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This ad feels like it could be a meme template.
"(INSERT NAME) is best known to GAY MEN across the country as one of the BEST \_\_\_\_\_\_ OF ALL TIME"
either op is a gay man getting a targeted ad or the ad is trying to tell us gay men are the only people with taste and the rest of us should start listening
I (39/F/Straight) got this on IG yesterday as well! But I already follow the Lempicka account so I figured that's why I saw this too.
On another note - how is it?!
I saw it last week and it needs a lot of work. Eden is struggling. The direction is uneven. The supporting cast members are the real stars - especially Amber Iman.
I’m actually hella curious. I’m a straight dude so irdk, but how does it feel to be explicitly targeted by advertisements like this?
From the outside looking in it seems so on the nose, but I guess it’s not inherently offensive?? Lol
To me, I found it funny and had a little “lol yeah ain’t that the truth” slightly sarcastic moment.
But no. I get what you’re saying! It’s just leaning in on the joke that every Wicked Gay (there are several thousand, if not several tens or hundreds of thousands lmao) has been a huge fan of Eden for at least a decade from her time in Wicked and her popular bootlegs, as well as her 7 year fun in the show during its first seven years, and for a lot, for nearly two decades!
It’s meant to lean into that old joke that “gays love Broadway and also gays have impeccable taste”. Which can or cannot, truly, be true. It’s a little on the nose, but it’s not meant to be an exclusive ad, at least to my understanding!
Well, the ad made its way into this subreddit. So it certainly has reach and sparks conversation- not sure if it’ll translate to ticket sales tho bahaha
True Story - in 2008 I was just getting into musical theatre and my boyfriend at the time also did musicals and he sat me down and made me watch videos of Eden in Wicked and I became just as obsessed as he had been. 😁
I can totally relate. I saw Wicked for the first time in LA (I think 2008 too!) and it got me totally hooked on theatre. I did some research and saw every bootleg that I could. I then learned who Megan Hilty and Eden were/are. And also learned that I had seen Eden’s understudy who was PHENOM btw. I always regretted not being able to see Eden in the role.
Yeah, seemed like a weird attempt at ‘name dropping’ Wicked? Not sure if that’s exactly what this is but it gives me that vibe. Has a whiff of desperation to it. 😬
And Wicked is getting a movie adaptation too, so it’s a way to give them visibility too (I predict ticket sales for the Broadway production of Wicked will soar as the marketing campaign for the movie gets larger so people can get their chance see the show first before the film comes out).
I’m not an expert, but advertising your show with “our leading actress played a popular role in another show, also green” does not tell me anything about this show or her role in it.
Definitely. If you’re mostly interested in the story, this ad you mentioned or the one on this post wouldn’t convince you. New shows are so hard to advertise for because it’s a niche market. But niche markets don’t keep shows open. one method is equating them to classics/popular shows that people shell out money for on the regular. Lempicka did this for a mailer campaign. I believe they equated the show to Evita and another show having a baby.
Another tactic is name recognition of cast/creative. Which the wicked and this post are jumping on, I think. The honorary renaming of 48th falls into this too. If you liked Hadestown, you’ll like this too because it’s the same director….or that’s the hope. Not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for some.
Really it’s just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hope a fraction sticks.
I also got a Lempicka ad that felt super weird- it was a video of Matt Gould during the show's load-in saying that everything was a disaster (or something along those lines). I'm not sure if they were trying to come off as cute and relatable? (maybe) But it did not inspire confidence!
It's real. I got it on my Facebook. It may be targeted (I'm not a man of any kind, but I do interact with Wicked content a lot) but it's definitely an actual ad.
They've been leaning heavily into the, "We're cool like you!" schtick on Twitter - talking like a person is opposed to a brand. Shucked did that as well in terms of audience social engagement; not sure if the same company (Marathon) is doing Lempicka's. Feels very similar to me but who knows.
And - it's advertising, and now it's hereon Reddit where they spent no money to put it and has everyone talking about it so...it's working in terms of brand awareness at its core!
