Avenue Q...why did it take this long to close?

Didn't you answer your own question there? It's very cheap to run.

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double post

Updated On: 8/3/09 at 05:00 PM

I liked more the part where you say the show only has a couple of very talented actors - and a few semi-talented ones? :)

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That's glorious. Well, I'll be sad to see it go.

Once a show recoups it has a pretty easy life. The cast is small (only about 10 people). They probably don't have very many stagehands. The theater is small so they don't need very many ushers and theater staff. And it's one of the smallest theaters on Broadway.

Actually, Rent had a cast of 21 - 15 on stage tracks, plus six swings, and 3 stage managers... pluss the periodic vacation swings for cast members and subs in the band.

Minor quibble, but nonetheless..

"Actually, Rent had a cast of 21 - 15 on stage tracks, plus six swings, and 3 stage managers, plus the periodic vacation swings for cast members and subs in the band. "

When I said "cast", I meant roles. I know there are six swings, but do stage managers and band members really count as the cast? I could understand counting swings, but I don't think Telsey + Company hired the band members and stage managers.

of course they count...they get paid, and paid well. They get paid regardless of whether or not they perform...and in fact get paid MORE when they do go on.

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"Once a show recoups it has a pretty easy life."

What does this mean? Why is a show's life, or budget rather, easier once it's recouped? Economically speaking, what is different - as far as it's weekly nut? I would think all the costs would be exactly the same, give or take discretionary marketing costs. Do certain costs drop?

I understand that you need to pay back investors before the producers make any real money, but I still don't understand how the base economics would change once the show recoups.

Either the show is grossing higher than its costs or it's not. If it is not for long enough, it closes. I don't get how having recouped or not effects that decision, or how its life is "easier" after recoupment.

Very popular as well.

I would hardly call it "struggling."

Per VARIETY show has a weekly nut of $250-275 K. That means on a full 52 week year it needs to bring in approximately $13 million to cover costs.

2003 (Opened July 31) - needed $6.5 million to cover costs, grossed $7 mil. Surplus: $1 mil

2004 - Grossed $23 mill Surplus: $10 mil. (Recouped $5 mil. production costs in 2004)

2005 - Grossed $23 mil, Surplus: $10 mil.

2006 - Grossed $21 mil, Surplus $8 mil.

2007 - Grossed $17 mil, Surplus $4 mil.

2008 - Grossed $15 mil, Surplus $2 mil.

2009 - (36 weeks before closing... needs $9 mil to cover costs) Gross to date is $9 million with 5 more weeks to go. By closing Q will add another $1 mill + to its cumulative profit of (approx) $30,000,00.00

That cushion can help a show survive some lean weeks in the winter. By now, as you can see, the show is covering costs but no longer a major source of income. Time to close and move on.

Compare to 9 TO 5, which has been struggling to reach break-even week after week. Every good week is off-set by a money losing week. They haven't recovered much - if any - of the capitalization costs, and have no reserve to cover any lean weeks after labour day. Time to cut their losses, close and move on.

Then there's WICKED. It costs $32 mil a year to run but in 2008 grossed $75 mil. A $43 mil surplus for that one year alone. THAT is why people keep investing in the theatre. It's like a lottery. You just never know.

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