More Broadway shows are slated to close this coming April 07 up to June 08, 2019. The Broadway industry is apparently hurting as ticket sales on smaller plays are on a continuing decline, prompting producers to cut down investors’ losses by ending a show.
Take the case of “Once On This Island,” which closed last January 06, 2019. Although the show won a Tony Award for “Best Revival” and earned good reviews during the run, the show closed after more than a year when sales started dwindling after the summer. The $7.5 million revival had cost producers around $450,000 per week, making it necessary to close the show when ticket sales fell in the red in its last 2 months of running. That way, investors can at least get back their investment.
https://youtu.be/Re_ePWg0uBc
“Head Over Heels,” which closed on the same day as “Once On This Island” is an epic example of why producers nowadays deem it better to close a show rather than hope for ticket sales to get better. The show’s investors will not be getting anything at all, not even on licensing income to which they are entitled. As it was, the producer resorted to taking out loans to keep the $14.5 million Broadway production afloat for several months. As a consequence, payment of the loan had taken first priority over all other liabilities, including repayment of amounts invested by financial backers.
Possible Reasons Why Broadway Plays are Not Selling Enough Tickets
Higher Ticket Prices combined with the thinning financial capabilities of middle income audience for Broadway spends. Any plans of spending on theater recreation are reserved for the more affordable ones, or for those running as smash hits.
Limited Engagement to which closing date is announced simultaneously with the opening date of the show. In some cases, and if sales performance will allow extended running, showing of the play will continue for a week or two. If ticket sales are not, or do not stay impressive, limited engagement shows end as scheduled.
“Network,” an Ivo van Hove stage adaptation of the 1976 film with the same title, featuring award-winning Bryan Cranston of the “Breaking Bad” fame, was originally set to run through March 17. The play was twice extended; first was up to April 28, 2019, the second being this coming June 08, 2019: thus, its inclusion in the list of Broadway shows slated to close in the coming months.
Lacked Commercial Qualities – Broadway shows possessing commercial qualities attract not only local audience but also those from near and far who are able to procure affordable tickets. Rather than see plays or musicals produced by lesser known outfits, theater lovers who are at the same time tourists, make it a point to watch musical adaptations of blockbuster movies or best-selling novels, and/or those much publicized as award winning, or had earned reputation as a big hit at West End.
Bad Reviews are critical because most theatergoers await feedback coming from reputable critics before parting with their money. Now if bad reviews and word of mouth are in agreement, the closing of a play or musical is more than likely.
Take note of the word reputable since some bad reviews go against the grain of feedback spread by word of mouth. To those who watch Broadway shows with intent to use their viewing experience as material for an online blog, make certain that you are following the criteria set by reputable critics when giving a good or bad review. Seeking assistance from an online paper editor, may prove to be of valuable help in establishing your reputation as a reviewer of Broadway presentations.
