MRS. DOUBTFIRE Post-Hiatus Return - News & Discussion Thread

Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical will be taking a hiatus from January 10 - March 14th. We will be returning to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on March 15th! Ticket holders with performances during this time can exchange for performances after March 15th or be refunded at their point of purchase.

Performances will still be playing this week (1/4 - 1/9). Tickets will be on sale soon for performances through November 20, 2022!

“Out of concern for the potential long-term employment of everyone who works on Mrs. Doubtfire, and the extended run of the show, we have decided that following the January 9 performance, the production will close for nine weeks, returning on March 15. Mrs. Doubtfire has been in development for six years. By taking this break we can afford to launch an extended run starting in March. I would like to express my profound and unending admiration for our extraordinary cast, crew, orchestra, creative team, and entire company. They have risen to every challenge thrown at them over the last two years with a remarkable amount of resilience, good humor, grit, and love for one another. They embody the indomitable spirit of Broadway. I cannot wait for audiences to continue to enjoy what they have created in March!” — Producer Kevin McCollum

Updated On: 4/1/22 at 06:43 PM

It was posted in the Covid Cancellations thread, but the NY Times article has a lot more details.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/02/theater/mrs-doubtfire-broadway.html

"So long as “Mrs. Doubtfire” is open, its expenses are about $700,000 a week, whether or not performances actually take place, because employees are paid even if a performance is canceled. And expenses have recently risen because of increased testing, along with additional costs associated with keeping a show going when staff members test positive.

McCollum said the show grossed about $900,000 from Dec. 27 to Jan. 2, which was more than its running costs but less than the $1.3 million he had expected for the holiday week. He added he was expecting the show’s weekly grosses to drop below $400,000 following the holidays — always a soft time for Broadway, and now even more so. He said he is hopeful that by March the pandemic will have eased and tourism and group sales will strengthen.

....

Some productions, like “Mrs. Doubtfire,” are more vulnerable than others. McCollum is also a lead producer of “Six,” a new musical about the wives of Henry VIII, and he said that show remains strong, thanks to enormous pre-Broadway word-of-mouth, a popular cast album and low running costs."

Updated On: 1/2/22 at 06:46 PM

“By taking this break we can afford to launch an extended run starting in March.”

I’m confused by this. Was (Mrs.) DOUBTFIRE a limited run?

MemorableUserName said: "It was posted in the Covid Cancellations thread, but the NY Times article has a lot more details.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/02/theater/mrs-doubtfire-broadway.html

"So long as “Mrs. Doubtfire” is open, its expenses are about $700,000 a week, whether or not performances actually take place, because employees are paid even if a performance is canceled. And expenses have recently risen because of increased testing, along with additional costs associated with keeping a show going when staff members test positive.

McCollum said the show grossed about $900,000 from Dec. 27 to Jan. 2, which was more than its running costs but less than the $1.3 million he had expected for the holiday week. He added he was expecting the show’s weekly grosses to drop below $400,000 following the holidays — always a soft time for Broadway, and now even more so. He said he is hopeful that by March the pandemic will have eased and tourism and group sales will strengthen.

....

Some productions, like “Mrs. Doubtfire,” are more vulnerable than others. McCollum is also a lead producer of “Six,” a new musical about the wives of Henry VIII, and he said that show remains strong, thanks to enormous pre-Broadway word-of-mouth, a popular cast album and low running costs.""

So, is this a “closure” or hiatus? Is there a difference in avoiding payments to cast, crew and creatives?. I presume rent still needs to be paid.

adotburr said: "“By taking this break we can afford to launch an extended run starting in March.”

I’m confused by this. Was (Mrs.) DOUBTFIRE a limited run?"

I think what he meant by that was that by taking a pause they'll be able to keep it open longer once they resume performances. It wasn't a limited run, but realistically would have closed within the next month or so if they hadn't taken this pause. But by taking a hiatus, in theory they'll be able to keep it open longer than a month once they return.

Broadway61004 said: "adotburr said: "“By taking this break we can afford to launch an extended run starting in March.”

I’m confused by this. Was (Mrs.) DOUBTFIRE a limited run?"

I think what he meant by that was that by taking a pause they'll be able to keep it open longer once they resume performances. It wasn't a limited run, but realistically would have closed within the next month or so if they hadn't taken this pause. But by taking a hiatus, in theory they'll be able to keep it open longer than a month once they return."

Ok that makes sense. I didn’t think it was a limited run and hadn’t heard it being one so I was confused. Very odd wording. But yes I agree that likely the show would have closed in the next few weeks. Let’s hope if/when it does return, it will return with a better chance of staying open.

Safe to assume they are paying rent, though they may have worked out a deal with Roundabout (the theatre owner) for a reduced rate. Possibly also retainer fees for any really key people. (They are not paying salaries during that period, per the NYT)

I trust Kevin McCollum more than most producers on Broadway. given the unusual circumstances right now, this is at least worth a shot.

The show is also in a unique position because the title has name value. That can’t be said of some other struggling shows.

Pretty unprecedented territory so not sure if the cast would get paid? Or would they offer them money to "retain" them for March? I mean if shows like "Aint Too Proud" are closing, which was doing great business before the shut down, this makes me super sad for any new shows opening.

It was stated in the article that if open and performances are cancelled cast/crew are paid. This way he ain't paying!

Alexander Lamar said: "Doesn’t sound like anyone would be getting paid while on hiatus. Did he have to get buy in from the unions for this?"

I ASSUME they are ending the contract of everyone currently employed, and then everyone will be offered their job at the same rate when perfs begin in March.

I just saw the show this past week and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Aladdin and The Lion King were both closed that day so it's one of few shows that was family friendly and targeted to all ages. I hope this strategy ends up being successful in the long run.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Alexander Lamar said: "Doesn’t sound like anyone would be getting paid while on hiatus. Did he have to get buy in from the unions for this?"

I ASSUME they are ending the contract of everyone currently employed, and then everyone will be offered their job at the same rate when perfs begin in March."

It stated that in the article. Their contracts would end and if they choose to come back they will be rehired.

ArtMan said: "It was stated in the article that if open and performances are cancelled cast/crew are paid. This way he ain't paying!"

Exactly -- that was my point. It is NOT stated in the article, but there had been a proposal from the League producers on the table that would have allowed shows to shut down for 8-10 weeks, but everyone would essentially remain on contract -- at a reduced rate of 25-35% of their salaries (which even for an actor making scale would be around $700/week plus benefits). The unions refused to even consider this -- so now their members get nothing.