Money making Shows that closed

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 4:53pm

A friend of mine made a comment the other night that shows don't close if they are making money, that its all about making money... To which I (maybe foolishly) responded, well some shows close that are still making money... Adding an example Newsies.

 

I'm wondering what other shows have closed while they were still financial successes.

Thanks

[asmith0307]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 5:07pm

There have been some, but the key is not just if they are making money now, but what does business look like 2, 3, 4 months from now. Newsies was not doing the best during the winter, so rather than struggle through another winter, Disney decided to close. Shuffle Along was doing well at the time it closed, but after Audra left, they were looking at a severe drop in sales. It's true, many wait until they are no longer making money, but some - especially the longer running shows who can predict their sales a little better - will call it quits before they start losing. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 5:54pm

Beauty and the Beast was still making money when they closed for The Little Mermaid, wasn't it? I always thought that choice, and their reasoning behind it, was really weird. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 6:01pm

I assume you are specifically exclude limited engagements, because there are many of those.

The Boy From OZ...cause they couldn't replace Hugh

The Act, because they couldn't replace Liza (was not selling out, but was still making money)

Sure there are some others that fit that mold...just can't think of any right now.

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 6:57pm

The Evita revival

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 7:18pm

Not too many, you're friend is right. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 8:16pm

FADE OUT, FADE IN was outdrawing each of HELLO, DOLLY! and FUNNY GIRL when it closed the first time (Carol Burnett's auto accident) AND the second time (Burnett's pregnancy). It was a vehicle show specifically tailored to Burnett's gifts. I honestly don't know who could have replaced her (so this doesn't contradict the OP's friend's principle).

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 10:07pm

GiantsInTheSky2 said: "Beauty and the Beast was still making money when they closed for The Little Mermaid, wasn't it? I always thought that choice, and their reasoning behind it, was really weird."

 

In its final years Beauty and the Beast followed the trend that many long-running shows seem to fall into, good to great weeks during the busy times and mediocre to good weeks the rest of the year. Business picked up again once they announced their closing/final months and people knew their time to see it was now limited, which is also fairly typical for a long-running show once it announces a closing date.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/8/16 at 10:23pm

Wouldn't producers risk being sued by investors if the show was still doing well financially?

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 12:25am

The issue here is you are basing their success on their reported box office. The producers pulled the plug based on their advance sales. So, if they smartly end things at the right time, that would look like a misstep if you don't have further information.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 12:56am

Call_me_jorge said: "Wouldn't producers risk being sued by investors if the show was still doing well financially?

 

"

It depends on the contract. I believe most rentals give the theater owner the right to evict a show if the weekly gross falls below a certain level. It's expensive to move, so if the producer believes he can't recoup the cost of said move, I don't think an investor would have much recourse if the producer chose to close instead.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/9/16 at 6:28am

^ while that is true, the poster specifically asked the closing of a financially successful show, one that we presume would not have fallen below their nut.