Izzo's Championship Performance

We've had a poll up on the right side of this blog for a few days now, asking whether Izzo Goes to Broadway will be terrible, tolerable or Tony-worthy. Unlike most of them, which are a matter of opinion, this one has a right answer.

Tony-worthy.

I say that not knowing how Tom Izzo's performance went. He can't dance. Lord knows the man can't sing - especially with how hoarse he gets after a season of yelling at MSU's basketball team. But that's not the point. Quite frankly, I don't care if he fell on his ass while doing the chorus line kick step.

Izzo, according to some folks who went to the show, sold out the Wharton Center's Cobb Great Hall in the name of charity,with most tickets going for between $55 and $150. Final figures aren't in, but the show figures to pull in at least $135,000 for Izzo's favorite charity, Coaches vs. Cancer.

And that, folks, is a championship level performance.

Bring Your Binoculars

Izzo is still going to Broadway! And now maybe you can afford to join him!

Evidently, someone at Wharton Center noticed the issue we pointed out over a week ago: Tickets aren't selling!

So, to fix this, Wharton Center announced yesterday that some tickets will be reduced to $25, or as we call it, "the bad seats at a Big Ten Tournament game" level, as opposed to the earlier (and still available!) tickets which we call "the bad seats at a NCAA Tournament game" level.

Now, it should be noted that these seats are pretty bad. They are called the "Spartan Faithful" seats, which is similar to Spartan Stadium renaming the "End Zone" seats the "Family Section." These $25 seats are in the back of the Grand Tier. "Grand Tier" is to theater goers what "upper deck" is to sports fans. It wouldn't surprise me if Magic Johnson's retired jersey blocks some of your view (I can only assume they would bring those over from Breslin). But, with 840 tickets still available (as of Wednesday morning), something needed to be done to start getting people in the seats, and this is probably second best thing to actually shaving Izzo's head on stage.

Photo courtesy of whartoncenter.com

The Prowess of Athletics

Oh how great it would have been as a fly on the wall of this pitch meeting...

"Sir, I had an idea last night, and I think you are going to love it," said Greg.

"Alright, try me," responded the Wharton Center guy.

"I want to produce a show about a guy with a winning spirit who puts it all on the line to make his dream come true," Greg continued.

"Go on..." said the Wharton Center guy.

"It will be an evening of song and dance!" Greg said, even more enthusiastically.

"I'm liking it so far..." mused the Wharton Center guy.

"We'll bring in performers direct from Broadway!" Greg continued, almost yelling and waiving his arms.

"Yes, this is good," the Wharton Center guy thought out loud, leaning back in his chair.

Greg leaned in close and spoke faster, saying "And our star will be Tom Izzo! It will be called 'Izzo goes to Broadway' and there will be all sorts of special guests, and..."

"STOP!" yelled the Wharton Center guy, jumping up from his chair. "You had me at 'Izzo goes to Broadway!'"

And from there, the rest is history. "Izzo goes to Broadway" debuts for one night only on May 6th. Tickets range from $55 - 150, with a sizable amount from each ticket going to one of Tom and Lupe Izzo's favorite charities, the Coaches vs. Cancer program run through the American Cancer Society.

So, this is a can't miss idea, right? Well, evidently it can miss. Tickets have been on sale since February 13th, and yet there are still 1,133 tickets available as of this posting. The Great Hall, at its best, can seat about 2,400 people, meaning that if something doesn't happen quick, this show is looking to be about half empty.

I can't imagine why the locals haven't keyed into this marketing tagline: "Izzo goes to Broadway blends the prowess of athletics with the passion of the arts."

Perhaps everyone is just afraid of showing up to find Izzo singing and dancing with a big bald head.

Photo courtesy of Wharton Center