The Future of Guys and Dolls

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:31pm

If one looks at the grosses of G&D for the past week, they tell a confusing story.

Although they had 96% capacity (definitely one of the highest) they had a very low average ticket price. Their total gross for the week was less that $500,000 - definitely less than their weekly nut with such a large ensemble and orchestra. Therefore they are probably already losing money and they've only been open one day.

Of course the show will sell itself, but I think the show will never turn a profit (aka flop). I don't see it closing anywhere in the near future, but I for one don't think the producers will ever make back their money.

Thoughts?

PS: I am not wishing the show to close and put many people out of work or making any predictions about when it will close, I am simply discussing its future.

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:31pm

Bottom line: The name will keep it open for a while.

[shh282]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:32pm

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/RIALTO_CHATTER_GUYS_DOLLS_Producers_Say_Show_Has_Chance_Has_Chance_Despite_Negative_Reviews_20010101

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:37pm

Of course the show will sell itself, but I think the show will never turn a profit (aka flop).

You're right, it would be very hard right now.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:45pm

This is also being discussed in the review thread. Like a poster over there said, I think it will hold out for awhile; the prospect of Tony noms is one reason. I agree with WishingOnlyWounds that the name is another.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:45pm

Nice job of blatantly stealing a post in the Weekly Grosses thread.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:46pm

Was that directed at me?
ETA: Never mind, I just read that thread. Updated On: 3/2/09 at 05:46 PM

[boyfromoz2]

Posted: 3/2/09 at 5:57pm

Wow! I do apologise, but it was an honest mistake. I hadn't read that thread yet - just did.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 12:35am

Guys done right

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu1Bw7lfv7s

[snarkywannabedreamer]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:17am

"I think it will hold out for awhile; the prospect of Tony noms is one reason. "

What Tony do you think this show will be up for? Every critic and every one I've talked to who's seen it said this entire show and the casting is a big hot mess.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 8:32am

Allofmylife, that is a fantastic clip. I loved the General in that one.

But I actually like this version of "Sit Down" better-- and it's got Carol Channing introducing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XE-vFyGKu0&feature=related

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 08:32 AM

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 11:04am

The producers might as well not take there money and run, cut there losses.

Its going to do Jack in the tonies as the competition is too strong.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 2:05pm

The past of Guys and Dolls looked pretty good, too.

Shmerg, I saw both versions (and the London one was greatly cut down in the video) and I just found I fell in love with it more than the New York version. Granted, it had Faith and Nathan and was a perfect production, but I liked the little engine that could Donmar Version more. I think Loesser would have been amazed with the 92 New York show (especially Faith and Nathan) but he would have fallen in love with the London one.

Updated On: 3/3/09 at 02:05 PM

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 3:26pm

Oh yeah, everything I've seen from the London one was great. I just meant I liked the performance of "Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat" from the 1992 Broadway show-- not judging it against other numbers. Kind of like how I liked "One Day More" on Les Miserables Original Broadway Cast better than the Tenth Anniversary Cast but thought the Tenth Anniversary production was better for the most part.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 3:41pm

boyfromoz2: I think the reason why the capacity was high yet the grosses were low is because a lot of comps were handed out the days leading up to opening night as well as opening night.

Don't forget comp tickets!

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 3:49pm

As far as Tony NOMINATIONS go, there is little doubt that it will get a nomination for Best Revival. I only say this because there simply weren't all that many other revivals this year. I think we have G/D, Pal Joey, West Side Story (in my opinion the clear winner), and Hair. As for the win, I can't imagine a single category where it would take something home. Best Disappointment perhaps, but otherwise not so much.
Updated On: 3/3/09 at 03:49 PM

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 4:05pm

It MIGHT be nominated for best set design...but probably not.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/3/09 at 6:20pm

I don't think it will win any Tonys, but I can see it getting a few noms. Best revival obviously, possibly set design, and Craig and Kate (or maybe even Lauren) could squeak in nods.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 2:38am

It's got to be pretty bad when the revival on Broadway of perhaps the most perfect show won't win any Tonys. That's awful.

