PipingHotPiccolo said: "BJR said: "PipingHotPiccolo said: "Do we need a better example of "the Broadway business model is totally broken" when a show--without any major celebrities commanding insane salaries-- can sell to 95%+ capacity for six months straight, with avg ticket prices being well north of $100, and still maybe not turn a profit?"
Exactly my thought. If this doesn't turn a profit, little else has a chance. Not because the idea was a slam dunk, but because Ben has proved to be a major musical theatre draw. If running costs are indeed 650k and theyve been making over 1m/week, you can't ask for much more."
whether it was the reviews, the subject matter, or Ben Platt, the show sold out, or almost did, 8x a week. and still not a hit!
if i invested $$ in a show that then *did what we wanted it to do* and still took a loss, i ain't investing again in anything unless you first show me a power point on which specific group is guaranteed to buy X number of tickets for X number of consecutive months. Ie, im not investing unless its The Neil Diamond Musical or the Samuel L Jackson Play or Star Wars Goes Dancin. Otherwise, im throwing away my money.
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In this case, we are talking about a show with a cast of 36 (including standbys), more than 20 people in the pit, and a less than six month run. It can't be easy to turn a profit with a cast and orchestra that size with such a short run.
Also worth noting, many of those who invest in Broadway shows are investing in the arts. A lot see it as philanthropy rather than a business venture.
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