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Article about Broadway closings and more
Posted by: AnObserver 09:26 am EST 12/18/22

See link. "Nobody wants to admit that they're not selling tickets."
Link https://www.amny.com/entertainment/not-selling-manhattan-theater-struggles/
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re: Article about Broadway closings and more
Posted by: dreamawakening 09:52 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: Article about Broadway closings and more - AnObserver 09:26 am EST 12/18/22

Very one sided negative story.
Lots of people are making lots of money in live entertainment.

2 questions - couldn't the writer find a NYer to interview? Why did he have to go to someone who moved away? And has ANYONE ever heard of this wild project theatre?
(i suppose that's 3 questions)
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re: Article about Broadway closings and more
Posted by: ryhog 01:06 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Article about Broadway closings and more - dreamawakening 09:52 am EST 12/18/22

It is obviously not a well researched/sourced article and it has a major conflation/lack of focus problem resulting from the lumping of for profit and not for profit but as to the latter it is certainly not negative in an unwarranted way. Whether Wild Project means anything to you or not, it's an apt example. We don't worry about for profit Broadway failures because it's all in the mix and each show is on its own bottom (not to mention that saying a show has not recouped is not quite accurate, as in the case of TMM where the issue is a non-mandatory announcement that is unquestionably a technicality), but the not for profit sphere is hurting badly and it is likely going to have existential consequences for some. That's not negative; it's truth, and you are among those fulfilling the headline.
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re: Article about Broadway closings and more
Posted by: Singapore/Fling 10:54 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Article about Broadway closings and more - dreamawakening 09:52 am EST 12/18/22

Yes, ANYONE who is a serious (or absurd) NYC theatergoer has heard of The Wild Project. Among other offerings, it is the home for Clubbed Thumb’s SummerWorks, meaning it was the launch pad for “What the Constitution Means to Me”.
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I’m not a serous theatergoer.
Posted by: dramedy 11:08 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Article about Broadway closings and more - Singapore/Fling 10:54 am EST 12/18/22

If that is your standard. I’ve never heard of the group.
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You could read more press releases here
Posted by: Ann 06:37 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: I’m not a serous theatergoer. - dramedy 11:08 am EST 12/18/22

Or even just press release subject lines.

Yes, I'm surprised regulars here have never heard of The Wild Project
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re: You could read more press releases here
Posted by: PlazaBoy 02:20 am EST 12/20/22
In reply to: You could read more press releases here - Ann 06:37 pm EST 12/18/22

I have only the vaguest recognition of the name and really no idea what they do. Odd, because I'm familiar with most every other group mentioned in this thread.

I looked though their previous productions (prior to the past five years when I moved out of NY) and that didn't jog anything either. Bit of a mystery to me that they never caught my eye. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps they were not frequently listed on TDF. I used TDF for almost everything I saw off and off-off Broadway because the selection was plentiful and one is unlikely to have a bad seat in a small house. I stopped using TDF for Broadway due to too many bad seats. Again, I am talking five years ago and earlier.

TDF was such a gift for my 30 years of NY theater going.
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Wild Project Theatre
Posted by: FinalPerformance 07:14 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: You could read more press releases here - Ann 06:37 pm EST 12/18/22

I've seen a few shows at this decent theatre space on East 3rd St. Very intermediate with a friendly staff. A few blocks from Katz's Deli. I use to hear more about then but their still active.
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re: I’m not a serous theatergoer.
Posted by: Showtunegal 01:47 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: I’m not a serous theatergoer. - dramedy 11:08 am EST 12/18/22

me neither, I guess, though I will see about 90 theater pieces this year, including at Ars Nova, HERE, BAM, Soho Playhouse, etc. And I saw What the Constitution Means to Me without managing to hear of it.
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You’re not a serous *NYC* theatergoer.
Posted by: Singapore/Fling 12:49 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: I’m not a serous theatergoer. - dramedy 11:08 am EST 12/18/22

I said a serious NYC theatergoer. You seem to primarily do Broadway, which is a small slice of the NYC scene.
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re: You’re not a serous *NYC* theatergoer.
Posted by: Ncassidine 09:14 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: You’re not a serous *NYC* theatergoer. - Singapore/Fling 12:49 pm EST 12/18/22

