South Pacific Closing Date...?

[sorano9162]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:20pm

I overheard recently that "South Pacific" is going to be closing in March. Does anyone know anything about it?

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:22pm

This is the first I am hearing about this.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:41pm

Anything is possible...but staying open through these next three months is a tough sell....they are traditionally the slowest part of the year. It would make more sense (financially) to close now.

AND...if their advance for the next few months was good...there really ISN'T a reason TO close.

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:46pm

I know this has nothing to do with South Pacific, but this website says that Billy Elliot is closing next January. Is this true? I doubt it though.


http://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/whatson/closing.htm

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 8:57pm

BILLY isn't closing next January. They're currently selling tickets through January 30, 2011, which is the date that site has listed. I'm not sure why they assumed that meant the show is closing.

[jonmbway4652]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:27pm

Billy Elliot and Soutch Pacific both make very high grosses every week... Billy Elliot is almost always near 100% and South Pacific is usually in the high 80's% or 90's%... The producers are not going to close a show when it is doing this well. That would make no sense

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:29pm

Stranger things have happened.

[Jenna Maroney]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 12:11am

For what it's worth, a splashy billboard for the show was put up on 495 about a week ago, leading to the Jersey entrance of the Lincoln Tunnel. (It's the billboard that's usually booked by Abdominalcrombie & Fitch.)

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 1:58am

I overheard recently that "South Pacific" is going to be closing in March. Does anyone know anything about it?

Oh really. And just where did you just happen to "overhear" this?
Or are you just trying to start a rumour to see if it takes hold?

When Lincoln Center Theater deems that production is no longer commercial viable they will announce a closing. Until then there is nothing to discuss.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 2:27am

"Billy Elliot and Soutch Pacific both make very high grosses every week... Billy Elliot is almost always near 100% and South Pacific is usually in the high 80's% or 90's%... The producers are not going to close a show when it is doing this well. That would make no sense"

A friend that works in the biz told me that %'s are not that relevant, but the amount of money the show is making.
A show can be 'papered' and can show a very high %, but if the show isn't making money, that's when they are on their way to closeville.

[hicaesar]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 2:27am

hey frontrow.. how about a little tact, the OP obviously was asking if anyone else had heard this... that is what a message board is for, to ask questions. Not treating people like they are dirt.

[onedaymore]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:27am

Someone said (don't remember who) on this board that there are shows coming to Broadway pushing the Lincoln Center to kick South Pacific out so other shows can move in. Would this even be possible?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:35am

No one can PUSH the Lincoln Center to do anything. THEY are in charge of their theater as well as their show.

No one closes a show that is making money for an unknown entity.

Shows that WANT to come in have to wait until a theater they WANT is available.


MIGHT they decide to close a show that is slowing down tremendously in sales? Sure.

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:43am

i recently saw the show and according to my friend (who is also IN the production), the buzz around the beaumont is that the show will probably close shortly after labor day.

the stage manager has put a bug in the ear of the performers to be seeking other employment around that time.

not trying to act like i have an upper hand or start any commotion. just reporting something legit from people INVOLVED in the show...not just seeing if i can further a rumor from a blogger.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 5:44am

THAT ^ makes a lot more sense, since their sales have dropped off...but not YET into dangerous levels. They, of course, know what their advance sales look like.

Personally, like athletes, I prefer shows to go out with dignity...not limping.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 10:28am

I'd say it's more likely that the producers have put a "maybe" on a potential closing time. The show is doing well, but not well enough to justify holding the Beaumont for much longer. Yes, the show is still successful, but Lincoln Center may be eyeing some new material to be brought in. Only the producers of SOUTH PACIFIC and Lincoln Center can decide to close. It's not a commercial house.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 11:17am

LCT has been doing fine renting out other houses to mount their subscription shows (ROCK 'N' ROLL, DIVIDING THE ESTATE, JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE, IN THE NEXT ROOM) and until SOUTH PACIFIC becomes unprofitable it will stay open. Unless they have a production in the works that is tailored for the Beaumont, I can't see why they wouldn't continue to rent elsewhere.

SOUTH PACIFIC only had a few weeks last year where they grossed under $700k, so that's giving them a healthy profit each week that can help them through the leaner months of January-March.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 12:29pm

Oh really. And just where did you just happen to "overhear" this?

This is a valid question. Where something is overheard can make a great deal of difference. Was it just a few fans at the stagedoor yammering? Were you at an industry event and spoke to someone involved with the show?

A show can be 'papered' and can show a very high %, but if the show isn't making money, that's when they are on their way to closeville.

They close shows that aren't making money?

hey frontrow.. how about a little tact, the OP obviously was asking if anyone else had heard this... that is what a message board is for, to ask questions. Not treating people like they are dirt.

Like I said above...front row had a valid question. He didn't treat the OP like dirt. It could have been much worse. People come here with rumors and such with nothing to back them up. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for verification.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 1:24pm

I think this rumor came from "The War Horse" making a London tranfer to the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

[sorano9162]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 5:14pm

To answer where I overheard it... I was at another show where a relative of one of the cast members of "South Pacific" is a part of. She and another cast member was discussing how "South Pacific" might be closing sooner than her relative thought and that March was mentioned.

I'm not here to stir anything up, but curious if there was some more word on this floating around.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/11/10 at 5:26pm

If WAR HORSE is planning on making a Broadway bow as opposed to just a New York engagement, then the only house I can fathom it fitting in is the Beaumont. But, again, such a transfer can only be done if the producers of SOUTH PACIFIC and Lincoln Center are willing to close SOUTH PACIFIC. We've all heard rumors with no proof that it's going to close in the near future, but we have no idea how good the advance is.