Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

#1

Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 11:51am

I'm not trying to sound ignorant...but I'm just surprised by that figure. I used to think that 10 million was the price for more lavish spectaculars. Am I completely behind the times? If ACL costs 10 million to produce today, how much for larger shows?

(I Can't wait to see the revival!)

#2

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:12pm

Good question.

I'm guessing it's all about the overhead (cast, crew, staff & musicians). And the insurance.

And the fancy lighting board, maybe?

And that white line... is made out of real diamonds.

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#3

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:19pm

Charlotte D'Amboise doesn't come cheap.

Personally, I think the expense is in the ghost light they put out at the end. This time around they are going to use a 100 watt bulb.

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#4

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:19pm

And advertising...

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#5

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:20pm

And the out of town tryout in San Francisco which also involved lots of marketing.

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#6

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:23pm

And have you shopped for Capezio lately? Outrageous!

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#7

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:37pm

On;y 10 million? I am a bit surprised it was that little.
Getting a show proudced to day takes real $$$ (not that 10 million isn't real sum)

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#8

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:49pm

I had actually heard the show is seven million dollars. So maybe the ten million figure is factoring in advertising or out of town tryout expenses.

But where the money goes: Marketing is of course a biggie. The show's lighting grid is very complicated. And you'd be surprised at how expensive the costumes are: not only the finale costumes, which cost several thousand a piece (and you have to have at least a couple of dozen of them) but the costumes on the actual "line" all have to be built - dance shoes etc.

A CHORUS LINE also has a large cast of actors utlized on Equity principle contracts.

It all adds up. You can scarecly produce a dramatic play on Broadway with a small cast for much less than 3-4 million.

#9

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:59pm

Also, even though the set is just an empty stage, it's still a set!

#10

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/1/06 at 1:59pm

Any idea what it's weekly nut is going to be? That number does seem high, but I guess that's Broadway. Any idea how much Grey Gardens or Spring Awakening are going to cost?

#11

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 3:07am

By today's standards, 10 million samolians is pretty cheap...

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#12

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 3:27am

Um Charlotte should come cheap.... the only thing she is good for is being a god awful last minute replacement.

#13

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 4:18am

Tacky.

#14

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 6:24am

BwayBaby18, you are soooooooo wrong...

Anyway, I can kind of see why this show costs that much. I'd honestly agree say they MAY be figuring in a couple of extra million for the oot tryout and marketing.

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#15

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 7:57am

yeah, 10 million sounds right to me
wow, shows are so expensive to put on these days...
but yeah, good they are using some money on advertising- that will really pay off, i hope

#16

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 8:22am

ok, so if ACL costs 10 million how much does shows cost like Pirate Queen or Wicked. I'm pretty sure that there are no flying effects in ACL.

Updated On: 9/2/06 at 08:22 AM

#17

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 8:36am

$15-$20.

Running costs for a show like Wicked are about $650,000 a week.

Running costs for The Wedding Singer are $600,000 a week....

#18

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 9:19am

Running costs for BWW:

Priceless.

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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#19

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 9:54am

Not commenting on Charlotte's abilities as the only thing I saw her in was Chicago YEARS and YEARS ago in Boston (at least, I'm pretty sure it was her).

However, she can't be so expensive -- no one outside of the theater community has any clue who she is, and even then I'd bet there are a lot who don't.

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#20

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 9:55am

With the exception of Charlotte and maybe Beresse, Im sure the rest of the cast is making scale. None are household, or even Broadway names, so I guarantee you the money is NOT being spent on the cast.

#21

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 9:58am

I think you are all missing the point.

The "Charlotte's not cheap" comment that Gothampc made was meant as a joke. It made me LOL.

Re-read his post. Did you think his 100-watt light bulb comment in the same post was serious too??

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 9/2/06 at 09:58 AM

#22

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 10:08am

if i remember correctly, wicked cost between 12 and 14 million to produce initially.

how is chorus line 10?! something's wrong here.

#23

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 11:07am

I thought wicked was between 15 and 20 million... 12 and 14? really?

#24

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 11:13am

I'm sure Charlotte is making decent money - but it's not like they had to pony up the Broderick/Lane bucks to get her to sign. Berresse as well. I agree that the rest of the cast is probably making just a bit more than minimum.

Even though the costumes look sparse and minimal, you can guess that the designer is charging a fortune to get them that way. And on down the line...(no pun intended).

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#25

re: Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars?

Posted: 9/2/06 at 11:18am

I have read the initial production cost for Wicked were 14 Million. That was before it incurred tour costs or the Chicago Sit-down costs.