Many serious NYC theatergoers have no idea what that is.
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Guess I’m a frivolous theater goer
Posted by: Billhaven 01:54 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: You’re not a serous *NYC* theatergoer. - Singapore/Fling 12:49 pm EST 12/18/22

Been going to the theater for more than 50 years: Broadway, Off Broadway as well as Wooster Group, Dixon Place, the Open Theater, Ridiculous Theater, Target Margin, Transport Group,Bedlam, Fiasco. Never heard of Wild Project. Congrats on being more serious than the rest of us!
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re: Guess I’m a frivolous theater goer
Posted by: Thom915 07:14 pm EST 12/19/22
In reply to: Guess I’m a frivolous theater goer - Billhaven 01:54 pm EST 12/18/22

I don't guess I am a serious theatergoer because I have not been to the wild project but I am a serious postal mail and electronic mail receiver because I have heard of the wild project often. Outside of a concentration on LGBTQ artists, I don't hink I could tell you anymore about it but I do know it is an active producing entity in the East Village. That info just seeped in.
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re: Guess I’m a frivolous theater goer
Posted by: Showtunegal 03:02 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: Guess I’m a frivolous theater goer - Billhaven 01:54 pm EST 12/18/22

Ditto. And thanks.
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re: You’re not a serous *NYC* theatergoer.
Posted by: ryhog 01:16 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: You’re not a serous *NYC* theatergoer. - Singapore/Fling 12:49 pm EST 12/18/22

To be fair, Dramedy does not wear blinders to off-B but no non-local is going to be as aware of off-off as a local. I go to obscure venues and obscure shows because I can (and I like to). Just as there are those here who feel they know London well, compared to an avid London theatregoer they don't really. Using Wild Project was, as I said in the other post, apt, and that does not change because non-local avid NY theatre-goers don't have it on their radar. Part of the symptom of hurting business-wise is the inability to spend to broaden awareness.
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re: Article about Broadway closings and more
Posted by: Michael_212 10:07 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Article about Broadway closings and more - dreamawakening 09:52 am EST 12/18/22

Yeah, the wild project is a pretty terrific little space in Alphabet City that draws enthusiastic crowds with its off-beat productions at reasonable ticket prices. Well worth a visit.
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re: Article about Broadway closings and more
Posted by: Showtunegal 01:50 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Article about Broadway closings and more - Michael_212 10:07 am EST 12/18/22

I'm glad to learn about it, I just feel slightly insulted.
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News flash—shows close early and lose money
Posted by: dramedy 10:02 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Article about Broadway closings and more - dreamawakening 09:52 am EST 12/18/22

I think broadway is doing good business. Hit shows are raking in the money and flops close. Yeah,there are head scratchers like SLIHot, but there are several shows opening this fall making $1m plus (noise &Juliet leopoldstadt).
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money
Posted by: Chazwaza 03:09 pm EST 12/19/22
In reply to: News flash—shows close early and lose money - dramedy 10:02 am EST 12/18/22

Your examples of new musicals making money are... two jukebox musicals, one with all pop songs and another with the songs/story of a famous older music star?

Hardly what I'd call an encouraging sign.
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money
Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 10:43 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: News flash—shows close early and lose money - dramedy 10:02 am EST 12/18/22

The shows that recouped in years past are doing fine. However, it has become very difficult for new shows to recoup. Even The Music Man has not recouped yet, although it most likely will before it closes.
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money
Posted by: AlanScott 06:19 pm EST 12/19/22
In reply to: re: News flash—shows close early and lose money - BroadwayTonyJ 10:43 am EST 12/18/22

Is it possible that it has recouped but they simply have not announced it? Or do we know for a fact that it has not recouped? I admit that I have not followed this as closely as I might have.
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money
Posted by: BroadwayTonyJ 09:45 pm EST 12/19/22
In reply to: re: News flash—shows close early and lose money - AlanScott 06:19 pm EST 12/19/22

Kate Horton stated on 9/13 that The Music Man revival had not recouped, but that it would before closing. I read something in mid-October saying the same thing. Definitely nothing has been announced, and the insiders I know haven't told me anything different. Although it wouldn't surprise me if it has recouped, and she's just biding her time about announcing. Inasmuch as she's already addressed the issue, I assume there eventually will be an announcement.

