Today on the podcast, we talk about Fandom and how that attachment to the talent sells tickets. Also, how fandom can give you tunnel vision and place everything else on hold.

Summary

In this episode, Darnelle Radford and Mitch Weiss discuss the concept of fandom and its impact on the theater industry. They share their personal experiences with theater fandom and explore the connection between fandom and the success of shows. The conversation also touches on the fandom surrounding Taylor Swift and the unique experiences and behaviors of Swifties. Finally, they discuss the importance of enhancing the theater experience to cater to the desires and expectations of fans. This conversation explores various aspects of the theater experience and the concept of fandom. It discusses audience behavior, the significance of previews and reserve seating, the role of merchandise in creating fandom, the difference between Broadway and movies in terms of audience size and merchandise sales, the availability of playbills and programs, and the intersection of theater fandom with other forms of entertainment fandom. The conversation also touches on jukebox musicals, interactive shows, and the challenges faced by shows like 'Here Lies Love.' The hosts share their personal experiences with fandom and meeting celebrities, and the conversation concludes with a tribute to Suzanne Somers and her advocacy for equal pay.

Takeaways

Fandom plays a significant role in the success of shows and the theater industry as a whole.

Fans are often driven by a desire to connect with the artists and be a part of the world they admire.

Fandom can create a sense of community and shared experiences among fans.

Enhancing the theater experience, such as through immersive elements or special events, can further engage and satisfy fans. Previews and reserve seating can enhance the theater experience and create a sense of exclusivity for fans.

Merchandise plays a significant role in creating fandom and generating revenue for shows.

The theater industry can learn from the merchandising strategies of other entertainment industries, such as Disney.

Playbills and programs are important souvenirs that contribute to the theater experience.

Theater fandom intersects with other forms of entertainment fandom, and fans often have diverse interests.

Fandom can be influenced by personal experiences and interactions with celebrities.

Suzanne Somers' advocacy for equal pay highlights the importance of fairness and equality in the entertainment industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Title

03:08 Theater Experiences and Fandom

07:08 New York Comic-Con and Fandom

13:08 Personal Theater Fandom

19:08 The Business of Broadway and Fandom

25:08 Legacy and Fandom

28:23 Taylor Swift and Swifties

32:38 The Fan Experience

37:23 Enhancing the Theater Experience

38:53 Theater Experience and Audience Behavior

39:31 Previews and Reserve Seating

40:27 Merchandise and Fandom

41:44 Broadway vs. Movies: Audience Size and Merchandise

43:33 Playbills and Programs

44:34 Fandom and Theater

46:14 Playbill at Comic Con

47:12 Jukebox Musicals and Interactive Shows

53:14 Here Lies Love and Fandom

56:11 Personal Experience with Fandom

59:09 Meeting Celebrities and Fandom

01:00:09 Suzanne Somers and Equal Pay

01:03:11 Suzanne Somers' Career and Legacy

01:04:25 Closing Remarks

WORKING TITLE:

I’M YOUR BIGGEST FAN!

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REJECTED TITLES:

Will You Sign My Body!

LINKS:

The success of our teams compromises our stages!

Merrily We Roll Along - https://merrilyonbroadway.com/

Here We Are, Sondheim’s Final Work, Extends Off-Broadway

https://www.playbill.com/article/here-we-are-sondheims-final-work-extends-off-broadway

Here Lies Love - https://herelieslovebroadway.com/

And Juliet - https://andjulietbroadway.com/

Suzanne Summers - https://apnews.com/article/obituary-suzanne-somers-2b97c5362eab6709f594b30280dc79c3

Demanded to be paid what the male roles were paid.

Playbill Goes To New York Comic Con

https://www.playbill.com/comiccon

THE TOP-EARNING SUMMER CONCERT TOURS OF 2023

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/10/13/the-top-earning-summer-concert-tours-2023-taylor-swift-beyonce/?sh=6e097b13707c

BroadwayCon - https://www.broadwaycon.com/

July 26-28, 2024 - New York Hilton Midtown

Phantom Of The Opera

https://us.thephantomoftheopera.com/

NICOLE KIDMAN - AMC SPEECH

https://nofilmschool.com/kidman-amc-speech

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauman%27s_Chinese_Theatre

The First, Musical - David Allan Grier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_(musical)

New York Theatre Reviews: By Fans, For Fans

https://www.show-score.com/

Broadway is for fans!

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