With so many flops, granted many of them are due to poor subject material, it seems like new straight plays never recoup. I'm sure I must be missing something but I can't think of the last commercial production of a new straight play that recouped. It seems the only straight plays that ever recoup are revivals of well-known classics with star-studded casts like Glengarry Glen Ross or last season's Death of a Salesman.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
I knew I was missing something obvious ha yes I forgot One Man, Two Guvnors recouped. I don't think Venus in Fur did but I could be mistaken. And I should have clarified that I was discussing only plays on Broadway. Off-Broadway many plays have found success.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
"I think Glee is way too sharp, smart, witty, clever and emotionally confronting for the masses." - Dave19 -
"What's next? Snow Black and the 7 Swaggers? Shasquirta and the Beast? 101 Weavematians?
Willis in Ghettoland?" - Dave19, in reference to the new ANNIE remake.
Death of a Salesman and Glengarry Glen Ross both recouped.
2013 Shows: (New York: Glengarry Glen Ross*** Picnic**** The Lion King**** Mamma Mia**** Who's Afraid of Virginia Woofe**** The Other Place*** Nice Work, If You Can Get It** Annie**** The Phantom of the Opera**** Cat On A Hot Tin Roof*** Cinderella**** Evita**** (Final Performance) The Mystery of Edwin Drood*** Mary Poppins*****) London: Salad Days** Great Expectations*** This House** Chess**** A Chorus Line**** Quartermine's Terms**** Old Times*** The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time***** Dear World*** People**** Viva Forever** Peter and Alice** The Wimslow Boy***** Proof**** Our Country's Good* The Tailor Made Man**** Darling of the Day*** Top Hat*** A Judas Kiss*** Spamalot*** Once**** Wicked** A Chorus Line**** Book of Mormon***** Hairspray**** (Tour: Southampton) Sleeping Arrangements***** The Revenge of Sherlock Holmes*** The Pajama Game***(Chichester)The Thrill of Love*** Hymn**/Cocktail Sticks**** Merrily We Roll Along***** The Weir**** The Hot House**** The Rise and the Fall of the Little Voice***** (Churchill, Bromley) Ghost*** (Wimbledon)
I wonder if AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY did? It certainly had enough success to warrant a move to a new theatre.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
I really hope STARCATCHER ends up recouping. That show deserves it. Does anyone know its initial investment and/or running costs? They couldn't have been that high.
Isn't War Horse non-profit as it produced by the Lincoln Centre and the National Theatre so any money it made would back into both companies rather any investors?
Jonwo, you're correct. But they may still have announced that the show recouped its production costs. It's not often that the non-profit Broadway owners have a hit, but I'm 90% positive that Roundabout announced that their CABARET revival earned back it's upfront costs.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
With a non-profit, I assume it's a hit when it extend or becomes an open run and launching a national tour in the cases of South Pacific and Anything Goes. Harvey was a huge hit for Roundabout but couldn't extend due to Jim Parson's availability, they must have made some money from its run.
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
Gyllenhaal, Pine in Talks to Join INTO THE WOODS Movie?
McPhee Reacts to SMASH Exit - 'This Show Was a Huge Gift'
BWW TV Exclusive: Prince, Lewis & More Remember Kevin Gray
STAGE TUBE: Join Them! Watch the PIPPIN Cast on Letterman!
X FACTOR Season 3 Judges to be Revealed Monday
Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton to Lead Comedy LIFE ITSELF
Taylor Swift Partners with Diet Coke & Target to Find Fashion's Next Star
FLASH SPECIAL: Always - An Irving Berlin 125th Birthday Celebration
Apple and Sony iRadio Negotiations Stymied by Song-Skipping
BWW Reviews: 'And the Winners Were...' A Report Card for the Metropolitan Opera's 2012-2013 Season
BWW Reviews: FIAF Presents THE ULYSSES SYNDROME Celebrating World Nomads Tunisia
Lewis Black 'The Rant is Due Tour' Tickets on Sale, 5/17
joined:2/16/11
Posted: 12/26/12 at 06:59pm