GYPSY, 42ND STREET, RENT. Scary bad boxoffice.

From a buisness standpoint ; which of these shows do you think will be the first to go? They are all at 50% capacity. I think they will all still struggle for a while.. but I would say Gypsy. Not just because of the poor numbers but because the Shubert is such a desirable house. Are operating estimates chronicled in any trade paper?

Updated On: 1/27/04 at 03:06 PM

I think the length of the run so far should be taken into account as well. I would imagine that Gypsy has a higher running cost than Rent does, and given this production hasn't been around nearly as long, it may be in more danger because it needs higher grosses to get by.

It seems like all the shows did horribly this week (save a few exceptions). It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks regarding the grosses and any closing notices. But I think these shows will probably stick it out.

It was reported that RENT cost about 275,000 a week in Variety, so even though it is struggling, it isnt a big disaster yet. I bet they will see how it does next week and the week after before they make any real prediction.

42nd Street's number was very low, yes, but it does have a pretty nice cushion since it did so well over the holidays. This one wont be closing unless it doesnt do that well early summer.

As for Gypsy, it keeps getting worse and worse and costs around 450,000 a week. This one is most likely the one to go first out of the three mentioned.

Aye, aye. Denial no longer is sufficient. I'm facing the truth that 'Gypsy' will probably close soon. Damn, I have to see it just once more w/ Bernadette.

Eh, giving the grosses another quick look over brought the thought upon myself that "Wonderful Town" will be lucky to make it 'til the Tony's in June.

Broadway really did take a slide this week. Well its true: It's tough to get out to the city when you have no idea what kind of weather you will be facing. I feel the worse for the performers. These harsh months can make or break a show.
I know not many people were too thrilled about Joey Fatone doing RENT, and yet he did impress me as Mark, but may be RENT needs to do something like that again. Joey did boost up sales an enormous percentage. I think someone on this board said they dont want to see RENT drag out any longer and its hard for me to say this being a big fan, but I kind of agree. Give it may be another year or so and let it close with a bang!
Gypsy- I cant imagaine why this is doing not-so-great. Come on people- Bernadette! But then I thought to myself, why havent I seen GYPSY yet? Well I guess because it is a revival and I have seen the show at a regional theatre- and its not one of my favorites. Dont get me wrong- Great show, superb score, but nothing some I'd jump onto to go see.
42nd Street- Pretty soon this Broadway Lullaby is going to die out. This is one of the shows I have absolutely no desire to see. The only way I would go is if it was a school trip or something along the lines of that.
Even new hot shows like Little Shop and Wonderful town are starting to fall pretty low! I really want to see Wondferultown so I hope it doesnt go anywhere for a least a few more months.
As I have mentione before, Poor Anna in the Tropics is at 37%. Thats nothing in a Broadway theatre. I believe any day now we will hear a closing notice.
Taboo suprisingly is beating out a lot of shows that have been on for awhile. I know its closing, so that might be the case, but still it is uplifting.
I've noticed in the winter months- this is when all the sales on shows get promoted to no end that you almost get overwhelmed with all your offers. I've been hearing non-stop radio announcements for Mamma Mia!, Phantom, and Hairspray with the occasional Little Shop of Horrors. And I keep getting offers for Beauty and the Beast. I really want to see it again when Christy Carlso Romano takes on the role.
Well, winter is a hectic month overall. A lot of people are involved with shows that is almost impossible to find free time to go to the city. Well, no matter what, most of these shows will prevail the bitterness of the cold!

---

Rent should close but I doubt it will, who the hell wants that theatre? Plus spring is someday coming and all the Rentheads and tourists who don't know any better will be back.

As for Taboo it would have needed much more than that to be extended. Just not much of an outcry of support to see this show and the low $57.10 average means it's mostly discounts.

Fiddler did a nice 86% for 4 previews. Not bad at all, maybe we have a hit on our hands.

---

Out of the 3 metntioned shows, it's really between 42nd street and RENT. Gypsy will stay open until Bernadette Peters finished her contract. From what I've seen Gypsy has 2 sold out shows in the next 3 weeks. I know, what's 2 sold out shows you ask, but it just proves that it has staying power between these three shows. I would worry about Wonderful Town, it's only been open for about 3 months only. But we need to remind ourselves that this is a very bad period for theatre as we all know. At least the winter storm landed on a week day as opposed to the weekend. Hopefully things will be better towards the end of the week.
You know, somehow, "the producers" Lane/Broderick return probably was done during this period deliberately. If they didn't return I'm sure the producers would be in trouble as well. So if you ask me, these figures don't mean anything to me. They just tell me it's too cold to go to the theatre this week - that's all.

---

I have said this before in different threads, but if an announcement that RENT is closing soon is made, it will probably be extended because of all the RENTheads flocking from all over to see it.

I don't think Gypsy will close while Bernadette is still in it.

As for 42nd Street, I have not seen it so I have no opinion on that. But my guess for the next show to be closing would be one of the newer ones that are slipping, like Anna in the Tropics.

My money would be on Wonderful Town and Gypsy to close before the end of the season (late April). I don't think Rent will be too far behind.

hum, i think "gypsy" is going after bernadette goes but what about a show like "never gonna dance" which hasnt done anything at the box office since its been opened?

---

Breakeven for Gypsy is much lower than reported here...it's in the low $400,000's, so last week was the first time with Bernadette that it fell below that level - and not by a huge amount. Hey, it's winter, the weather sucks and a lot of shows were in the same boat.

The only thing that might have kept Wonderful Town from breaking even last week might be the $$$ they are spending on the show's very lavish TV commercial.

---

I cant find any discounts on Wonderful Town anywhere. May be this would help them in the cold. People love deals!

---