Posted: 5/24/16 at 1:16pm
Wow! This was an awesome production but raising $200k in 18 days? That is a lot of money! Will they have enough time to fly everyone to NYC and rehearse AND inform the Tony folks they'll be performing? Good luck to them!
Posted: 5/24/16 at 1:26pm
Kad said: "Well, it costs to have actors paid, some sort of scenic or lighting design, costumes cared for, etc.
"
Oh, I figured that the technical and other things were paid by cbs and maybe the theater organization. I know the Tonys don't get high ratings but I thought it was their show to produce and subsidize. Guess I thought wrong lol. Is that standard for other award shows that have live performances?
Posted: 5/24/16 at 1:27pm
I'm more than happy to donate to this.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 1:43pm
Wow... they'd have to raise an average of nearly 11,000 every day for the 18 days.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 1:45pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "Wow... they'd have to raise an average of nearly 11,000 every day for the 18 days."
Posted: 5/24/16 at 2:49pm
Posted: 5/24/16 at 2:50pm
Did anyone else sign up for the show's website/social media promotional campaign thing? I'm surprised they didn't put the word out through that.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 3:06pm
Hellob said: "Excluding the travel and lodging, why does it cost to perform? Does everyone have to pay a fee?
Also, how would a cast recording work to get the show across? You'd have to do a visual album, right?
"
Not only do the producers have to cover the vast majority of technical/production costs of a performance, they must also pay a fee to the producing entity. I don't know if that fee is to the American Theatre Wing or to CBS and I don't know what the fee is but yes, it all costs money. They don't just offer it free of charge to the producers. This is major exposure and there is tremendous value to it. They would never just give that away.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 3:53pm
@Hellob-
yes that is the standard. the difference is that the production values for the Tonys are higher than other awards, and no one would want to do what they do at the DD awards on national television. Add to that the fact that it is in a venue where union labor is required unlike, say, Webster Hall where the Obies were presented last night.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:40pm
This is so strange, and seems embarrassingly poorly planned. Why did they use an all-or-nothing crowdfunding site? Why didn't they start this campaign, like, the day after Tony nominations were announced? I loved this show and this production but this is just so odd.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:41pm
So are the producers of the telecast just going to hold onto a very expensive spot in the event that SA makes enough money?
That seems highly unlikely, which leads me to believe that someone did front the $$ and they already have a spot on the show.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:45pm
I'm sorry but I think this is stupid. Don't expect fans to bankroll a performance, that's just tacky.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:45pm
VintageSnarker said: "Did anyone else sign up for the show's website/social media promotional campaign thing? I'm surprised they didn't put the word out through that. "
I did, and no, I haven't gotten anything through that. Bad planning.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:47pm
The official Twitter account for the Tony Awards posted to their account that the list of performances will be announced soon so we will see.
https://twitter.com/TheTonyAwards
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:53pm
People-
A little reading between the lines is in order here.
1. They are doing the show.
2. Davenport put up the money for it, as an unsecured loan.
3. In one of his hare-brained schemes, he had them set up a kickstarter to see how many fools would donate money to pay him back part of what he invested. Whatever the shortfall, he will "donate" at the deadline so he can scoop up the proceeds of the scam.
4. He will then put out a press release saying "look at us and our groundswell of support." Just like he did on his absurdly fake live streaming numbers of Daddy Long Legs.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:53pm
HogansHero said: "@Hellob-
yes that is the standard. the difference is that the production values for the Tonys are higher than other awards, and no one would want to do what they do at the DD awards on national television. Add to that the fact that it is in a venue where union labor is required unlike, say, Webster Hall where the Obies were presented last night.
"
So if Beyoncé or Madonna perform at the Grammys or MTV awards, they pay for the performance? I'm so surprised by this. Thanks for the education, I don't think that the majority of people have any idea!
