Could an opening/closing night happen nowadays?- Page 2

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 12:22pm

Yes, the actors would still need to be paid out a certain amount if the show closed with less than the contractually agreed upon notice, but salaries are far from the only cost (and there are a number of people involved with a production who do not have any sort of notice built into their contracts). Closing immediately would still be a cheaper option than posting the closing notice for the required amount in the AEA Production contract.

[Sauja]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 12:34pm

Aha! Thanks, AEA! That clarifies a lot. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 12:51pm

Would love to know, for something like Bat Out of Hell, did the actors get paid for the tour?

[BigEasyBroadway]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 12:54pm

I was just about to mention THE PERFORMERS.  I happened to be in NYC that week and got a ticket for what I had no idea ended up being closing night.  When we left, the notes were posted on the doors to get refunds...I hadn't noticed them on the way in.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 1:04pm

Sauja said: "Hogan, I'm curious about the idea that there isn't anything structural preventing it. Aren't there rules now requiring actors be paid through a certain time after they're notified of closing or something like that? I don't know the rules, but I had the sense there was something like that which would make running a show out for an additional week or two no more expensive than closing after opening night. I could be wrong, but I thought there was sommmmething like this?"

That's correct. At a minimum, 1 week, but that of course does not mean that the show cannot close down anyway. There may be some minor savings from doing so, if there are truly no sales. (The sooner you load out, the more expenses you cut.) And then there is also the psychic effect of playing to empty houses or in a train wreck, though not many producers seem to be concerned with this.

[Ftworthguy]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 3:09pm

It's not only 'vanity' that keeps shows open -- Some shows stay open to get some sort of run in order to make a regional run and/or rights viable in smaller markets.  Disaster is a great example.   And I'm grateful for it!  

[Sauja]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 5:03pm

BigEasyBroadway said: "I was just about to mention THE PERFORMERS. I happened to be in NYC that week and got a ticket for what I had no idea ended up being closing night. When we left, the notes were posted on the doors to get refunds...I hadn't noticed them on the way in."

I ALSO saw The Performers in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, having walked to the theater from Brooklyn just because I was so antsy to get out. It feels like everyone who was at those performances is in this thread. :) I also totally enjoyed it!

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 5:23pm

Sauja said: "BigEasyBroadway said: "I was just about to mention THE PERFORMERS. I happened to be in NYC that week and got a ticket for what I had no idea ended up being closing night. When we left, the notes were posted on the doors to get refunds...I hadn't noticed them on the way in."

I ALSO saw The Performers in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, having walked to the theater from Brooklyn just because I was so antsy to get out. It feels like everyone who was at those performances is in this thread. :) I also totally enjoyed it!"

In the camp that saw it also. It was a strangely funny evening. Cheyenne Jackson mostly naked, Henry Winkler playing a porn star. Alicia Silverstone wondering why the hell she was there, It was so much fun!

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 8/13/19 at 5:26pm

As a pre production expense, AEA typically requires the producers to post a bond, so if a show closed on opening night (or without notice) the actors’ one week required paycheck would likely come out of that.

[RemlapLBC]

Posted: 8/14/19 at 12:02pm

Sauja said: "Hogan, I'm curious about the idea that there isn't anything structural preventing it. Aren't there rules now requiring actors be paid through a certain time after they're notified of closing or something like that? I don't know the rules, but I had the sense there was something like that which would make running a show out for an additional week or two no more expensive than closing after opening night. I could be wrong, but I thought there was sommmmething like this?"

I know the actors aren't the only cost, but they are the main cost, so I agree, that most likely they would play out the required posted week.