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Longest Runs That Never Recouped

Longest Runs That Never Recouped

Feldzieg
#1Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 9:41am

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!

 

 

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IdinaBellFoster
#2Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 9:51am

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


"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards

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nealb1
#3Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 10:44am

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

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BroadwayNYC2
#4Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 10:48am

Rock of Ages never recouped, right? 

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CapnHook
#5Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 10:50am

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


"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

broadwaysfguy
#6Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 10:54am

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
#7Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 11:38am

Thanks, people! Really helpful!

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Wick3
#8Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 11:47am

Spider man was the first musical to come to mind.

Has Hello Dolly recouped yet?

 

 

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HogansHero
#9Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 11:57am

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.

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Call_me_jorge
#10Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 12:01pm

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.


In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound. Signed, Theater Workers for a Ceasefire https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement

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poisonivy2
#11Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 12:12pm

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

AEA AGMA SM
#12Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 12:20pm

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
#13Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 12:58pm

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

Jarethan
#14Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 1:16pm

Another thousand plus: Shenandoah.

Did Memphis return its investment while on Broadway?  Ever?

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newintown
#15Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 1:22pm

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

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

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GreenGables
#16Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 1:35pm

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

This was a joke...right? RIGHT?

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TNick926
#17Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 2:06pm

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

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RippedMan
#18Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 2:17pm

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

Jarethan
#19Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 2:49pm

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
#20Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 3:31pm

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

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Synecdoche2
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David10086
#22Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 5:17pm

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.

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David10086
#23Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 5:20pm

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

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HogansHero
#24Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 9:31pm

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
#25Longest Runs That Never Recouped
Posted: 11/22/17 at 10:07pm

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

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

No, the song royalties prohibited recoupment.