Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
THEATRICAL100
Featured Actor Joined: 9/12/10
#1Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/25/12 at 11:14pmFor example, if Priscilla was in the Walter Kerr, do you think it could have had a 3 year run, rather than around 2 just due to the size difference and how many tickets needed to sell weekly?
Marla: I have to go sing about a life I never led.
Jonwo
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/06
#2Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/25/12 at 11:25pm
Priscilla would have never fit into the Walter Kerr given how big the show was, it needed a theatre like the Palace as it had the facitilies to accomodate the show and the capacity so it could at least recoup. Producers don't just pick theatres at random when they want to bring a show to Broadway.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/25/12 at 11:31pm
First, it will only have run just over ONE year (opened in March 2011), so no it would not have tripled itss run in a smaller theater.
Since you can assume that it would have sold approximately the same number of tickets, it might have run longer, but it wouldn't have been any more successful -- ie, been no closer to making a profit.
Additionally, based on sales, its amazing the it ran as long as it did.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#3Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/25/12 at 11:54pm
For Big shows like Pircilla, No, but for smaller shows yes. For example if Next to Normal played the Lyceam like it was supposed to even with its reviews it wouldn't have lasted, because its running costs would of been higher due to rent more ushers cost more money....as well as all the Union rules about number of stagehands/muscians. This is especially true for plays...Desire Under the Elms in the nearly 2000 seat St James?¿?
It also becomes somewhat truE after a show recoups because then it can afford the loss in revenue because there is still profit.
SondheimFan5
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/10
#4Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/25/12 at 11:57pmHits like Book of Mormon and The Producers that have played relatively small theatres have done quite well but may have otherwise been lost in a big theatre like the Gershwin or Hilton.
AGermano
Stand-by Joined: 6/27/11
#5Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:03am^ The Producers played a massive theater (the St. James) and the Hilton is now the Foxwoods. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
#6Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:05am
^ True, but a lot of the shows that played the Gershwin and the Hilton had no other choice. The biggest attraction to most of the shows to play those houses have been the special effects and giant scenery (i.e. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Young Frankenstein). These shows HAD to play a larger house. Of course they may have fared better in a smaller house, but it would not have been possible for them to play a smaller house in the first place.
A lot of shows that played smaller theatres still struggle. Bonnie and Clyde and Lysistrata Jones were both in smaller houses, and both shows did not do well. On a side note, I do find it interesting that some smaller houses are able to house large shows (like the Belasco being used for Women on the Verge and Dracula), but it does not seem to happen that often.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#7Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:07amThe Producers played the St. James, which is one of the biggest houses on Broadway only behind the Foxwoods, Gershwin, Broadway, and Palace (by about 30 seats!). 5 years there is an incredibly good run. And it was still impossible to get a ticket during its heyday. I think Mormon will be occupying the O'Neill for quite some time, especially because it's small and does not have any big stars, like The Producers.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#8Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:19am
IF Mormon had booked a larger house, it would still be the mega-hit that it currently is. They'd just be making MORE money. It was hot right out of the gate.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Broadway61004
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/14/11
#9Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:20amNot sure where everyone is getting their facts from, but the St. James is nowhere near the fifth largest Broadway theatre. The Marquis, Lunt-Fontanne, Hirschfeld, Neil Simon, Winter Garden, New Amsterdam, Shubert, Imperial, Palace, Broadway, Foxwoods, Minskoff, Majestic and Gershwin all seat more (and the Richard Rodgers is only about 30 seats less).
#10Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:35am
The st James seats 1710 which is the same as the Miskoff
Palace 1743
New Amsterdam 1801
Foxwoods 1829
Gershwin 1900
#11Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:41am
Obviously not the most reliable source, but I got it from Wikipedia. Usually for things that have only one answer (a number) it is pretty good. It's when opinions start coming in that you really have to use your own judgment while reading the articles. Per their Broadway theatre page:
Marquis- 1615
Lunt- 1509
Hirschfeld- 1437
Simon- 1428
Winter Garden- 1498
New Amsterdam- 1801
Shubert- 1468
Imperial- 1435
Palace- 1743
Broadway- 1761
Foxwoods- 1829
Minskoff- 1710
Majestic- 1609
Gershwin- 1933
Rodgers- 1380
St. James- 1710
Obviously some seats are put in or taken out for the needs of every production, but they are mostly in the general area. The orchestra of the St. James is only average size, but the mezzanine is huge, and the balcony is also pretty big (by Broadway standards).
#12Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 12:50amThe St James is also considered the cut off ofthe Large theaters due to it being te "smallest" with a balcony meaning that its procenium is higher/ larger/wider in the case of the Gershwin being more than 3 stories high... There are the acceptions of the Shubert, Cort, lyceam, kerrand Belasco, but their mezz and balconies are relativly small...the Kerrs is only 12 seats.
#13Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 1:15amThe Belasco's balcony appears to be very high up in the photos I have seen of the theatre. It looks like the front row is about level with the top of the proscenium... Is it really that high up?
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
#14Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 8:23amThe Shubert balcony is not small, nor is the mezzanine. But the overhang of the balcony at the Shubert makes for somewhat restricted viewing at the rear of the mezzanine. I prefer the balcony there, because of this. I have seen more shows at the Shubert than at any other theatre, but not for quite some time since I have not liked the more recent shows there.
"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"
#15Do you think theatre size plays a role in how long a show lasts?
Posted: 5/26/12 at 9:48am
For example if Next to Normal played the Lyceam like it was supposed to
Actually it was supposed to play the Longacre.
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