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Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

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#1

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 4:45pm

What with NEWSIES stating it has Recouped it's investment in only nine months...I was wondering what other productions have had a quick Recoup time?
Pardon if this has been discussed previously.
#3

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 4:48pm

The revival of Glengarry seemed to recoup extremely quickly.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
#5

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 5:12pm

The A Chorus Line revival re-couped in just 19 weeks(roughly 4 months).
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
#11

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 6:44pm

Wicked's recoupment was fast considering it was a large scale show, Avenue Q and Hairspray recouped in 10 months and Jersey Boys recouped in 7 months. How long did The Producers take to recoup?

Newsies' recoupment wasn't a surprise but I do wonder whether it did cost more than the reported $5m to stage, maybe nearer $8-9m which is average for a Broadway musical but small compared to Disney's other shows.
#13

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 9:34pm

In 1975, the producers of SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR announced the show had recouped its investment on opening night and distributed checks to their investors at the party.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
#14

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 10:04pm

I would think something like Glen Gary... could recoup fairly quickly since it's not a huge investment and the advance is going to be pretty healthy.
#15

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 10:19pm

The HAir revival recouped in 3 months...

Jonwo I have to agree either their running costs are a lot higher than we all expect or their investment is much larger than they are reporting. On the other hand though all of their promotional performances (Dancing with the Stars, The XMas Day Parade in WDW) those could add some major money to the investment costs. Also having a new advertising skeme with Cott after the whole Coffman photoshop logo can add some money as well.

Updated On: 12/20/12 at 10:19 PM

#16

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 10:30pm

I was surprised Glengarry recouped quickly considering it was only doing 7 shows a week until two weeks ago whereas Death of a Salesman took slightly longer to recoup and was only did 7 shows a week as well. Both shows cost $3m to stage so I imagine running costs aren't that high apart from the salaries of the leads.

I imagine Disney probably invested more money when it transferred to Broadway but probably not a huge amount and also I would imagine when it went from a limited run to a open ended run, there would have been increases in running costs as well.

It's interesting that Newsies has yet to announce a national tour now it's recouped but I imagine it'll be announced in either January or February.

Updated On: 12/20/12 at 10:30 PM

#17

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/20/12 at 11:18pm

I think SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR sold the film rights before the opening and was able to recoup before opening night.

There was a play in 1980s (name escapes me) that sold the film rights before the opening and gave the investors checks for 70% of their investment on opening night.
#19

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/21/12 at 6:43am

Pretty sure Spring Awakening recouped pretty quick too -- 7 months sticks in my head, but that has great chances of being a false memory.
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.
#21

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/21/12 at 9:58am

Same Time, Next year officially took 3 weeks.
Tribute, the same producer's (Morton Gottlieb) next play, paid off opening night. It had a huge star (Jack Lemmon) and had made money during the out of town tryout.
In both cases, and probably a few more, they were overcapitalized and had reserve funds that were never needed. Those were the first part of the recoupment.

The original Boys in the Band paid off in 10 days. It too had a large reserve and a shortened rehearsal period since they had all done a workshop of the play earlier.

David Merrick had a history of keeping shows out of town to try to make back some money before New York. Stop the World and Roar of the Greasepaint were both financial hits before they opened; I think Oliver made a large portion back on a lengthy West Coast tryout, and even Pickwick which was a 2 month flop, made about 50% of its investment back.
"If my life weren't funny, it would just be true. And that would be unacceptable." --Carrie Fisher
#23

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/21/12 at 2:24pm

How about the Nathan Lane/Matthew Broderick revival of The Odd Couple? As I recall, it was sold out through the entire run before it even opened.
BroadwayEd
#24

Fastest RECOUP times for Broadway Musicals and Plays

Posted: 12/21/12 at 2:30pm



There was a play in 1980s (name escapes me) that sold the film rights before the opening and gave the investors checks for 70% of their investment on opening night.


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