Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 10/21/18

The immense success of Come From Away never fails to put a smile on my face.

At this rate Torch Song might not even make it to opening night.

Thanks. I'm guessing that it allows them to make more changes to the show.

poisonivy2 said: "At this rate Torch Song might not even make it to opening night."

Torch Song is a commercial production, right? So, I'm guessing that it doesn't have the leeway of the other Second Stage/Roundabout/Lincoln Center shows.

bdn223 said: "poisonivy2 said: "At this rate Torch Song might not even make it to opening night."

Torch Song is being presented by 2nd Stage, so...it will making it through its entire run."

You're right. There are a lot of other co-producers, though.

King Kong can't survive on a $79 average ticket price.

SomethingPeculiar said: "zainmax said: "poisonivy2 said: "At this rate Torch Song might not even make it to opening night."

Torch Song is a commercial production, right? So, I'm guessing that it doesn't have the leeway ofthe other Second Stage/Roundabout/Lincoln Center shows."

Correct. The Broadway revival is a commercial transfer of the 2nd Stage production, in a theatre that happens to be owned by 2nd Stage. Weird situation, but it was talked about in more detail on another thread a few weeks ago."

Now I'm confused. Is it a commercial or a non-profit production?

raddersons said: "Really pulling for Torch Song -- one of my favorite plays I saw last year. I think word of mouth will help -- Three Tall Women was doing around the same gross-wise on its first few weeks (maybe a little better) and it ended up selling out the entire run.

Not that they're in any way comparable, subject-wise. I'm just hoping for the best for this one."



Actually, Three Tall Women's lowest gross for an 8 performance week was $622K in its first full week of previews, which is 2 1/2 times what Torch Song grossed last week, so there is no valid analogy.



I am disappointed that Torch Song and The Waverly Garden are not doing better than they are. Selfishly, I want all these dramas to do great business, to incent investors to commit to funding future dramatic presentations. Even American Son is a disappointment. I saw it and liked it a lot, despite at least one big flaw (Jeremy Jordan's character and dialogue define stereotype), and I do not expect it to get the type of reviews that will increase sales a la Three Tall Women. If so, I can't see it returning its investment as a limited engagement. Grosses need to be excellent for the entire run, to make sufficient profits each week to return the investment. I am hoping Waverley's reviews will increase its grosses sufficiently to at least reduce eventual losses (unless it extends based unimproved grosses).

Two other things I forgot mention:

-- Beautiful is proving the doomsayers wrong again. As with prior years, fall business is exceeding summer business,which we all know is not typical. Unless it is forced to vacate, I am guessing that it will be around until at least next summer (unless this winter is particularly frigid).

-- Chicago remains on course to have its highest grossing year ever. Since the breakeven was undoubtedly a LOT lower 20 years ago, I have no idea how close to its annualized weekly nut it is currently running. Since the Ambassador is a horrible theatre, I can imagine the Shuberts letting it run forever, as long as it pays its rent.

SomethingPeculiar said: "zainmax said: "Now I'm confused. Is it a commercial or a non-profit production?"

Commercial.

Richie Jackson (commercial producer and Harvey's former manager) had the rights and attached Moises Kaufman and Michael Urie to the project. He brought the play to 2nd Stage and hehelped offset the cost of the Off-Bway production. The Broadway production is a commercial entity, led by Jackson, produced at a theatre owned by 2nd Stage. 2nd Stage gets money (as the originating theatre, as the landlord, and maybe they've also invested $ as a co-producer) and gets last-place billing above the title, but they're not "running the show," so to say. 2nd Stage isn't even listed on the show's website."

Thanks. Very helpful.

@poisonivy2 I wouldn't be too concerned yet. If HOH can survive with what is most likely a much higher weekly running cost, I think Torch Song will be just fine.

poisonivy2 said: "I saw Torch Song off broadway and really enjoyed it. I want it to have a strong run. I don't get why BiTB regularly sold out while Torch Song is struggling so much."

I think that marquee cast, in addition to having a slightly shorter run, and the novelty of a “Broadway debut” on its 50th anniversary.