Show longevity

[mrgiovanni]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 1:25am

Hello, serious question here!
I was wondering on the longevity of many of the new shows, and even older shows. Thinking of the great actors of Broadway such as Merman, Stritch. They participated in many productions but not necessarily for long periods of time. Granted they were in the theatre for many, many years. Some 40+ but they participated in multiple shows during their careers! Off-Broadway, different theatre productions, etc. It seems like older Broadway shows weren't planned to run for long periods of time. Is that the case? Nowadays it seems like the shows are being cranked out even half cooked just to get them to a stage! Yet shows are expected to run for such long periods of time...or at least that's the general feeling it seems. When did this begin to be the trend? To try to outlast the other shows.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/2/15 at 1:33am

The more expensive show became to create, the longer they have to run simply to recoup...yet alone to make a profit.  A show runs as long as it is making money....aside from a few bizarre Disney shows.  The exceptions are those with ONLY big names that have a planned limited run.

 

You make a long run sound like it's distasteful.