Matilda To Take Final Bow in 2017 — Page 3

Its either poor producing or a sign or trouble to come for future productions.  For a show to have averaged $900,000.00 a week last year and $800k this year to fold - something's wrong.  If their expenses weren't so high they could have gotten at least another year out of the show if not more. Its a huge favorite with young audiences and sells out when the kids are in town. I know Matilda had additional carrying costs for the child actors and the turn over costs when they aged out but I seem to also remember the investment deal wasn't great either with the London  producers taking a larger than usual chunk through percentages and royalties. If the numbers are right on the grosses pages here Matilda to-date grossed an average of one million a week since opening. Kinky Boots averaged closer to 1.2 million per week but I bet their expenses were more than $100k a week less than Matilda's. But then again they can predict their future sales based on history and announcing an end date can pump that up before Charlie comes to town and becomes the next big kids show. Also doesn't help that its sitting on prime real estate and the Shuberts are probably looking for a premium seat seller. Whats does the future  hold "$1M dollar stop clauses? 

Did the shuberts use the stope clause though? Also were their operating costs that high though? I remember hearing that in order to pay back their investors faster they built the payments into the weekly costs of the show. Would that then been gotten rid of once they recouped? 

Up In One said: "Its either poor producing or a sign or trouble to come for future productions."

 

Maybe it is brilliant producing to quit while your ahead?   And the tour has been bleeding money...

SmokeyLady said: "Maybe it is brilliant producing to quit while your ahead?"

 

That would be my guess. It's better for any show to go out on a high note rather than to be remembered as struggling along until closing. They have done consistently well in every holiday season, so it makes sense to announce now and ensure that they get everyone who holds the "it will be around for a while, I'll see it later" mindset (which I'm often guilty of falling into myself). I saw the second preview (or, as Matthew Warchus put it in his pre-show speech that night, their second "first" preview as it was Sophie's first time on) and loved it. I've been planning a return visit, but it always gets bumped down as there would be things to see that didn't seem to have the guaranteed longevity. Now I know I'll need to get back to the Shubert; I've been handed my ticking clock, as it were.

Up In One said: "I am sure they didn't use a stop clause - those usually involve much shorter notice than 8 months. I bet the theater had something to do with it - a gentleman's agreement combined with projected grosses and the new kid show competition. 

 

Most shows use the reduced royalty method to ensure quicker pay back to the investors but once they recoup the expenses get higher and because they are percentage based the higher the gross the higher the expenses. Matilda had additional participants in the royalty pool because it wasn't the originating production adding to their expenses. Where most profits get split 50/50 between producer and investor after recoupment Matilda's split was more in favor of the producers giving the investors less than 50%. The NY Times had an article on all of this.  

 

I bet Matilda's expenses were way north of $800k a week so they were losing money many weeks while waiting for the kids to get out of school which would mean the investors didn't see the kind of return other shows produced. Its always good to go out on top.  The announcement should boost sales for the rest of the year.

 

"

I agree with your estimation - based on their recoupment date I estimated the expenses and they were indeed 800k or higher. It seemed so high that I don't know how accurate it was. However, I think one thing we can be sure of based on this rough estimation and a closing notice is that this show is very expensive to run. 

Updated On: 4/15/16 at 06:41 PM

Broadway.com reported that they are closing in order for the next show (which is "big" ) to put their tickets on sale soon.

Editing to say: they are announcing the closing so far in advance for this reason.  It's not the reason they are closing.

Updated On: 4/15/16 at 07:07 PM

They are not looking for an adult to play the title role.

Tag said: "Broadway.com reported that they are closing in order for the next show (which is "big" ) to put their tickets on sale soon.

Editing to say: they are announcing the closing so far in advance for this reason.  It's not the reason they are closing.

 

"

I'd like to know the source of this information.

KathyNYC2 said: "Not exactly on topic but tonight is Rileigh McDonald's last show as Matilda, the first or 4 girls of the 4th group of Matildas to leave. The 5th and now we know final group will be starting soon.

 

" so sad. Alexandra Vlachos was my first Matilda, and she did nothing short of changing my life. I'll miss this set of girls

 

Ripley has done quite a few films, Fina did one TV movie....and some of the others have done more theater and TV voiceover work. Also Gabby plays Small Alison in Fun Home.. How much more successful are they supposed to be at 12?

itis2l84u said: "Tag said: "Broadway.com reported that they are closing in order for the next show (which is "big" ) to put their tickets on sale soon.

Editing to say: they are announcing the closing so far in advance for this reason.  It's not the reason they are closing.

 

"

I'd like to know the source of this information.

 

"

Then go ask Broadway.com

dramamama611 said: "itis2l84u said: "Tag said: "Broadway.com reported that they are closing in order for the next show (which is "big" ) to put their tickets on sale soon.

Editing to say: they are announcing the closing so far in advance for this reason.  It's not the reason they are closing.

 

"

I'd like to know the source of this information.

 

"

Then go ask Broadway.com

 

"

I was tired and I misread something. I'm so ****ing sorry.

Updated On: 4/17/16 at 01:19 PM