Unavoidably after any given show you’ll hear comments like, “How come you didn’t sing the Phantom of the Opera?” or “Why didn’t you do Andy Williams?” It seems as though a show writers job is to evolve, grow, change, and embellish. And then when you do, the audience “misses” the one thing you took out or changed.

For Bill Acosta, the Scinta’s or Clint Holmes and on and on, the shows are always evolving. A good writer with good observation or listening skills (with the audience) will maintain 80% of the script, keeping the sure winner bits or songs and add or change the other 20%. How many times have you seen an act that has been doing the same identical show for years? Probably not too often because one knows that nothing changes and the absence of surprise and fresh, make the performance stale and result in statements like, “No, I already saw him/her/that, let’s see this instead.

Bill Acosta probably has some of the best repeat clients in the business. We’ve generated surveys to support these findings and audience members have noted seeing Bill’s shows as many as six to eight times. There are other impressionist in LV who has been singled out as never changing their show content. I can’t think of a nicer compliment then when and individual says, “We try and see your show every time we’re in town.”

So, maybe the word ‘bad’ in, "Is Repeat Business a Good Thing or Bad Thing" wasn’t the best choice of words. Challenging or time consuming may be a better way to state the creative result of having repeat business. Show content change is even more important when you work a showroom that caters to the locals. New material or a fresh song, a different voice or a lighting change is extremely important…and it’s all Good. One could not argue: repeat business is a good thing.

In knowing that show scripts change, what exactly does it mean when an artist or its writer changes even 20% of the show? Let’s use one new song in the show as an example: A standard song is 3:00 to 3:30 minutes in running time. The artist needs to learn the words/lyrics, create an arrangement with an arranger, rehearse with the band, create the visual scene with the technicians and write the monologue that sets up the song or new scene. It takes about one hour to script one minute of monologue! When you add all the detail up for one song change the amount of hours alone dedicated to a standard tune can be excessive. Now, multiply this times 18 minutes (20% of a 90 minute standard show) of new material and you have a full time job weeks before the show opening.

Repeat Business is ALWAYS a good thing. One of the successes of show-business is to make it look effortless and as though you’re creating in the moment. There are definite moments of on-site creations but more often than not, there are endless hours of preparation and scripting and discussing and on and on that go into any professional performance. Artists are happy to do the work for new innovative show elements as it keeps their jobs fresh as well. The commitment to the craft is certainly worthwhile because the repeat business is what keeps artists working.

Just wanted you all to hear it from the wings.