Fix the thread so that no further posting is possible. It allows for the possibility that some of the existing posts may have value, while indicating the subject is exhausted.
In THIS case, I think the mods were right to leave the thread open. A lot of posters don't understand stop clauses and may find a discussion of them valuable even if DEH never budges.
I cannot see this happening ANY time soon. DEH already switched theaters before it even started its Broadway run, didn’t it? I doubt they’d pull a switch again.
It seems that some people are referring to the stop clause in the plural, as if there are multiple ones in each agreement. However, it is just clause in the agreement and lists ALL the reasons it can be implemented. The stop-clause exists primarily so that the theater landlord can kick out an unprofitable show for a profitable one. One might ask why, if a show is paying rent, would the landlord care if it's profitable? The staff (managers, ushers, heads of departments) are the only fixed costs, but are not covered in the rent. They are considered separate expenditures. The actual rent (i.e., the occupation of space by the physical production) is based on the show's revenue. Otherwise there wouldn't be a rush to book the next hit show.
That said, Dear Evan Hansen has been running for two years. No landlord would have been holding a theater that long. If the Shubert's want the Music Box for another show, they would have to incur the costs themselves of moving it to another theater.
Don't most shows have this clause? It enables the theatre owners to pull the plug on a show if that show is barely hanging on, in which case they can make way for another show that might bring in more money.
Such a clause likely exists, but such a clause will not likely be acted upon for a show that is selling like gangbusters.
It's CAN'T be closed upon unless the stop clause parameters are met. Occasionally shows are bought out, to close early -- but not very often.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
jimmycurry01 said: "Don't most shows have this clause? It enables the theatre owners to pull the plug on a show if that show is barely hanging on, in which case they can make way for another show that might bring in more money. Such a clause likely exists, but such a clause will not likely be acted upon for a show that is selling like gangbusters."
The Stop Clause exists so the theatre owners can "kick out" a show if it falls below a certain gross –– otherwise, wealthy producers could keep a show running for decades in a space that they don't own, while it sells 100 tickets a week. In theatre, business deals begin over the phone, over lunch, and with handshakes, and most theatre owners and producers have long-term, symbiotic relationships. A theatre owner rarely has to invoke the Stop Clause: a warning or a nudge will be enough, and that nudge will not be a surprise to any realistic producer.
DEH is the Shuberts' second-biggest grosser after Mockingbird, so that theory is kind of ridiculous.
getupngo said: "talking to a coworker today whos uncle works for the shubert org, and he said there was a clause in DEHs contract that would force them out when a certain production was ready for broadway in late 2019/early 2020. Anyone else know anything about this?"
DUMBEST THREAD EVER.
A lover of theater for decades. Teacher by day. Family man by night. See more theater than most, oftentimes a hesitant plus one.
NYCblurb said: "getupngo said: "talking to a coworker today whos uncle works for the shubert org, and he said there was a clause in DEHs contract that would force them out when a certain production was ready for broadway in late 2019/early 2020. Anyone else know anything about this?"
DUMBEST THREAD EVER."
Absolutely correct. It's embarrassingly stupid. Moderators, please take another look at shutting it down. There is nothing of value here.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.