Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing- Page 2
Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
#25re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:11am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndI3I3ML-Wk
For those who were unsure, CE doesn't thank East of Doheny although the tony award website transcript begs to differ. I don't know why its added to the transcript but doesn't appear in the telecast.
Happy...Everything!
Kaye Thompson
#26re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:14am
"Avenue Q isn't hard to market, and Drowsy is doing dismal sales. I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Avenue Q is, or rather, WAS hard to market. Now that it's won Best Musical it isn't, but it wasn't doing smash business when it opened. It is not a "family" show or even a real "touristy" show.
And Drowsy is doing poorly now, but a while back it was doing well. And it's chalking up more of a run than Grey Gardens.
#27re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:20am
How did these people become involved with the production anyway? I know Ebersole was out there soliciting producers to transfer the production from Playwrights to B'way. Are these producers she courted and is now sorry she ever did?
And I hated the ad campaign switch, too. The original ad design was classic, like the Beales. This tabloid design has no connection to the show.
I also think it is a shame there are no impressarios left, but they came with enourmous egos, too. (Think David Merrick.) Too bad Rosie lost her money on Taboo, maybe if she didn't she would take more chances. I know she sank some money into this for her buddy Christine.
#28re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:26am
You could tell they didn't know what they were doing. They did the strange ad campaign switch. They announced the show would definitely continue through the summer. Then they announce MLW will leave the show, and the show ill continue with Ebersole and a BE replacement. Then it's the show will close July 29.
Shame they got their hands on this.
RockabyeHamlet
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/05
#29re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:30amThe show had a ton of advertising, meaning like an entire bus covered in ads for this show. If that article is true, it's unfortunate, but the problem was not the amount of advertising. If any show had a problem with the amount of advertising, it was Company.
"I wouldn't let Esparza's Bobby take my kids to the zoo...I'd be afraid he'd steal their ice cream and laugh."- YankeeFan
"People who like Sondheim enjoy cruelty."-LuvtheEmcee
"People who like Sondheim enjoy cruelty."-LuvtheEmcee
#30re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:33amThe advertising started VERY late in the game, however. June.
#31re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:34am
"Kelly Gonda was surrounded by assistants, including one whose job it was to operate the remote control to her plasma-screen TV.
She fixated on insignificant details, sources say, while ignoring more fundamental problems.
One day she decided that a costume worn by the actor playing Joseph Kennedy was all wrong.
"He doesn't look like a Kennedy," she complained.
She pulled the actor out of rehearsal, took him shopping and bought him a heavy cable-knit sweater, which she insisted he wear in a scene set on the beach in July."
I wondered about that, because in the Off-Broadway production Matt walked in for his first scene with his shirt off and he put on and buttoned up a short sleeve, button-down summer shirt.
This really is a shame. I agree that the new ad campaign was idiotic. And to fire Serino Coyne, who have a long, strong history of success marketing Broadway shows, was ridiculous.
I do agree that the producers of AVENUE Q and DROWSY are doing it right. Yes, DROWSY is doing poorly now, but they kept the numbers up and it recouped in less than a year. GREY GARDENS is closing a complete financial flop.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Updated On: 7/18/07 at 11:34 AM
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
ElFantasma14
Broadway Star Joined: 9/26/06
#32re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:35amThat is such a travesty. I can't believe so good a show could fall into such ignorant hands. I thank god that it's most likely that the London run, and the maybe tour, will be under the control of different producers.
TulitaPepsi
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/13/04
#33re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 11:43am
I love GREY GARDENS but it would be a challenge to market in the best circumstances. The Beales story is pretty arcane and known to mostly an older audience.
The old ad was classy and elegant, but it didn't tell you anything about what the show was about (a woman looking in a mirror with her face hidden) - it kinda reminded me of the DEAR WORLD campaign. They obviously felt the 'tabloid' campaign would explain exactly who these woman were by hitching it onto te name of Jackie O - yet already even this legendary First Lady of Camelot is turning into a fading historical figure from the distant past.
DROWSY's ads had a great 'hook' - Bob Martin and the gramophone with the little cast members popping out of the horn, which gave you an instant grasp on the show's message.
"Hurry up and get into your conga clothes - we've got to do something to save this show!"
BwayInsider
Chorus Member Joined: 7/18/07
#34re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:18pm
Wow, What a hateful article. I hope you don't believe everything you read, some of you on here seem to do so. It is clear that Riedel has some deep throats in the business who feed him info. Here is some info he left out of his article. Ponder it as you judge.
