Sorry for all the posts in a row, but I was having trouble posting that Matilda pic!
I wanted to post it in this thread because this is how marketing should be done. Matilda doesn't start previews until March, yet the producers are plastering Manhattan with posters now. The artwork makes the show look fun, magical and has the feel of Harry Potter artwork. The quote, "The Quest for a Great New Musical is over," is excellent and makes me even more excited to see this come spring.
On the other hand you have the three (marketing) duds this fall: Chaplin, Rebecca and Scandalous. It doesn't matter the quality of these shows. They are almost guaranteed to flop if the producers/marketing teams don't get to work. I haven't received one mailer for any of these shows and I haven't seen a single poster for Chaplin around town. (Not that the bland artwork would help sell many tickets. Their marquee is about as dynamic as "The Story of My Life" marquee!)
I have seen a few Rebecca posters up, but that "R" on fire looks cheap and tacky. Scandalous is further off, but they really should be marketing now. You shouldn't be trying to build an advance/excitement after previews start. Be like Matilda and get the word out early.
Chaplin might be brilliant (it could also suck), but no one will see it if the producers don't get the word out that it's even playing.
Chaplin is offering 2 for 1 tickets for Broadway week. I decided to purchase a couple of tickets with that deal. I also got a very elaborate mailer for Rebecca which looked like a formal invitation. Will probably check that one out, too.
Unfortunately, not every show can afford to do an ad blitz several months before previews even begin. Matilda is coming as a transfer from the West End where it has done very well and made a lot of money. The producers therefore have money to make a huge splash in NY with advertising before the show even starts rehearsals - something Billy Elliot did quite well a few years back.
Rebecca, Scandalous, and Chaplin don't have enough big money behind them to do the same thing. If I was a betting man, I would put money on these three flopping due to lack of advertising, lack of interest, and fall openings for shows that just don't have anywhere near enough buzz to make it through winter.
It's tough. Matilda is a big, splashy family musical. Chaplin and Rebecca aren't trying to become that show. They are playing in smaller theaters, and are being done on a smaller scale. I'm excited to hear everyone's reviews though.
A friend just sent me this pic of a Matilda poster that is up on 49th St.
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joined:2/9/04
Posted: 8/20/12 at 03:05pm