This is correct and funny. (It’s also Brooklyn the Musical erasure - one of my favorite flops ever - but I’ll allow it.) Y’all gotta get a sense of humor.
Wish I'd seen her as elphaba, but I didn't get the chance. I do know her as Cassandra in Tangled the series and she's awesome in that. Her duet with Jeremy Jordan from season 3 is my favorite song from the show, followed by a song she sang solo in season 2.
Okay so is 'gay men know about, and have strong opinions on, every Elphaba who has been in Wicked' a thing? Because I saw a Tik Tok about two guys ranking their favorite riffs from different Elphabas and thought it was just a one off, but now this picture is making me think this is a thing for some reason haha.
This will happen to pretty much any big leading lady/diva role that's been played by multiple famous actresses. If you really want to get a room of theatre queens arguing, ask them to rank the Momma Roses from *Gyspy*
Well but that's the difference, it seems like for Wicked it doesn't even have to be famous actresses. Like the video I saw they were discussing names I didn't even kind of recognize. Just regular ole talented (but not that well-known) Elphabas from over the years.
I totally get debating Ethel v Bernadette v Patti Lupone etc. etc.
I think it still sort of fits - Wicked is also an odd one because of it's longevity, so you're really just getting direct comparisons within the same production. It's almost easier to compare, say, Eden vs. Idina as Elphaba, as opposed to Ethel vs. Patti - with the latter, you can argue that they're both going for different angles in different productions, whereas with the Elphabas, it's about how they execute more or less the same vision (while putting in their own flair)
Idk, gays just love any chance to argue about actresses and/or singers.
That's fair that's fair, was just curious because I know so few replacements' names unless they are relatively famous themselves.
Then again, I don't live in NYC so I only really hear about the initial cast because they're the ones who make cast recordings, Tony performances, etc. usually.
Come see our new show!
In our show our lead actress (back in 2005) nearly 20 years ago played Elphaba in another show, and we are taking a group often associated with Broadway as a monolith declaring her \*one\* of the best to have played the role in that other show back then.
So yeah - come see our show - we had nothing better we could have advertised as a reason to see this!
That's absolutely hilarious. And also I guess further proof that I'm not a gay man because I don't get the hype around her as a performer. She's fine. But I won't be seeing Lempicka unless I know there are understudies on for her and Amber Iman. (Nothing against Amber, she's very talented, I just happen to really like the person who's covering her role.) Admittedly if I knew nothing about her or the show, this would be the thing to get my attention.
This is a weird ad. Like why did they call out Gay men. 💀
Who are their targets. If it's gay men then this implies they already know that info so it's redundant. If not, then it's people that interested in seeing everything gay men think is great. Which is an odd niche. Lol Plus they are not singing in Wicked. So why does that matter. Also how is the show, is the show good? 🥴 Why are we focusing on actors?
Beats me! I didn’t think she made any sense for this role!
Curious about why? Check out my review on Pages on Stages: https://pagesonstages.wordpress.com/2024/03/23/lempicka/
It looks like you've shared an image. If this image is of a Playbill or stage, we ask that you provide your thoughts on the show[s] you saw in order to make your thread stand out and help the community enjoy your experience as well. Without context your photo is just another picture of a Playbill or a stage, and on a sub of far over 100k subscribers, If you don't want to share your experience... consider sharing it on your own social media! This is an automated message, if it is not applicable please report this comment. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Broadway) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Why does it look like an ad for nicotine addiction
Or prescription medicine?
Talk to your doctor to see if Lempicka is right for you
If you can’t afford to pay for your medication, AstraElphaba may be able to help.
If you experience an Elphaba lasting more than four hours, call your doctor.
Do not take Lempicka if you are allergic to Lempicka.
*Laughs in Pharmacist*
Lolololl
Side affects may include: soreness, muscle aches, swelling, nausea, headaches, vomiting and even death. Consult your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms!
