Crains New York - July 23, 2012 - (Page 6)

THE Broadway gets into family act INSIDER as kid-friendly shows rake it in Annie, Cinderella to join the five youth-oriented musicals now playing BY MIRIAM KREININ SOUCCAR Family entertainment used to be a movie and popcorn. Now many parents think little of shelling out $150 per person for tickets to a Broadway show. That may be why familyfriendly productions like Newsies, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and The Lion King were sold out for the week ended July 15 (the last week for which numbers were available), while a more traditional show like Nice Work if You Can Get It grossed only 58% of its potential—even with Matthew Broderick as its star. “There are more kids going to Broadway than ever before,” said Arielle Tepper Madover, the lead producer on the revival of Annie, which opens Nov. 8. Indeed, Disney Theatrical Productions’ success—which started with The Lion King in 1997—has spawned an industry. The percentage of admissions by theatergoers under 18 in the 2010-2011 season rose to 10.4% from 9.1% the previous season, according to the Broadunder 18, a spokeswoman said. Even Michelle Obama took her daughters to see the show a week ago. Producers are taking notice. In addition to five major familyfriendly musicals currently on the Great White Way, three new ones are in the works for next season. Annie will be the first to open, followed by a newly imagined Cinderella, scheduled to bow sometime in February. Matilda the Musical, currently playing in London,opens on Broadway April 11. by Andrew J. Hawkins and Shane Dixon Kavanaugh ‘There are more kids going to Broadway than ever before’ way League. And theater experts say those numbers have grown since. At Spider-Man—which has been grossing about $1.8 million a week—between 30% and 40% of the audience at each performance are Greater need to fill seats Producers of these upcoming shows say they fell in love with these musicals for a variety of reasons and weren’t specifically looking for material that would appeal to kids. But as skyrocketing costs push the price of big shows up to the $15 million mark, the need to fill more seats is greater than ever before. “If you’re going to do a big musical, family entertainment is a great way to go,” said Robyn Goodman, the lead producer of Cinderella. “Those shows have a much larger appeal.” Such productions have longer staying power as well, because they can become a sort of rite of passage for a child. If a large-enough number of parents think they should take each child to Lion King when they See BROADWAY on Page 24 H Donors tepid on Weiner comeback e’s got $4.5 million in his campaign fund and hasn’t ruled out a return to politics. But former Rep. Anthony Weiner (above) might first have to mend fences with supporters who helped make him a front-runner for mayor before he sexted his way out of office last year. Calls to his former donors and surrogates yielded few willing to discuss him. Longtime Democratic donor Bernard Schwartz, who cut Mr. Weiner a check for the maximum $4,950 in 2007, wouldn’t pick up his phone. “Mr. Schwartz would be happy to speak about anything other than Mr. Weiner,” said an assistant to the BLS Investments head. Another former top donor said, “I do not want my name associated with any story about him.” But fundraiser Cindy Darrison said, “He was always one of the best when it came to serving his constituency, and I am interested in learning what he wants to do next in terms of public service.” Mr. Weiner has no plans for a campaign—a disappointment to some followers of the mayoral race. “If Anthony were running for office, I’d be one of the first three phone calls he’d make,” said developer Adam Rose. “I think he’s terrific, and frankly he’s better than any of the other candidates.” into a more pivotal part of the campaign,” the source said. Of the five major candidates, Mr. Thompson had the worst fundraising total in the last sixmonth cycle, at $500,000. He has about $1.3 million on hand. “If I were him, I’d be incredibly disappointed with this filing,” said one insider. “He has to pick up his fundraising, there’s no question,” said campaign guru Hank Sheinkopf. “But Bill Thompson has been counted out before.” Cooking up a campaign JACK RESNICK & SONS is pleased to announce the following lease renewal at 255 GREENWICH STREET formerly known as 75 Park Place THE CITY OF NEW YORK 207,812 Square Feet Entire 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th Floors Russian Tea Room seeking termlimited Gale Brewer’s Upper West Side City Council seat, has raised $130,000 in four and a half months since announcing his bid. He’s one of the few candidates in the city’s matching-funds program to “max out” for the 2013 race. More than $20,000 of his donations came from colleagues in the restaurant business, including Landmarc and Ditch Plains chef and co-owner Marc Murphy, B.R. Guest Hospitality President Stephen Hanson and Tracy Nieporent, a partner in Myriad Restaurant Group. “Ken is a small-business man, so he understands what we go through,” said Mr. Nieporent. Ken Biberaj, a vice president at the Chamber chief’s challenge 110 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022 212.421.1300 www.resnicknyc.com Backers of mandatory paid-sickleave legislation are touting a poll that shows 64% of Democratic women would be less likely to support a mayoral candidate who opposes it. Supporters have irked After a mediocre fundraising business leaders by recruiting Gloria Steinem and actress Cynthia Nixon to cycle, Bill Thompson will shake up his mayoral campaign. One champion the cause. insider said it could include new “I challenge these celebrities,” leadership or campaign cosaid Nancy Ploeger, president of the Manhattan Chamber chairs. A source close to of Commerce, which the campaign said moves opposes the bill. “What do would be “evolutionary.” these women really know “Changes are about running a small developing to help round business and what the costs out the team and start to of this bill will be?” build momentum as we get Nancy Ploeger Thompson to retool For daily political and government news, subscribe to CRAIN’S INSIDER @ www.crainsnewyork.com/insider 6 | Crain’s New York Business | July 23, 2012 newscom http://www.resnicknyc.com http://www.resnicknyc.com http://www.crainsnewyork.com/insider

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - July 23, 2012

Crains New York - July 23, 2012
Contents
In the Boroughs
In the Markets
The Insider
Business People
Small Business
Opinion
From Around the City
Report: Real Estate
Real Estate Deals
For the Record
Classifieds
New York, New York
Source Lunch
Out and About

Crains New York - July 23, 2012