| You've asked the pertinent question. The architecture of this show's finances is such that selling those tickets is the sine qua non of success. Half or more of that huge advance has basically been burned through and not burning through the other half depends on sustaining the premium plus market. This is the Rudin model, with or without Rudin. Dolly was a marginal success, and did not have ANY of the impedimenta that TMM has to contend with. For all of his successes in our precincts, his track record with these old Broadway musicals is not impressive at all. It is likely true that a sizable proportion of the hoped-for audience doesn't read reviews, but they sure do listen to word of mouth. Whether they will pay top dollar to see Hugh anyway is, it seems to me, an open question. (Clearly, no one is paying it for Sutton.) My guess is that the investors will get their money back and a little more but again will feel cheated at the end of the day. We shall see. |
