philly Pinto, I don't think anyone is under the illusion that The Visit will become a massive runaway smash hit that runs for years.....which is fine, not everything needs to be!
sorry for not finishing my train of thought lol it's been a long day
If The Visit goes into that theatre for a limited or "foreseably short" run, it doesn't really conflict with Cameron Mackintosh wanting to put Miss Saigon there....he/we needn't worry about The Visit occupying it for a year or longer, you know?
The show has a huge set and no big box office stars, so who is going to put money behind a show with what would amount to a plan of not recouping its investment?!
^ Producers and investors who respect the fact that this will be the last chance to see the legendary Chita Rivera in a big juicy role in a new Kander & Ebb musical. Also the Shuberts are willing to house it because of the artists involved, and the fact that Mcnally's It's Only a Play is such a smash for them. And that's why this will most likely happen.
Btw, while the set is huge, it's not a complicated and automated set. The set doesn't change. A few pieces and props roll on throughout the show.
I like Chita and K&E, so far be it from me to care if anyone makes money in the process. It just seems a bit altruistic, which never blends well with capitalism.
I would say it's more of a "thank you" than altruism. McNally has given them a huge hit (one that, if cast well, could run a couple seasons) and is making the Shuberts a good deal of money.
There's probably also a certain "prestige" factor in presenting the show as well, the same way the Nederlanders presented a very limited engagement of Follies, knowing full-well that given how short it's run would be, turning a profit would be damn near impossible.
There's a slew of reasons why someone would produce a show that won't turn a profit, especially as adamgreer said, if you can keep the people who make you money in other cases happy by doing it. I also imagine there's a whole deal of respect and sentiment for veterans like McNally, Rivera, John Kander, and Fred Ebb. Adamgreer, I think your mention of FOLLIES is a good example. This could also be a passion show for the producers, one they know won't make money but one they would be proud to be associated with. Either way, a new Kander & Ebb show starring Chita Rivera would be a welcome addition to any season.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
And it could win a Tony or two. Even if I like the FUN HOME score better, I'd still vote for K&E over Tesori and Kron out of adoration if I were a voter. And Chita.
It also probably won't be that high budgeted of a show based on what I've heard about it, so they might be willing to lose money for prestige on lower budget shows. Movie producers do it all the time (like anybody who produces Wes Anderson movies).Ether way, I would love for it to come to Broadway so I can find the 4th show for my trip to New York this spring. Updated On: 11/25/14 at 11:59 PM
I heard that 1 in 5 Broadway shows actually make their money back...that is so sad! But yea anyway, do you guys actually think Les Mis is gonna close soon? It hasn't been doing bad at the box office
Possibly the Jacobs now after It's Only A Play since they have only extended till March 29 and are only selling tickets till then... The Visit is only going to be a limited engagement per a friend in the industry.
"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new."
Sunday in the Park with George