‘MOSES’ HITS BOX OFFICE #5 ON DEBUT
NIGHT IN NATIONWIDE CINEMA RELEASE
Filmed Version of Sight & Sound Theatres’ Epic Stage Production
Outperforms Big Studio Films
LANCASTER, Pa. – Oct. 1, 2018 – Proving the power of quality, faith-based entertainment, the filmed version of Sight & Sound Theatres’ epic musical drama MOSES earned a Top 5 box office ranking on its Sept. 13 debut night, outperforming huge studio films in theaters like THE MEG, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE-FALLOUT and BLACKKKLANSMAN.
Presented nationwide in more than 700 movie theaters through Fathom Events, MOSES played a second scheduled night Sept. 15, with a Sept. 20 encore showing driven by strong advanced ticket sales. More than 91,000 people saw MOSES in cinemas across the three nights, nearly doubling the audience from Sight & Sound’s first foray into filmed releases of its stage work—JONAH, in 2017.
“We’ve been bringing the Bible to life on stage for over 40 years at our two locations in Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO,” Executive Producer Josh Enck said. “More than a million people experience a Sight & Sound show every year. But we’re limited in how many people we can reach by the capacity of our two live venues.” Enck continued, “It would have taken us nearly 50 live performances to reach as many people as MOSES did with just three showings in movie theaters.”
The results point to strong demand for Sight & Sound’s unique product—epic bible story productions designed to entertain and inspire the whole family—and a proven ability for Sight & Sound to extend their unique experience from stage to screen.
Bringing MOSES to cinemas was a continued collaboration between Sight & Sound Theatres, Fathom Events and Franklin, TN based marketing firm The WTA Group.
“After our initial run with Sight & Sound in 2017, we were excited to bring another stage production to movie theaters across the U.S.,” Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt said. “MOSES gained momentum and reached the Sight & Sound audiences through the unique marketing tactics put in place for this title as well as utilizing our in-theater promotions and activating group ticket purchases.”
MOSES Synopsis
Set adrift as a baby and now wandering in the wilderness, Moses is one unlikely hero—until God calls him into action. From the Nile River to the Red Sea, journey with Moses as he leads God’s people on an amazing adventure toward the Promised Land.
About the Production
The original stage production of MOSES premiered in 2014 at Sight & Sound’s theater in Lancaster, PA, then played in Branson, MO for the 2016-17 season. In total, the live show was seen by nearly 2 million people. The filmed version was shot in front of a live audience, capturing all the spectacle and grand scale that are signatures of a Sight & Sound show.
Action takes place on three sides of the audience on a 300-foot panoramic stage . . . and in the aisles! MOSES features 60 sets that required two years to build, some reaching three stories high. Dozens of live animals take part, including horses, camels, donkeys, sheep and goats . . . (and even a cast of trained rats). The cast is decked out in more than 880 costumes as they bring Moses’ story to life with a musical score by Hollywood veteran Don Harper, composer for National Treasure and The Lion King 1½, among many others.
