Stereo... closing? General question.

[JayVenclaw]

Posted: 1/9/25 at 12:36pm

So, I realize some shows open with a business model of only performing a limited run if there is a star or if they think they can recoup or even make a big enough 'splash' during said time frame but with Stereophonic... any thoughts or insights on why they "had" to close. They were at, if not near, capacity throughout their time at the Golden and they extended multiple times. I'm happy to hear of the tour and the West End transfer but couldn't this show have lived a little longer in NYC? Maybe just lack of physical theatre? I'm curious.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 1/9/25 at 12:56pm

I'd say their advances weren't good enough to spend the $$ on recasting, rehearsing, new promo, etc etc. It broke even and that's AMAZING for any production let alone a play with no big names that's 3 hours long.

It's also possible they can use the set and costumes on the tour and it's better to close up the slow money making on broadway vs spending another million (made up that number someone else can estimate what the set costs) on the tour's budget which is already probably tight since again plays don't tour as well. 

This is also frees up the current cast to join the tour or London saving them more money on casting and longer rehearsal periods. 

[Bwaygurl2]

Posted: 1/9/25 at 2:02pm

Someone claiming to know some of the behind the scenes decision making said that Stereophonic would have liked to keep running, but the decision was made by the Shuberts  that Operation Mincemeat would have the Golden this spring. It would be interesting to see how long Stereophonic would have lasted if they had been allowed to do an open ended run. But it doesn't surprise me that the Shuberts figured Stereophonic would run out of steam in early 2025 and Mincemeat would be a better bet.