Christine brought money to the production to help 'produce' it. However, she completely disrespected that money on many occassions. Take for example the fact that she decided, during the time when Tony voters come to see the show, that she would only do 6 shows per week because it was too hard for her. (um didn't she know how hard the show was when she was doing it off-Broadway) When she is out for any reason, the show loses 10-20% of its weekly take in returns, per day! Somehow the production got her to agree to do 7 shows but only after treating her like a queen and allowing her an extra week of vacation. A week where the show lost money. She also called out 'sick' twice, yes twice, when the group sales representatives were coming to the show, AND she knew they would be there. I would call that sabotage, how about you? She has a history of being difficult and it seems has a self destructive streak. She definitely has had a hand in taking this show down.
But why close the show when it is selling well? you ask. Because it hasn't made any money yet! The weekly nut is about 320K plus advertising costs it goes up to nearly 400K so even when they were selling 'well' they were not making much, if any money. And to keep a show running when it is losing money, costs money. So why are the Gonda's singled out as the ones who are not putting more money in to keep the show open? There are 6 producers listed on the show. Shouldn't they all equally contribute to the shows survival? Including Christine as a 'producer'? Didn't Bernadette Peters take a pay cut to keep Gypsy open several years ago, so why hasn't Christine offered to do the same thing?
And why not thank the people who brought your performance to Broadway so you could win a Tony Award? As noted before, there were 4 other producers on the show. I suppose she is mad at all of them and thinks they all don't know what they are doing. It was classless, selfish behavior to be so rude.
Lastly, it is unfortunate that this went down the way it did. The show is truly an excellent piece of theater. The composers and the book writer did an amazing job of taking an eccentric piece of film history and turning it into a compelling and moving evening in the theater. Hopefully history will remember this a great piece of theater, not the circus that Christine has turned it into. But then, not that many people read Riedel.
I agree Americanboy99, this article made me so made too.
P.S. Billionaires don't become billionaires because they 'don't know what they are doing' or are 'stuppit people'.
#35re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:23pm
"Take for example the fact that she decided, during the time when Tony voters come to see the show, that she would only do 6 shows per week because it was too hard for her. (um didn't she know how hard the show was when she was doing it off-Broadway)"
Do you think perhaps it became even more difficult with all the TONY press she was doing?
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
BwayInsider
Chorus Member Joined: 7/18/07
#36re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:27pmNo. Didn't think that and still don't.
#37re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:28pm
You don't think this already challenging role wouldn't be made harder by doing hours of TONY press?
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
Thesbijean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
#38re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:29pmThe producer credit listed as STAUNCH PRODUCTIONS is Christine, Rosie O'Donell and Barbara Walters, the last addition to the producing team (and money) to bring the show to Broadway. Why not just get them to give more money...
#39re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:31pm
"Hopefully history will remember this a great piece of theater, not the circus that Christine has turned it into."
Christine is a gracious, lovely woman. She obviously cares a great deal about this piece of theatre if she wants to keep it running. I wouldn't call what she is doing a circus at all.
BwayInsider
Chorus Member Joined: 7/18/07
#40re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:32pmWizard, this is Broadway. A place for professionals. Press is part of the job.
#41re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:34pm
Of course press is part of the job. But during Tony Awards time, people tend to do more press. And when you're performing that difficult a role and doing so much press at the same time, it's hard.
And Riedel, by the way, is right a lot of the time.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
BwayInsider
Chorus Member Joined: 7/18/07
#42re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:38pm
Riedel usually has his information from reliable sources. Doesn't mean that he is right. He puts the info together and creates his own stories.
As for the press, please already. There are plenty of stars who have done harder roles and more press and are fine. How about Fantasia?
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#43re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:40pm
Well, Fantasia's like a quarter of a century younger than Ebsersole.
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
#44re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:42pm^ Very true.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#45re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:48pmUm. Celie is a harder role than Edith/Little Edie? OK!
#46re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:49pmWhile true, that has almost nothing to do with the situation. The Times had an article a few weeks ago about how TCP has been marketed and sold to (mostly black) churches from all around the country that bus themselves to New York to see Fantasia. Also, TCP is a VERY recognizable title, and easier to sell.
#47re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:49pm
"Didn't Bernadette Peters take a pay cut to keep Gypsy open several years ago, so why hasn't Christine offered to do the same thing?"
The article said she was already annoyed are receiving only $5000/week. Two Tonys (one undeserved, in my opinion) and $20k/month and I'm not feeling too bad for her.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
mightydog
Understudy Joined: 10/12/06
#48re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:51pm
Wasn't East of Doheny involved with "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"?
Grey Gardens has a cummulative gross of more than $16 million and has been reported that it will close without returning a penny to the investors. If that isn't financial mismanagement I don't know what is...
#49re: Riedel on Grey Gardens' Closing
Posted: 7/18/07 at 12:52pmI thoughly enjoyed the show and thought Ebersole was great. I am sad to see it close.
"Life is not measured by the number
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that take our breath away."
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain."
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