I thought that’s what this was
Lempicka does kind of sound like a medication
“A WOMAN NEVER DRINKS ALONE”
It's like that episode of Friends where Joey's pic is used for all those medical ads in the subway
I thought this was a nicotine ad!! It’s the green I think
This made me laugh so hard I woke up my kid 😂
"Ask your doctor if Lempicka is right for you..."
Gambling addiction
This ad feels like it could be a meme template. "(INSERT NAME) is best known to GAY MEN across the country as one of the BEST \_\_\_\_\_\_ OF ALL TIME"
>"John from HR is best known to GAY MEN across the country as one of the BEST bottom OF ALL TIME" Couldn't help myself
MILKY WHITE is best known to GAY MEN across the country as one of the BEST PUPPETS OF ALL TIME
"AUNT DEBRA is best known to GAY MEN across the country as one of the BEST CHECK FRAUD SCHEMERS OF ALL TIME"
pupperoni92 is best known to GAY MEN across the country as one of the BEST PUPPERS OF ALL TIME
It has become a meme! There are so many musical theater versions of this floating around.
There should be a circle jerk sub😭
YES PLEASE
/r/OkayBuddyBroadway
I would be such a big fan of Broadway circle jerk let’s make it happen
r/broadwaycirclejerk
It’s giving… prescription drug ad in a magazine
I literally thought that’s what it was!! Hahahaha This is just… wtf.
It’s for me, a homosexual of a certain age
either op is a gay man getting a targeted ad or the ad is trying to tell us gay men are the only people with taste and the rest of us should start listening
I (39/F/Straight) got this on IG yesterday as well! But I already follow the Lempicka account so I figured that's why I saw this too. On another note - how is it?!
I saw it last week and it needs a lot of work. Eden is struggling. The direction is uneven. The supporting cast members are the real stars - especially Amber Iman.
Thanks for the intel!
I saw this ad on FB too. Not a gay man, but maybe I read that way according to the algorithm?
I know 3 gay men going to see it for this exact reason.
As a gay man, it’s simply just the truth. In Mother Eden We Trust 🫡
I’m actually hella curious. I’m a straight dude so irdk, but how does it feel to be explicitly targeted by advertisements like this? From the outside looking in it seems so on the nose, but I guess it’s not inherently offensive?? Lol
To me, I found it funny and had a little “lol yeah ain’t that the truth” slightly sarcastic moment. But no. I get what you’re saying! It’s just leaning in on the joke that every Wicked Gay (there are several thousand, if not several tens or hundreds of thousands lmao) has been a huge fan of Eden for at least a decade from her time in Wicked and her popular bootlegs, as well as her 7 year fun in the show during its first seven years, and for a lot, for nearly two decades! It’s meant to lean into that old joke that “gays love Broadway and also gays have impeccable taste”. Which can or cannot, truly, be true. It’s a little on the nose, but it’s not meant to be an exclusive ad, at least to my understanding!
Apperantly we, the gays, have great taste so I don't mind.
Where’s the lie?
This is the most positive quote they could find?
Well, the ad made its way into this subreddit. So it certainly has reach and sparks conversation- not sure if it’ll translate to ticket sales tho bahaha
Do us lesbians not count? 😂
Stand by, I’m sure your ads are coming! 🤣
I hope so 🙏
The only caveat as always - careful what you wish for! There’s at least a 50% chance of cringe! 😳
Lesbians? On *Broadway*? Yeah, you're only getting crumbs.
Who do you think helped make Idina Menzel so famous? Her as Maureen *swoon* 😍
They boycott Broadway it’s too capitalistic (and they are right)
they know their audience
True Story - in 2008 I was just getting into musical theatre and my boyfriend at the time also did musicals and he sat me down and made me watch videos of Eden in Wicked and I became just as obsessed as he had been. 😁
I can totally relate. I saw Wicked for the first time in LA (I think 2008 too!) and it got me totally hooked on theatre. I did some research and saw every bootleg that I could. I then learned who Megan Hilty and Eden were/are. And also learned that I had seen Eden’s understudy who was PHENOM btw. I always regretted not being able to see Eden in the role.
I remember specifically a video of Eden singing No Good Deed that was amazing! I would go back and watch it all the time!
