Why is War Paint Still Playing?

I'm interested in hearing your theories about why War Paint is still playing and hasn't announced a closing date yet. A friend had an interesting theory. He speculated that Patti had it written into her contract that the show had to run for a speculated length of time.

I've finally listened to the cast recording. Admittedly I listened to it only once and many times cast recordings only come alive for me after I see the related shows, but I don't see how they thought this show would succeed on Broadway. For a show to recoup these days it seems it needs to be marketable to the tourist crowd and hopefully have strong reviews (although the non-theater tourist crowd doesn't care as much about this, they will like to say they saw a Tony-winner).

Even though they are both old school-type musicals, it seems Hello Dolly! has everything that War Paint doesn't - strong reviews and most importantly a big star that appeals to both theater folk and tourists (Patti and Christine are both lauded within theater circles, but really don't have much appeal to the broader-based tourist crowd).

So what do you think of my friend's speculation? Is he on to something or do you have your own theories? And why'd the producers think this could recoup?

Updated On: 8/18/17 at 02:51 PM

Because enough people are buying tickets that producers don't feel the need to close yet?

I'd be shocked if it made it through September, but I truly have no idea what their advance or their weekly nut is. I can't imagine they're making much, if any, profit at the moment.

The idea that LuPone had it written into her contract that the show must run a certain length of time is hilarious, though. There's no way any producer would ever agree to such a demand.

Because it's a fantastic show and people are buying enough tickets to make it run. I doubt it's a very expensive show to run.

bkersey said: "Because it's a fantastic show and people are buying enough tickets to make it run. I doubt it's a very expensive show to run."

Not true Large set pieces, lots and lots of costumes and wigs to maintain, ensemble, and Patti alone does not work cheap. Sure, she could be waiving certain things or taking pay cuts to keep it running, but she's making good money, car service to and from the theatre, and they're probably paying for an apartment in the city (I know Gypsy and WotV had to).

I think it's a fantastic show with a beautiful score.

I wonder if the stars have a guaranteed contract. While the comment above about a guaranteed RUN is highly unlikely, if the stars are guaranteed to be PAID, the producers may very well be mitigating their losses. If they're going to pay, they may as well take SOME income to offset it.

I was there last night and the theatre looked pretty full for a Thursday to me.

Allowing the show to continue to run - or closing it - is a decision solely left to its producers.

Period. End of conversation.

Because when it closes Patti (supposedly) retires. If I were the producers I'd keep it running forever too.

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "Ya know, why do people do posts like this?

Do you realize you're kinda rudely speculating on why and when a whole bunch of people are gonna be unemployed?

Why don't we spend more time cheering original musicals on that are still open?

Why is it still running? Cause clearly people like it."



You're probably right. In my curiousity, it might have seemed I was advocating for the show to close and subsequently for people to lose their jobs. I am genuinely curious how War Paint continues to play while other shows with mixed reviews and poor box office showings have already announced closing dates in the near future as it helps me understand the business of Broadway productions better. I suspect a lot of it comes down to the star power of Patti Lupone and the taste for risk by the producers as well as other aspects we'll likely never know.

Once again, sorry to offend. I'm new to these message boards. I believe in the power of musicals and don't want to earn the reputation as someone who doesn't.

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "Ya know, why do people do posts like this?

Do you realize you're kinda rudely speculating on why and when a whole bunch of people are gonna be unemployed?

"

Do people feel this same way when analysts speculate something such as retail stores closing locations (Macy's, Sears, JCPenney just this year alone) due to the impact of the internet? It's called business. You see a business - such as a store or a Broadway play - not attracting paying customers, and you wonder how much longer they can survive and their staff will stay employed.

A friend had an interesting theory. He speculated that Patti had it written into her contract that the show had to run for a speculated length of time.

Where did he come up with that idea? And why Patti?

Wouldn't the producers be hoping for people like me, someone who likes original productions and wants to see something (or someone) they can't see on tour?

I was in New York in April. I bought tickets a week in advance to see Great Comet, an option that will not exist soon. I tried to get tickets for Dear Evan Hansen, but that was touch and go, as I didn't want to pay scalper's prices. We got lucky, thanks to advice from people on this board.

If those plans had fallen through, I debated what to see. We probably would have seen Sara Bareilles in Waitress, and then picked from what was left. War Paint wasn't my first choice, as the reviews seemed pretty tepid, and I'm not obsessed with Patti Lupone. But I was curious to see her and Ebersole, because they are the sort of Broadway stars you're never going to see on tour.

If we were going in the fall, with Waitress going on tour, and Great Comet, Groundhog Day,and Bandstand closed, I definitely would have considered War Paint more seriously.

Any Broadway producer betting too heavily on people like me would be foolish. But don't some shows do a little better in the fall once the summer tourist crowd leaves and the options are more limited? Unless the production is losing a lot of money each week, what's the harm in giving it a shot?