Riedel on All Shook Up- Page 2

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 1:19pm

"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?

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 1:21pm

Margo is correct. I cannot think of a situation where Margo was not correct.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 1:24pm

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.

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

[songplugger]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 1:27pm

"As for Elvis not having a draw, go to Vegas or any amusement park around the country and there are many many people simply watching impersonators."

Maybe that's part of the problem with ALL SHOOK UP.
Too much Elvis everywhere, all the time. And cheaper.
Updated On: 9/14/05 at 01:27 PM

[parker russel]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 2:06pm

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.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 2:10pm

while obviously Pollard deserves some of the blame I don't think it's fair of the other producers to attack him like that. they deserve some credit too for not doing anything. and shame on them for expressing their angst in such an undignified manner, and in that trash...

[Fosse76]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 2:26pm

"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.

[Kyirin]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 2:36pm

36% attendance.........cringe

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 3:53pm

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.]

[midtowngym]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:04pm

As with Steel Magnolias, someone dropped the ball on this gay-leaning show. Think of the publicity for a Delta Burke drag-queen look alike contest--judged by Delta! How difficult could it be to get Cheyenne to sing at a local bar or disco? It would be 'in character' to unbutton his shirt, and you'd have 3,000 drunk men at Roxy disco going crazy.
While i've seen ASU ads in local gay publications, there should be special discounts. Rosie did this for Taboo (it came way too late.) It was the only way to convince friends to see a show about Boy George. And for $45, they loved it.

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

[hearthatstrue]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:06pm

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

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:09pm

ASU would fare much better in Las Vegas.

Backstage feuds, huh?

[kyle33nyc]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:19pm

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.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:34pm

Theatre owners get the same minimum rent regardless of how well the show is doing (though, I have heard of instances where the theatre owners have received a small percentage of the profits when a show is successful).

Invoking the stop clause is not something typically made public (it's unseemly to be seen to be tossing a show out in the street). Typically a show hasn't been doing well for a while and then an official announcement is made by the show's producers that it's closing due to poor ticket sales. No mention is ever made of them being forced out.

I suspect -- and have absolutely no proof whatesoever -- that Caroline, or Change was forced out of The O'Neill so Good Vibrations could come in. Caroline had been making a modest profit week after week and then had two weeks in a row where it dipped slightly below break even (still mid 60s in attendance) and the day that second week of bad box office figures came out, a closing notice was put up and the show closed the next week. Can't prove the stop clause was invoked and I could be wrong, but from an outsider perspective, it seemed that that's what happened.

I also suspect the same situation happened when Gem of the Ocean was struggling and Doubt wanted the Kerr. Again I can't prove it, though.

Updated On: 9/14/05 at 04:34 PM

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:35pm

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

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:40pm

What's funny - Caroline was kicked out for, probably, the worst show...ever?

One of the better shows ever replaced by one of the worst....the IRONY

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:47pm

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.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 4:50pm

And the even funnier thing is -- GV (the big commercial audience-friendly show) actually did worse week after week at the box office than Caroline (the supposedly noncommercial, "artistic" "Snob" show that was said to not have wide audience appeal). GV's best weeks at the box office were worse than Caroline's worst weeks at the box office and closed after only a few months.

Updated On: 9/14/05 at 04:50 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 9/14/05 at 5:10pm

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

[RockabyeHamlet]

Posted: 9/16/05 at 5:25pm

Just let the poor miserable ship sink already...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/16/05 at 5:35pm

"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?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 9/17/05 at 2:47am

Maybe the producers are just holding out till October? I've heard many of you say that September is a horrible month for Broadway shows. ASU did modest business over the summer, generally $600,000 right? Maybe it will pick back up. I would think they would have posted a notice by now.