'Wicked' recoups- Page 2

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/20/04 at 10:09pm

Whatever the reason - star power and/or the famous title -- it's just nice they recouped.

Urinetown, Hairspray, Mamma Mia and The Producers also recouped a while back.

The last NEW plays to recoup were Art, Life X 3, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Proof, and The Tale of the Allergists Wife.

[Qfan]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 1:43am

Q recouped in 3 months since production costs are low and yea its a hit in a way smaller theatre than wicked. I like always have to agree with my girl corine cuz we both worship the Q( i just bought my 3rd copy but i ahven't playes mine out yet. 1. in my miami home 2. In my car 3. at my college)

I have to sincerely congratualte Wicked for finally recouping i was wondering when it would since its been a million+ show basically since i saw it in that cold cold cold january night. I'm still proud my show won the tonys(not making any fights) but, im proud of Wicked for adding another shining star on broadway.

**My theory for next new show to recoup thats a musical( i heard 700 sundays already did) will be Spamalot

[magic8ball]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 1:44am

It's a miracle.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 10:32am

'Wicked' Reaches Financial Nirvana
By JESSE McKINLEY

Published: December 21, 2004


fter nearly 14 months of flying monkeys, bickering witches and sold-out houses, "Wicked," the slick and successful musical based on characters from "The Wizard of Oz," has recouped its $14 million capitalization, one of its producers said yesterday.

The producer, David Stone, said "Wicked," which opened in October 2003 to mixed to positive reviews, will officially earn back its money sometime this week.

For any show to recoup is a cause for investor celebration - about 80 percent of Broadway shows lose money - but the success of "Wicked," a sort of prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," is also impressive because of its relative speed. By comparison, another recently successful musical, "Avenue Q," took 10 months to recoup $3.5 million on Broadway; "Wicked" earned back four times that amount in just four extra months.

"Wicked" was greatly helped by factors including an effective, broadbased marketing campaign, a bigger theater and a pair of splashy performances by its two original female leads, Kristin Chenoweth (playing Glinda, the "good" witch) and Idina Menzel (Elphaba, her long-suffering roommate at sorcery school). Both were nominated for Tony Awards; Ms. Menzel won.

Ms. Chenoweth has since left the cast, but "Wicked" has continued to increase its advance sales, which now top $30 million, Mr. Stone said. It is a consistent sellout at the Gershwin Theater, one of Broadway's largest.

"The most gratifying thing is that the audiences' demand for tickets has continued to increase," Mr. Stone said. "The box-office grosses and the advance sales are stronger now than they were six months ago and much stronger than they were over a year ago."

The show was also unfazed by an unexpected defeat at this year's Tonys, where it was favored by many in the theater industry to win the prize for best musical. "Avenue Q" won instead, but its producers promptly disappointed many voters on the road by announcing that it would bypass touring in favor of an open-ended stay in Las Vegas.

"Wicked" won't be taking that route. A North American tour begins in Toronto in March, followed by a lengthy stay in Chicago. Ticket sales in both cities have been strong.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 10:49am

Congrats to Wicked! It's nice to see another show recoup. Didn't 42nd Street recoup recently? Or it will recoup before it closes? I remember reading something about that.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 10:57am

Does anyone know when RENT recouped?

[magruder]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 11:04am

Avenue Q took 45 weeks, or about 10 months to recoup. Not three.

Actually, Wicked pulled it off in 14 months, only slightly more than Avenue Q, and paid off an investment that was about $10 million more than Avenue Q's. It's impressive.

[junglered]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 11:27am

Good for Wicked! Even though this show has it flaws, it is a great spectacle - and very good for Broadway. I will bet that the tour will do well and hopefully will interest more of the general populace in theatre.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 11:59am

Let's not forget that Wicked had the benefit of a really big theater- more seats, more money. But this isn't a race, as much as the fangirls and boys here like to make it one. When multiple original and new musicals from one season are recouping, that can only be a good thing. Updated On: 12/21/04 at 11:59 AM

[Becky]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 12:41pm

Let's not forget that Wicked had the benefit of a really big theater- more seats, more money.

BUT, that's why it's so impressive. This was a new musical (unlike the last few shows at the Gershwin that were shows people were familiar with) going into such a large theater - yet they continue to sell out. A little unheard of in that theater. (Didn't I read where this is the most successful show the Gershwin has had as far as sales? I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that in an article.)

I always love to hear stories of show survival (especially since 80% fail), but I'm especially proud of this production. They were at a little bit of disadvantage having to sell out that size theater - it was risky - but they pulled it off. Good for them.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 12:45pm

I'm sure it's the most successful show the Gershwin has had in terms of sales. It helps that ticket prices are always going up. :)

But yes, it's really hard to fill up that theater. Doesn't change the fact that it has a ton of seats. It goes both ways.

[Becky]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 12:49pm

Doesn't change the fact that it has a ton of seats. It goes both ways.

True, but initially it wasn't a benefit when you are a new show having to fill those seats. Just so happens it became a hit - and only now is the large theater working to their advantage. Also, I know ticket prices have been going up - but I believe the article was referring to shows selling out the theater (not necessarily the $ profit). Updated On: 12/21/04 at 12:49 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 12:54pm

I don't know much of the Gershwin/ Uris' history, show-wise, so I'm perfectly willing to believe that Wicked is its biggest hit capacity-wise, as well. :) I'm not trying to diminish their achievement- its a really popular show and they deserve credit for that. It' just always worth looking at what's behind the numbers.

[Elphaba3]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 2:34pm

Yay for Wicked! :)

[bjivie2]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 5:27pm

Yes, Wicked is doing great. But what is going to happen when Idina leaves, I wonder. But I agree that it IS a tourist show, and the average tourist won't know Idina Menzel from Donna Murphy.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 5:57pm

I don't think Idina leaving will make a shred of difference.

I don't care much for the show, but I'm happy that Wicked has recouped. Yay to investors actually making money in the theatre business!

Still, it's a bit disconcerting that takes this long for the biggest hit on Broadway to recoup. It would have been a financial train wreck had Wicked been a flop. Does anyone else think that we should be moving towards smaller, less expensive shows to ensure the financial survival of Broadway?

Updated On: 12/21/04 at 05:57 PM