Young Frankenstein Gross Question

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 11:09am

Why aren't "Young Frankenstein's" grosses listed with the rest of the Broadway productions every week?

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 11:14am

Mel didn't want them to be public knowledge.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 11:14am

As part of their campaign to alienate the entire theatre community, Mel Brooks and co. decided not to report weekly grosses like every other show. At first, it was probably because they were almost ashamed by how much money they were making (i.e. how badly they were ripping people off), now it's probably because they aren't looking so great.

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 6:19pm

Mel Brooks did an interview with Playbill Radio where he talked about why they weren't reporting grosses for YF. He said that the West End shows never reported grosses. Has that always been true?

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 8:17pm

West End shows do not report their grosses, which is a shame as makes interesting reading, so I am envious of you Americans reporting your grosses.

Does anyone no crudely how Young Frankenstein is doing, does the show sell out? How much are they selling average tickets for now?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 9:00pm

I think VARUETY estimates FRANK'S grosses somehow, don't they?
Personally I wish the show had been more gross.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 9:12pm

He finanaced it. It all goes to him. He says it's none of our business. And if he alienates scarywarhol, I'll bet he doesn't shed a tear. And in reality, it is none of our business. In many ways, making the movies and Broadway into grosses horse races is ridiculous. Who knows if they are telling the truth. They're under no obligation to be accurate and I fear there's sometimes better fiction in the grosses than ion the stage.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 9:52pm

Legally Blonde

[alterego]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 10:15pm

I agree with allofmylife, well said.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/9/08 at 10:59pm

People lie?

WannaBe, explain yer point to us lower classes.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 1:50am

Um... to quote Mel Brooks himself, "NEVER PUT YOUR OWN MONEY IN THE SHOW." I highly doubt he financed it himself. Robert FX Sillerman and other backers would have put up the money.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 1:59am

Whatever. He's been around since the 40s. He doesn't need to satisfy we bunch of snot-nosed twerps on a Broadway website.

One sympathizes.

[winston89]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 2:08am

I agree that Brooks at first wasn't reporting grosses because he didn't want to flaunt how badly he was ripping off people. Now I also agree that I think it is because the show isn't doing as well as he wants it to.

[auzziek]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 12:09pm

Yes Variety estimates the grosses on its weekly chart. It's been a million the last two weeks.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/10/08 at 4:35pm

"He finanaced it. It all goes to him. He says it's none of our business. And if he alienates scarywarhol, I'll bet he doesn't shed a tear."

I wasn't really referring to myself, just the critics, Tony voters, and other theater people, and he has obviously succeeded in all three of those areas!