The practicality of closing

Hi folks,

With all these threads on closing, I wanted to share a theory / ask a question on why exactly producers choose to close a show.

When looking at the current list of closings, and considering what would be next to close, I think it's important to consider the show's life after Broadway. I am of course excluding shows that are terrible because their reason for closing is obvious. I am only talking about show's that are successful, and close unexpectedly (ie Hairspray, Legally Blond, Xanadu)

My theory is that the producer has to consider how they can benefit from the show's broadway close. Take the most recent example, Hairspray. The producer has to say "how can we keep making money off this show after it's Broadway close". The answer to me is obvious, release the rights to High Schools and Community Theatres. Keep in mind that I am not talking about whether you think a high school version of Hairspray is a good idea, I'm talking about whether it will be done. I think the answer would be yes. The producer then can look at hairspray and say "our ticket sales are down, we have competition, the economy is not great. If we close the show, we can still make a hefty profit off expensive rights to amateur groups".

So then, I ask, what would be next to close? Well I think you have to consider what is going to be "sell-able" to the general public. No high school, and very few community theatres, are going to touch 'Spring Awakening'. However, many high schools and many community theatres are going to jump all over 'Wicked'. Perhaps this is why Phantom has run so long, it can't be seen or done anywhere else because it such an extravagant production. I know when applying for rights to a show, the company takes into consideration what professional group is performing. For example, for regular Joe Bluecollar, why should I drive 50 miles to see 'Fiddler on the Roof' the tour when the local High School is running it? (I only use that example because a local theatre was denied the rights due to the tour).

Anyway, of course there are many, many, other factors that go into the decision to close a show. But I honestly think, this plays a huge role. When people ask, "why didn't they, a huge, popular, successful show, stick it out through the busy holiday season?", perhaps they (the producers) believe they can make more money from the amateur circuit.

As evidence, take note that RENT closed shortly after it's release to the public and Legally Blond is now listed on MTI.

Just a theory...do you think it's relevant?

there is alot of restictions on some of those shows still. and phantom has been performed by some highschools. it's just still makeing lots of money and is very popular still. and even though I do not want to see hairspray close it has had a healthy run on broadway and it will leave with a bang. it will be cool to see something new to come in hairspray will be remembered forever.

Updated On: 10/4/08 at 05:01 PM

You really don't seem to have a very firm grip on how any of this works

Indeed!

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it was just a theory/question folks. Didn't mean to upset the village. Of course I don't have a good grasp on how this works, that's why I'm asking the question.

I am well aware that all shows close and most release the rights. I am talking strictly about timing. You talk about Hairspray closing on a high note. In my purely ignorant state, it also seems strategic in other ways. If they close now and release amateur rights, they will avoid suffering the 40-50% houses you speak of. I am not sure of the exact finances but which would lose them more money, closing high and releasing rights or fighting it through until the bitter end. Hairspray (and please keep in mind I am using this strictly as an example...not accusing their producers or writers of anything) is an extremely popular show, and this it would be intelligent to close to high and release it's expensive amateur rights.

As opposed to Spring Awakening which will have to fight until the bitter end because it is not going to succeed on an amateur circuit. I'm not saying it won't be done, but it will be a rare choice.


I am not in anyway stating this as fact, nor am I claiming to understand how this all works. That scenario just makes sense to me.

i'm sure there are alot of highschools dieing to do SA it is very poular in that age range.

Updated On: 10/4/08 at 07:17 PM

??

You are right. Shows close for many, many different reasons. I think in your posts on this thread you illuminated most of these reasons, so there's no need for me to preach to you.

"Hairspray" is closing for exactly the reasons you deduced.

??, you are exactly on the right track.

"but the grosses have gone down and the producers have wisely decided to let the show go out on a high note rather than wait till it's playing to a theater of 40 or 50 percent capacity."

Then they waited too long. Hairspray has consistently played to half-empty houses for awhile now. It's picking up now that they announced the closing.

Shows close for one reason and one resaon only: lack of money. When a show is no longer making enough money to cover its own running costs, it is no longer financially viable to keep open. Some shows have a fund they use to offset the running costs for weeks when the show might lose money, but that only lasts for so long. Amateur rights play no decision in closing a show.

look at beauty and the beast ameture rights were avaliable three-4 years before closing

How can you claim Phantom would be too extravagant to pull off the sentence after you say Wicked will be done by every high school and community theatre? High schools have attempted Phantom- it isn't as impossible as your personal biases want to believe it is. A falling chandelier is not more difficult to pull off than any show where an actor flies.

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You just compared singing the Phantom to singing Boq. Compare singing the Phantom to singing Elphaba? Elphaba is FAR more challening. The Phantom is onstage for a total of like a half hour while Elphaba is onstage for the whole show belting her brains out.

...how can you do Phantom without a chandelier?

Imagination is not your best friend, is it?

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Yes, but I think overall Phantom is a harder show to sing than Wicked. Just saying.

vocaly wise phantom is a harder show. technicaly wise wicked is a harder show.
they are both hard shows. no matter what way you look at it.
?? why do you dislike phantom?

Updated On: 10/5/08 at 05:30 PM