Renting out theatre / playhouse to stage first run of a musical / play? Advice?

Question

Alright, my fiance wants to rent out a theatre/playhouse to perform the first run of a new musical comedy he has written. He wants to produce the whole thing basically as he has written the script, music etc. He found a place that he can rent for a decent rate. We will make all the sets ourselves and he hopes to produce cds he can sell, print broshures, etc.
This is a for a first run new musical never produced before.

Any playwrights / producers out there that can give pointers on things we should look out for? Things we may be not thinking about? Advice?

Answer 1

Marianne has some great pointers for you. Follow them Then as a producer for about 40 years, I can add that the reason for her tips are that your continued ownership of the property(show) is paramount. Next is making money, not in the future by selling CD;s (what if noone likes the music?) but now to cover the costs. Got to deterimine how many tickets you have to sell at what price to break even (regardless of whether he thinks it is important, being broke is depressing, and being in debt and broke is worse) So find some sponsors, sell add in the program, get the newspaper behind you. Try to get them to do a big photo spread of rehearsals. Oh, yeah, I hope you have the show cast and crewed before you rent the venue, and are in rehearsal somewhere as well. Break a leg.

Answer 2

Just make sure you have everything in writing with your venue especially in regards to ticket and merchandising sales if they have any staff helping with that. Specify whether or not anyone will receive comps, discounts, etc. up front and what their percentage or flat fee will be and if there are any stipulations if sales are above or below a certain amount or if it's different on certain nights, etc. Just be very detailed so that there's no question later. The venue may want to retain rights over the concessions and unless you make a special arrangement with them I believe it's their right to do so.

Also make sure it's worded somewhere that you own your material (all intellectual property, etc.) and that no one may film the show or rehearsals even for archival purposes unless you stipulate in writing that they may do so.

best of luck!