Official Kickstarter to get Spring Awakening to perform on the Tonys

[JBroadway]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:28am

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1832685006/deaf-west-theatres-spring-awakening-tony-performan/description

 

My first reaction when I saw this was that some fan had probably created it to try to get them to perform at the Tonys, but I see that this seems to be an official Kickstarter started by Deaf West! I've never seen a show do this before, but I wish them the best of luck in getting to their goal! I'd love for them to get a slot at the Tonys. 

Updated On: 5/24/16 at 10:28 AM

[Hairspray0901]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:33am

It costs THAT much to perform at the Tony;s? Holy crap! lol. I wish them luck!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:34am

Too bad they didn't start this earlier.

[suttonfoster]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:38am

When does this Kickstarter end? It looks like it's on June 11th? The Tony's are on the 12th...

[VotePeron]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:41am

Because the end date of the campaign is so late, I'm assuming that someone (producer, Deaf West, an actor?)  is paying the 200k upfront to get the performance prepared and executed, and is then hoping to be reimbursed. Otherwise it's not physically possible to rely on this campaign to decide whether or not to perform.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:42am

^my thoughts exactly

[MinnieFay]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:50am

This stunt just reeks of Kenny Davenport!

Updated On: 5/24/16 at 10:50 AM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:51am

this whole thing reeks of a certain person.

[Great minds think alike, even if they don't always spell alike.]

Updated On: 5/24/16 at 10:51 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:54am

"Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to help fund our Tony performance are tax deductible!"

I have no doubt Deaf West is non-profit... but the Broadway production, which is what was nominated and what would be performing on the Tonys, was most certainly not.

Updated On: 5/24/16 at 10:54 AM

[Anakela]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:55am

VotePeron said: "Because the end date of the campaign is so late, I'm assuming that someone (producer, Deaf West, an actor?)  is paying the 200k upfront to get the performance prepared and executed, and is then hoping to be reimbursed. Otherwise it's not physically possible to rely on this campaign to decide whether or not to perform.

"

But how/why, though? I thought the rule of Kickstarter is that if you don't raise all the money you don't get any of the money? So this Kickstarter could raise $199k, but if someone put up the $200k upfront they couldn't get that $199k from Kickstarter, because it fell short of goal?

 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 10:58am

^ Correct. No clue why they didn't use a platform that allows for "flexible giving." What a terrible and foolish move on their part! 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:04am

Kad said: ""Because we are a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to help fund our Tony performance are tax deductible!"

I have no doubt Deaf West is non-profit... but the Broadway production, which is what was nominated and what would be performing on the Tonys, was most certainly not."

Yeah, I'm also curious about this. I guess Deaf West was a producer on the Broadway production, but they weren't the only producers. So unless none of the other producers are helping to fund this, I don't understand how this works. 

 

 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:09am

Liza's Headband said: "^ Correct. No clue why they didn't use a platform that allows for "flexible giving." What a terrible and foolish move on their part! "

 

Terrible and foolish = Ken Davenport

 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:24am

in theory, Deaf West could fund it as a legit nfp expense because they will get the (theoretical) benefit of the national exposure. in reality it is clear that Davenport or some amalgam of commercial producers fronted the money and stand to be reimbursed. (Not a legit nfp expense at all.) 

I expect this campaign will fail, but if it were to get to $199k, Davenport could easily add the last thou at the last minute to bumo it over. My guess is they will not get 25% of it pledged. 

And yes terrible and terribly foolish

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:24am

Hairspray0901 said: "It costs THAT much to perform at the Tony;s? Holy crap! lol. I wish them luck!"

 

It appears that the amount they are needing is for travel, lodging, rehearsal space, ect.  It says so on the page.

 

[freewilma]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:40am

A little more info on the situation.  https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Deaf-West-Needs-Kickstarter-Donations-To-Fund-SPRING-AWAKENING-Tony-Performance-20160524

[tazber]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:46am

Who's gonna pay to see them do a 3 minute number on broadcast TV?

 

They should put the $$ towards a cast recording which at least would preserve the show.

 

Also, doesn't the producer of the telecast need to make room for them? They can't just be like, "hey we got the money so let us preform". The roster of perfs is probably already set, no?

[gypsy101]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 11:47am

It was pretty foolish of them to begin this 2.5 weeks before the show.

Taz, when I first saw about the Kickstarter I assumed it would be for a cast recording. it seems like that would be more beneficial.

Updated On: 5/24/16 at 11:47 AM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 12:02pm

I'd be a shame if this production didn't get to perform. This is by far the most amazing piece of theatre I've ever seen. Hope the performance (and tour) happens. 

[Kad]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 12:10pm

The fact they are trying to kickstart their Tony performance doesn't exactly instill confidence in a national tour.

[AnnieBlack]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 12:12pm

It would feel a little more professional if they spell checked their kickstarter page. 

[Hellob]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 12:41pm

Excluding the travel and lodging, why does it cost to perform? Does everyone have to pay a fee? 

Also, how would a cast recording work to get the show across? You'd have to do a visual album, right?

[Kad]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 12:43pm

Well, it costs to have actors paid, some sort of scenic or lighting design, costumes cared for, etc.

[Jshan05]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 12:51pm

I absolutely loved this production and hope it reaches the fundraising goal. I'd be so pleased to see their performance at The Tonys!.

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/24/16 at 1:16pm

Wow! This was an awesome production but raising $200k in 18 days? That is a lot of money! Will they have enough time to fly everyone to NYC and rehearse AND inform the Tony folks they'll be performing? Good luck to them!