The question is what do you mean by "a real life"?
Do you mean that it has a lasting imprint on the theatre scene with touring companies, licensed productions, high school productions, etc.
The great exception to that rule is then Seussical. Having played less than six months on Broadway, "it closed in less than six months, having lost more than $10 million, and went into the history books as one of Broadway’s biggest disappointments" (from the NY Times article, 2007).
But that flop has gone on to be quite profitable. "Almost immediately after the show was licensed, it became the most popular title in the catalog for Music Theater International. It’s still [as of 2007] in the Top Three" (NY Times)
So although the general theatre community thought the show was "crap". (My word. Not printed) It has made money for its producers since it closed. I have been unable to find out if it recouped the original investors's money. |
