It was for decades often booked as the theatre where hits went to die. Occasionally, a new show that might have gotten a more desirable theatre chose to open at the Broadway. Sometimes this was because they got offered a particularly good deal as new shows that had a choice generally didn't want the Broadway, which was felt to be too big, even though it's not that much bigger than the (prior to Phantom) perpetually in demand Majestic. Then came the Uris/Gershwin, which has had some big hits but was also generally felt to be too big for most new shows.
It was always felt that a show needed to sell out in order to become a hot ticket, and it was too tough to sell out the Broadway eight performances a week. Some shows, of course, have managed it. |
