The Town with Matthew Belloni Clooney’s Big Broadway Bet, and How to Make Real Money in Theater
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Jun 4, 2025 John Johnson, a nine-time Tony Award-winning producer, shares insights on his latest production, ‘Good Night and Good Luck.’ He discusses the groundbreaking decision to stream it live on CNN, marking a new era for Broadway. The conversation dives into the financial challenges of theater, the allure of star power, and how celebrity casting impacts ticket sales. Johnson also explores the evolving landscape of Broadway, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation in an age influenced by streaming platforms.
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Movie Stars Drive Broadway Success
- Broadway plays with movie stars like George Clooney attract a wider audience and can be massive financial successes.
- Long-running shows like Lion King and Book of Mormon turn into billion-dollar properties over time.
Broadway Production Costs Explained
- Musicals typically cost $15-25 million to produce with weekly running costs of $750k or more.
- Plays cost less upfront but still require millions to mount and hundreds of thousands weekly to run.
Recouping Broadway Costs Today
- The industry standard is to recoup musicals in 52 weeks, but rising costs have made this difficult post-pandemic.
- Plays have seen greater success recently, often helped by star draws.