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#1

Bway Salaries

Posted: 8/9/04 at 12:52am

I have always wondered how much Broadway actors make. I want to know how much the biggest name stars (Idina, Hugh, Nathan Lane, Donna Murphy, Cheno) make, and also I want to know how much the actors/dancers in the Ensembles make. Does anyone have any insight?

"So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart."-Wicked

Updated On: 8/9/04 at 12:52 AM

#2

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 12:56am

I sometimes wonder the same thing. However, before Wicked, I don't think Idina would be in the same pay bracket as Nathan Lane or Hugh Jackman, but she certainly is now!

#3

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 1:23am

But what is that pay bracket? Like a million a year. Or like per show, or what?

"So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart."-Wicked

#4

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 1:29am

They make a lot. Even chorus memebers. I had a friend in Stomp & I forgot what he started at, but basically every few months or so, you get a raise, plus they give you spending money on top of that...that could be just for the tour though...he wasn't in the tour, but that was what he was explaining...I forget all of it, but I do remember it was a nice lifestyle.

I can't...I have rehearsal!

#5

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 1:51am

This was what half all of those threads about the potential Equity strike dealt with about a month ago. Broadway Equity minimum is $1352 plus benefits. This would be for chorus members, walk-ons, swings and understudies (star understudies make more). Featured players (and actors with more name, reputation and experience playing smaller roles) would make a bit more than that ($2000 - 3000+ per week).

Star salaries range VERY widely. For example, Tonya Pinkins is apparently making $2000/week (plus a few very significant perks -- daily limos, hair & makeup for TV, rent allowances -- her producers were adamant about keeping costs down for the show); Donna Murphy is making around $25,000/week; Hugh Jackman, $50K/week; Nathan and Matthew -- an unprecedented $100,000/week each). Bernadette Peters reportedly made $50K/week plus profit participation for "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Gypsy" (the same deal Nathan and Matthew made during their original run in "The Producers"). Bebe Neuwirth had a slighly smaller, but similar deal for "Chicago."

Members of national Equity touring companies make at least the minimum plus a per diem for travel and hotel costs.

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

Updated On: 8/9/04 at 01:51 AM

#6

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 12:27pm

Thanks for the info, Margo. You rock!

"So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart."-Wicked

#7

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:09pm

How much do you think Idina makes? She just won a tony and now the demand is high for her because of Wicked. Same with Cheno.

*Kristen*

#8

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:22pm

I say pay braket because I couldn't think of the right term lol. I meant that I don't think Idina made as much at Nathan and Matthew at the beginning of the run of Wicked. I'd bet she makes comprable money now, tho!

#9

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:28pm

No. There is no way that Idina's salary in WICKED is comparable to Broderick and Lane in THE PRODUCERS. Their salaries were anomalies.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#10

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:36pm

Exactly. There's absolutely no way Idina and Kristen are making $100000/wk; Broderick and Lane received that salary because there were in a very unique situation.

I would estimate Idina and Kristen make $25000 (on par with Donna Murphy), or a bit more.

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#11

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:39pm

If every person who won a Tony was bumped up to $100,000/wk, the producers would be voting for all the OTHER shows! That's just not feasible.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#12

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:40pm

Being the obsessive fangirl I am, could anyone give me an estimate for what someone like Adam Pascal or Raul Esparza make?

I doubt it's as much as Idina, but ballpark figure.

#13

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 2:54pm

I am in the WRONG line of work, apparantly.

#14

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 3:30pm

I read that Idina and Cheno were making $20000 a week, but if one of them won the tony, itd become $25000 a week. So Idina is making $25000 a week.

"Wherever you go... I'll be right there. When you get your own private kick in the ass, just remember: it's a present from me to you." Rose's dying words to Louise

#15

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 3:32pm

Well no WONDER Kristin hates her!!!!

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#16

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 3:53pm

Is it right to financially reward an actor for winning an award? It makes her or him seem more like a racehorse.

BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#17

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 4:11pm

It's actually a very typical thing on Broadway -- most actors get a raise after winning a Tony. It makes sense -- they are now a more valuable commodity and the show is going to gear marketing around and sell tickets because of that win ("Starring Idina Menzel in her Tony Award-winning role......") so why shouldn't she be compensated (it's no different in Hollywood -- winning an Oscar typically doubles or even triples an actor's asking price).

"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#18

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 5:11pm

Mind you, the salaries you're talking about are not their take home pay. As an actor you're paying 15% for an agent & 10% for a manager (unless you work both into your contract). You're also shelling out for an accountant, lawyer, publicist etc.

Thank you so much Fair. You are such a "Bewitching" HUSSY! -(DAME 12/2)

#19

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 5:16pm

Margo, you are so amazing. I wish I knew as much as you.

"The stage is where I live and come alive and act out all the things that go on in my life. It's not just what I do for a living, it's my shrink and my love affair. No one in my life has ever or ever will kiss me on the mouth like this lover called my relationship with my performance."

#20

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 5:17pm

10% for the agent, 15% for the manager. And they don't all have accountants and publicists. Some work their assistants to the ground doing everything for very minimal money so they don't have to pay accountants, publicists, etc.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#21

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 6:11pm

Now I wish I could sing and act.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

#22

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 6:16pm

But millie, what you're forgetting is that after your show ends, you could be out of work for months. It pays pretty well, even if you're not a star, but it's not a steady line of work.

#23

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 6:26pm

And, Margo, now tell them about the changes the latest deal between Equity and the producers has wrought on tours. There are some big ol' problems brewing when you go out on the road.

Stop worrying about what I'm doing -- focus instead on what you're eating.

#24

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 6:57pm

Yes, Plum is absolutely right. That's what ultimately kept me from trying performing as a profession once I got here and saw that. My whole life I KNEW I was going to be on Broadway - but once I got to NYC and worked in the offices and saw how insecure the performers' lives were, I decided it wasn't worth it, even though I love being onstage and singing more than anything. Listen up, kiddies - even Tony awards are no guarantee that you'll get another job.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

Updated On: 8/9/04 at 06:57 PM

#25

re: MONEY

Posted: 8/9/04 at 7:04pm

What is the new deal with Tours? Don't big stars also get a percentage of the ticket sales?

"So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart."-Wicked

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