How can a show like "The Father" stay open?

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 8:01pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/grosses.cfm

It barely grossed over $200,000 this week. How does a show like this run? Must have a very cheap running cost.

[macnyc]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 8:07pm

It's at a not-for-profit theater, for one. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 8:10pm

Favorable reviews should help along with Tony nods.Small cast should also help

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 8:17pm

The rules don't really apply for non-profit productions like they do for commercial productions. Simply put, while the show might not be making money with grosses like that (although it is good to bear in mind that salaries are also lower at non-profits), MTC has already set aside the money to finance this production through its scheduled run. So, while the show may not be doing terribly well, it's not really in danger of closing due to a low gross. Also, shows at non-profit theatres tend to have lower profit margins anyway because those theatres rely on a subscriber base that almost always pays less for their tickets. 

[funhamilton_rent]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 8:18pm

Now that I think about it, when was the last time a MTC production did remotely well in the box office or won a Tony?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 8:37pm

Constellations did very well in its brief run, no doubt due to the presence of Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Wilson, and Venus in Fur was at least successful enough to move to a commercial run at the Lyceum. As for Tony Awards, Judith Light won in 2013 for The Assembled Parties, but the last production of theirs to win a Tony was Doubt back in 2006. 

[astromiami]

Posted: 4/4/16 at 11:17pm

Realize that a non-profit also needs to do work that will appeal to donors and grant-givers. The ticket buyers are a big part of the equation...but they are not the only part.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/5/16 at 8:51am

Good People did very well in 2011 and Frances McDormand won Best Actress in a Play for it. Time Stands Still also did well and moved to a commercial run at The Cort. Rabbit Hole won the Pulitzer and Best Actress for Cynthia Nixon. 

 

MTC has had their share of financial clunkers recently, but they aren't without some critical and audience friendly hits as well. 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 4/5/16 at 9:52am

How can people who read this board regularly still not know the difference between commercial theater vs. nonprofits?

[hankcolson]

Posted: 4/5/16 at 10:02am

How is the show itself? I'm seeing it next week and know virtually nothing about it. 

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/5/16 at 10:08am

Subject matter is a downer - dementia

 

Langella gives one of the best performances of his career. The rest of the characters are underwritten. The show is Langella. He is looking at a Tony nomination and perhaps the award itself. Serve needs to speak up as she does not project well. Suggest getting a hearing device.