FYI -- Contrary to whatever you've heard LaCage, you are simply WRONG in terms of Shields' "positive effect" on the box office of WONDERFUL TOWN. Shields DID NOT IMPROVE the box office figures -- please go back and check (the link is below).
Brooke Shields ultimately wasn't much more of a box office draw than Murphy ever was. If you look at the weekly box office grosses, the attendance figures while Shields was starring in the show were in the 50s and 60s most weeks (with several weeks where attendance dipped into the 40s, and a few others where it was up to the 70s -- JUST like when Murphy was starring). Shields' numbers only perked up during Thanskgiving week and Xmas week -- when you could have had a performing seal playing Ruth and still hit 80% in attendance.
If you actually crunch the numbers, Murphy actually was a BIGGER box office draw in her first six months doing the role, than Shields EVER was during her entire run.
http://www.playbill.com/news/search/?section=7
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