CMU School of Drama


Sunday, November 30, 2008

Shrek Set Box Office Record at Broadway Theatre

BroadwayWorld.com: "SHREK is already breaking box office records on the Great White Way. While still in preview performances, before an official opening at the Broadway Theatre on December 14, SHREK THE MUSICAL grossed a massive $1,052,975 for the 8-performance week ending November 30, and set a single performance house record grossing $184,320 for the Saturday, November 29 matinee."

19 comments:

AShotInTheArm said...

First off, I'm not surprised that Shrek is becoming this successful.
What I am however surprised about is the fact that a show could rake in this amount of money at a time like this. It's good to see people are still frequenting the theatre. I'm still nervous however.

AllisonWeston said...

Like Anthony, I am also not surprised that Shrek is doing well with audiences. The movie was a huge success and its humor probably translates onto the stage very well. I am so happy to see that the production is doing well and making money. Though I am afraid that this movie turned musical trend will continue and we will run out of originial made for the stage work. In this economic downturn however, this can only be good for the theatre.

E. Theodore Sosna said...

Over 1 million dollars before opening, actually maybe that's common for Broadway shows but it seems like a successful week of previews to me. I am also not surprised that Shrek is so successful. It is intentionally opening around the holiday season where tourists and families are the most prone to come out for Broadway events and spend a little more for a good show. Though some may scoff hearing that something as "hollywood" as Shrek is doing so well, of course it is. Profound new artistic works rarely are financially successful, but big budget stage adaptations are just the thing to rake in the big bucks this holiday season.

Anonymous said...

While I'm not surprised that Shrek is doing well, I'm surprised it is doing as well as it is. An issue these days is the economy, and for some reason that doesn't seem to be really effecting the play's ticket sales that much. The play hasn't even opened officially and it's already grossed more then a lot of people see in a year. After reading the list of those involved in the play, I'm not actually surprised that the play seems to be a theatrical power house. At base, Shrek was a really entertaining movie, and the people behind the play are across the board pretty highly regarded in their fields. While it shouldn't be a surprise based on those factors, it still seems a little surreal that Shrek is doing so well during our awful economy.

Dave said...

I suppose it can only be good that a show is doing so exceptionally well these days. I'm not surprised Shrek is such a big hit... But I'm still rather skeptical to waste my money on it.

Brooke Marrero said...

I'm not surprised that Shrek is already doing so well, even with the economy in its current condition. What I'm wondering is if it will continue its success, or if this will be a short lived run. I am also concerned that the movie to musical trend is getting out of hand, and that Broadway is going to get into the habit of trading in quality for money, but I also believe that if the movie is well suited for the stage, then there is no reason it shouldn't be there.

Brooke Marrero said...

I'm not surprised that Shrek is already doing so well, even with the economy in its current condition. What I'm wondering is if it will continue its success, or if this will be a short lived run. I am also concerned that the movie to musical trend is getting out of hand, and that Broadway is going to get into the habit of trading in quality for money, but I also believe that if the movie is well suited for the stage, then there is no reason it shouldn't be there.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear. Well, never underestimate the power of family entertainment. That's why Thanksgiving is such a huge time for movie releases; families are looking for something to do together after dinner. Personally, I think it's good that people are going to see theater instead of going to see Twilight. Oh, the movie industry. How I love/hate you.

Anonymous said...

I'm not surprised, but highly sickened, that Shrek is doing well. I am happy that a show in this market and economy is flourishing, but Shrek really? really? It is just so sad that broadway can only make shows based off movies and other pop culture references. I wish the originality of broadway would increase. Though i do agree this is a great story, and the comedy has great over all appeal I just wish something new could be written.

Chase said...

Well, they sure have an all star cast and a kick ass production team. I do see why people are flocking to see this, but maybe its not for the right reasons. Non the less, it's nice to see something doing well on broadway.

JIsrael said...

I am not surprised about this because ticket prices have recently had yet another spike in prices, with some shows going for about $160 a ticket, which was previously not common. I have a feeling the Shrek tickets are fairly expensive, which would make sense that it would now be breaking records. This is why so many economic records have been broken recently: inflation. I doubt this record did anything to account for inflation.

Katherine! said...

I am not at all surprised by the sales of Shrek. It was usch a hit movie that I can't believe for it not to be a hit show. The cast looks amazing and the production seems to be doing well. Best of luck to the cast and crew when they open!

Anonymous said...

I'm actually really surprised Shrek is doing that good. I guess I thought that it would be like Tarzan or something and just die a not-very-graceful death. I mean, I hadn't read any reviews for it, seen any pictures, or heard anything about it, but my initial ill-informed opinion was that it wouldn't do that great.

Anonymous said...

I am excited that finally something good has happened on broadway! Im sick of hearing about the horrible economic state and how we will never get back on our feet. A show like Shrek is a bit odd on making so much money.. but it is still a wonderful thing that broadway is being supported in some way shape or form, aka seeing Shrek..

Anonymous said...

I can't say I want to see this show, but I must say that I was pretty impressed with the names they've got in their cast--pretty impressive, if you ask me. Although I am not a fan of the "movies to musicals" craze that has recently developed, we must remember that if this is the future of our business, then these are our jobs we are talking about, and we should be supportive.

MBerger said...

I am both surprised at the appeal of the show and also it's ability to bring in this much money in such a tough economic time. As I have mentioned before, I am not in love with the idea of Broadway simply adapting musicals as I feel they are taking the 'safe' way out. However, as this has apparently proved, that can be profitable and in this time of economic trouble, perhaps that is the direction we need to be headed.

Allegra REGE said...

I am very happy that this family oriented production did so well and brought in such a size-able amount in such little time. Good for them, also considering our current economic situation!

Isabella said...

This is a great example of how even during hard times a show that sparks a crowds interest and gets attention will still be able to generate a profit. Times may be hard but most people will still be attending theatre, just being more exclusive about their choices, so the shows that demand attention will be the ones that are able to stay afloat.

Anonymous said...

DreamWorks Theatrical?! Does this mean they might consider producing "Chicken Run:The Musical"? That would be awesome with Mel Gibson and so on.

I'm not really surprised that it's doing so well to be honest. It's something that you can take the family to and suppose to be pretty darn amazing tehnically speaking.

And yes this is our future and we need to deal with it. I agree that it would be nice to see something different and new coming up but with shows like "Thirteen" and such my hope for something original and decent is pretty much shattered at the moment.