The Broadway production of *Grease* has seen a dramatic decrease in attendance since Taylor Hicks finished his role as Teen Angel this summer. During his reign from June 6 through Sept 7, attendance saw some of its highest levels since the show started a year ago. But since he left, attendance went from the mid 95% level to a dramatic plunge into the 70% level. This weeks gross for the week ending Sept. 28 had only 74.6% of the seats filled, making a mere $443,596. It was reported by the NY Post that Taylor's appearance as Teen Angel in the summer brought in an additional $150K per week. For example, for the week of July 27, 2008, the gross total reached $707,983 with 95% attendance. Apparently the addition of American Idol contestant Ace Young has had little affect maintaining the levels Taylor brought into the show. I'm not saying the dismal attendance all falls in Ace's lap, because the 2 new leads in the show were also replaced recently, but the numbers don't lie.
It's no wonder why their producers asked Taylor to star in the cross-country "Grease" tour this Winter and Spring. The tour will start in New England and end up on the west coast. You can check out Ticketmaster (link at the top of the blog) to see when and where the show will stop in your neighborhood! The addition of Taylor to the cast is not only brilliant, but a big money maker for production! I've got my eyes on a few tickets in San Diego and can't wait to see it!
.jpg)
7 comments:
I like Ace Young a lot and wish him well but no one puts asses in the seats like our Taylor. I can't wait to see him play his Teen Angel role when he comes to my city.
Good grief! Take into account the time of year. Taylor appeared during the summer vacation months. Ace debuted after Labor Day once school started and the height of vacation season was over. During Ace's brief stint the grosses have increased a little each week.
I can't wait to see it either - in both Orange County AND Los Angeles! I hope everyone make a point to see Taylor in Grease so people will continue to see what a GREAT draw he is. I also look forward to meeting some SP'ers here on the West coast when Taylor comes to town.
That isn't surprising to me at all. "Hicks" is the word.
I have a friend who saw the show in New York. He did a father-daughter weekend there and let his daughter pick the shows. Legally Blonde was one they saw and Grease. He didn't even realize it was Taylor he saw until I told him. Then he said, "I was wondering why the place went crazy when that cone came down and it was the first we saw of the guy." He said the theater was packed and Taylor definitely appeared to be the reason people were there. One less person who thinks I'm just a little nuts with my Taylor lifestyle choice. :-)
I hope Taylor brings in huge numbers on his national Grease tour also. I know I've got my eyes on San Fran tickets - and possibly LA also.
(berney)
I saw the show with Taylor once before Ace joined the cast. He was great. There has only been one person who has filled in as Teen Angel since he left that I actually enjoyed.
I happen to be a huge Ace fan and he is doing great as Kinickie. I htink one of the ian problems is that a lot of us don't have the money to see the show over and over, although we love and suppoort Ace.
A lot of the core group of Ace fans are older women and many have children which also affects if and when they can see the show. Not to mention most of them either don't live on the East Coast at all or are just not close enough to NY to get here. The cost of Airfare and gas is a huge consideration even though we love ace dearly and support him in everything he does. Whether or not we go to the actual show every week, there are a group of us outside the theater every weeknd to see Ace, and some days durung the week too.
Ashley and Derek are great as Danny and Sandy, and the rest of the cast is just as amazing, so attendance has nothign to do with the cast. And don't believe everything you read cuz that theater has been packed for just about every show.
Post a Comment