Longest Runs That Never Recouped

[Feldzieg]

So, I got a question and need the help of experts. Figured, this is the right place :)

Which musicals come to mind that ran for a long, long time and still did not recoup in the end due to high running costs or other reasons (are there other reasons?).

Thanks very much in advance!

 

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and JEKYLL & HYDE are two that come to mind. MILLIE didn’t even do it with the Best Musical win.

[nealb1]

The revival of "42nd Street" that ran from March 2001 - Jan 2005 didn't recoup.  

[BroadwayNYC2]

Rock of Ages never recouped, right? 

[CapnHook]

Obviously, SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK is the most immediate example.

[broadwaysfguy]

is the data on recouping and ultimately profit or loss from musicals reported publicly anywhere or is this limited to industry insides and actual investors in a project?

Does anyone know for example how much allegience lost?

[Feldzieg]

Thanks, people! Really helpful!

[Wick3]

Spider man was the first musical to come to mind.

Has Hello Dolly recouped yet?

 

 

[HogansHero]

Spider-Man did not run anywhere near long enough to qualify.

There is no central place to get recoupment info. Some shows announce it, some don't, and some that do not recoup we learn informally as to the extent of the loss.

[Call_me_jorge]

HogansHero said: "Spider-Man did not run anywhere near long enough to qualify.

There is no central place to get recoupment info. Some shows announce it, some don't, and some that do not recoup we learn informally as to the extent of the loss."

It ran over a thousand performances, which was more than millie at least.

[poisonivy2]

Hello Dolly! AFAIK hasn't recouped and it's been making millions every week. 

[AEA AGMA SM]

Though it only ran a bit over two years, The Scarlet Pimpernel went through a major rewrite/restructuring during its run, only to then close for another five months, go through more rewrites, and reopen in another theatre for an additional two months. I can only assume that every single cent of that investment was lost.

[Alex Kulak2]

What I'm pulling from this is to not produce Frank Wildhorn musicals

[Jarethan]

Another thousand plus: Shenandoah.

Did Memphis return its investment while on Broadway?  Ever?

[newintown]

"Did Memphis return its investment while on Broadway?  Ever?"

Seems so, barely - http://variety.com/2012/legit/news/broadway-s-memphis-recoups-1118057222/

[GreenGables]

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Rock of Ages never recouped, right?"

This was a joke...right? RIGHT?

[TNick926]

Original production of La Cage did not recoup. Nor did Woman of the Year.

[RippedMan]

I'm surprised Rock of Ages never went back to New World Stages. 

[Jarethan]

TNick926 said: "Original production of La Cage did not recoup. Nor did Woman of the Year."

Re La Cage, that is ABSOLUTELY incorrect.  I do not think either revival returned their investment; however, the original provided an excellent return for backers.

 

[Willie4316]

Sunset Boulevard never fully recouped. The 2017 revival got much closer to recoupment than the original run, but never quite hit the mark

[Synecdoche2]

La Cage recouped

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=961789#3825719

[David10086]

Willie4316 said: "Sunset Boulevard never fully recouped. The 2017 revival got much closer to recoupment than the original run, but never quite hit the mark"

I wonder if the original 1994 production would have recouped had he not had to pay out $1M to Lupone for breaching their contract. I believe he had to pay her an additional settlement which matched what he paid Glenn Close for the duration of her run, didn't he? 

So if you put this all back into the revenue, the musical probably would have come out ahead.

[David10086]

I believe "Victor / Victoria" also qualifies as a long run which never recouped. 

[HogansHero]

Call_me_jorge said: "It ran over a thousand performances, which was more than millie at least."

Correct but "did not run anywhere near long enough to qualify."

 

[trpguyy]

GreenGables said: "BroadwayNYC2 said: "Rock of Ages never recouped, right?"

This was a joke...right? RIGHT?"

No, the song royalties prohibited recoupment.