Mamma Mia! could easily move to a smaller theatre and just use a touring set. It has downsized in London so it's possible that the Broadway production will eventually move theatres rather than just close but I wouldn't be surprised if it closes in the next few years.
MARY POPPINS is safe. Disney currently has nothing to put into the New Amsterdam and since they own the theater and are the sole producer of the show they can over any weekly losses. It's better to have some income coming in than to have an empty theater with no money coming in.
Disney took out a 99 year lease on the space, and it also houses the corporate offices of Disney Theatricals. In essence, they own it. And yes, Cameron Mackintosh is also a producer for POPPINS, but Disney could always cover his investment should he ever pull out (which is highly unlikely).
So yes, MARY POPPINS is safe regardless until Disney wants to bring in another show big enough for the New Amsterdam. Supposedly, I've heard, they want to get at least another 5 years out of it.
And it is more complicated than just a lease. Yes, they pay a nominal rent to the city but they also get city tax breaks over the period of the lease (meaning they pay a low tax rate on the theater's revenue) in exchange for the millions they spent on the renovation and the upkeep of the theater.
The New Amsterdam renovation was the centerpiece of the Guiliani administration's revitalization of 42nd Street.
Disney pays NYC 8% of the weekly gross whatever is curently playing in the New Amsterdam. Disney is responsible for all of the house staff, and negotiates separatly with all the Unions on whatevers playing in the New Amsterdam. Mary Poppins will only close before another show is ready to be put in the New Amsterdam, if the amount its grossing less its nut is more than the cost of paying the house staff because economically it makes sense to make "ecomomic" profit than incur "economic" loss.
qol -- that reference was to someone on page one saying that Mamma Mia has had a "pretty good" run.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
They need to re-brand Mamma Mia. I love the show, but that poster is awful. It looks dated as hell. The bridesmaid logo is not making anyone want to see the show. And I wish they'd put out a new cast album cause that dated 80s sounding British one is awful.