That makes sense, kinda, but it doesn't instill me with buckets of confidence. I did not quickly find anything more but I did find the linked and interesting article from the Times 7 years earlier that suggests, to me at least, that his office was coming up with some fast and dirty numbers that would not necessarily align with an accountant's determination of if and when a show recouped. I confess my interest in theatrical financial numbers had not kicked in in 1970, or 77, but I can't imagine how these numbers would be available in final form in the snapshot he took (I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. So the bottom line is I would be more inclined to rely on systematic reporting bearing in mind that then as now reports of recouping are haphazard. (Also note that there is some mishmash of tours in his 1970 report, and remember that money that can look like it should be going to investors can and not infrequently is diverted to other budgets within the producing entity, much to the routine dismay of some investors.)
If you look at the link, don't miss the bit below about the city's purchase of the Public Theater. |
