It is no secret that it costs millions to put on any professional musical production or theatrical show, nevertheless have it produced on Broadway. But have you ever taken the time to ask, how many industrious individuals, how many perpetually passionate people are involved in this multi-million dollar process?
Before any musical or show makes it to the coveted position of being a true Broadway production, it must be workshopped and produced to an extent that may seem endless. This process involves inumerable hard-working souls, who make the inner workings flow seamlessly from a show’s humble beginnings to its huge, blowout finale on broadway. As in accordance with the Broadway musical “Wicked” at least 386 individuals were involved with the production of each showing, from the stage actors and musicians in the pit, to the merch sellers and ticket-takers at the front of the house.
Each and every job in the production of such an extravagant show as this, or any broadway production is absolutely necessary, and imperative to the smooth-running nature of the popular pastime. This entertainment option is chosen by tourists and locals alike, which is to be enjoyed by around 500 viewers every night, per show. In relation, during the past year alone, Broadway attendance in New York City topped the total attendance of all top ten New York and New Jersey professional sports teams combined. With such a grandiose popularity of each show on broadway, the smallest hitch in production could lead to a disastrous effect.
Although broadway productions have both minor and major issues all the time, guaranteed to come with every show, crew and actors have been trained to roll with the punches as professionally as possible. This ensures a successful production every night, for as we all know, “the show must go on”. In combination with this training, broadway productions and their crew keep in mind the commonly known Murphy’s Law, which states, “anything which can go wrong, will go wrong”. This mindset keeps the entire crew and staff on their toes at all times. Broadway professionals are highly passionate about their work, and have been recognized to understand their individualistic importance, even down to the smallest role of the bartender at the concession stands, or the spotlight operator in the catwalks of the stage. These individuals work as a team to gorgeously execute the miracle of broadway performances each and every night of their lives, for the sake of the arts.
To elaborate on the different areas of production on broadway, any show is known to have two types of stagehands: First, there's a "pink contract" crew, which is hired by the particular show's producers, usually through a production manager who oversees everything that goes on backstage. The pink contract individuals are hired along with a musical during its out-of-town production version, and then travel with the show to Broadway, when it eventually makes it to the big stage. This crew remains in place from the humble beginnings of a show, all the way to the end, as they learn the ins and outs of the particular set, with a greater familiarity and comfort level than any house crew might ever hope to have with the show. As for this other type of stagehand, the house crew, there are certain positions which are hired by theatre owners, who work at the theatre permanently, and facilitate different shows as they move through broadway Some of these positions include more professional technical knowledge and experience, such as stage managers (link to stage manager kit blog post eventually), lighting grips and sound technicians. However, there are other, perhaps smaller, but nonetheless important roles to be filled such as janitors, ushers, and call boys. There is no job too small for such a large industry of musical and theatrical production.
Overall, the production and pre-production of any and all broadway shows contains a multitude of positions, each essential to the success of the musical and theatre industry in and of itself. From the starring actors and actresses signing autographs each night, to the custodial staff replacing toilet paper in the bathrooms and dressing rooms, all individuals involved help in their own, personalized way to create the magic of a Broadway production.
Sources:
https://www.broadwayleague.com/research/statistics-touring-broadway/
http://www.playbill.com/article/how-to-tell-broadway-from-off-broadway-from-com-110450
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_theatre#Runs
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/420312577712319277
http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/the-cost-of-a-musical-on-broadway-infographic/
