Broadway welcomes tourists from Ohio with free tickets

Larry says: "go see it!"


After Nancy Coyne hurled her disdain at "tourists from Cleveland" (see previous blog entry) the blockbuster show Chicago the Musical responded. They are not a show that is handled by Coyne's ad agency, so perhaps they were more sensitive to the hurt her remark engendered. They announced that "Chicago Loves Cleveland" and have offered free tickets to the musical to those from Ohio - see details below.

Because of the speed and generosity of the response, we are declaring Chicago our Show of the Week! You don't even have to be from Ohio to find a great ticket deal on it. But first a little about why this is indeed a terrific show to see.

Brenda Braxton has rejoined the cast!

It is one fast paced musical with great songs by tunesmiths John Kander and Fred Ebb, based on the original play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, co-authored and directed by the late Bob Fosse. The choreography is by Ann Reinking and John Lee Beatty did the sets.

It boasts a great cast, which includes the return of Brenda Braxton as Velma, the gorgeous Charlotte d'Amboise as Roxie, Tom Hewitt as Billy Flynn, and Lavon Fisher-Wilson as Matron "Mama" Morton. You can see and hear them in action with the widget just below:



Ticket Deals

1. Free Tickets for Ohioans.

During the month of January, you can go to the Ambassador Theatre (219 West 49th Street) box office window on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, show a government issued photo ID proving you live in Ohio, and you will get in free that night. Of course, there are a limited number of seats, but how can you beat such a deal.

2. Listen to Cleveland Radio.

Nancy Coyne who started this brouhaha represents 24 Broadway shows, will reportedly be giving away tickets in January and February on Cleveland Radio. I am searching for more details.

3. For Everyone Else, including New Yorkers.

Chicago is running a promotion in which you receive one free ticket with every three you purchase. In addition you will receive a free CD of the show. The promotion code to use is CHDR08. This is limited to sales from now until December 31, 2008 but is valid on most performances through March 20, 2009. Some blackout dates apply. You can take advantage of this at the Ambassador box office (no service charges) or by calling or visiting Telecharge at 212-239-6200 (service charges apply.)

Nancy Coyne to Broadway tourists: "We hate you"

Advertising big shot Nancy Coyne hates tourists from Cleveland.

Oh my. I guess we all put our foot in our mouth once in a while, but Nancy Coyne - as in Serino Coyne Advertising - is going to have to live with her gaffe for some time to come. Her agency is Broadway's biggest, and generally spends 10% of any show's receipts on the ads that promote it. For most Broadway shows, that means $100,000 a week. Not exactly chump change.

So here is what happened. Coyne is a well liked personality in the Broadway community, and often asked, "How's business?" That's exactly what the New York Times did a few days ago, and here is what she replied:

“The last 15 years have been boom years for theater — I always expected the pendulum to swing, and I simply see this as a correction,” said Nancy Coyne, chairwoman of the theater advertising agency Serino Coyne. “The good news is that so many straight plays are now coming in the spring, and I think New Yorkers will come out for them once the tourists go away. We’re horrible snobs. We hate tourists from Cleveland.”

Of course, we think people from Ohio are a whole lot nicer and friendlier than most. In fact, most are a living Chamber of Commerce for the Buckeye state. And don't try to portray the state as a backwater. Just ask any theater that is part of the Cleveland Theater Collective what's going on in the state. There's plenty to choose from.

You know, Nancy, they don't have to go to New York to see great theatre. Just be glad they do!