Me, Shannon and Dalilah had dinner down town today and aftrward caught a movie "Thank you for Smoking" and on my return found a number of bizarre messages on the machine asking if I had heard anything about Ken & Nicole losing the Madison Sq. Garden date for next year. |
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Strange goings on!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
The Ringless show finished it's Madison Sq. Gaeden run today with an 11 am show. Kinda of odd to close a run with a morning show on a Monday.
Just a few notes on the New York Metro Dates.
We ventured into the Garden last Wednesday to see the show once again. Speaking to many concession people as we have done during the New Jersey date and the Long Island date we were able to piece together the following information. Business for New Jersey and Long Island was very strong. Business during the MSG stand was weak. We attended a Wednesday 3pm matinee before Easter and we had the run of the Garden. I estimated that if 3,000 were in attendence it was a lot. All concession people I spoke to told me that business in the Big Apple was very bad. Last year was not too good either and they claim the take was way below last year. All, which were about 25 employees, stated that since the opening they have handled so many complaints about the show it has become somewhat uncomfortable for them. Many stated that they have never handed out as many of the RBBB comment cards as they have this year as paying customers wanted to voice their negitive opinions. I also spoke to many MSG Meadowlands,m and Nassau Coliseum employees, ushers, concession people, and ticket sellers. They have been hit with many complaints from the circus going public. The MSG employees also told me that attendance has been way down in the World's most famous arena. None of these MSG employees cared for the performance either.
A couple of positives. I have come to the conclusion that the musical score is not bad. In fact both my wife and I feel it is pretty good. Some very good catchy original tunes mixed with some popular and rock & roll tunes.
As far as some acts that have grown on us. The opening hat juggling number is cute and very well done. The Russian swing act along with the production is very good. The music and lighting during this act enhances the presentation a great deal. I am not a huge fan of motorcycle globe acts, but 7 motorcyclists in one globe is pretty spectacular. The lighting enhances this presentation.
As many have mentioned too many times the show looks like it is being put on in a warehouse. The lack of color and sparkle are missing.
A vast majority of those questioned all agreed that the children liked the show because they don't know any better. Most of the negitive comments come from adults who came to the performance with certian expectations that were not met by RBBB. One long time MSG usher questioned wanted to know how they, RBBB, could continue to claim the Greatest Show on Earth title. He has been an usher for 30 years and we both had a good time recalling prior productions. For the record his favorite was the 1978 edition, which was the 108th edition. His recollections were vivid and impressed me. I encouaged him to join the CFA which he said he would.
The big publicity play from the organization hammers away at the fact that this show is geared for children. They continually make statements pertaining to this thru press releases. I think they have taken their eye off the ball. The parents foot the bill for tickets to take their children to the circus. If parents, grandparents, guardians aren't happy because the show lacks a wide variety of animals, pagentry, the flying trapeze, big cats, and lots of elepahants will they be likely to come back next year ? That is the real question.
I spoke to many families and the expectations they had for an RBBB productin were not met.
As always Buckles thank you for this forum.
Joe Giordano
Could the wheels of the wagon be coming off already?
Barry, thank you for your comments and take on the 11 am show.
joe
From looking at the pictures of the "stage" for the New and Improved Ken & Nicole Show.
WHAT is there for them to load and unload?
Shaz. They have to load a ton of hot air. It is very hard to catch and put on the train. Takes hours.
Hello.. klsdad here..
Went over to the Garden yesterday afternoon (April 17) around 1:30 PM as I wanted to find out when the elephants and horses were being taken to the train. (I new the final 11 AM performance would be letting out!! One of the men hauling the Ringling train containers into the Garden told me they would be taking the containers to the train in Queens over the 59th Street Bridge around midnight.. but that the elephants and horses (and zeebus) whould be going through the the Queens Midtown Tunnel around the same time.
As we were talking, a lady with 3 children came up and asked if I was with the Circus. I said I was not..but the guy I was talking to is! She then said: "I want my money back! I can't believe they don't have lions, tigers..or trapeze.I was bored and I want to write to someone." (I mentioned that the Circus guy was not responsible for the show!!
I told here to email the Ringling site..or write to Feld!!) The Circus man mentioned he's been hearing a lot of complaints!!
Then, around 11:30 last night headed out to see if could catch the animal walk. I love to see the reaction of the people who suddenly see the elephants passing by.
(I was amused at a young lady on a cellphone saying "I'm pissed!! I had to get out of my cab as it was held up by f.....g elephants!!"
Good luck was with me..and as I looked across 34th Street towards the Garden.. I could see flashing police cars..and other police cars had stopped all traffic on the streets coming into 34th Street. Sure enough.. along come the 9 (I believe)
elehants and the cossack horses. What a thrill!!
I walked alongside the lead elephant (on the sidewalk of course).. and followed them over to the Queens Tunnel entrance past 2nd Ave. I stayed to watch them enter the tunnel..but notice they had stopped and had the elephants lined-up side-by-side about a block over. Well..a policelady came back.. and said "Don't worry.. they're coming back!!) Turns out the police had taken them to the wrong entrance.. and so followed them back across Second Ave... and into the access road to the inbound tunnel where they come into the City.
I know it's "old hat" to most of you folks.. but wanted to share my joy.. and wonder.
Again.. thanks to you all for making my life more enjoyable..
klsdad
9 elephants? That many?
They could have borrowed Bob Commerford's elephant truck and made two trips.
to: Karen..from klsdad..
Very sorry to have used the phrase "old hat"...
I wouldn't offend you or others for the world!!
Glad to hear you still get the "thrill"!!
My apologies to all!!
And.. yes Buckles.. 9 elephants! (smile). I been following the inbound trip every since I found out they come out of the tunnel a block from my apartment!!
Remember one year when I followed a large herd from Italy? and was amazed when they stopped did a long mount? beside Macy's!! I'm sure you can pinpoint the year.
klsdad
Barry, I have never read or heard of any negative words about the lighting or prop crews. Just wish you had more to spotlight on. In the OLD DAYS I remember tipping the prop boss $50 after the closing show. That was a lot of money back then. Is that still done? Unions are something else all together. Won't go there.
I'm the president of a company that used to supply the sound to the Big Apple Circus. When the gear would come back at the end of the season we alwys had a problem getting our technicians to dismantal and recondition the equipment. They always hated to see the truck at the loading doct....said that console was full of elephant S--t!
How would an elephant stand over a console to poop on it? Last time I watched an elephant poop, that seems to be impossiable for the deed to be done. Some people will say any thing to get out of working. Some people are just too delicut[?] Might your console have been better placed in the building? Too much work? Never blame any animal for the poor work habits of any human.
Well actually it was bark and dirt from the lots in the console. I tried to explain to the technicians that having some experience around elephants that it was not poop. I even explained the texture of elephant droppings. But the men swore that the stuff smelled and looked like poop. I doubt if any of them ever smelled real elephant poop.
Post a Comment