'Curtains' to Broadway- Page 3

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 12:26pm

They ( owners ) never had a long running tenant & shows that went there really went their to die. No one ever thought Chicago would have legs & when it went to the Ambassaor people probably figured it was going to close soon thereafter. The show is so good (perhaps K & E finest ) it keeps on going like the Energizer bunny

This used to be the theater that Max B would have used for one of his shows. The exterior reminds me of a WW 2 bunker

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 12:40pm

Yes, that's true. Still, once you are inside, it's a rather pleasant theatre. I never get that same sense of impending doom as when I see something at the Longacre...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 12:42pm

Ah the Longacare another true deathhouse. This was proven when a first class production of WAOVW bombed there

[tabbynyc]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 12:49pm

I am so excited about this show!! I just hope it gets a theater this year and won't have to wait until spring.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:30pm

How about The St. James? The Producers isn't doing especially well.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:32pm

I do love the St. James.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:32pm

The St James would be a perfect fit. The Producers seems to be doing it on fumes now

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:35pm

Well, The Producers has never gone the star-casting route. They've continued to run profitably with the people they have been casting. I would think they would get another 1-2 years alone if they want to start putting stars in the leading roles. I wouldn't count it out yet.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:39pm

I would. 69% capacity for a show that people were calling the "My Fair Lady" of the millenium? It's time for it to close.

[Jeannette2]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 1:54pm

I have a ticket to see the show this Saturday night. I can hardly wait to see it. The plot is what interested me in seeing it vs David Hyde Pierce. The Ahmanson in L.A. can sit over 2,000 people I believe if they have the balcony completely open for seating. Sometimes they shrink it down with dividers in the balcony area. It'll be interesting to see if they have it completely open in the balcony or partially closed. I might go again if I like it and can squeeze it into my schedule before it closes.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:05pm

Capacity figures are misleading, though. The Producers' break even is roughly $600K (slightly less when no stars are in the lead roles) and in the whole history of its now 5 year run, it's only failed to reach that a few weeks -- and that was back in February of this year when nearly every show in town was struggling (even Lion King didn't crack 70% one of those weeks). Other than that, week in week out, it's still turning a profit and, as Smaxie pointed out, that's WITHOUT star casting. Profitable shows don't close just because the vultures start circling wanting their theatre. Toss in a "name" or two from time to time and it could easily run another couple of years.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:09pm

^Much like DROWSY CHAPERONE last week. It was filled to 79%, but made well over $900K.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:33pm

I still thought Jason Alexander as Max & Short as Leo had possibilities previously

When our actor friend was in the Producers, we went back stage & we stood on the stage looking out at the seats. It is a nice house

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 2:34pm

Average ticket price is usually a better indicator of a show's financial health than percentage of capacity.

Looking at Drowsy, for example, as ThankstoPhantom mentioned, it made over $908,802 last week playing to 79% capacity. That may seem like a low percentage, but its average ticket price was a robust $89.27, which means that it is not using a lot, if any, discounts right now, and most people must be seeing it for full price. The big hits, like Jersey Boys, Wicked and The Lion King have average ticket prices in the $90 and $100 range.

The long running shows like Phantom, Beauty, Hairspray and The Producers are subsisting on discounted tickets, with most of them garnering an average ticket price between $65-$70.

With that as a guideline, it’s not completely healthy for The Wedding Singer to already be playing with an average ticket price of $69.43, and not very good for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels to be averaging $63.11 a ticket, just above the long-running Rent.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:09pm

I really like the Ambassador's exterior and marquee. I just like the little flag type things they have for Chicago. You would think they would restore the exterior while Chicago is playing there. I mean it has given that theater A LOT of money. I would love to see the marquee restored. It's kind of an eyesore now.

Also, I still don't understand how "The Lion King" is a hot ticket. But I guess it's a crowd pleaser. Aw, that Disney...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/25/06 at 3:38pm

That dastardly Disney. Producing a show people want to see. The nerve of them