Party Boys Hit NYC
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According to Soloway, the production was a sellout almost from the first preview, but as a hedge against possible negative notices he and his co-producers held off inviting critics for three weeks, hoping word of mouth would build. “The crossover audience happened almost instantly in New York,” says Dillon, noting that it took a few months for mainstream audiences to find the play in Chicago. Since last week’s opening, Soloway says, the show has been earning between $10,000 and $12,000 a day at the box office. Tickets are priced at $35.
Though the newspaper ad for the New York production features the cast attired only in underwear and jockstraps, Dillon says that “Party’s been thought of as a very credible piece of theater here instead of the nudie play it was perceived as in Chicago.” Soloway says the ad was designed “to be a little bit provocative but still show the kids having fun.” The New York producers have acquired worldwide rights to the show, and Soloway says they will move fairly quickly to mount productions in other major American cities and overseas.
Meanwhile, Live Entertainment chairman Garth Drabinsky is close to finalizing plans to acquire and renovate the Oriental Theater, which would become his Chicago base of operations. A source says an announcement could come as early as this week.