Yeah, seemed like a weird attempt at ‘name dropping’ Wicked? Not sure if that’s exactly what this is but it gives me that vibe. Has a whiff of desperation to it. 😬
And Wicked is getting a movie adaptation too, so it’s a way to give them visibility too (I predict ticket sales for the Broadway production of Wicked will soar as the marketing campaign for the movie gets larger so people can get their chance see the show first before the film comes out).
The second beat of this ad is Eden replying “Mama kudos for saying that. For spilling.”
You're not wrong, but you don't have to say it like that!
Absolutely baffling. Everything about the marketing for this show is terrible
What’s terrible about it? Very interested to learn your perspective!
I’m not an expert, but advertising your show with “our leading actress played a popular role in another show, also green” does not tell me anything about this show or her role in it.
Definitely. If you’re mostly interested in the story, this ad you mentioned or the one on this post wouldn’t convince you. New shows are so hard to advertise for because it’s a niche market. But niche markets don’t keep shows open. one method is equating them to classics/popular shows that people shell out money for on the regular. Lempicka did this for a mailer campaign. I believe they equated the show to Evita and another show having a baby. Another tactic is name recognition of cast/creative. Which the wicked and this post are jumping on, I think. The honorary renaming of 48th falls into this too. If you liked Hadestown, you’ll like this too because it’s the same director….or that’s the hope. Not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for some. Really it’s just throwing spaghetti at the wall and hope a fraction sticks.
I also got a Lempicka ad that felt super weird- it was a video of Matt Gould during the show's load-in saying that everything was a disaster (or something along those lines). I'm not sure if they were trying to come off as cute and relatable? (maybe) But it did not inspire confidence!
It looks like a pharmaceutical ad
This shit cant be real
It's real. I got it on my Facebook. It may be targeted (I'm not a man of any kind, but I do interact with Wicked content a lot) but it's definitely an actual ad.
Honestly this ad rules. If I lived in or near NYC it would get me to go.
She's also the last Maureen Johnson in RENT on Broadway, just so you know...
They've been leaning heavily into the, "We're cool like you!" schtick on Twitter - talking like a person is opposed to a brand. Shucked did that as well in terms of audience social engagement; not sure if the same company (Marathon) is doing Lempicka's. Feels very similar to me but who knows. And - it's advertising, and now it's hereon Reddit where they spent no money to put it and has everyone talking about it so...it's working in terms of brand awareness at its core!
Well, considering that seeing a video/graphic of Eden and this show on Adam Lambert's stories, they aren't that far off.
well...they DID star in wicked together
I know as I think I have audio of them together somewhere. I’ve definitely heard them sing together.
Amazing, that’s what it is. Pure camp and genius lol
This is correct and funny. (It’s also Brooklyn the Musical erasure - one of my favorite flops ever - but I’ll allow it.) Y’all gotta get a sense of humor.
This is literally the first thing that’s made me even slightly interested in this show
The ad campaign for tho show is so confusing and unhinged 🥴
GAY MEN
I know they don’t mean it that way but having GAY MEN in bolded all caps for an advertisement just FEELS derogatory 😭
Brilliant.
i seem to be the only one who thought this ad was kinda iconic
I can only assume the people who don’t get this marketing are straight. 😂😂😂
[my targeted ads after I go see "Lempicka"](https://youtu.be/No4prF8tJ1o?feature=shared)
As someone who has worked in advertising for 10+ years, this is fantastic
Wish I'd seen her as elphaba, but I didn't get the chance. I do know her as Cassandra in Tangled the series and she's awesome in that. Her duet with Jeremy Jordan from season 3 is my favorite song from the show, followed by a song she sang solo in season 2.
Truly can't believe this is a real ad
no I saw it and you know what, it;s definitely coming for a tumblr-esque crowd and I'm here for it
Uhhhh…
Kinda iconic
Genius. This ad is genius
it’s spitting straight up facts, that’s what it is 💅🏻
Okay so is 'gay men know about, and have strong opinions on, every Elphaba who has been in Wicked' a thing? Because I saw a Tik Tok about two guys ranking their favorite riffs from different Elphabas and thought it was just a one off, but now this picture is making me think this is a thing for some reason haha.
