3 ?s re Lincoln Center productions e.g. Dessa Rose/Light in the Piazza

[eslgr8]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 10:11pm

1) Are Lincoln Center productions considered Broadway and therefore eligible for Tony consideration? 2) Lincoln Center productions are limited run; for example, A Man of No Importance (the lovely Ahrens/Flaherty musical) ran just three and a half months. Does this mean they should be in the same categoy as Broadway shows runnying the same number of performances, which would be considered flops? 3) Are any of these shows ever extended or do they ever move to other theaters for longer runs? Thanks to whoever knows the answer to these questions!

[Corine2]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 10:14pm

The larger house (Light In The Piazza) is Broadway. The smaller house is Off Broadway. I think it is determined because of the number of seats.
Dessa Rose is Off Broadway and needs to extend. It is a brilliant show. Run and see it.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 10:15pm

1. shows at the Beaumont are eligible for Tonys
shows at the Newhouse are not
2. no, it was not a flop, just a limited run that actually sold out most nights
3. yes, shows are occasionally extended, but usually for only short periods of time (except Contact, which is the exception and ran for over 2 years at the Beaumont)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 10:37pm

Lincoln Center, like MTC and Roundabout which are also not-for-profits that run Broadway eligible theatres, operates under a LORT contract for shows at the Vivian Beaumont for the first 10 weeks of any run. If business merits it, they will extend, adopting the Production Contract.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 11:55pm

Margo, you are such an expert at these matters, I always know I can depend on you for an answer. Thanks also to Corine2 and melissa errico fan for your replies! I'm learning some new things! So...it's not just location but also theater size that determines a show's eligibility for a Tony. Very interesting. Margo (or anyone else with the answer), I hope I don't sound stupid or repeating a question already asked here, but what is the difference between a LORT and a Production contract? Also, why do you think Ahrens/Flaherty have opted to put on their two most recent shows at Lincoln Center? How is is possible for Lincoln Center to afford putting on shows which run only a few months whereas it seems from what I've read here that shows need to run at least two years on Broadway to not lose money (Wicked and The Boy from Oz being notable exceptions)? I've asked this before but what's the main reason it costs 7-10-12 million dollars to put on a Broadway show when other cities can produce lavish musicals for a fraction of that cost? Much appreciation to you in advance for your always informed and informative answers!

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 3/7/05 at 2:29am

well I'm not Margo but I know Lincoln Center is not for profit. They get federal grants and private contributions unlike normal broadway shows. They have producers that raise money etc. It's more business like. People Like Adam Guettal and Lynn and Steve go to these theatres because the mission statement of the theatre is to create art. Their goal is to cultivate these artists and provide a safe place for them to create without the pressure of the "make a hit" voice from the powers that be. Lincoln Center also gives the artists complete freedom. The producers there don't loom over the artists' shoulders telling them what makes a hit. It's really a shame that more of these not for profiters don't exist in NY. God Bless Lincoln Center

[eslgr8]

Posted: 3/7/05 at 2:50am

Thanks, Jazzy! (I didn't mean that Margo was the only one who could answer, BTW!) If I lived in NY, I'd be going to Lincoln Center all the time. As it is, being L.A. based, I can only visit NY once a year and by the time I get there in June, both Piazza and Dessa Rose will have closed. I've got tickets for all the biggest new hits which I expect will still be playing then, but I'd sure love to see the two new Lincoln Center shows. It still boggles my mind how much more expensive Broadway is than elsewhere in the world of theater.