National Tours: Why Does It Take So Long?

[theatregoer3]

Why does it take so long for a show to go out on tour?  Shows that are a clear financial success here in New York still take years to go out on the road. Is it venue scheduling?

[CATSNYrevival]

Most shows are a clear financial success?

[BroadwayConcierge]

1) Only 25% of Broadway shows are a financial success, so you're incorrect on that front.

2) Launching a national tour is an incredibly expensive enterprise. First and foremost, commercial theatre producers have to examine whether it is even economically feasible for them to do so, and much of that decision rides on seeing how the show does in its original Broadway production—which takes time. After the decision has been made, yes, it then requires an incredible amount of logistical coordination, because you're not only creating a brand new company for a show, but you have to work with venues nationwide and fit in their schedules, while also maintaining and coordinating a feasible route for the touring production to physically move from venue to venue.

Lots and lots of work. 

[Call_me_jorge]

I feel like recently most of the successful shows only take 18 months to open a tour and I don’t think that’s long at all.

[bwayphreak234]

In addition to the great answers above, I think it is also worth noting that the local presenters of the tours that go out have a lot of planning to do when it comes to planning their seasons. For instance, all cities have announced their 2018-2019 seasons now. Most of these seasons include the new tours going out this fall plus some currently running tours. They are just now working on their future season(s). It's safe to say that the road markets are usually at least one year behind Broadway.

[theatregoer3]

I mistyped in my original message. I’ve now corrected it. But you’ve essentially answered my question: venue scheduling.

[Jakeevan942]

To put in perspective, without going into too much detail, tours are planned years in advance, often before a show makes it to Broadway. Most venues have already announced their 2018-2019 season, which means that the 2019-2020 season for every major market is already finalized, and touring presenter are already looking at 2020-2021 and beyond. 

The standard practice of a year's padding allows producers to the viability of the show on Broadway, to see at what level/contract they will run the tour, and to ensure that touring houses do not have a show booked for the fall that just flopped in the spring. 

This coming week is the Broadway League's Spring Road Conference, which brings in all of the road presenters to the city to both look at potential shows for future booking, and be wined and dined by producers for Tony votes. I will tell you, for certain, that several of the shows from this season have had tour dates for 2019-2020 confirmed with  venues across the country for quite a long time already, before they opened on New York, and the official announcements we have been seeing are to increase visibility as the out of town Tony voters come in this week. 

As a useful FYI, lots of shows have off-schedule, added performances this week to try and let the road voters see as many shows as possible within a short span of time. These are often good performances to find cheaper seats, and wider availability.

[Phantom of London]

Jakeevan942 said: "To put in perspective, without going into too much detail, tours are planned years in advance, often before a show makes it to Broadway. Most venues have already announced their 2018-2019 season, which means that the 2019-2020 season for every major market is already finalized, and touring presenter are already looking at 2020-2021 and beyond.

The standard practice of a year's padding allows producers to the viability of the show on Broadway, to see at what level/contract they will run the tour, and to ensure that touring houses do not have a show booked for the fall that just flopped in the spring.

This coming week is the Broadway League's Spring Road Conference, which brings in all of the road presenters to the city to both look at potential shows for future booking, and be wined and dined by producers for Tony votes. I will tell you, for certain, that several of the shows from this season have had tour dates for 2019-2020 confirmed with venues across the country for quite a long time already, before they opened on New York,and the official announcements we have been seeing are to increase visibilityas the out of town Tony voters come in this week.

As a useful FYI, lots of shows have off-schedule, added performances this week to try and let the road voters see as many shows as possible within a short span of time. These are often good performances to find cheaper seats, and wider availability."

You seem very knowledgable on the subject.

How can I find details of these off performances please?

[Jakeevan942]

A lot of it comes from lurking here-There have been a few references from others about changed performance schedules this week screwing up their show-trip plans.

Scott Rudin conveniently places his midnight Actors Fund Show during the Road Conference, so there is no other competition for that time slot in the road-voters's schedule, other than sleep.

Carousel is doing a Monday matinee Actors Fund show; SpongeBob has a Thursday matinee this week, and I'm sure I'm missing others.

 

[AEA AGMA SM]

My Fair Lady has an 8:00 performance on Monday this coming week and will be dark on Tuesday night.