MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing

[jacobsnchz14]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#1

Posted: 7/30/12 at 12:37pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/168538-Tony-Winning-Musical-Memphis-to-Recoup-12-Million-Broadway-Investment

CONGRATS TO THEM!!!

With 1,166 Broadway performances under its belt, the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis is set to recoup its $12 million investment when it ends its run Aug. 5 at the Shubert Theatre, producers announced July 30.

Memphis began previews Sept. 23, 2009, and officially opened on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. When it closes Aug. 5, it will have played 30 previews and 1,166 performances. A London production is anticipated, but official dates have not been announced. A national tour launched in fall 2012 in the musical's namesake city.

Based on a concept by George W. George, Memphis is directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu, Leap of Faith) and has a Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (Nice Work If You Can Get It; I Love You, You're Perfect...) and Tony-winning music and lyrics by David Bryan of Bon Jovi fame.

The musical won four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (DiPietro) and Best Orchestrations (Bryan and Daryl Waters).

Memphis features choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Leap of Faith, Next to Normal, Jersey Boys), scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Ken Travis. Musical supervision is by Christopher Jahnke.
Memphis arrived on Broadway following developmental runs at the La Jolla Playhouse (August 2008 ) and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre (February 2009). Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, who originated the leading roles of Huey Calhoun and Felicia Ferrall in those productions, earned Tony Award nominations for their work on Broadway.

Glover continues with Memphis opposite Rent Tony nominee Adam Pascal as Huey.

Here's how producers bill the musical: "Memphis takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50’s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer. Memphis is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever."

Memphis is produced on Broadway by Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara and Buddy Freitag and Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff with Latitude Link, Jim and Susan Blair, Demos Bizar Entertainment, Land Line Productions, Apples and Oranges Productions, Dave Copley, Dancap Productions, Inc., Alex and Katya Lukianov, Tony Ponturo, 2 Guys Productions, and Richard Winkler in association with Lauren Doll, Eric and Marsi Gardiner, Linda and Bill Potter, Broadway Across America, Jocko Productions, Patty Baker, Dan Frishwasser, Bob Bartner/Scott and Kaylin Union, Loraine Boyle/Chase Mishkin, Remmel T. Dickinson/Memphis Orpheum Group and ShadowCatcher Entertainment/Vijay and Sita Vashee.

Updated On: 7/30/12 at 12:37 PM

[ljay889]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#2

Posted: 7/30/12 at 12:55pm

Sure took them long enough!

[wicked4l]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#2

Posted: 7/30/12 at 1:02pm

Glad to hear this!

[dramamama611]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#3

Posted: 7/30/12 at 1:39pm

Yes, good for them indeed....but to run for nearly THREE years to break even? Yikes.

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.

[bk]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#4

Posted: 7/30/12 at 1:45pm

It does make you wonder, doesn't it, if some of the early recoupers aren't just stretching the truth a wee bit - like by a year.

[Mister Matt]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#5

Posted: 7/30/12 at 2:00pm

Not surprised it took so long since the show was never a huge seller. It did well, but it was never really difficult to acquire tickets. A few months with attendance in the 90% range, but it never sold out or was a runaway hit like shows that recoup in the first 12-18 months.

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[bwayphreak234]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#6

Posted: 7/30/12 at 2:06pm

Good for them! I always like to hear when shows break even.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

[Bwaydide92]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#7

Posted: 7/30/12 at 2:54pm

I find it odd that they just happen to be recouping on the day of closing.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#8

Posted: 7/30/12 at 3:42pm

With the sheer number of partners, it's no wonder it took so damn long. This is what happens when the conventional investment structure is stretched to its maximum possible limit.

Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05

Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky, Seb28

[FindingNamo]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#9

Posted: 7/30/12 at 3:45pm

Your expertise is overwhelming.

Twitter @NamoInExile Instagram none

[Wynbish]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#10

Posted: 7/30/12 at 3:51pm

Did Rock of Ages ever recoup?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#11

Posted: 7/30/12 at 4:29pm

As of May, it hadn't. Anyone know more current info?

ETA: As of June 20, it still hadn't. More current info would still be appreciated.


Broadway 2011-2012 Season Financial Results:

Formerly gvendo2005
Broadway Legend
joined: 5/1/05

Blocked: After Eight, suestorm, david_fick, emlodik, lovebwy, Dave28282, joevitus, BorisTomashevsky, Seb28

Updated On: 7/30/12 at 04:29 PM

[ClapYo'Hands]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#12

Posted: 7/30/12 at 4:52pm

Very happy for them!

[madlibrarian]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#13

Posted: 7/31/12 at 9:42pm

I don't understand this. It's nice that Memphis "is set to recoup" but that isn't the same as "has recouped", is it?

[bdn223]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#14

Posted: 7/31/12 at 10:01pm

Its probably because the producers would rather have "headlines" read "hit" musical (which in the theater world just means recouped) closes rather than lights dim on Memphis one of the longest running shows never recouping its original investment, then have to run a correction come Monday when the show officially recoups.

[Jonwo]

MEMPHIS to Recoup Its Investment Upon Closing#15

Posted: 7/31/12 at 10:22pm

I wonder when Rock of Ages will recoup, it seems to be doing okay at the moment but I wonder if the film not doing well will hurt its box office in the long run.

I imagine Once and Newsies will recoup sooner rather than later given they are both grossing $1m a week.