Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 11/24/24- Page 2

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:49pm

CoffeeBreak said: "MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "Cabaret is really in trouble."

Auli'i endedout all of last week for Moana 2.
"

I know. And as I mentioned, both she and Lambert have many more planned absences through the rest of their run. Unless the production can score an A-List casting coup, there is a high chance the production closes with these two. And at a truly staggering loss.

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:49pm

Here's the blog post talking about the college student. If you want to quote those numbers as bible, then by all means, do so.

 

https://kendavenport.com/guest-blog-four-observations-of-the-financial-impact-of-social-media-on-the-broadway-grosses/

"I receive hundreds of emails every month from newsletter subscribers and social media followers. I do my best to respond to as many as I can as I remember what it was like to be the person on the other end of that computer screen.

Which is why, when I received an email from Ben Waterhouse asking for some advice on his weekly analysis of Broadway grosses on the Broadway subreddit, I checked it out . . . and was WOWed.

As a college student, he’s doing much more in the industry than I was at that age!

So I asked him if he’d want to write a Guest Post here on my newsletter to share the business of Broadway from the Gen-Z POV."

[Kad]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:50pm

I never really understood Cabaret's gameplan. It never seemed sustainable short of constantly having a Redmayne-level celebrity in the cast at all times or the production becoming such an event that it didn't matter who was in it- and both seemed like a massive stretch even before the negative reviews and word of mouth.

Meanwhile, it seems like Tammy Faye will be closing with a whimper. I can't recall the last time audiences seemed to have such an active aversion to a musical like this.

[BdwyFan]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:50pm

TigerBait88 said: "BdwyFan said: "You gotta account for theater rent percentage and minimum royalties. That gets added to the weekly operating costs. Why does everyone forget those costs? "

Pretty sure the college student who does the grosses breakdown on r/broadway DOES account for that. Again, I’m just trying to be positive about MHE posting their best financial week yet even if that’s a low bar. If someone wants to go argue the MHE operating number with the guy on Reddit, then please do. It seems some already are. Some sort of operating cost change or adjustmentseems to have occurred two weeks ago. I’m not sure what that was or the reason for it. I don’t have access to that kind of info (I don’t think) and I’m not going to pretend like I do.

The only way the total costs would’ve changed to a lower amount would be if producers and creatives have waived royalties and/or theatre owner is granting rent concessions.  Many shows do this when things are rough. I do wish MHE the best btw! 


"

 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:53pm

Tammy Faye can't even give out comp tickets. 40% capacity in the Palace is pathetic.

[TigerBait88]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:55pm

Ok fine I’ll concede that MHE definitely lost money this week.

The last thing I’ll say about MHE is this: I’m glad they had their best week financially so far despite the drop in capacity. As expected with the holiday, this week’s weekday shows seem to be selling better than last week which is all that matters. Hoping this show can inch higher and higher through the holidays and then we can see what happens from then. Fingers crossed for the best. 

Also, it says a lot about this show that MHE is getting almost all of the discussion vs Swept Way/Wonderful World struggling as well. I’m still hopeful that MHE will be ok for at least a little while. 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 2:57pm

ACL2006 said: "Tammy Faye can't even give out comp tickets. 40% capacity in the Palace is pathetic."

They couldn't even fill their opening night house and they were extremely generous with giving people tickets for it. They couldn't even get many big names to attend.

Updated On: 11/26/24 at 02:57 PM

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 3:03pm

Maybe Happy Ending might actually be pulling off the impossible. I think it'll definitly last through the end of the year. I'm rooting for it to last even longer! 

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 3:22pm

The breakeven figure for MHE that I had heard from someone involved is $750K. 

[Livin'ToDo]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 3:45pm

I have Tammy Faye tickets for next weekend, just before closing.  Purchased a while back as part of three show visit that includes Gypsy and Death Becomes Her.  Not looking forward to the lack of energy and excitement a half filled Palace with generate.  Could make for a depressing Friday night.

[Ravanne_1]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 3:49pm

Amy Archer said: "The breakeven figure for MHE that I had heard from someone involved is $750K."

And we need to keep in mind these this is the bare minimum it takes just to cover their weekly expenses. It does nothing to pay back the investors for the millions in development costs. A show that is pulling in less than $600k weekly (not to mention losing 1/4 of all available seats that week) is not successful. Yes, the grosses are a lot better but this show is still not in a great place. They had better capacity when tickets were deeply discounted, but lost significant capacity when prices increased on a somewhat more normal level.

Either way, the show is several weeks into its run and still not making back it's operating costs. I don't know what it's going to take to turn this around, or if anything can before they run out of money to keep it open.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:15pm

TigerBait88 said: "Also, it says a lot about this show that MHE is getting almost all of the discussion vs Swept Way/Wonderful World struggling as well. I’m still hopeful that MHE will be ok for at least a little while."

It really has been fascinating to watch the vultures circling this show and waiting for a closing announcement in a way I haven't really seen for another show in a while, not even Tammy Faye. It's understandable when the show is terrible, but the show doesn't seem to be hated, yet the vultures are voracious. I do wonder what it says about this show.

 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:29pm

Tammy Faye is such an epic flop. I feel like we have not seen a flop at this level in quite some time.

Maybe Happy Endings.... regardless of the break even discussion, it seems to be on an OK trajectory. Best case scenario is probably turning into a Kimberly Akimbo but that'll be tough because even though it is the best reviewed new show so far, it doesn't seem like it will remain the "it" show with critics through the spring the way Kimberly did. So I still anticipate a January closing though I do think it has a prayer.

Swept Away will be gone in January too, if not before.

I am very curious to see what Gatsby looks like after Jeremy Jordan leaves. It has exceeded my expectations for its entire run so far.

