NETWORK-MOST EXPENSIVE PLAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY

[fitzdavid2]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 10:48pm

An investor said that Network is the most expensive play ever, with a budget of $7.5 million.  Is this because of the dining area, which added an exciting dimension to the production?  And is it only playing seven performances a week.  Ticket prices are probably going to be very high since it's in a smallish theatre with a second balcony.  If it's the National, is it a non-profit production?

[barcelona20]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 10:54pm

Did you forget about a little play called Harry Potter?

[LEERAUCH]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 10:55pm

Saw it in London.  Cranston's excellent but the play itself is considerably less than the "dazzle" of the production.  Ivo is a master of creating stage magic at the expense of content and here that's mostly a good thing.   The William Holden-Faye Dunaway relationship is shortchanged here and the drama lacks the power of the film.

[fitzdavid2]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 10:58pm

Whoops, forget about that.  But, even though it won the Tony Award, I consider that more an entertainment event than a play...the spectacle is truly overwhelming.

[blaxx]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 11:01pm

fitzdavid2 said: "Whoops, forget about that. But, even though it won the Tony Award, I consider that more an entertainment event than a play...the spectacle is truly overwhelming."

What you consider is not relevant. It is a play, get over your wrong statement.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 11:16pm

Pretty sure Angels was up there too..

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 11:18pm

I smell a shill.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 8/20/18 at 11:18pm

Angels in America was supposedly 7.5 million last year. If Angels couldn't make its money back in 20 weeks in a 1450-seat theater (plus Tony Awards), how's Network going to make its money back in 18 weeks in a 1100-seat theatre?

If it were a non-profit production, your friend wouldn't be solicited as an investor... The NYTimes article listed 5 commercial theatre producers who are bringing the National production to Broadway (similar to the Angels situation).

[Shh_413]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 6:25am

I came into this thread, read the title, thought "Ha! As if!", and read the first post.

I am satisfied.

[Wallman2]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 7:52am

Production will be scaled-down.  Understand there will be no dining-area...maybe there will be no videography on Broadway; that was certainly a distraction at the National.  Of all the imports they've done recently, this was the least interesting.  Hope they bring over The Lehman Trilogy...

[KFC1991]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 7:55am

SomethingPeculiar said: "Angels in America was supposedly7.5 million last year. IfAngelscouldn't make its money back in 20weeks in a 1450-seat theater (plusTony Awards), how'sNetworkgoing to make its money back in 18 weeks in a 1100-seat theatre?
 

I have no idea if the 7.5 is accurate. I will say that the lower capacity isn't necessary a bad thing at all, as it will increase demand and allow for the sale of more premium seats. I also think Angels' ticket sales were hurt by it being a two part commitment. I believe Cranston's last play recouped, so even if the 7.5 figure is accurate, it seems like a solid investment, as far as plays go(obviously a risky bet).

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 8:17am

I'm not an investor or producer, so I don't have access to actual numbers, but I'd be willing to bet my house that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child cost more to mount than Network.

Updated On: 8/21/18 at 08:17 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 9:44am

Harry Potter's payoff to Paramour reportedly was more thsm 7.5

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 9:56am

According to The New York Times, $35.5 million to capitalize Harry Potter, plus $33 million to clear out and redo the Lyric.

[zainmax]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 12:15pm

CT2NYC said: "According to The New York Times, $35.5 million to capitalizeHarry Potter, plus $33 million to clear out and redo the Lyric."

Wasn't the payout to Paramour like 17 or 20 mil?

[CT2NYC]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 12:24pm

zainmax said: "CT2NYC said: "According to The New York Times, $35.5 million to capitalizeHarry Potter, plus $33 million to clear out and redo the Lyric."

Wasn't the payout to Paramour like 17 or 20 mil?"

$23 million was paid to Paramour, with $10 million for the renovations.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/21/18 at 12:28pm

Hard to guess for Potter since there was so much going on with renovations, paying people off... etc... Will be interesting to see how much the sit-down productions cost.