That's ridiculous. Adding an understudy role to an ensemble contract is not that expensive. They wouldn't save much, at least not enough to keep the show running. MARY POPPINS has great weeks and then they have not-as-good weeks. They're fine. Pending the box office that moves to MATILDA and ANNIE, MARY POPPINS could probably make it another 1-2 years and be just fine. Knowing Disney, however, they already know when they plan to close it, and when they plan to open a new show at the New Amsterdam.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I definitely know that POPPINS won't close until another Disney show is announced. I haven't heard anything about ALADDIN lately, so let's see how that goes. If ALADDIN ever shows up, POPPINS will be on the top of the closings list.
Theatre is my life. No one can take that away from me.
Don't forget (if this hasn't already been said) that Disney owns (has a long-term control over) the New Am. The finances of a Disney show in that Disney house are different from a show in a house where theater rental is a big line item.
Not to add more fuel to the MARY POPPINS conversation, but about 15 dates over the next month just popped up on TDF (including a bunch of weekend performances).
Let's give Mary Poppins, for argument's sake, 1 more year. Is it not unrealistic for Disney to move Lion King back to the New Am? We haven't heard much in the way of Disney developing projects aside from, as of late, Dumbo and Aladdin. From the lack of buzz, I'd say Dumbo sounds like it's still in developmental stages and I've heard through the grape vine that the Disney office genuinely had no plans for a Broadway future for Aladdin when Menken announced it.
I figure it's plausible seeing as having to fill 2 of the larger theatres on broadway is challenging enough. Why doesn't Disney cut there losses, stick with the one they actually own, and rent smaller houses for their other properties?