22,992 stories from Variety
Road grosses held firm during Week 41 (March 3-9), as the 20 shows re-porting took in $13,593,492, a small rise of 3% from the prior frame.
Paid attendance is off 30,000 from a year ago
After setting B.O. records throughout the cold winter of 2002-03, Broadway has nothing to brag about this March. In fact, there has been little good news after the big bounty of Valentine's Day weekend.
They came back heroes. After a four-day strike, audiences staged emotional demonstrations Tuesday night on Broadway to applaud the returned musicians.
Industry wondering which clients will move, too
Never say never. Creative Artists Agency is opening a New York office for George Lane, who recently ankled the William Morris Agency.
They are the men in the middle. Broadway's producers bet on them. The musicians hate them. Until now, the guys who created the virtual orchestras have been virtually invisible. Suddenly, the…
Local 1, Actors' Equity honor picket line
In support of the musicians' strike, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 1 and Actors' Equity announced that its respective members would not cross picket lines that went up today in front of the 18 Broadway theaters housing musicals.
Continuing the Gotham-based indie production stable's association with cutting-edge musicals, Killer Films is partnering with stage producers the Araca Group to bring Tony-winning Broadway cult tuner "Urinetown" to the screen.
Specifically, at the Barrymore. This is supported by yesterday's mention on All That Chat! (thanks BDBoston) that Enchanted April was most likely moving to the Belasco.
Too early to know which clients to follow former WMA agent
In a surprise move with significant implications for New York theater and the agency business, William Morris Agency theater topper George Lane has ankled the percentery for Creative Artists Agency.
Kudos a reliable Oscar indicator
The homicidal hoofers of "Chicago" kicked up their heels again Sunday night, as the Producers Guild of America named the musical best picture. The choice, announced at the conclusion of ceremonies at the Century Plaza Hotel, gave "Chicago" producer Martin Richards the PGA's Darryl F. Zanuck producer of the year award.
As anyone who has planned a birthday party knows, the occasions don't always turn out to be as festive as expected. The centennial celebration for Richard Rodgers, the most successful composer in Broadway history, is a painful case in point -- at least from the Broadway perspective.
Studio, Zadan, Meron secure necessary rights for redo
After resuscitating the screen musical with "Chicago," Harvey Weinstein is ready for an encore. Miramax Films is negotiating a "Guys and Dolls" rights package for a remake that will be produced by Storyline Entertainment partners Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the duo that served as "Chicago" exec producers.
The Broadway companies of "Les Miserables" and "The Phantom of the Opera" are set to hold studio rehearsals next week with so-called virtual orchestras -- a new technology that offers musical accompaniment in place of live musicians.
WB pic's delay leads thesp to White Way
Ashley Judd will make her Broadway debut this fall as Maggie in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."
Snow & show both go on as Gotham chills
The "Daredevil" B.O. wasn't the only casualty of Mother Nature's splashy East Coast tour. Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera" missed a perf for just the second time in 15 years, power outages cut TV ratings, and today's high-profile USC confab on media ownership rules has been canceled.
Fractious mood spreads as bitter winter continues
Maybe everyone's trying to keep warm during the chilly winter, but Broadway is all of a sudden awash in heated arguments. The producers and the musicians' union are exchanging public salvos over their upcoming contract negotiations.
Company turns subscribers into investors
The opportunity to invest in theater and film is about to get a lot more affordable. A membership-only theater and film company, Playhouse Pictures Studios, is taking over the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood to stage plays and develop them as touring productions and/or films.
Many shows see gains despite cold, alert
Despite frigid weather and anorange alert over the weekend, most Broadway shows greeted February with improved box office. Throw a lousy economy into that nasty brew, and biz could almost be called robust. Almost.
League wants music copyists out of union
The battle lines are drawn. If the League of American Theaters and Producers gets its way, music copyists will no longer be members of Local 802, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York.