From IBDB

Guys and Dolls

1951 Tony Award® Best Musical
Music by Frank Loesser; Lyrics by Frank Loesser; Book by Jo Swerling, Abe Burrows; Produced by Feuer & Martin [winner]

1951 Tony Award® Best Actor in a Musical
Robert Alda [winner]

1951 Tony Award® Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Isabel Bigley [winner]

1951 Tony Award® Best Choreography
Michael Kidd [winner]

1951 Tony Award® Best Director
George S. Kaufman [winner]

1951 Theatre World Award
Isabel Bigley [winner]


1977 Tony Award® Best Actor in a Musical
Robert Guillaume [nominee]

1977 Tony Award® Best Actress in a Musical
Ernestine Jackson [nominee]

1977 Tony Award® Most Innovative Production of a Revival
Produced by Moe Septee; Produced in association with Victor H. Potamkin; Produced by Carmen F. Zollo, Ashton Springer [nominee]

1977 Theatre World Award
Ken Page [winner]

1977 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Robert Guillaume [nominee]

1977 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Ernestine Jackson [nominee]

1994 Theatre World Award
Burke Moses [winner]

1992 Tony Award® Best Actor in a Musical
Nathan Lane [nominee]

1992 Tony Award® Best Actress in a Musical
Faith Prince [winner]
Josie de Guzman [nominee]

1992 Tony Award® Best Scenic Design
Scenic Design by Tony Walton [winner]

1992 Tony Award® Best Lighting Design
Lighting Design by Paul Gallo [nominee]

1992 Tony Award® Best Choreography
Christopher Chadman [nominee]

1992 Tony Award® Best Direction of a Musical
Jerry Zaks [winner]

1992 Tony Award® Best Revival
Produced by Dodger Theatricals (Des McAnuff, Michael David, Rocco Landesman, Doug Johnson, Ed Strong, Sherman Warner), Roger Berlind, Jujamcyn Theaters (James H. Binger: Chairman; Rocco Landesman: President; Paul Libin: Producing Director; Jack Viertel: Creative Director), TV Asahi, Kardana Productions, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts [winner]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Nathan Lane [winner]
Peter Gallagher [nominee]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Faith Prince [winner]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Walter Bobbie [nominee]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Choreography
Christopher Chadman [nominee]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Musical
Jerry Zaks [winner]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Costumes
Costume Design by William Ivey Long [winner]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lighting Design
Lighting Design by Paul Gallo [winner]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Set Design
Scenic Design by Tony Walton [winner]

1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival
Produced by Dodger Theatricals (Des McAnuff, Michael David, Rocco Landesman, Doug Johnson, Ed Strong, Sherman Warner), Roger Berlind, Jujamcyn Theaters (James H. Binger: Chairman; Rocco Landesman: President; Paul Libin: Producing Director; Jack Viertel: Creative Director), TV Asahi, Kardana Productions, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts [winner]

Updated On: 3/4/09 at 02:38 AM

[Kevn520]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 4:00am

Best Disappointment perhaps, but otherwise not so much.

That made me laugh.

[nlm]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 6:17am

Riedel's posted about it this morning. Looks like producers will give it 7 weeks to pick up - so that means it'll be around Tony eligibility cut-off time.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03042009/entertainment/theater/faith_in_his_guys_157949.htm

[CSonBroadway]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 6:19am

But what I don't understand is that their stating it MIGHT close...but it's getting one of the highest capacities. Doesn't make sense to me.

[nlm]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 6:20am

Even with the capacity being high, the average price would be a concern. Unless it pulls in over the 500k mark a week they'll be cutting losses. The only way they'll get around it is they don't offer discounts, which of course will cause the average price to go up but with the potential of the capacity decreasing.

[mallardo]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 6:20am

It should definitely pick up a Tony nomination for Sergio Trujillo's choreography.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 3/4/09 at 11:51am

"But what I don't understand is that their stating it MIGHT close...but it's getting one of the highest capacities. Doesn't make sense to me.

This isn't complicated. The fullness of the theater can be attributed to comp tickets, which are factored into the weekly grosses at $0.00/ticket.