Has ALTAR BOYZ Recouped Yet?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:19pm

I did a search, and to no avail. Does anyone know if ALTAR BOYZ has recouped its initial investment yet? The last I heard (about 10 months ago), they still had not.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:34pm

I THINK they did, but I'm not sure...I just remember reading it somewhere.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:45pm

Nope. The producers still haven't announced it recouping yet (and one wonders if it'll ever happen).

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:47pm

How much did this show initially cost, and what are its weekly running costs?

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:51pm

i am surprised that the producers was yet too recoup. weren't they going to like have 2 shows to meet the demand

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 8:55pm

They have not recouped. The initial reserve fund was to be so high that many investors were scared off. I was almost going to invest as well, but the financials did not make sense.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:00pm

They've never announced their capitalization or running costs (though I'd guess that it probably cost at least $750K to mount), but their lead producer said a while back that they basically always hover around break even -- making a few thousand one week and then losing the same amount the next. They can stay open forever like that, but they'll never recoup unless they can somehow remain consistently profitable for a very extended period of time (something that they've never been able to do and now years later it may never happen).

[Bobby Maler]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:13pm

I hear rumors that their weekly nut is much higher than most people would imagine, given the minimalist set and small cast. I heard $65,000. This was even higher when they first started.

There is something that happens though, when you've been around for as long as they have...people start believing that it must be a good show and decide to go see it. There is more visibility and name brand recognition.

Hopefully they will be able to recoup on their tour. Anyone heard reports as to how successful their tour has been thus far? I remember hearing the Broadway Bullet podcast that they were going to places that most larger shows wouldn't be able to get to, like Hawaii..

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:23pm

The tour is very successful so far. Don’t they also have a European tour and a Korean cast?

[thespian geek]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 9:24pm

I'd assume they're doing just fine when it comes to the bank and not worried about recouping right now considering the many things they're able to pay for. Not only do they have all the prizes they give away on the altarholics website, but they pay their street team. They've also got that van. Then there's the US National Tour, the Korean cast, and they're in the works of putting together another European cast... I can't remember what nationality, though. I'm sure there's much more to come with the 2 year anniversary coming up quick, too.

[kyle.]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 11:14pm

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but if they have not yet recouped that means they are not making profit off the show yet- correct? And if they are not making any real money how are they funding all the other stuff? More/different investors? And if that is the case, how do they sell the idea to the other investors when the show has not yet started to make a profit while playing in New York for the past 2 or so years?

Any information would be greatly appreciated! I'm very interested!

[Trish2]

Posted: 1/9/07 at 11:23pm

That is what I meant by a large reserve fund. It was over-inflated which scared off many investors. In other words, by having a large "slush" fund the producers are able to use those monies to invest in other projects, in addition to the one on hand . A sure way to scare off saavy investors !

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:03am

When Altar Boyz came to Birmingham, Ala, they played the Alabama Theater and it wasn't exactly full, but at the same time, it was a Sunday evening. Although, i was still suprised by the amount of people. It was a great show and I would recommend it to anyone. It seems like it's one of those shows that keeps running without people realizing it's running. Anyone know how much they pay their cast?

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:19am

Trish, no teasing - more info!

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:46am

They have not recouped yet and from what I hear, they aren't close.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:49am

Anyone know how much they pay their cast?

I'd say somewhere around $400-$450 per week.