Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
#1Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:06pm
Does anyone know, historically, which shows have closed permanently after a strike in the past? For example, after the musician's strike in 2003, did any shows fail to re- open? Which shows?
Just hypothesizing on which shows may not be able to withstand the strike this time around.
#2re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:09pmIt really depends on how long it lasts. Anything we say will just be speculation.
#2re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:11pmI agree. That is why my question had to do with HISTORICALLY what had happened in 2003 or 1975. How could asking which shows had closed during previous stirkes welcome speculation?
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#3re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:12pmThe producers have all been setting aside a certain percentage of ticket sales for months now (millions of dollars) in preparation for this strike, so every show should be OK for a couple of weeks. Past that, it's anybody's guess.
billynj
Leading Actor Joined: 10/3/06
#4re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:12pmYoung FrankenSTIFF ...lol i just had to say that again
#5re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:14pmThank you for that info, Margo. Do you know if, due to a previous strike, any shows failed to re- open or were extremely affected in their sales so their run was greatly abbreviated?
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#6re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:22pm
I can't remember the exact names, but I seem to recall that at least a couple have closed in the past.
I wouldn't worry too much though. Since nobody's having to be paid (stagehands, actors, musicians, etc...) the producers only have to worry about covering fixed costs like insurance, so as long as this doesn't go on much more than a week or two (and a lot of people are speculating this should be over by Thanksgiving), I think every show should re-open.
Thesbijean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
#7re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:58pmI thought the League has contingency funds for when shows are affected by strikes and they foot the bill, not the producers of the individual shows?
Thesbijean
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/9/04
#8re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:08pm
Margo, everybody DOES indeed get paid to the best of my knowledge, everyone except the stagehands cause they are on strike.
Actors, musicians, ushers, stage managers, etc all have to report to work and sign in, and they get their weekly paycheck as long as they have come to work at every performance.
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#9re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:09pmI know the League has a huge war chest that is supposed to be in the tens of millions, but I've also heard that some producers have also gone to their investors and set aside funds as well.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#10re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:35pm
If the strike goes on for a week or 2 I doubt The Seafarer will even open.
I think Spelling Bee will also throw in the towel earlier than it is supposed to.
#11re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:37pmaccording to Playbill, Spelling Bee is Open. It actually might benefit from the strike
theatreguy
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/31/03
#12re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:38pmSpelling Bee is not affected by the strike. I imagine they're doing better business than usual this weekend.
#13re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:40pmSPELLING BEE sold out its matinee and evening performances today.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
#14re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:41pm
i smell an extension
lol
jake6970
Broadway Star Joined: 9/21/07
#15re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:41pmSo is there any chance of this thing ending by next saturday?
Colle
Broadway Star Joined: 2/13/06
#17re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:57pmIf the strike last long(past Thanksgiving and into the holiday season), I suspect "Les Miserables" may not reopen.
#18re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:59pmits not gonna last that long. thanks giving is still almsot 2 weeks away. there's no way this is gonna go one much more than a week, if it goes that long.
#19re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 8:00pm
Oh. Dear. Heavens. Please. Don't. Let. "The. Longest. Running. Show. Ever. In. The. Entire. World!" Close.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Boq101
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/20/06
#20re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 9:42pm
WannaBe, I forgot I had said that in your sig, I was trying to figure out who said it until I saw my name underneath...guess I was right after all.
Anyway, I hope the strike at least lets people explore a bit, there's still a LOT of good stuff out there.
#21re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:04pm
Young Frankenstein may become a monster hit if the strike lasts a long time. It has a copious theater which will be filled every night by tourists wanting to see something. And the only competition is Xanadu and Mary Poppins. Hmmmmm.....
In 1937, "Babes in Arms" was bombing big time until the heatwave, when all the other musicals in non air-conditioned theaters closed. For three months it was the ONLY musical in town. You get a lot of press when you're the only (or one of the only) shows playing.
#22re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:08pmWanna Be a Foster...I LOVE that im in your signature!
joniray
Broadway Star Joined: 3/27/04
#23re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:19pm
Ah, the irony. The main ammunition that the union has is escalating ticket prices fueled by Brooks’ ridiculous pricing strategy and yet he is the one who stands to benefit the most financially from the strike.
(P.S., for those looking for a Broadway musical, Spelling Bee is also an option along with Xanadu and Mary Poppins)
BroadwayBound86
Leading Actor Joined: 1/24/07
#24re: Shows That May Not Re- Open After Strike?
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:31pmA friend of mine is involved in the theater community and through her she mention something about Jersey Boys as well. Not sure what that has to do with anything though.
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