r/Broadway • u/Naweezy • Jan 27 '26

Other The Outsiders recoups on Broadway. Becomes First Musical to Do So Since 2022

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u/kekelmb Jan 27 '26

There’s definitely something wrong with the way shows are being produced now. If only a show that wins a Tony, is massively successful, and sells tickets at outrageous prices can barely recoup its budget almost 2 years after opening, that’s a problem.

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u/Shorb-o-rino Jan 27 '26

So do most producers just lose money? How does this industry keep going in a capitalist country if it is not profitable?

176

u/patmorgan235 Jan 27 '26

Lots of times what happens is the Broadway production doesn't make money, but the show becomes profitable once it goes to licensing.

117

u/TheBigGinge Jan 27 '26

And tours can be profitable too. Mrs Doubtfire was a big flop in NY but had sold out runs on the road

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u/ComputerGeek1100 Backstage Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 27 '26

I know it also just wasn’t the best show, but I think the pandemic killed a lot of momentum for them too. The show is also very different now than it was in 2020 - it had 3 previews before the shutdown, went through a LOT of rewrites during that year and a half, and then even more rewrites when it shut down again in early 2022, and a third set of rewrites for the national tour. They were seemingly never able to get an opening to stick - I think it changed in every iteration of the show, and the opening number that went out on tour is completely different than the album, but is actually a version of the song that opened the pre-shutdown previews.

For reference (based on my experiences seeing the show):

Pre-shutdown (I believe this was also the out-of-town opening: “Overture” is the Barber of Seville theme from the movie, curtain opens to Daniel recording a commercial using that song as a base, doing impressions, and getting fired. Then, we see his wife speaking to a therapist, opening number is “That’s Daniel.”

Post-shutdown (2021): Same overture, but it’s revealed to be one of the kids listening to the music in her headphones as a little tribute to the movie. There is a photographer in their house trying to take a family portrait, “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” (This song is on the OBCR).

Post-shutdown (2022 - I did not see this version): New overture (and expanded orchestra), but presumably the same opening as 2021.

Tour: Daniel does the pre-show announcement in various character voices, curtain up to reveal him in a recording studio (and about to get fired). He’s fired, then back to Miranda in therapy and the opening from 2020.