THE INHERITANCE Closing Very Soon?

[quizking101]

I ended up passing by a tweet from ABC 7s Derick Waller about how time was running out to see THE INHERITANCE. The show responded to the tweet, but didnt acknowledge that comment.

Is it possible the end of the show might be coming sooner than we think? (Disclaimer: This is not a thread to cheer for closing. I loved this show and would be heartbroken.)

[PianoMann]

Here's a link to the thread for anyone interested:

https://twitter.com/wallerABC7/status/1218738296198696961

[ModernMillie3]

Oh man, I have tickets for March. I hate that he said that but won't say anything else. Sigh. 

[JBroadway]

I think people are reading too much into this. The way I read it, it seemed like the Tweet is just referring to the production’s scheduled closing date. Granted, that’s over 5 months away, but that still technically qualifies as “time running out.” Seems like he was just embellishing his language slightly to encourage people to buy tickets. And he doesn’t even say it’s closing “very soon.”

[Jordan Catalano]

The cast was on Fallon last week and didn’t say anything about “see it now before it’s too late”, so hopefully this is just a poor choice of words.

[Emmaloucbway]

Maybe he didn’t realize that the show extended and thought it was closing in March like originally planned?

[Auggie27]

I don't know the break-even, but it's been hovering in $475 - $500 a week. In today's world, good for a non-musical. But against approx $1.1 million potential, tough; as others note, this isn't a small company. When I saw the two parts in December, the rear mezz was completely empty. Most people report same. If they can continue in the half a million range, they may well make the whole announced run.  They haven't had an uptick since late fall. 

[BWAY Baby2]

Not financially feasible to run for much longer- I expect an announcement soon- I loved it- but a short run is better than no run at all. Glad I saw it and recommend it.

[broadway86]

BWAY Baby2 said: "Not financially feasible to run for much longer- I expect an announcement soon- I loved it- but a short run is better than no run at all. Glad I saw it and recommend it."

Same. If anyone reading this is considering seeing it, please do.

[ModernMillie3]

Can it really last until Summer with these grosses? 

[haterobics]

Aren't there examples every year of a show everything thinks can't make it with its existing weekly grosses, and then.... they just keep going and going anyway? If it were only linked to grosses, then sure (and financially, it probably should be), but it's not, so... they can run it for as long as they want to pump money into it.

[Auggie27]

Is it a year late for Pulitzer consideration? I'm unclear about the rules for first production. Several winners have emerged that seemed to be awarded after first productions.  But could award consideration be a factor? The producers, heavily invested, are playing a long game?

Subsidiary rights put money in pockets for 7 years plus (that's with only minimal DG contracts). And there's TV/film sale. This strikes me as a terrific premise for a "Years and Years" like HBO or Netflix treatment. Not a film. This play has a future life. Again, as theatrical as it is, the use of a film to tell this story could be stunning. The longer a show runs, the more valuable it is for the production investment.

[Wick3]

ModernMillie3 said: "Can it really last until Summer with these grosses?"

I agree with haterobics. If the play's producers can raise enough capital or persuade its current investors to pump more money into the play, then it can last whenever it wishes. Yes, given the weak grosses as of late the likelihood those investors will ever see that money again is low but if they seriously think the play can get nominated for several Tony awards, then I can see the play lasting until June. 

 

[raddersons]

I think they're banking on the Tony's -- at this rate it can probably keep running (Cast of about 12/14, depending on which part) . They're probably making very little profit off of the show, if any at all. It'll never recoup unless they get a Tony's bump.

[poisonivy2]

Is it really a lock for the Tony's though? I think The Sound Inside, Slave Play and (coming in the spring) Lehman Trilogy will all be strong contenders for prizes. 

[Kad]

I've heard that Sonia Friedman is intent on running until awards season, but I don't see it being a favorite to win big categories at this point. I think Andrew Burnap has a decent shot at Best Featured Actor, but that's not a win that sustains a lagging production. But who knows what will happen between now and then? The Lehman Trilogy seems more like a safe bet, and it eclipses The Inheritance in terms of being an "event" production. 

This just did not turn out to be the hit they seemed to expect. 

[magictodo123]

Kad said: "I've heard that Sonia Friedman is intent on running until awards season, but I don't see it being a favorite to win big categories at this point. I think Andrew Burnap has a decent shot at Best Featured Actor, but that's not a win that sustains a lagging production. But who knows what will happen between now and then? The Lehman Trilogy seems more like a safe bet, and it eclipses The Inheritance in terms of being an "event" production.

This just did not turn out to be the hit they seemed to expect."

I was also in an area where I heard producers/people in the industry talking about how it wants to continue until awards season. 

[TheSassySam]

I think Lois Smith has a great chance for the Tony. 

[IdinaBellFoster]

TheSassySam said: "I think Lois Smith has a great chance for the Tony."

Agreed!

[raddersons]

I think she's got an alright shot, but I haven't really done the research on the category to see who she's up against. I really loved her performance.

If we're talking statistics, the only awards that really matter are Best Musical/Best Play categories for ticket sales. So to really turn a profit, the show have to beat out Lehman Trilogy, Hangmen, The Minutes, and a few others. Who knows what will happen?

[Highland Guy]

magictodo123 said: "I was also in an area where I heard producers/people in the industry talking about how it wants to continue until awards season."

 

How did you know they were producers/people in the industry?

 

[CopleyScott17]

I'm actually surprised that Andrew Burnap gets all the accolades for this show.  I think he did the funny extremely well (and there was plenty of funny, especially in Part One), but was way too shrill and shouty when he had to express anger (wish was all-too-frequently in Part Two).

I would love to see Samuel H. Levine get at least a nomination for his stunning performances in dual roles.  I'm really amazed and disappointed that there hasn't been a lot of talk about him.  He was spectacular.

[JBroadway]

Supporting Actor in a Play is going to be crowded category simply because of this show. I figure Andrew Burnap, John Benjamin Hickey, Samuel H. Levine, and Paul Hilton are all in the running for nominations (with Kyle Soller likely going leading?). Personally, my favorite of the 4 was Paul Hilton, and my least favorite was Samuel H. Levine. 

[standingovation79]

The rumor mill around this play is that is is in fact closing in April. And remember, the only reason that was financially feasible in the first place is because it came from the west end where the government subsidizes theater...we should do that here. 

The other problem with this play is that it really isn't a great example of dramatic writing. It's cloying more than it is dramatic. There isn't a central performance to get behind either. It's a mediocre play that should be ONE play, and although I applaud them bringing a new play to Broadway, it isn't good enough or interesting enough to be Tony Award deserving. 

not sure about april, but it will close earlier than expected.

[MrsSallyAdams]

Re Copley Scott 17

Burlap and Levine are playing at different scales. I saw the show from the back balcony during previews. Burnap was giving a layered, engaging performance while Levine didn’t register. I’ve read the script and still don’t have a sense of who his part one character, Adam, is. I’ve seen some critics rave about him and suspect they sat closer to the stage.