HAIR Appears to Have Financial Problems

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 5:29am

There is an article in today's New York Times theatre section that discusses the financial problems that HAIR is having. Apparently a second major producer is needed in order to bring the show to Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The owner of the theatre, Jujamcyn, is trying to reassure the public that HAIR will definitely be starting previews in February with the opening in March. Most of the original Central Park cast will be retained with the exception of the lead actor, Jonathan Groff.

I would provide a link if I knew how. Happy New Year and here's hoping that Broadway can ride out the financial storm.

Updated On: 1/1/09 at 05:29 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 5:48am

Veteran Producer in Talks to Aid ‘Hair’

[bwaybri2]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 6:25am

I just read this -

disheartening - one wonders what types of productions will be mounted in the coming months -

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 8:58am

Was it Liz NcCann who said that if they didn't get the backer they needed, she would put up her own money? Someone said that about a week or so ago.

[Winston3]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 9:38am

uncageg, I did read an article on here that did talk about how one of the producers or investors involved with the show did talk about how even if the show is having financial problems they will back it themselves. I want to say it was due to the loss of an investor but I am not 100 per cent sure.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 10:57am

It sounds to me like the squabbling is over who the lead producer will end up being. Sounds like the money has been about raised at this point.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 11:53am

I agree^ that it sounds like semantics at this point. Still, doesn't instill a lot of confidence. The actors must be feeling pretty uneasy.

I find it interesting that Groff is still such a point worth mentioning. Is there ANYONE in the biz that doesn't adore that boy?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 11:54am

He does seem to be a genuinely nice person, doesn't he? I've never heard anyone speak poorly of him.

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 11:57am

OT - and I didn't see the production in the Park this summer - but why does an anti-establishment musical like HAIR need $6.5 million to be produced? I am not being snark-y. I really am curious about the money.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:03pm

He truly seems to be b'ways sweetheart right now. I think it's a combination of his boy next door charm along with his infectious enthusisasm! That he's cute as a button doesn't hurt, either!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:04pm

Because they still have a lot of people to pay. They have to redesign the set to make it work in the proscenium. They have to pay rent on the theater, they need a big advertising campaign if they want to have a chance of succeeding.

$6.5 million is actually not that much for a big musical like this, when you think about it.

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:05pm

You're right -

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:07pm

Godspell which is a much smaller production: in every sense of the word needed a 4.5 million budget...so this isn't that big of a deal.

At the park they had NO set, no set designer. Pay scale for all roles was much lower at off b'way scales.

And the stuff Adam mentions....and more, I'm sure. Then compare it to the FORTY MILLION PLUS dollars that Spiderman has already put in....this seems like a paltry sum.

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:12pm

I want to see any investor be part of a $40 million play in this economy. You don't need to look far for investment losses when you don't have any gains to shelter!

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:14pm

You'd be surprised how many rich b*stards are still willing to pump in dollar after dollar, for commercial crap (SPIDERMAN), in this economy.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:38pm

"You'd be surprised how many rich b*stards are still willing to pump in dollar after dollar, for commercial crap (SPIDERMAN), in this economy."

Well, as much as you don't want to hear it, those are the shows that are going to sell, which is why people will put money into those shows. Not saying Hair is going to be a flop, but why put your money on a production that risks being a flop, especially with the state of the economy now?

[JustAGuy]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:42pm

"At the park they had NO set, no set designer."

I'm pretty sure Scott Pask would disagree with you.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 12:47pm

uncageg, McCann said she would try to capitalize HAIR no matter what, but she never said she would put her own money in the show.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 1:30pm

Yes, poor choice of words...they had very little set to speak of....my apologies to Scott Pask.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 2:22pm

Rock of Ages being able to sell drinks like a Vegas show? This seems to be the future of Broadway. I personally think it sad.

[heo1128]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 6:01pm

Casting Eden can't be good for money issues, I'd bet she's expensive.

[beltingbaritone]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 6:07pm

I'm sure she gets paid the same amount as any other lead.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 1/1/09 at 7:49pm

Why would she be expensive? Last time she originated a role on Broadway it was in a big fat floppero. She is only known for replacement gigs in high profile shows where the actors who play the leads are pretty interchangeable.