I've never been to get a steady answer, but what are the logistics behind a local presenter, presenting a touring season. From booking a show and setting ticket prices? Is it just a big bidding game? Or is there more to it?
It's a mix of gambling and really researching and knowing your audience and what will get their wallets to open. There is also going to be a touch of personal taste in there as well, as a presenter is less likely to book a show or a company that they don't care working with.
I live in Jacksonville and the first time Wicked went out the theatre managers fought to get them to stop by for I think 2-3 weeks. Now Wicked calls them and ask if they want to book them and often times sell it as a "special event" and it's close to 7 weeks. So you build relationships with different theatre owners and producers.