Newsies losing its legs?

[nycesq]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 6:33am

The box office for Newsies has been plummeting. Does anyone know if it plans to close by year end? It is an expensive show to run.

[binau]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 6:39am

How expensive is it to run? I think it's too soon to claim that the box office is 'plummeting'.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 7:43am

How would we know if it's closing?

Updated On: 9/22/13 at 07:43 AM

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 7:57am

If you're looking at the week Sept. 9-15, please note they'd previously cancelled three performances that week, the Mon-Wed.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 1:19pm

^ I believe someone said the stage needed maintence as the reason for the missed perfs.

September is tough for all the shows, but I wouldn't count them on the way yet. I guess they have AT LEAST to Jan '15.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:18pm

The cancelled shows were due to them replacing the stage flooring remember this is the first show almost 5 years that involves LOTS of dancing so the stage was wearing and tearing.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:25pm

The initial investment of Newsies was 5 M. I can't imagine the running costs to be that expensive compared to other Disney shows. With many of the OBC gone, I thought the show was still running strong.

[chimaera24]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:31pm

I saw the show yesterday. While one was pretty much guaranteed to win lottery tickets, the show was pretty packed. I really didn't see any empty seats.

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 3:26am

^ That doesn't mean much. A show can be packed with heavily discounted tickets.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 6:51am

Also, chimaera, you went on a weekend...

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 7:22am

I am curious about what makes Newsies an expensive show to run. It isn't highly technical, and there are no star salaries.

Facts?

Updated On: 9/23/13 at 07:22 AM

[bdn223]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 10:54am

omit Updated On: 9/23/13 at 10:54 AM

[Jonwo]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 11:04am

Once is still making money and at worse, breaking even. I imagine both shows are doing fine and will get through the lean months.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 1:48pm

Wow. Bdn, no offense, but some much misinformation and misconception there...

The Nederlander is NOT a large theatre and a 12 piece pit is notably above the minimum size called for in a Broadway house of that size. The cast of Newsies is also not small. Even if EVERYONE in the building made minimum salary, that is still a significant cost for a theatre of that size.

Next point of order is your assertion that things looking worn is great for Newsies. Lookingw orn and BEING worn are two incredibly different things and if something shows signs of wear, they need to be repaired for safety issues.

While you may think that the set is simple because it looks it, I can tell you from watching the show alone that it is not. Those three basic towers are large, heavy and they move a lot. That causes notable wear on the show deck (which is probably part of the reason that had to take a few days to repair and maintain it). It also requires the automation components and controls not ONLY for their movement and rotation, but also each of the 9 projection screens. each of those requires a different winch and rig. Those towers are anything but simple. You also have actors running up and down flights of stairs three stories above the stage. No one can allow anything up there to be "worn".

You also have a VERY large (overly so, in my opinion) lighting rig in use at Newsies. Light and sound systems are actually rented, so that is a notable weekly rental cost here. Consider that in addition to the lights you can easily see above and around the stage, you have the units inside the six light boxes at either side of the stage and the skyline groundrow, the projectors, etc...

Costumes.. they are designed to look well worn and aged. Not BE worn and aged. Especially with such intensive dancing, costumes that are not well maintained are not only prone to ripping onstage and being an embarrassment, they can also prove unsafe to a dancer. If you want to get down to the nitty gritty, making a costume look that dirty and aged is actually more expensive because you have to build it, then put it through the distressing process.

As far as your comparison to Once goes, it would be nearly impossible to get Newsies down to the cost of Once, and that is even considering that everyone in Once has to be paid at least musician minimum.

Newsies is deceptively simple. I can assure you that while she is no Lion king, Spiderman or Phantom, it takes a lot more than a few pennies rubbed together to pay the bills at the Nederlander right now.

To the point of the original post, I will only reiterate what was pointed out here. The show was closed for several days to repair and maintain the show deck, therefore the gross for that week was notably less. It doesn't reflect per-performance ticket sales, where Newsies is still chugging along nicely.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 1:54pm

While that's a great post ripping bdn's inaccurate statements to bits and pieces, I would still generally agree with the statement that NEWSIES is a relatively low-cost musical (compared to many others currently playing) and that they should be doing okay.

I never worked for the Theatrical Group, but I did work at Disney. Yes, no show is untouchable and all are liable to flop/close/etc. But don't be fooled by Schumacher's persistent claims that their parent company doesn't funnel monies into struggling shows. They do. And that's a fact, jack.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 2:11pm

Well, as I said in my post, I am in NO way saying that Newsies is a horribly expensive show to run. I am only saying that it costs more than you would think at first and certainly more than Once. Relatively speaking, yes, I would agree that it is a lean show to run.

I also agree wholeheartedly about Disney shoveling money into their shows. It is plain and simple fact. Tarzan, for all it's faults, fell victim to Disney's corporate mentality when they decided to start throwing money at The Little Mermaid.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 2:20pm

In regards to the show deck maintenance: they actually installed a completely new one. The deck they were using was built for their initial 5-month run, and was not built with spring in it. Obviously, DTP has since extended their run, and the cast has been dancing on a stage with no spring in it... which is quite dangerous. Disney made the investment. They have a new deck.

Updated On: 9/23/13 at 02:20 PM

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 2:31pm

No, I hope not! I haven't had the chance to see it yet! I have done the lottery twice and lost, so I guess I better buy tickets soon.

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 9/24/13 at 9:41am

Week ending 9/22 - 83% capacity. 62.4% of potential box (11th of 25 shows). Doesn;t look remotely like an issue yet.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 9/24/13 at 10:10am

Posts like broadwayguy2's are why I enjoy following this board. Informed, detailed and insightful.

[BwayGeek2]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:30am

I really hope it doesn't close! I don't think it is.