Posted: 5/24/16 at 4:56pm
RW3 said: "The official Twitter account for the Tony Awards posted to their account that the list of performances will be announced soon so we will see.
https://twitter.com/TheTonyAwards"
Direct link:
https://twitter.com/TheTonyAwards/status/735106557868920833
Posted: 5/24/16 at 5:01pm
This is absolutely impossible. For the mere fact that TONYS rehearsals have already begun. They would have needed to already be confirmed to perform at this point. And the TONYS are June 12th. They are collecting until the 11th????? Very strange!
Posted: 5/24/16 at 5:43pm
Good lord! That's a lot of money, it definitely doesn't seem worth it.
Are there ever alternatives where they could perform a song concert-style instead? Otherwise they certainly have options for a smaller song or re-arrangement that wouldn't need most of the cast or anything too complex.
Like the Word of Your Body reprise, which only needs three of them. Or Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind that only needs 3 of them as well, with 2 (Alex and Krysta) already NY-based. Or the Word of Your Body without that stupid tree of people (sorrynotsorry)...
Poor business planning... Oy vey. Good business planning wouldn't even get it nearly to a production cost of $200k for one slot.
But more power to them, especially if they're successful! I'm only rooting for the cast only though... cuz otherwise, ick.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 5:48pm
"So if Beyoncé or Madonna perform at the Grammys or MTV awards, they pay for the performance? I'm so surprised by this. Thanks for the education, I don't think that the majority of people have any idea!"
no. you're trying to compare the TONY broadcast with other awards shows. this is different. Beyoncé and Madonne don't pay to perform nor do they cover the production expenses. you're conflating two things.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 6:28pm
People are so cynical! This would be the first Deaf West performance on the Tony Awards, which would be a huge feat for them and for deaf talent. And if you read the description, this show started out as a Kickstarter two years ago (the original page is still up- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1832685006/deaf-west-theatre-presents-spring-awakening ) when it raised money to perform in a tiny theater on Skid Row, so honestly this makes perfect sense.
They don't stand to make much of a profit at all out of this because the show is no longer on Broadway (and the tour is still a year away), so I don't understand how so many are seeing this as a greedy money grab. That's a little ridiculous. It'll be a huge chance to spread awareness not only for Deaf West but for one of the most beautiful productions I have ever seen. They defied all odds by transferring to Broadway and getting nominated for Best Musical Revival after they closed- I won't be surprised if they achieve this as well.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 6:58pm
I can only speak for myself, but I personally am skeptical of this because it reeks of Ken Davenport's blatant money grabs and duping of theater fans for his personal gain. I loved the production and the performances and I think Deaf West does amazing work, and I would happily donate to get a cast album made or for some other way of preserving the show. However, I think this whole thing is tacky and ill conceived.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 7:27pm
GreenSharpie: they had a little more lead time then...
Posted: 5/24/16 at 7:44pm
JM226 said: ""So if Beyoncé or Madonna perform at the Grammys or MTV awards, they pay for the performance? I'm so surprised by this. Thanks for the education, I don't think that the majority of people have any idea!"
no. you're trying to compare the TONY broadcast with other awards shows. this is different. Beyoncé and Madonne don't pay to perform nor do they cover the production expenses. you're conflating two things.
"
Shows like the Grammys, Super Bowl, etc usually do not pay for performances, those are covered either by the artist, the record company, or a sponsor. It's justified as publicity for the artist or show. Maybe on the Oscars they don't, but on music awards shows this is usually the case.
Posted: 5/24/16 at 7:58pm
JM226 said: ""So if Beyoncé or Madonna perform at the Grammys or MTV awards, they pay for the performance? I'm so surprised by this. Thanks for the education, I don't think that the majority of people have any idea!"
no. you're trying to compare the TONY broadcast with other awards shows. this is different. Beyoncé and Madonne don't pay to perform nor do they cover the production expenses. you're conflating two things. "
Correct. At the Grammys, the labels foot the bills. At the Oscars, the studios. Whoever is producing/distributing covers the costs. The only time the awards presenter pays for anything is if there is a number unrelated to an entry or production in the case of the theatre. E.g., the opening number, a retrospective, the necrology. Those costs are borne by the organization, and paid for by taxation of its members.
