London Drowsy Closing

Boy, it has just been one piece of bad news after another for me lately.

Coming all too soon on the heels of the announcement that my cherished Grey Gardens would be closing on Broadway comes the news that the London production of The Drowsy Chaperone will also be closing. Evidently Bob Martin's replacement Steve Pemberton wasn't enough of a draw to keep the show alive. Thankfully the Broadway production, which has long since repaid its initial investment, continues on, even if ticket sales are lately a bit anemic.

Drowsy's London closing fits in with a longstanding tradition of hit shows failing to transfer successfully across the pond, in both directions. Many a Broadway smash has disappointed in London; City of Angels, The Full Monty, and The Producers are prime examples. And Broadway is littered with the carcasses of successful foreign musicals that flopped on Broadway, including The Woman in White, Aspects of Love, Bombay Dreams, Starlight Express, and Chess, as well as Dance of the Vampires (Germany), Metro (Poland), and Cyrano (The Netherlands).

Why is that? Well, Americans and Brits, for instance, seem to have somewhat different standards when it comes to a successful, enjoyable, quality musical. I'm not saying that we Yanks have BETTER standards, although there are certainly a number of dreadful shows that seem to do a bang-up business in London, including Dirty Dancing and We Will Rock You, neither of which shows any sign of coming to New York any time soon.

But then, of course, there are Mamma Mia, Cats, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables, all ginormous hits both on Broadway and in the West End.

The bottom line? Well, once again, I'm  glad I'm not a theatrical producer, because I'll be damned if I can figure out what makes a successful international hit.

Comments

[Steve On Broadway (SOB)]

Chris, Do you think part of the problem with "The Drowsy Chaperone" could be that Elaine Paige's participation was overhyped to the point that audiences were led to believe she was its primary star, when in fact, she merely had a secondary role?

[chris caggiano]

Not sure, Steve. I can't imagine that people would be disappointed once they actually got to the show. The chaperone is a terrific part, regardless of its size. I think maybe it was a case of the show in general not meeting their elevated expectations. Go figure, huh?