Next Shows to Close? — Page 2

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#26

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:19am

I doubt In The Heights will close now, atleast since Jordin Sparks just started. If they do struggle after her leaving, they could have another celebrity (Nicole Scherzinger for Vanessa, please!) come into the show. Or even have Lin come back for a while.

#27

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:38am

Continuous stunt casting will just make it look desperate!

#28

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:40am

Or even have Lin come back for a while.

Lin is busy with the movie.

#29

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:46am

I don't think he would be enough of a draw anyway. Not for long enough, at least. If they can last through the movie I think they'll be fine. But I don't think they will.

#30

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:46am

Why do you say WEST SIDE STORY is closing? So far this year it has grossed over $28 million with a running cost of arond $20 million. It's hardly on thin ice even if it is no longer SRO. No theatre has been announced yet for PRISCILLA and the Palace would liklely be way to big for that show anyhow.

I love how rumours and speculation become facts around here. Remember the gnome who kept insisting HAIR would close by Sepetember 2009 (even though it was near capacity week after week that summer?) Or how about the teen who kept insisting [title of show] would reopen in time for the 2009 Tony awards claiming she heard it from cast member.

As for stunt casting, producers don't care how desperate it looks as long as it works!

Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!

I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com

#31

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:53am

The Priscilla at the Palace rumors are everywhere. I wonder if WSS would transfer theaters? I doubt they'll go through with the trouble of all that.

#32

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:57am

I'm sure Arthur Laurents is in a tizzy over that.

http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com

#33

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 1:02am

#34

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 1:07am

If, well.. I guess, when, WSS closes, Karen Olivo has to bring it on home. I hope she rejoins the cast very soon.

#35

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 1:13am

Karen will likely be back next month. Thank God!

#36

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 1:34am

Until WSS is regulaly dipping below $600K it has nothing to worry about.

Only on BWW could grosses of $745K be called numbers that "suck."

#37

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 1:43am

Well last year this time they were taking in almost double what they are now.

Why else would they be cutting some of the orchestra? Laughs? If the grosses are dipping now, then imagine what they have in advances for the fall.

#38

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 2:04am

It is true, Fall can be a rough time (although last fal didn't see a huge drop off mainly because teh weather weas good well into November.)

I guess the perception is that WSS had such a strong first year that the reduction in overall grosses looks serious, but when a show breaks even between $550K and 600K and is consistently $100 to $150K above that it is still considered healthy. Also, by this time it has built up a decent reserve to allow it to weather a a few lean weeks. So yes it is no longer grossing bver a million a week, but it isn't in a money losing position just yet. And, as happens with many long running shows, the producers somtimes economize to keep the nut at the lower end of the spectrum. I hate it, but it is allpart of the business of Broadway.

BTW When did they reduce the size of the orchestra.

#39

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 2:22am

I don't know if it's taken effect yet, but it was announced a few weeks ago that they were cutting 5 pieces.

#40

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 3:50am

Ahh Ok, I may have missed that when I was away on vacation in July.

Much as I dislike reducing orchestras, economics dictate it and amplification allows it. (As long ias its not teh percussioniss who sit in teh boxes!)

BTW talking aboutshows closing, producers usally opull theplug once a show is regularly below its break-even, but sometimes with a show that has been running a long time and has built up a decent reserve producers will try and prolong teh run waiting for the tourist season. Theatre owners don't like this because their rent is usually a percentage of the gross. A low-grossing show = low rent. So they usually have a stop clause whereby if a show falls below a certain figure 3 weeks in a row the theatre can then force a closing and start looking for a new production. The stop clause is generally well below break-even but there to ensure a minimum weekly rent.

When BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS was getting dangerously close to being evicted in the spring of 1982 the producers bought tickets and "ate" them (discarding them or giving them away) in an attept to hold onto the theatre. It didn't work and the 46th Street Theatre did close WHOIREHOUSE but the show re-opened several weeks later at the Eugene O'Neill for an additional 8 weeks before closing for good.

#41

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 7:40am

A show's weekly gross (and whether or not it meets its "nut") is only part of the story. Procuders also look at the show's advance sales, especially for a show like WSS, which is heavily dependent on large group sales.

#42

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 8:30am

Where does it say that Promises, Promises is closing 12/26?

#43

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 8:35am

Promises isn't necessarily closing on 9/26, but many suspect it will as that day is the last day that Chenoweth/Hayes are contracted for.

http://backstagebarbie.blogspot.com

#44

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 9:38am

Wicked. ok, not really.

Million Dollar Quartet.

“Trust what gives you pleasure. Trust the emotions. If you love something but can't explain why, that's enough.”

#45

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:03pm

But isn't Promises, Promises doing well? People think they won't try to let it have a life after Sean and Kristin leave? I think it could last a little while. When Kristin was supposed to leave in the fall did they announce a replacement?

#46

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:11pm

Promises is only making the money because of Sean & Kristin.

#47

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:16pm

I thought Sean had a longer contract than did Kristin?

Anyone?

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

#48

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:37pm

^ She extended until Sean's last performance. They're now leaving at the same time.

#49

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 12:41pm

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

#50

Next Shows to Close?

Posted: 8/20/10 at 1:04pm

I STILL believe TOS will reopen in time for the Tonys! If not this year, SOME year!

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