BANKENSTEIN: MEL BROOKS' MONSTER MILLIONS MAY SET RECORDS

[Steve2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 10:51am

Per Michael Riedel:

MEL Brooks loves green. And not just in monsters. The creator of "Young Frankenstein" has carved out what theater insiders are calling an "unprecedented" deal for himself that could earn him millions of dollars if the musical is a hit.

Brooks is entitled to 24 percent of the net profits from "Young Frankenstein," according to investment papers slipped to The Post by a highly placed source with a hump in Transylvania.

Which means that if "Young Frankenstein" earns as much as the $70 million his first musical, "The Producers," did, Brooks pockets around $17 million.

No writer - not even Andrew Lloyd Webber, the most successful composer in Broadway history - has ever laid claim to such a big chunk of a show.

Lloyd Webber, it's said, owns about 12 percent of "The Phantom of the Opera," the most successful stage musical of all time, with a worldwide gross of $2.5 billion.

("Phantom" is much more profitable than "The Producers," so don't cry for Lloyd Webber, Argentina.)

Not only does Brooks get the lion's share of profits, but as composer, lyricist, producer and co-writer (with his nicely compensated friend, Tom Meehan) he's also entitled to a substantial weekly royalty, which, according to the papers, amounts to about $100,000 - if the show sells out. That would mean an additional $5.2 million in his pocket each year.

That's in line with what authors of Brooks' rank command on Broadway. It's his percentage of the profits that's off the charts.

"It's a very big number," says a veteran producer. "From every angle, this show is to Mel Brooks' benefit."

Brooks' compensation package is so rich that unless "Young Frankenstein" is a sellout, through-the-roof, sell-your-firstborn-to-get-a-ticket smash, his backers - who include billionaire entertainment mogul Robert F. Sillerman - will be on the street, rattling tin cups.

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Riedel in NY Post Updated On: 8/4/07 at 10:51 AM

[Princeton78]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 10:59am

Oh, I can't wait for this to tank.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 11:52am

This picture scares the heck out of me!

[me2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 11:56am

Good for him. But he's getting up there in years . . . and you can't take it with you.
Broadway Blog: 50 Amazing Broadway Performers in 50 Weekdays

[James885]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 11:58am

Wow, he's gonna be one rich man if this show's a hit. But it sounds to me like they're really counting on this show to be a sellout smash like The Producers was its first few years. If it flops they're gonna lose a boatload of money. Especially if it'll take 40 weeks to recoup there investment with the show grossing over $1 million

Updated On: 8/4/07 at 11:58 AM

[Wickedfreak2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 12:00pm

I want this show to do great but i have a feeling it's gonna bomb because there is so much hype behind everything and if this show is a hit congrats to Mel.

[NDR]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:05pm

I have heard so much buzz about this show - not all good - big budget, big sets, big cast, big stars, big advertising budget, BIG ticket prices, big profits but does all of that = big success/hit? Not sure. The premise is alright but some of the "bigs" including the ticket prices and big profits for Mel may turn some people off (myself included). I guess I just don't like that it seems to be more about Mel and the success or lack thereof and not about the actual merit of the show itself. Only time will tell, but I hope the focus changes from Mel and the money to the show and SOON.

[MovieGuy1031]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:14pm

As much as I truly want this show to be good and have a long run for the sake of not only the cast and crew, but also for the namesake that the show carries - that of the film itself - I kind of have a little devil inside of me that wants it to run long enough so that I can see it (selfish, yes I know!) and then run itself into the ground with Mr. Brooks' tears running through the ashes putting out the remaining flames.

...but of course, that's only a tiny piece of me.



Best of luck, cast and crew!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:32pm

Oh, it'll run and be a big-hit. There's no doubt about it. I'm sure critics will love it and audiences will flock to it.

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:42pm

Well, remember what Mel taught us in his first show:

"You can make more money with a flop than with a hit!"

Here's hoping its a monster success.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:44pm

The show's advance is already selling out (atleast for orchestra seats). So I have little doubt that for atleast the first few months this show is going to sold out...time will tell beyond that once reviews come out.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 1:55pm

"As much as I truly want this show to be good and have a long run for the sake of not only the cast and crew, but also for the namesake that the show carries - that of the film itself - I kind of have a little devil inside of me that wants it to run long enough so that I can see it (selfish, yes I know!) and then run itself into the ground with Mr. Brooks' tears running through the ashes putting out the remaining flames."

My thoughts exactly !!!

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 2:00pm

If anyone can take it with them Brooks will try

[jv92]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 2:17pm

Wow. What if this tanks?

Posted: 8/4/07 at 2:44pm

Well I know it's useless to argue with the Brooks haters- but Mel not only wrote the book and the score, but he's adapting his original film and producing. Plus I'd guess he put his own money in too. There would be no Young Frankenstein without him- why shouldn't he get the lion's share of the profits?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 2:53pm

Because Joe, Brooks is clearly a meanie who kicked out The Pirate Queen so his show coud go in there. I hope the show fails!!!11

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 3:18pm

Exactly. It's not like YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is an old movie in a vault just waiting to be found.

Not only is its original creator still around, but he's also adapting the thing from screen to stage, composing new music, writing lyrics, and producing. Why shouldn't he get all the money. Writers should get more money for their work. And, as producer, Brooks can make such things happen.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 3:37pm

I was wondering how much of his own money he has invested in the whole production? If he is fronting most of the money, he is taking the greatest risk, so it seems fair? As long as he is paying this crew their fair share and offers bonus' for fantastic sales, than I can only hope it makes lot's of money.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 3:54pm

A musical about frankenstein?

Sounds perfect as a Max & Leo production

[justafan2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 4:57pm

Isn't this show playing try-outs in California? Any advance word on how enjoyable (or not) it is?

[Steve2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 5:10pm

JustAFan, in Seattle, August 7 - September 1. I guess we'll hear soon.

[uhkthxbye2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 5:16pm

but Mel not only wrote the book and the score, but he's adapting his original film and producing.

So, wait, serious question - does that mean Brooks actually wrote the music for YF or simply hummed a melody and left it to someone else (e.g. Glen Kelly for The Producers) to transcribe, harmonize, compose - basically, create? Sorry. That just really irked me about The Producers. So I was wondering if it's the same deal here.

Posted: 8/4/07 at 5:25pm

Whatever. Who cares if he "wrote" the music by humming into a tape recorder or writing notes down on paper? Well, I guess you do.

I don't. There are lots of composers who don't transcribe their own music.

[uhkthxbye2]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 5:36pm

For fear of getting flamed (not because anyone said or implied anything) - I never said I didn't like his music. It's good stuff. There's just something extra for me in knowing that the name attached to a show ("Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein") actually sat down with a pencil and paper or a computer and did some of the boring musical grunt work and whatnot. ::shrug:: I'm just a strange, strange person.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/4/07 at 5:50pm

Because Joe, Brooks is clearly a meanie who kicked out The Pirate Queen so his show coud go in there.

You said it, sista!