Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 5/4 — Page 2

Well, except for maybe PASSING STRANGE

But PASSING STRANGE took in four times as much as GLORY DAYS. STRANGE may be able to survive on that, but I don't see how GLORY can last on less than $50,000.

And no matter what anyone feels about the show, you've gotta admit that it's pretty amazing that even after 20 years, PHANTOM still sells near 100%!

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Updated On: 5/5/08 at 06:15 PM

im sure things will pick up some, but the economy is not doing well and i cant imagine that wont effect luxury purchases, like dropping $450 to take the family to see a disney show on bway or whatever

Bad reviews taken into account, aren't A CATERED AFFAIR's numbers really good?

WOAH

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Congrats PHANTOM--still showing those young whippersnappers how its done.

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At what percentage do shows start to be concerned?

It's not percentage it's the total gross vs. the weekly operating costs. Because very few shows publicly report their weekly nuts (Variety will sometimes reference these figures) it is hard for someone just looking at the grosses to know the precise state of a show's finances. Some shows operate on a contract with the creative staff so when the grosses take a dip the royalty pool is cut, somewhat lowering the operating cost.

Factor in the long-term business of the show. If it paid off long ago and has amassed significant profits it can usually survive a few slow weeks. A new show struggling to build an audience doesn't have that luxury.

Reading just the percentages or even the average ticket price doesn't really give you the full picture.

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Is Glory Days even meeting their payroll expenses?

Sorry, had to speak up.

It really appals me that some of the posters (not ALL) take such obvious glee in the misfortunes of ANY show. I know that some shows should never have been there to start with; I know that some have outworn their welcome (excluding Chicago); I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their right to express it. But it seems that some posters/people take sadistic delight in a show's failure. And please, don't give me that garbage about how dare they impose this on the people who are paying good money (most of whom have gone through all kinds of hoops to get an inexpensive ticket). NO ONE, NO ONE, starts out with the idea of writing a bad show; NO ONE starts out with the idea of producing a bad show. Things sometimes just don't work out. PERIOD. So for all you frustrated queens that have no other place to vent your feelings because there's no one in your personal lives to listen to you (for obvious reasons), just bug off and seek the mental hearth services that you so obviously need.

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ACL did decent for a bad week. And since Lopez joined the cast, their average ticket has gone up. I'd still expect a solid summer for A Chorus Line. It's always done very well when schools are out(Presidents week, spring breaks, etc.) so I wouldn't worry.

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Ed_Mottershead - Good for you! I was thinking the exact same thing. People love to come on here when something is not doing well and they are happy to say ha-ha and goodbye. That's just mean spirited and totally unnecessary.

I really enjoyed Cry-Baby and hope it catches on. "Glory Days" should also at least be given a chance to be seen before the naysayers have them closing their doors. And "Xanadu" IMO is the best new musical on Broadway. With 6 Drama Desk nominations I think people should go see it and find that out for themselves what joy it brings. I hope next week will be better for all Broadway shows.

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The buzz I heard (from a very reliable source)is Cry-baby is going to stay open hrough at least the nominations becuase they think they have a shot at Best Choreography.

That's kind of... stupid.

A Best Score win helps. A Best Musical win really helps. A Best Choreography win... gives a teeny tiny boost for about three weeks.

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It better.