In my previous post, I provided a link to the Variety article, ‘Road shows cut costs, keep pizzazz’ in which producers talk about how they are finding innovative ways to save money on the touring versions of their Broadway shows. On the other end of the spectrum, here’s a link to a recent BroadwayWorld article about South Pacific where the producer announces that the touring version of the Broadway revival will include a 30 piece orchestra.
This substantial expense, along with the other expenses typically incurred for a Broadway-level tour, will likely require an increase in ticket prices, at least in the more expensive markets, otherwise break even could be dangerously high.
If higher ticket prices is indeed the result, will Touring Broadway audiences be accepting of paying more during an economy that is likely to remain shaky for the next few years? Whatever the method to reduce risk is, it will eventually be interesting to see if the show’s decision to have such a large orchestra for the tour was a wise one.
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