#26
Posted: 7/11/07 at 12:25pm
FOOTLOOSE closed July 2, 2000 after 708 performances and as per Variety it was a flop (financially) but certainly not a bomb.
Although there is no official description of the term, to me a bomb is a show that closes abuptly, usually within weeeks of opening, losing its total investment.
THE PIRATE QUEEN was a bomb. LESTAT was a bomb.
Shows that enjoy long runs but fail to repay their full investment are termed failures (flops). Even a show that closes having repaid 98% of its investment is still called a failure. These shows can and often do achieve total recoupment. ZORBA was a failure in 1969 but in the mid-1980s it finally repaid its full investment.
Although there is no official description of the term, to me a bomb is a show that closes abuptly, usually within weeeks of opening, losing its total investment.
THE PIRATE QUEEN was a bomb. LESTAT was a bomb.
Shows that enjoy long runs but fail to repay their full investment are termed failures (flops). Even a show that closes having repaid 98% of its investment is still called a failure. These shows can and often do achieve total recoupment. ZORBA was a failure in 1969 but in the mid-1980s it finally repaid its full investment.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
