TORCH SONG at the Hayes - a commercial run?

So there was already some discussion about this in the other Torch Song thread about 30 Under 30 tickets, but I hope you'll forgive me starting a new thread, because this feels like a separate topic.

Someone mentioned that the Broadway production of Torch Song is not officially a 2ST production. IBDB shows 2ST as producers, but not as sole producers. Does that mean that this is a commercial production? If so, I have so many questions.

2ST produced this revival at the Tony Kiser, right? Then they decide to move it to their own space on Broadway, but not have it be a part of their official Non-profit season? Or did the commercial producers decide to move it, and just keep 2ST on the producing team? Who's actually calling the shots here? If it's the commercial producers, then are they paying rent to 2ST for using the Hayes, or are they getting to use it for free because 2ST is still attached?

Am I missing something here? It strikes me as an odd situation. Is there any precedent to something like this? It seems odd that 2ST would do something of this nature so soon into their new life on Broadway.

It's kind of like if I were throwing a party in my living room, then someone came along and said "I'd like to pay you to replicate this party in your backyard later tonight, and I'll invite all the same people, and you'll be invited too."

Updated On: 9/23/18 at 08:13 PM

It appears to be a commercial production in which 2ST is an Equity participant, perhaps the managing member. Who is calling the shots would be in the deal, and I don't know but 2ST does not appear to be just along for the ride. (NB that Jordan Roth's husband is the first named producer after 2ST.) I suspect the arrangement is an outgrowth of the fact that 2ST is basically broke (or at least land poor) and this arrangement made sense. It would suggest that they have at least some voice. There are other arrangements (several at LCT for instance and I think a couple at RTC as well) that are similar but this may be the first of its kind. Is it odd? Not really; I think it has a lot to do with financial condition and a desire to put its mark on the new venue at the same time.

A better example, though not Broadway: Here Lies Love premiered at the Public Theater in 2013. Big hit. It closed. It returned to the Public in 2014, but the return engagement was presented by outside commercial producers, who were leasing the venue from the Public.

Second Stage has no involvement other than billing (and royalty) as the originating theater. This is a commercial production produced by Richie Jackson, who is the sole general partner. Originating theaters often get billing as part of their deal when a show transfers, what's unusual here is that they negotiated for, and got, first position.

Good point Hogan: them being the landlord probably gave them better leverage to get that billing. I was approached to invest in the show (I ultimately passed but the weekly is very low and I wouldn't be surprised if this recoups) and have a few friends who are investors and co-producers. Second Stage definitely gets a royalty, as most originating theaters do. And you are correct it's an LLC, even though the industry moved away from partnerships lead producers are still often referred to as general partners.

Hogan you're a stickler for details and I appreciate that

2nd Stage has one more show to be announced for the 18-19 subscription, which their website claims will be in the Kiser (presumably not until July/August). Though if TORCH SONG closes sooner, maybe they could change that to another Broadway play at the Hayes?

Also, sort of off-topic, but I just noticed that Jesse Tyler Ferguson's husband is listed as one of the co-producers of TORCH SONG. If it does extend, Ferguson would be a GREAT Arnold!