apart.'
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
If word-of-mouth is great - at least among tourists and group sales - it will be fine.
Have there been any televised reviews? In any case, I think the show may have a chance with good TV exposure. I saw only one TV ad for ATOTC this morning. All of the late-night and early-morning Broadway news coverage featured Katie Holmes' Broadway debut in All My Sons (first preview last night) and the anti-Scientology protests rather than anything about the opening of A Tale of Two Cities.
p.s. I understand the negative comments and reviews, but personally love the show. I also think so-called tourists and groups will/would love the entirety of their Broadway experience. A Tale of Two Cities is the type of musical they hope to see when they come into town.
The New York Sun, NY1, Talkin' Broadway: Mixed-to-Negative
AM New York, The Associated Press, Clive Barnes, Hollywood Reporter, John Simon, The Journal News, The Newark Star-Ledger, The New York Times, Theatermania, USA Today, Variety: Negative
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
What slays me about this whole thing is that the people on here who have been shilling this show from day one are now trying to back-peddle saying stuff like "I knew this would get bad reviews because this is a show for an audience, not critics, blah blah blah". Please. Get a clue.
I know I am in the minority but I agree with Simon's assesment of The Male Lead's acting. It's a lot of posing, strutting and bellowing and not much else. Now his hair/wig/extentions are being compared to a Barbra Steisand wig!
"What slays me about this whole thing is that the people on here who have been shilling this show from day one are now trying to back-peddle saying stuff like "I knew this would get bad reviews because this is a show for an audience, not critics, blah blah blah". Please. Get a clue. "
Me too. Having the concept album for a year + inclined me to know that it would get awful reviews, but I was still eagerly excited for this production. Unfortunately, there's way too many people on this board who bash shows, and then for some miracle they decide that they love it so much (& see it 3-5 times) and they had loved it since day 1 of the news it was Broadway bound. Ridiculous!
I listened to a few sample tracks on their Web site when it first went up and basically never came back again. The songs were several notches below "ordinary."
I was (and still am) surprised that it made it this far. At the time I thought, "well, this will never get to Broadway."
And it did.
...for one brief shining moment that was known as...
*yawn*
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Seriously? I've found a ton of things that refer to him as "Carlton." I guess I just kept misreading after I got that into my head. At least I know I'm not the only one who was wrong, haha. Updated On: 9/19/08 at 02:19 PM
"Y'know, I think Bertolt Brecht was rolling in his grave."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
Winston! Calling Mr. Winston! Report to Aisle Four ... We have a spillage. It looks like your ego is all over the floor.
Of course not all shows should be based on the critics but there's about one or two positive reviews in ALL of these. The majority are negatie and mixed-to-negative.
I love all of the schillers who are backpeddling. Too funny!
So, Winston, you are sure you didn't see a "Les Mis" rip off? I think you're in the minority, my sweet cupcake.
"Jaystarr should be insulted. His reviews are much more detailed and thought provoking."
Jaystarr was practically the ringleader for bashing this show on this board about a month ago (right before previews). Of course we knew he'd say he hate it.
So anyone think the Hirschfeld might become the home of WSS now?
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
I wonder if it will end up being one of those scores that people claim gets better upon repeated listenings. I remember when I first listened to the demo I thought it was pretty bland, but now I think it's deceptively bland. Ha. I get "No Honest Way" and "Round and Round" stuck in my head all the time and I've been listening to "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" on and off all week.
I've been singing "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" all day. Then my musical-hating mom started humming it. Today, out of the blue, she said, "That's a *nice* song. Is it one of those Michael Ball ones?"
In her defense, whenever I sing in my low register, it usually means I'm emulating Michael Ball. Also, I think she got it confused with "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables." But I was glad when my mom started humming it, because so many reviews had people saying that they didn't find anything in the show to hum afterward.
Question-- is there a concept recording that I can legally obtain? I'm starting to doubt they'll make a Broadway recording, I want to be able to hear these fantastic voices again and again.
In my pants, she has burst like the music of angels, the light of the sun! --Marius Pantsmercy
From the sound of it, that's as close as we're gonna get to a cast recording.
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."