Riedel on All Shook Up — Page 2

"Fosse, a theatre can evict a show once its gross falls below x amount of dollars two weeks running. It's called, I believe a "drop show clause". If it's invoked, it doesn't matter how deep the producer's pockets are, that show is out the door."

That's what I thought but wasn't sure. Is the amount negotiated or is it what Margo said, below operating costs?

Ghostlight may be right -- it may not just be the exact break even number, but a negotiated amount which is around or even below the break even.

All Shook Up has been below break even for weeks. I take it there isn't a tenant clamoring to get into the Palace ASAP, so the theatre is letting ASU stay put for now.

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Updated On: 9/14/05 at 01:24 PM

Having met the guy several times I've always found him to be incredibly nice, have an incredibly nice family, and has always been open to ideas on how to make the show/marketing stronger and better, and never seemed cocky or arrogant.

I personally feel horrible for him, for the public humiliation he's currently facing, and for the people on here thinking they can add salt to the wound.

I wish him and the show much success.

"has always been open to ideas on how to make the show/marketing stronger and better, and never seemed cocky or arrogant."

A new book would be nice. I recently went back to see it to give it another chance, and hated it even more than the first time I saw it. The dialogue isn't AS hokey as I remember, but it is still pretty hokey. The plot is so contrived that a pre-schooler could have come up with it. The fact that all the characters have the same relationship problems is so tacky and cliche that the bookwriter should be forced to spend time at Rikers for crimes against theatre. And Most of the songs have no reason for being in the show, advance nothing, and are simply sung just so that they can be in the show (if they want to sing Jailhouse Rock, at least have the main character be in jail as opposed to a singing fantasy by the mayor who seems to arbitrarily pass laws with the approval of a church group rather than a city council). I've read the Save ASU thread and I'm perplexed at the comments that there is a twist in this plot. I knew the outcome for each character the first time I saw the show by the middle of the first act. The second Jen G. dressed as a man I knew Jackson's character would fall for her in Act II and there would be a contrived gay subtext, but that they would end up together in the end. Anyone who didn't see any of this coming really should, well, nevermind. I was so offended by the simplicity of the show that I felt insulted. And some of the acting (if you can call it that) was simply so bad that I'm beginning to think that the actors got their roles because this was all that auditioned. I'm not trying to be mean but this is really what I thought of this show. I did think they did a good job with the orchestrations, however.

The stop clause dollar amount is a negotiated figure and not necessarily the breakeven.

Invoking the stop clause does not necessarily mean a show would close. If the clause were invoked for All Shook Up, the production could move to another house, except that right now there is not a theatre the right size for the show.

The Broadhurst could become available soon but that is the only one I can think of that is remotely large enough without another booking soon, and even it is a bit small for this big show.

[Phantom has no stop clause. The Shuberts wanted the show so bad that they evicted 42nd Street and paid for their move along with new ads trumpeting the move, and brought Phantom in for as long as they chose to stay. They also did a lot of construction things to the stage house insuring that the sets would fit into the Majestic--like break through the back wall and steal some stage space from the Broadhurst. All of this is another story.]

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Fosse: As a huge ASU, I have to say I actually agree with you- to a certain extent. I think the book can be very funny at times (but I think it's moreso the delivery that makes me laugh), but it's the weakest part of the show and not as good as it could be, as far as I'm concerned. I'm not sure what twist some of the posters are talking about. It could be the reprise of "Can't Help...." I'm not sure. Though I'll admit, I'm a pathetic hopeless romantic, and I absolutely love the ending. But as much as I love the show, I can admit that there are moments where I still don't understand why they used that quote, or that song. I still love the show for what it is: pure enjoyment and fun, with a good heart and an incredibly talented cast.

As much I hate to say it, because I don't like seeing shows close, if they attendance is continually dropping, they should just post a notice. Give the actors a chance to spread their wings and go to something that hopefully will be more successful.

♥ Stephanie

Margo - is it correct to assume that the house owners are paid the same rent, regardless of what kind of gross the show pulls in for the week? Or is there a financial loss for the theater owners as well if the show is not breaking even? Do you know of any recent shows that were "evicted" by the house owners to make way for a better tenant?

I think it is silly that people are arguing over whether the success of this show is because of a lack of interest in the music of Elvis. It's most likely not popular because 1) it has no TV star headlining 2) it didn't get great reviews, and 3) it's not getting good word of mouth. There is this urban myth that Mamma Mia is a quality show, and that word of mouth has resulted in tremendous business.

All Theatre owners get 5% of the gross - It is very standard on Bway and off. The actual fixed rent is nominal (around 20k a week) That is why the stop clause exists.

Updated On: 9/14/05 at 04:35 PM

Theatre rentals are often referred to as Cost Plus Ten.

"Cost" is the weekly cost of running the theatre and the "Ten" is 10%. What I am not entirely sure of is whether that 10% is of the total gross or of the gross above the Cost.

Any takers?

Simple example - million dollar weekly gross with 500G nut=600 using total gross and 550 using gross above cost. Best guess is the higher figure.

Remember there are all sorts of things a theatre owner can charge off to weekly operating cost. Example: the cost of the management apprentices.

The "Cost" covers the expenses and the "Plus Ten" is the profit.

Sometimes producers waive the Plus Ten if a show is struggling which lowers the weekly nut to whatever the Cost is. Sometimes they will waive a bit more, but not often. The rent always gets paid.

Gem of the Ocean was probably eased out to make room for Doubt. It wasn't making anything and Doubt looked big. Same for Wonderful Town and Sweet Charity. To be fair each of these pairs of shows had the same producers making it a little easier to seal the deals.

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36% is pretty bad. For God's sake, All Hard Up, let these performers go!!

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"Give him a break. Why? For having such an enormous ego that he screwed up, wouldn't bring in help and now it's going to cost several dozen people their jobs (on a show that had it been properly produced could have run for years)? Sorry, I don't feel sorry for incompetent, egomaniacal millionaires who's troubles are entirely self-inflicted."

Are we talking about the president here?

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