With the success of Phantom, do you think Webber might want to bring it to an end soon? Really, the only place it can go right now is down, seeing as it is at the top of it's game.
Does anyone think it's time to pull the plug? Do you think Webber will do it anytime soon?
I don't know about Phantom but if WIW sudden;y closes I wouldn't be shocked at this point. Look at the numbers, Webber is raking in the $$$ off POTO, He wouldn't close it.
Then again, it's not like he should close it. I mean, it is probably his best work (next to JCS in my opinion), but do you really think he's keeping it around for just the money?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Sorry. Just thought this thread was a joke.
As long as the production keeps paying for itself, it wont close. I think it could very well go past the 20 year mark.
I'm waiting for it to close, so that there can be the grace period, and then...casting calls for the revival, starring ME. (j/k....no, not really)
Understudy Joined: 5/16/05
Just a question? Would you want the length of the run to be so that it would be hard to surpass with another show?
Well, considering Phantom is replacing Cats, it wouldn't surprise me if that was his goal.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
Yeah, I would think so Rebekah, I doubt it will close anytime soon. Why did CATs & Les Mis close? Did they end at the top? Id give Phantom about 5 more years. Once newer shows open and start to gain momentum, Phantom might take a backseat. Granted, it hasn't yet, but we'll see. I can't imagine the day when RENT, Wicked, Phantom, Producers, or Hairspray close? Hm.
Yea I'm sure it was a goal, but it's not like he was barely getting by until this point...the show is selling just as well - if not better - than it was ten years ago. Why close?
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
"It will never close!"
Riiiiight.
I give it atleast another ten years.
I agree w/ Munk--look at the numbers, it still is usually in the 90s. If it was struggling at all, its BO was completely boosted since doing the movie. Why would you close it just because it accomplished something if it's still playing very successfully?
Featured Actor Joined: 12/28/21
The Post is reporting that Phantom will be closing in December. Anyone have any additional insight? How big of a grain of salt should we be taking with this news?
https://nypost.com/2022/09/16/phantom-of-the-opera-will-close-on-broadway/?fbclid=IwAR3WPHJ1XDqQ-hvTATWRCToNa8SkQirKbbnCB24S_XMNAzIn7S917ElaCsI
Broadway Star Joined: 10/14/21
Major shocker.
It’s over now, the music of the night.
That's major. And you'd think they'd announce it further out to give people time to return to it.
I'd imagine they'll just create a new, smaller, cheaper version and open it in a year. And that'll last a few years, then close like Les Mis.
RippedMan said: "That's major. And you'd think they'd announce it further out to give people time to return to it.
I'd imagine they'll just create a new, smaller, cheaper version and open it in a year. And that'll last a few years, then close like Les Mis."
It mentions that in the article as well.
"That could be a clue to the musical’s future. While this “Phantom” will close for good in December, it would not be shocking to see it return in a much cheaper iteration in a few years. Mackintosh pulled the same maneuver with London’s “Les Miserables” at the Queen’s Theatre. New director, slimmer set, more projections."
Well it’s not just Les Mis, the Phantom production in London right now is described to be by a different director than Hal Prince. I’m not across the exact details but maybe they will make the same changes in NYC.
Was the tour a financial/critical hit? I guess not that it matters. Has it affected Les Mis in London or is it still selling the same?
While I think the show could use some new staging - the mannequins etc - closing it seems so sad. End of a major era. But it is the kind of show that could tour endlessly.
In hindsight, it's a good thing I booked "Phantom" for November.
That article stated the Bway production is losing $1 million a month. Somehow I find that hard to believe but who knows.
Throughout the summer the weekly grosses ranged from $800k to $1 million each week. Does that mean its weekly nut is over a million?
To me, this is honestly one of those “I’ll believe it when I see it” things.
My cynical perspective is likely that they may just be having a light advance for the upcoming months and need to gin up some sales, and what would do that better than a closing rumor
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