Broadway Grosses: Week Ending 8/13/17 — Page 3

Patti LuPone FANatic said: "What was the year that Chicago recouped? I have no idea.



Chicago returned its original investment in about 20 weeks as I recall. IF not 20, then it was 26. Very fast: modest investment, low break-even, great grosses.

Not surprised that Kinky Boots dropped, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone here. Urie is obviously a major draw, have you seen his fans? They're rabid. I think Stark and Billy will bring it back up, but the show really is showing it's wear and tear. Wasn't it rumored to close in January?

clb10162 said: "springwillcome said: "Well, obviously I'm biased. But everyone I've spoken to had extremely positive WOM, which is why I saw this show in the first place. Most (of course not all) press I've seen is positive. I gone 4 times with friends as well as convinced 5 other friends to go on their own, and every single one loved it with one person only liking it. Obviously that's not a majority or representation of the general population, but I can see where one would feel there's positive WOM and its nothing to be rude over. I've also spoken to the people around me after the show as well and they always had an amazing time. Again not insisting that this is how everyone feels, just adding to the discussion that all the WOM I've encountered is positive as well so it isn't hard to see where they got that idea from :)

Haven't several people posted on this board that they've seen the show 10-11 times? I've seen it 7 times so far and each time the comments I've overheard--both at intermission and after the show--have been overwhelmingly positive. That may not translate into ticket sales but it certainly doesn't fit the "WOM is generally negative" theory.

Just my opinion (obviously), but I think the real problem has been the PR campaign. The most common remarks I hear from people are variations on "I didn't expect it to be this good," which in my book means the publicity machine isn't doing its job.




"

I'm a *huge* fan of GHD. The Word of Mouth I've heard from my personal circles has been positive, but I've also gotten a lot of "I didn't expect it to be that good!" For whatever reason, "based on the hit movie" isn't helping here.

I think someone else commented about the cast album and how it didn't pique their interest. I love the songs, but IMO they work best in the context of the show and it's been hard to come up with 5-minute material to use on talk shows, etc. (Personally, I'm an outlier in that I actually got into GHD through the cast album. But the original movie is one of my all time favorites, so I guess I was always predisposed to like the musical )

Still confused why people are talking about KINKY BOOTS like it's on it's last legs. It still make 800K.

Skimbleshanks2 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "So that Bill Murray stunt helped Groundhog Day?



"

The thirst is kind of crazy... It's now on billboards near the theater... Are they trying to make it until the holidays???



"

Ah, yes. The "thirst" of producers trying to do their job and keep a great show open and lots of people employed.



Wishing Groundhog Day had waited a season. It would've put up a fight against Bands Visit, and even if it didn't win, would've gotten much more attention (and maybe Andy Karl his Tony)

Itonlytakesajourney said: "Not surprised that Kinky Boots dropped, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone here. Urie is obviously a major draw, have you seen his fans? They're rabid. I think Stark and Billy will bring it back up, but the show really is showing it's wear and tear. Wasn't it rumored to close in January?



I thought so too, but when Daryl Roth announced Stark and Billy were coming back she also said tickets were now on sale through August 2018- so maybe she has something else up her sleeve. Given that she saved Indecent and has kept Kinky Boots rolling for over four years, I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

bdn223 said: "I wouldn't be surprised if Hello Dolly has a similar problem Great Comet had with Groban....a high nut+a star with a 6 figure weekly salary who also gets a cut of the box office."

I believe Dolly has the advantage of competent producers, and not paying off the debts of two previous productions.

Lot666 said: "Has Come From Away still not recouped? That's so surprising, considering how well it sells, the ticket prices, and the seemingly low operating costs."



Pretty sure there was an article saying they were expected to recoup in september

If by "article," you mean my posts then yes. I have stated multiple times they're expected to recoup by later this month or at some point next month. Their weekly running costs are very, very low for a musical.

Miles2Go2 said: "Is anyone else surprised that Brandon Urie created such a box office boon for Kinky Boots? [...] This isn't Bono or Adam Levine.

I'm certain that box office will explode with the Porter/Sands combo, but will decline after."

Can you imagine if they could have gotten Adam Levine as Anatole in Great Comet? It probably wouldn't have been good but it would have moved tickets.

I'm surprised people think bringing the original cast back will be a big boon to Kinky Boots. John Lloyd Young returning to Jersey Boys. Lesli Margherita returning to Matilda. Does the return of original cast members make that much of a difference to the box office?