Advertising
Tanya Dua/Business Insider
Michael C. Hall performs at Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical
- Super Bowl commercials have become as big a phenomena as the game itself. But some brands prefer to pull off wacky stunts instead of shelling out $5 million for a 30-second spot.
- Skittles put up a one-day-only, 30 minute-long Broadway musical titled "Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical" on the day of the Super Bowl in New York City.
- Business Insider attended the musical, which was a self-deprecating take on
advertising itself, starring actor Michael C. Hall.
Super Bowl commercials have become as big a phenomena as the game itself, with brands shelling as much as $5 million for a 30-second commercial during the big game to grab consumers' eyeballs. But not every brand ends up taking that route.
Skittles, for instance, put up an entire Broadway musical in New York City on the afternoon of Super Bowl Sunday instead of creating an ad to air during the game.
The 30 minute-long play, called "Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical," was a self-deprecatingly funny take on advertising itself, with lead actor Michael C. Hall and an ensemble cast.
The play, a legitimate production in its own right, was put together by Skittles' advertising agency DDB, and written by Pulitzer finalist and playwright Will Eno. It was directed by Soho Rep artistic director Sarah Benson, with the music composition by Drew Gasparini and choreography by Raja Feather Kelly.
Business Insider had the chance to go check the experience out live. Here's what it was like.