Broadway Producer Tricks - How To Save A Broadway Show

[MikeT73]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:31pm

One of my writers penned this article a little while ago - I would like some feedback from members of this board on whether they have experienced any of these occurences or have anything to add.
Its amazing what a Broadway producer will do to get Broadway success or keep a show alive, but I dont think we captured everything.
Broadway Show Producer Tricks

[americanboy99]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:40pm

The producers of 9 TO 5 need to look into this. They have a show that could & should be a smash hit.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:45pm

Very amusing read, thanks for sharing.

[TheatreDork2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:45pm

I heard 9to5 is planning on closing. Can anyone confirm/deny?

[Barney Stinson]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:48pm

You should add 'buying their own tix' so that for reporting purposes, they give the appearance that the % capacity and grosses are higher than they really are.

Also, to add to your misquote piece - someone this season was taking reader posted comments from NYtimes.com and crediting those comments to the NYTimes to give the impression that the NYTimes reviewer had written them.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:51pm

Most of those have been tried and have still failed miserably.

It's an entertaining read, but those tricks are old and ineffective by now.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:52pm

"someone this season was taking reader posted comments from NYtimes.com and crediting those comments to the NYTimes to give the impression that the NYTimes reviewer had written them."

I believe the show in question was Irena's Vow. Though their quotes may have been misleading, they were attributing them correctly. In other words, the quotes did say 'NYTimes.com' rather than 'NY Times'.

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:53pm

^ It was indeed "Irena's Vow"

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 2:54pm

The article sounds like it's written for a far more casual theatre fan than the demographics here.

[morosco]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 3:09pm

During a run a producer may reduce the number of musicians in the orchestra to save on costs. (There's more to it than that but I don't have further details. I think that before opening the producer needs to determine which instruments might be cut at some point during the run and the musicians holding those chairs are made aware of it when hired.)

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 7/27/09 at 3:12pm

Hmm interesting read. Thanks for posting...