Move Theaters instead of Close

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 4:55pm

What are some shows that could move theaters instead of close and their likelihood?

[Kad]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 4:56pm

Moving theatres is cost-prohibitive to floundering productions and typically not worth the expense. None of the shows currently on Broadway that are in danger of closing by the end of the year would benefit from a move.

Updated On: 8/31/15 at 04:56 PM

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 4:59pm

So If a show were to move, it would be before a major decline in ticket sales and even in that case, why move if you are selling enough tickets?

[MNC77]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 5:03pm

The best logic for moving a show is because A. The show is still supporting itself but the owners want to put something new into the space or B. The show is no longer making enough for the space it is in, but could downsize the show enough to make money in a smaller theater. So if On the Town could cuts costs and production size even further than they already have, they could hypothetically move to a smaller theatre. However moving theaters almost never works.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 5:10pm

it has worked for shows like Chicago, 42nd Street, Rock of Ages, and many others. On the Town however is a hopeless cause unless Misty is in it 

[nycgogetter]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 5:56pm

I feel like the most successful theater moves are the ones initiated by the the theater owners - look, we have another theater for you, we need this theater for a new show - we will pay for the move, and give you a rent cut for the first three months.

 

A producer moving a show to a new theater . . . you have to ask why?  

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:20pm

CHICAGO may move.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:23pm

OP, you clearly don't understand the economics, so why are you even asking this?

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:29pm

Not everyone is an expert...

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:31pm

Yes, that much is clear... 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:33pm

CapnHook said: "CHICAGO may move."

where would it move to? It has been in 3 theatres already

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:42pm

How much time do you think Chicago has left? A few years at the most?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 8:46pm

Not bad for a show most thought would die when it moved to the Ambassador.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/31/15 at 11:26pm

NWS.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 5:54am

Is that a serious answer, or are you piggybacking on the joke that New World Stages is where shows go to die joke? In any event, wasn't there  a rumor, prior to Matilda announcing that it would take The Shubert, that Mamma Mia was going to to the Ambassador, Matilda was going to take The Winter Garden, and that Chicago would move to The Booth? Granted Mamma Mia is closing and School of Rock is going to the Winter Garden, but I can actually see Chicago moving into The Booth. Set wise, the show would fit there, and it's also a much smaller theatre with regards to the number of seats than The Ambassador. 

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 6:07am

I think that Chiacgo moving to the Booth would make sense and then we could finally put something else in the Ambassador.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 6:16am

But when it's available, no one ever wants the Ambassador.  It even sat empty for five years, from 1990 to 1995. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 7:17am

Who cares WHICH theater the new show goes into?  If Chicago (or whatever) is playing ANYWHERE there us one less available theater.  Period. Do you think the Ambassador has feelings?

[watchmesoar]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 8:01am

Why did they move Chicago from the Rodgers to the Shubert? Their seat capacities are almost the same.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 8:53am

BroadMagTech, moving Chicago to the Booth would make no sense. The Booth is a popular theatre for plays. It's almost never dark and averages 2 shows a season. Why waste one of the smaller play houses on the musical that refuses to die just to free up a huge theatre that only works for musicals? Where will all the plays go? Not an 1100 seat theatre.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 10:37am

In the past Theatre moves were a lot more common, was there anything different about it then as opposed to now? Perhaps the less intense tech paraphernalia? 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 10:41am

The Rodgers is a Nederlander house and the Shubert is a Shubert house, so im assuming the nederlanders didnt want Chicago anymore. 

People also said Rock of Ages and Mamma Mia would move to NWS. As far as the Ambassador Theatre, im sure somebody would take that theatre. You know how many new musicals are trying to get to Broadway. I should take over the theatre

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 10:51am

Moving theatres is still very common in the West End. It was once explained to me that it's a lot cheaper to do so there because the union rules aren't as strict/expensive. It also has something to do with loading zones being stranger in NYC. For example even thought August: Osage County moved LITERALLY next door from the Imperial to the Music Box everything had to be loaded into a truck and driven around the block since one theatre loads in on 45th and the other 46th.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 10:51am

Before another show goes into the Ambassador, the following needs to be done:

 

1. Refurbish the inside including renovating and improving the toilet facilities

 

2. Install a new marquee

 

3. Steam clean the façade of the building

[sorano916]

Posted: 9/1/15 at 10:55am

What was the reason for August: Osage County's move from the Imperial to the Music Box?

Was it because of Billy Elliot or other reasons?