Why are some shows only running 7 performances a week?

[musicalperson17]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 6:40pm

I've noticed it with Elf and Merchant of Venice

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 6:50pm

ELF - because it is in previews and lots of shows do that while in previews

MERCHANT - Al Pacino's schedule determined the performance schedule (and it is also currently still in previews)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 10:35pm

ELF is opening cold on Broadway, so I'm sure they needed time to tinker around with things?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 10:47pm

Merchant is the third highest grossing show this week with only 7 shows. Imagine if they played a full 8 shows. That's an amazing gross for a Shakespeare play.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/1/10 at 10:50pm

Exactly. Merchant is grossing $1 million a week. If they can play 7 performances a week and turn a profit, why the heck not?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 10:58am

"Merchant is the third highest grossing show this week with only 7 shows. Imagine if they played a full 8 shows. That's an amazing gross for a Shakespeare play."

They'll be adding an 8th for certain weeks.

[tommyboy]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 11:59am

We need to remember performances of any Shakespeare play is going to be 3 (that is THREE) hours. Consider the cast and crew. Two days a week are Mat and Eve perfs. As an actor, I've been there. 6 hours of curtain UP time is a drain.

[swimmingzeppo]

Posted: 11/2/10 at 2:48pm

Pacino didn't want to do 8 (originally he only wanted to do 6)