[TigerBait88]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:31pm

Amy Archer said: "The breakeven figure for MHE that I had heard from someone involved is $750K."

So we’re just gonna keep moving the goal posts on this aren’t we? 
 

I was gonna leave this alone but let’s say this is true…they’d need to get about 91% capacity at $105 a ticket to get there. Would take another big jump but not impossible this week especially if they sell out tonight.  Hope the progress continues and they can survive through the year at least!

[Kad]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:34pm

MHE would've certainly been helped by starting sometime in late Feb-March. Its upwards trajectory is good, but we have to remember that after the holiday high, there will be a 2-3 month period that is tough even for shows that are doing well. Making it to awards season is a tall order for it now.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:38pm

MHE must gross 750 a week with the theatre owner percentage and customary credit card fees/etc.

Waivers will probably reduce that cost by about $100K but waivers cannot last forever.

[TigerBait88]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:41pm

MemorableUserName said: "TigerBait88 said: "Also, it says a lot about this show that MHE is getting almost all of the discussion vs Swept Way/Wonderful World struggling as well. I’m still hopeful that MHE will be ok for at least a little while."

It really has been fascinating to watch the vultures circling this show andwaiting for a closing announcement in a way I haven't reallyseen for another show in a while, not even Tammy Faye. It's understandable when the show is terrible, but the show doesn't seem to be hated, yet the vultures are voracious. I do wonder what it says about this show.

"

I think the heated discussion is due to four groups:

1. Passionate fans who love the show and/or original shows as a whole. They know it’s hanging on week-by-week or even day-by-day. This past weekend’s sellouts likely saved the show from a closing notice. They’re on edge. Many are acting like mothers protecting their young in this case. 

2. If r/broadway is any indication, there are people thirsty for this show to close so they can see a show THEY love transfer in like Dead Outlaw, Gun & Powder or Glengarry. They seem to be the most ruthless of the hypothetical vultures waiting for a kill.

3. The fans of other shows view MHE as a Tony threat. Regardless of what show they support, it definitely seems that some fans of other shows (and some shows still yet to come) can see that MHE is likely to get TONY love if it survives. This is a smaller group but I surely think they exist within the vultures. 

4. The so-called “experts” on here who only care about being correct about the show’s future so they can gain clout. It’s a lot safer to predict doom for MHE than it is to be optimistic right now so they’re constantly spamming doom. 
 

It’s all quite fascinating. I’m just over here hoping more discussion leads to more sales. 

Updated On: 11/26/24 at 04:41 PM

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:43pm

TigerBait88 said: "Amy Archer said: "The breakeven figure for MHE that I had heard from someone involved is $750K."

So we’re just gonna keep moving the goal posts on this aren’t we?

I am not moving the goal posts, and do not care one way or another about the fate of that particular show. The figure I quoted is from someone involved on the financial end of MHE, rather than the notoriously unreliable poster on Reddit, who makes up his own breakeven figures. 

[TigerBait88]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 4:56pm

Amy Archer said: “ I am not moving the goal posts, and do not care one way or anotherabout the fate of thatparticular show. The figure I quoted is from someone involved on the financial end of MHE, rather than the notoriously unreliable poster on Reddit, who makes up his own breakeven figures."

I get you’re a long time poster but this is basically the equivalent of saying your source is “Trust me, bro.” At least I admit the Reddit guy may be full of crap. I’m merely suggesting now that it’s getting to the point it feels that even if the show posted a million dollar week next week there would still be someone saying it’s doomed. Not you necessarily but someone. 

Updated On: 11/26/24 at 04:56 PM

[Amy Archer]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 5:16pm

I had heard $750K from multiple sources until I heard it confirmed as well from someone I trust. But believe whatever you wish to believe. A reminder that the figure reported is the gross without deductions, so the net is probably another high five figures lower than what we're seeing. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 5:18pm

MHE and Swept Away just opened within the last week and change, so I want to wait a little before I prognosticate on their success/failure. Swept Away is really quite good, but I hate that the regular bridge-and-tunnel crowd (to say nothing of tourists) won’t look past the “shipwrecks and cannabalism” narrative being pushed out.

Tammy Faye is truly a painful fall from grace, especially with Elton John attached to it. I’ve gotta wonder if this hurts chances of him bringing anything else to Broadway without heavy scrutiny first (in this case - Devil Wears Prada). It grew on me a bit later in the run and, like I posted in the other thread, Autumn Hurlbert understands the assignment and performs circles around Katie. If you have a chance to go, I would skip Brayben and see Autumn. The audience was ELECTRIC on Sunday night and I never saw that much engagement the two other times I went.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 8:45pm

If anything, I think it was ego that got this show to the Palace. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 9:14pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I’ve also been told “Cabaret” is planning to close up shop sometime first quarter of next year and the amount of money that will be lost by that production (if true) is just staggering."

Cabaret has chosen this God awful photo of Adam Lambert which I see being plastered all over the city and all over internet. If I were to choose which show to see on Broadway,  this photo alone would repel  me from buying a ticket. I still haven't figured out how to insert photos on this board.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 10:14pm

MemorableUserName said: "It really has been fascinating to watch the vultures circling this show andwaiting for a closing announcement in a way I haven't reallyseen for another show in a while, not even Tammy Faye. It's understandable when the show is terrible, but the show doesn't seem to be hated, yet the vultures are voracious. I do wonder what it says about this show."

Nonsense. The vibe here, as elsewhere, is very positive on the show. People are just realistic about its financial future. (For the record, I had a ticket to see it earlier this month, couldn't make it, and now will see it on 12/7, and am very excited about it.)

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 11/26/24 at 10:33pm

I have not heard one good thing about Tammy Faye from the general audiences lol