Some stats have been released that make the success of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark look even less likely. Julie Taymor’s upcoming 65-million dollar musical already looks ridiculous and is a huge joke among the theater community but it’s not even a question of how popular it is at this point, just simple math.
The Hollywood Reporter has realized that the show will have to bring in a million dollars a week just to break even. The theater has 1,900 seats, so do the math and be terrified about what ticket prices might look like. The worst part? For the musical to make any money back it’s going to need to run at capacity for two to three years- something very few shows have ever done.
This on top of disasterous reports from early previews that were plagued with technical problems, mostly stemming from the fact that actors will be flying 50 miles an hour and battling in mid-air, inches from the heads of audience members. At one preview the performance was stopped five times, once with crew members having to erect a ladder to pull down a cast member while the audience laughed and heckled.
For an in-depth look at the creation of the show, check out the 60 Minutes special below.
13 comments
Truly, magnificently retarded. And further proof that U2 suck.
Can't wait to see this. Monumental failure Broadway is almost as good as excellent Broadway. The problem is, who is the show for, exactly? I love Broadway, yet I love comic books, as well. I seem to be the only dude at the comic shop who can sing a few tunes from "Phantom" or "Wicked", as well as do a choreographed dance number from "Annie Warbucks", so I must be in the minority. Plus, U2 is my all-time favorite band, minus their new shit.
Even if this show never sells a ticket, that's 65 million dollars of economic input into an area that doesn't lend itself to overseas outsourcing. Thus, despite everyone laughing at this production, it's already a win for all of the production people who work in this area. Try to think big picture, Mr. Riviello.
I have no doubt that SPIDER-MAN is going to be terrible. What kills me is that the same people who laugh at SPIDER-MAN are the same idiots who would gladly pay money to see crap like SHREK on Broadway. Broadway Musicals are a moribund art form. It makes me sad.
"The Book of Mormon" has promise.
I like musicals, but, it seems that this idea would have been best held back. Why does this even need to exist? Musicals are different then movies, blockbuster type ideas are not as given. Instead what works is inventivenesso and a clever campaign, not over the top blockbuster style campaigns.
Geekzapoppin, I laughed at Spider-man. Does that mean I'm forced to see Shrek? Andrew Lloyd Webber killed broadway, as far as I'm concerned.
Try to think long term, Mr. LD. I think those production people would prefer smaller, consistent work over time rather than one big cash infusion from a failure that might discourage further investment.
Just see FELA instead… creativity and excitement aren't totally gone from Broadway
@LD
In the long term, how often are 65 million dollar train wrecks going to shamble into town? Often enough to provide regular income? I doubt it.
Secondly, of the 65 million, how much of that went into the local area and how much of that went into U2's pocket?
It's interesting that everyone is making a big deal over the stops during the show. DO you guys just not understand how theatre works? The show is currently in "previews" which are essentially just dress rehearsals people pay to see. Stops are highly common. Especially in such a tech heavy show. What's with all the bias towards musical theatre on this site anyway? Afraid someones going to insult your manhood?
Barnum had one of the worst preview runs in the history of Broadway and became a huge hit and nearly tripled it's production costs. Shows can change a lot in between previews and opening. Calm the fuck down.
#11 – the negative buzz on this site for this particular show has nothing to do with musical theater. it has everyhting to do with this show looking terrible.
Previews are when you get to see a work in progress for cheap. The blocking may change or a lighting cue may change.
Paying over $150 to watch an actor hanging 50 feet over your head for 45 minutes while the tech crew puts up a ladder to get him down is not "previews." It's embarrassing.
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