Dana H closing November 13, Is This a Room November 14 — Page 3

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I thought your opinion when this production announced was that Matt Ross understands the market better than anyone else right now? In hindsight, that's obviously not the case after 3 fiascos in a row (one of which had more positive press than any Bway play could dream of)."

I'm not sure that's exactly what I said, but I do recall saying something praising his for experimenting (shows in tandem, shows with super low expenses. Obviously, while none of the 3 succeeded, my sense is that Pass Over was a different deal in which almost every stakeholder was invested because they wanted to see this on Broadway and in particular Jordan wanted that show to reopen Broadway plays. I think I said something about that at the time. I'm not sure I know the motivation for the other two beyond an experiment that did not work. In particular, I really didn't think they got much marketing support in the community.

A couple of other things:

Victor's post about COC is trolling. Just like his original post to the same effect that the mods took down. He was asked when the last time RTC took down a show early was and all we got in response was crickets.

And re Jujamcyn offering discounts to the lotto losers, that's actually a producer decision, not the theatre owner although they may well have tossed out the idea to their tenants.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "LEHMAN has been selling extremely well, all things considered. That play is catnip for the traditional NYC theatergoers and bridge-and-tunnel crowd. Stellar reviews will help, too.

Going by Ticketmaster, there's a lot of mezz & side orch inventory starting in mid November. BUT the key thing is they're selling prime orchestra seats, which can't be said for most other plays.They've been selling a limited number of seats via TKTS, too, but that's still $80-$100 a pop.Might not recoup, but I suspect it will finish its limited run.

Curious about its running cost, though:

"

To your spoiler tag: They paid $1000/wk. It's a GREAT gig. 

RippedMan said: "To your spoiler tag: They paid $1000/wk. It's a GREAT gig."

OMG. Lucky for them, after a tumultuous year.

Timing wise won't it kind of line up with the new Sex and the City sequel? 

It's a show that rich white people will flock to, paying the highest of prices. It will be a big ol' hit! 

ErmengardeStopSniveling said:

Twitter circles are tiny. Internet chatter means nothing for plays if it's not translating into ticket sales. CHICKEN and THOUGHTS both appear to have only about 1/3 of seats sold this week. THOUGHTS is, bafflingly, scheduled through March –– so it's more a question if they can limp through to January or if they close quicker."

For what it’s worth, I happened to ask one of the cast members after a Friday night performance how long the run was (because I wanted to bring friends), and he had said “though March, but you definitely want to get it in before January 2.”

Based on that, I can’t assume high hopes for it running past January, which is a shame because it was a good show

Every show has some sort of a cash reserve, but it is usually minimal for plays. A big musical might have a $1 mil reserve. The goal of any business-minded producer is always to bring in a show as cheaply as possible.

What's more common is a Priority Loan: If a show is losing money and needs money to stay alive and advertise, people put up additional funds after opening. A Priority Loan gets its name because any profit goes towards paying off the priority loan before it goes into the normal investor pool. I believe only two shows that have taken out Priority Loans have ever turned a profit on Bway (Smoky Joe's and A Gent's Guide). Even more common: talent and shops involved in putting up the show may also be asked to waive their weekly royalty ("going on waivers") to bring down the running cost (and sometimes star actors agree to be paid scale). Sometimes closing early can also mean the producers make a small return of capital to the investors (if all the money hasn't been spent) after all the books are audited. Many scenarios. TLDR, non-star plays should be produced as cheaply as humanly possible. And If a show is losing THAT much each week, it's generally a waste of investors' money to pour more into it.

Passion is what brings these shows to Broadway. At the very least, I'm glad people were passionate enough to try –– though perhaps not if it scares investors away from the theatre.

I'll believe the "sky is falling" posts in this thread when I see it.

Sad for those involved but two obscure plays playing in rep was always going to be a tough sell even in non-pandemic times. And it's not like limited run shows closing early wasn't a thing before. It happens sometimes.

Updated On: 10/25/21 at 06:30 PM

These shows are also closing early because they were under capitilized by the time they opened

I'll eat my hat if Plaza Suite isn't a big, fat hit with very expensive tickets.

I don't think it matters what play Daniel Craig is in, he sells tickets regardless. If it's well-received, all the better. That said, I WISH he would do a new play instead...

Anyone have any good discount codes for the BO? 

The one floating on IG was able to get me 2nd to last row in an almost empty mezzanine.  Thinking TDF might be my best option here unless anyone knows any good codes.

bandit964 said: "Anyone have any good discount codes for the BO?

The one floating on IG was able to get me 2nd to last row in an almost empty mezzanine. Thinking TDF might be my best option here unless anyone knows any good codes."

With rush seats, the closer you go to curtain time, the more likely you'll have better seats.  The box office staff will want to "dress the house" and fill in the orchestra -- especially during these last few weeks when Tony Voters will be attending. TDF is more of a crap shoot -- could be front row -- could be balcony.