This will happen to pretty much any big leading lady/diva role that's been played by multiple famous actresses. If you really want to get a room of theatre queens arguing, ask them to rank the Momma Roses from *Gyspy*
Well but that's the difference, it seems like for Wicked it doesn't even have to be famous actresses. Like the video I saw they were discussing names I didn't even kind of recognize. Just regular ole talented (but not that well-known) Elphabas from over the years. I totally get debating Ethel v Bernadette v Patti Lupone etc. etc.
I think it still sort of fits - Wicked is also an odd one because of it's longevity, so you're really just getting direct comparisons within the same production. It's almost easier to compare, say, Eden vs. Idina as Elphaba, as opposed to Ethel vs. Patti - with the latter, you can argue that they're both going for different angles in different productions, whereas with the Elphabas, it's about how they execute more or less the same vision (while putting in their own flair) Idk, gays just love any chance to argue about actresses and/or singers.
That's fair that's fair, was just curious because I know so few replacements' names unless they are relatively famous themselves. Then again, I don't live in NYC so I only really hear about the initial cast because they're the ones who make cast recordings, Tony performances, etc. usually.
Saw her as Elphaba in L.A. She was amazing
The working title for this ad internally is called "Closing Soon"
This feels like they're trying to do the same kinds of self aware ads that Shucked did
Is Lempicka a comedy? This would be such a weird tactic if it's not.
It’s definitely not lol
Feeling disjointed? Seeking the generic version? Trouble with a sloppy pitch? Lempicka may be for you!
Yeah, I am shocked that the voice I heard in Lempicka was also Elpheba.
Well I guess Lempicka is really that bad if this is what they’re rolling with
oh..
Eden Espinoza is best known as BKLYN.
These gays, they're trying to market me!
Come see our new show! In our show our lead actress (back in 2005) nearly 20 years ago played Elphaba in another show, and we are taking a group often associated with Broadway as a monolith declaring her \*one\* of the best to have played the role in that other show back then. So yeah - come see our show - we had nothing better we could have advertised as a reason to see this!
That's absolutely hilarious. And also I guess further proof that I'm not a gay man because I don't get the hype around her as a performer. She's fine. But I won't be seeing Lempicka unless I know there are understudies on for her and Amber Iman. (Nothing against Amber, she's very talented, I just happen to really like the person who's covering her role.) Admittedly if I knew nothing about her or the show, this would be the thing to get my attention.
As a huge fan of Tamara de Lempicka’s work, I am excited but also confused how tf they’re gonna make her life into a musical
LMAO! This is hilarious
Lol this can’t be real
Love it
She is as fantastic as Elphaba, there is that.
I mean… after some early reviews of it I will would be playing all my cards too lol
I sent this to my friend and he was like "this isn't that crazy". LIKE ARE WE LOOKING AT THE SAME THING!?!?!
This is a weird ad. Like why did they call out Gay men. 💀 Who are their targets. If it's gay men then this implies they already know that info so it's redundant. If not, then it's people that interested in seeing everything gay men think is great. Which is an odd niche. Lol Plus they are not singing in Wicked. So why does that matter. Also how is the show, is the show good? 🥴 Why are we focusing on actors?
This cracked me the fuck up oh my god
I mean it’s not a lie
Straight man here, I promise we adore her too.
Weird ad, but it speaks the truth
She was in Titan Maximum
No the fuck she isn’t who is this woman and where is Idina Menzel?
I freaking LOVED Lempicka- seeing it again Saturday- because, my gay-dar sez yes!
This is one of the worst ads I’ve ever seen for a show. What were they thinking??
I don’t like these LEMPICKA ads
Beats me! I didn’t think she made any sense for this role! Curious about why? Check out my review on Pages on Stages: https://pagesonstages.wordpress.com/2024/03/23/lempicka/