Since the reopening last fall, no show has actually announced that it had recouped, although various insiders on this board and friends of mine have said that both The Lehman Trilogy and Plaza Suite did indeed recoup.

These are the times in which we live.
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money" MUSIC MAN not recouping yet baffles me ...
Posted by: NewtonUK 10:45 am EST 12/19/22
In reply to: re: News flash—shows close early and lose money - BroadwayTonyJ 10:43 am EST 12/18/22

I mean Scott Rudin is gone, but obviously his over=pending continues. MUSIC MAN's adjusted gross for its first 49 weeks (Gross minus cc charges and the .045 etc) has averaged $2.6 million. The budget capitalization for MUSIC MAN was approx $24 million as far as I know. If the show cost $2 million a week to run including royalties (which would be close to criminal producing) , it would still have earned $29 million in profits over the first 49 weeks. Would love to understand how this show hasn't recouped!
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money" MUSIC MAN not recouping yet baffles me ...
Posted by: ryhog 11:26 pm EST 12/19/22
In reply to: re: News flash—shows close early and lose money" MUSIC MAN not recouping yet baffles me ... - NewtonUK 10:45 am EST 12/19/22

As you undoubtedly know, one is not required to announce that they have recouped. Considering who is at the helm, it is not at all surprising to me that they have not announced. Unless you know something that you haven't said, it's entirely possible that they have many millions sitting in the bank or dispersed, or it is possible that they are doing some kind of grand Hollywood style manipulation.
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Like hello dolly
Posted by: dramedy 11:06 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: News flash—shows close early and lose money - BroadwayTonyJ 10:43 am EST 12/18/22

It’s surprising it barely return on investment. But the star (hugh and bette) are probably making 10% or more and I assume Sutton makes less but probably a percentage. So the combined percent is enough to significantly impact recouping. The show itself probably costs $800k to maybe a million a week. So $3m is more than enough to pay the bills and pay back investors.
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re: Like hello dolly
Posted by: huskyital (huskyital@yahoo.com) 05:47 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: Like hello dolly - dramedy 11:06 am EST 12/18/22

Come on.
Even with my salaries for the stars the nut cannot be even $2 million which means I should be making $1 million a week at least.
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re: Like hello dolly
Posted by: sirpupnyc 11:13 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: Like hello dolly - dramedy 11:06 am EST 12/18/22

If it's costing Phantom $950k a week to run this year, it's certainly costing TMM at least that.
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Sweeney Todd is $840k this spring
Last Edit: dramedy 11:45 am EST 12/19/22
Posted by: dramedy 11:43 am EST 12/19/22
In reply to: re: Like hello dolly - sirpupnyc 11:13 am EST 12/18/22

According to broadway journal article. I assume that is from investment sheets. That would include Josh groban’s base salary but not his percentage. I assume it will be a fairly large production in sets and actors.

Back to the future is going to be $1m like Spider-Man.
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Is that what phantom costs
Posted by: dramedy 11:27 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: Like hello dolly - sirpupnyc 11:13 am EST 12/18/22

It’s hard to find weekly costs for shows especially long running ones. Spider-Man was one of the highest at $1m reported but that was nearly a decade ago when it closed. But at $3m a week, there are other fees like percentages working against recoupment.
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re: Is that what phantom costs
Posted by: sirpupnyc 01:58 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: Is that what phantom costs - dramedy 11:27 am EST 12/18/22

That's what Mackintosh told the NYT.
Link ‘The World Has Changed’: Cameron Mackintosh on Closing ‘Phantom’
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money
Posted by: westech 10:05 am EST 12/18/22
In reply to: News flash—shows close early and lose money - dramedy 10:02 am EST 12/18/22

How can you trust an article when it says that the last tenant at the Music Box was Dear Even Hansen. Gabriel Byrne played that theatre in October and November. Fact-check please.
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re: News flash—shows close early and lose money
Last Edit: seeseveryshow 08:31 pm EST 12/18/22
Posted by: seeseveryshow 08:28 pm EST 12/18/22
In reply to: re: News flash—shows close early and lose money - westech 10:05 am EST 12/18/22

Westech-the article you are questioning appeared in the NY Times in September.
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