Why does the CHORUS LINE revival cost 10 million dollars? — Page 2

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.

I'm missing something. Grey Gardens and Spring Awakening are 75 mil each? You've got to be kidding...if Wicked opened in 2003 with 14 mil, then how did prices jack up so quickly? Maybe that was another joke post, but it just doesn't seem right to have them 75 mil EACH.

How is this possible?!

I'm with jjoey on this, that can not be possible! HOW?lol

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Sorry, guys. I REALLY thought you knew that was a joke.

Maybe I'll have to start putting these: " " or "" or LOL! or (joke!) after everything that's intended merely for fun.


*ponders*

Naaaaaaaahhh...

My (apparently vague) point and POV here, is that 10 million for ACL is ridiculous. First of all, I didn't think the marketing costs were included in the show's production budget. I would think that is a separate budget. At least it is for film production and TV production. (And believe me, people get really "creative" with those bottom line numbers.) If a movie costs $100 million to produce, this does NOT include the marketing and advertising costs. You can usually add anywhere from $50 million to $100 million MORE for those. It's a very gray area, and has to do with creative accounting, since so many people these days get "points" and percentages of profits. Studios pay accountants big bucks to cry "poor" as often as possible.

So... back to Broadway...

If this $10M number includes the marketing and advertising costs, as does all other budgets posted for Broadway shows, then none of these published costs really make sense to me. Marketing is an ongoing thing for theatre, during an open-ended run. As is the weekly overhead for a show. The 10 million (or whatever the reported fixed amount is) has to do with mounting and opening the initial production, right? Not how much it will cost to run the show for the next twenty-odd years.

Or are these numbers just "smoke and mirrors" and we should all stop speculating about these random fairy-tale scenarios?

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Updated On: 9/3/06 at 01:44 PM

I really don't understand how those finale costumes can cost thousands of dollars each.

I do think the rest of the money is right up there on stage, however. When Charlotte finishes Music & The Mirror and the giant chandelier flies down and crashes on the stage, it can't be cheap. When Val finishes Dance: 10, Looks: 3, and the giant inflatable ladies they bought from the Rolling Stones pop up on the sides of the stage, it can't be cheap. The flashback scene of Cassie floating in the swimming pool in LA, using the Sunset Blvd technique, can NOT be cheap.

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Too funny!

Could royalties, or using rights for Broadway, have anything to do with the cost? I mean, if Taboo and Boy From Oz cost 10 mil, Bombay Dreams cost 14 mil, Sweeney and Chicago were 3 mil or so...I just don't get it!

By the way, I saw some ACL loading in was going on the other day...very excited!

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"I find it terribly dated, self-obsessed, pretentious, drawn out, and uncompelling."

Yeah, it's no RENT, that's for sure.

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By the way Best12, I read your posts often, and I think you are pretty smart and well-informed. I also usually agree with your opinions on stuff.
I am curious why people like Chorus Line, and if you think my criticism is completely off or even just a little accurate.

phantom8019---Sorry for the snarky comment. It's hard for me to be objective about A Chorus Line, because I saw it back in its heyday. It was a current and modern show, and it revolutionized Broadway, and I "got" all the various references (even if I was a bit young when it first opened).

Do I think it's possible that the material will come off "dated" to modern audiences who didn't experience the show in any form 20-30 years ago? Of course I do. I think this is a "given," based on the material. The show became dated during its original run, in fact. It was very much tied to the world of the mid-1970s, as seen through the eyes of these auditioning dancers.

I DON'T think it's self-obsessed or pretentious in any way though, as you have said. Not remotely. These dancers are asked to "open up" by Zach at his audition. They didn't show up that day thinking they were going to spill their guts and personal history on that stage. And some (like Sheila) get into the proceedings very awkwardly, and ultimately are upset that they were pushed to discuss such things. But this is the concept behind the show. Hey, you want the job? Then the director needs you to stick around and talk about yourself a bit. And as a result, we as an audience, get a look inside the heads and hearts of these chosen aspiring performers for 2 hours.

I think so many people on this board could answer your question of "why they like A Chorus Line." I've already posted in several ACL threads just how much it meant to me. (...MEANS to me.)

I would be curious as to a reason why you DON'T like it, instead. That would be more refreshing, and certainly against the general reaction. Is it (gulp) too old-fashioned for you? Can you not get past the funny clothes and the '70s guitar riffs and orchestral arrangements? Is Michael Bennett's "turn-turn-out-in-touch-step..." becoming as corny and cliche as the Jitterbug or Fox Trot? Underneath all the "old-fashionedness" of it, there is a tale of humanity. Of people gathered in a theatre together who all WANT something. And they're willing, and have been willing, to make sacrifices to get it. And the great love of their chosen profession is displayed and expressed on stage in many ways. With many stories to tell. That's the universality of this show. It's neither pretentious, nor self-obsessed for people to show real passion like that. It's inspiring... not just to other dancers or wannabe dancers... but to any human being who has wanted to better themselves, and reach a seemingly unreachable and illogical goal, merely for the love of it.

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Tana was in an infomercial for the Bedazzler. She even Bedazzeled her clothes she wore on Fear Factor with Craig. Does she get paid to bedazzle herself?

Back to ACL....

That mirror in the back must cost $50. 00 a minute to turn! And the part where Morales falls off a swing in Chanel and be caught by Gary Coleman did cost alot, due to Nicole Kidman not being Morales.

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bwayondabrain, you heard wrong. It was 14 million. How much did Sunset Blvd. cost?

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