BWAY Star Salary

[NYUstud]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 1:11am

I was just wondering if anyone knew around how much certain stars on Broadway are making. I was just curious, and if any one has any thoughts that would be great!

People I'm interested in:

Kelli O'hara in South Pacific

Patti Lupone in Gypsy

any other ideas? Thanks!

[Manny2]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 1:16am

Depends on the show and the person.

I know that for In the Heights, starting salary is around 1 400.

The norm is very close to that number, though usually less. There are so many factors that go into salary, and it can be negotiated (depending on how bad they want you).

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 1:17am

Why don't you ask them? I'm sure that would go over well.

[NYUstud]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 1:21am

The Broadway Min is $1559, so I know that it has to be more than that...that is what ensemble members make, so I'm sure for STARS it is much more!

[Manny2]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 1:26am

Well, that's the sum I'm familiar with cause that's the one I've been exposed to.

I believe that leads get paid upwards of 5 000, sometimes more than 10 and 20 000. I heard Julia Roberts got paid well over 25 000 for "Three Days of Rain."

Just remember all the taxes and dues that are taken out of that paycheck, at the end of the day.

[BroadwayBound115]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 2:03am

I did the Planet Broadway thing with Sean McCourt and he had explained to us what goes into a salary on Broadway/National Tour. The base pay for the lowest of the low on Broadway is $1599. That is for an ensemble member who doesn't cover any roles, just does the ensemble. Now for ensemble members who do additional roles, aka Sean, who does the Jack-In-The-Box and VonHussler in addition to his ensemble role gets paid more because he covers more. He said that usually when you are the star of a show you can make upwards of 25,000-30,000. I assume Ms. LuPone is making 10-15 grand.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 2:05am

How much do you make NYU?

Please tell us.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 2:08am

Just as a random fact, Tonya Pinkins, I believe, made around $2500 for Caroline, or Change and she was the star of the show.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 2:13am

Yes. People are confused.

It doesn't matter if you're the lead... it matters if you are an established star/veteran/name

It's possible to be a "no name" and get paid around $2,000 to STAR in a Broadway musical. It happens all the time, especially with low budget Broadway shows.

I believe the average for established Broadway actors (not commercial/film/global superstars here...), in lead roles, range from $8,000 to $12,000

Brian D'Arcy James is receiving around $8,500 (plus many weekly perks including free massages and facials) a week for being Shrek in SHREK

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 2:17am

What other people make is none of your freaking business.

[BrianS]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 3:36am

If that number is true then Brian D'Arcy James is not getting enough. His makeup is so extensive that he is stuck at the theater on 2 show days on top of the extra prep time before the show. Imagine getting to the theater at noon to prep for a 2pm show and leaving at 11pm.

I know quite a few leads making less than $5k.

Not sure if someone can verify that Michael Crawford received $100k for returning to Phantom (though the weekly gross went up by $300k to justify it).

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 4:56am

Back in 1959, Ethel Merman supposedly made $5,000 plus a small percentage of the gross per week for her starring role in GYPSY.
The top ticket price was, I believe, $9.40 and GYPSY was the highest grossing show for a long time. Remember, the Broadway Theatre, where it played, was at the time the largest theatre on Broadway. There was no Minskoff, Gershwin, or Hilton, and the New Amsterdam was a grind movie house. Now think in terms of 2009 dollars. Merman sure made a lot of money.

[benny123]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 5:14am

Are all these wages weekly?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 8:16am

Yes.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 8:21am

Wow! How long has it been since the last time we went through all this?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 8:33am

At the end of each contract you re-negotiate...for time AND money. As an above poster stated: has little to do with the role, but with the experience, and draw power.

It's rumored that ALL the OBC of SA started at minimum. It wasn't until their contracts were up that they were able to negotiate for more money.

I know Bashoff went through a number of negotiotions: first when his original contract expired...same date as Lea and Groff, and then again for the tour. They actually wanted him to take a cut in pay on tour. I don't know (or care) about how much he was making at any point. (I'm sure there were negotiations at the begining as well since he had only been wooed for the tour, and then they pulled him in early when Gallagher left earlier than the producers anticipated.)

[kingtito133]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 8:49am

I find it very interesting that many people find it rude or taboo to discuss Broadway performer's salaries. Although not the same, other entertainment industries often publicly announce the earnings of stars. Every year, the E! channel, MTV, VH1... openly discuss celebrities earnings and often pit stars and their earning against each other.

In addition I can vaguely remember hearing what some COE's and head of companies are making, during discussions of Auto company bail outs. Again not exactly the same situation, yet what would be assumed private salaries have be publicly announced. Why not Broadway? Why is it a big deal that people know?

I don't know how I feel about either Broadway or Hollywood or any industry forthat matter, letting people know how much money is being made, just a thought.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 9:35am

This is a very interesting thread, as people are genuine interested in what people earn, as it is human nature to be curious.

I wonder how much Glenn Close earned for Sunset Boulevard?

Also who has earned the most money for a Broadway show?

And as Benny says are these figures weekly?

[PRFRMR20]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 9:41am

As ghostlight answered, yes.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 2:56pm

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=982848

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=962125

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=949068

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=929675

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=894081

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=886757

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=888042

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&boardname=bway&thread=866532

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 3:00pm

One of my good buddies was a supporting lead in a Disney show and was making about 3500 a week, I believe.....

[philly03]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 3:29pm

" I wonder how much Glenn Close earned for Sunset Boulevard? "

I remember it being a ridiculous amount, just not the specific number. From what I remember reading of it (it was sort of a big deal because of the whole LuPone getting over $1 Mil for NOT doing .. drama), if the show sold out the week she got an added bonus. I believe her entire run was entirely sold out. But there was something in there that she had to stay from November through completion of June (Tony Awards obviously),...perhaps she had better offers during that time (film/TV whatever) and Lloyd Webber had to somehow compensant for it? I'm not entirely sure again, but I do remember the clause about selling out!

[mc1227]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 9:44pm

I really don't believe that Matthew & Nathan got 100K for The Producers. I think that was really exaggerated. At the time, it was noted that John Leguizamo was the highest paid star on Broadway for his one man show.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 9:48pm

Thank you Lizzie for pointing out that this topic has been discussed to death.

So, NEW RULE:

If you want to know how much someone makes, you must post your salary on the board as well.

It's only fair.

If you aren't willing to share your information, why should they share theirs?

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 1/4/09 at 10:47pm

They aren't

many are okay with telling friends and close connections.

my information are from friends on the stage... I'm not some random freak who asked at the stage door