But not in the way you think.

General Managers and Producers are always trying to figure out how to make shows work economically.

The old trick is that if it’s not working in a specific theater . . . put it in a bigger one!  Your Gross Potential goes up, and therefore when you show an investor a recoupment schedule based on percentages, the show looks more viable.

70% of 2000 seats is a lot better than 70% of 1000 seats, right?

But here’s the rub.

Just because you put the show in a bigger theater, that doesn’t mean that more people are going to go.  Duh, right? 

Here’s what I like to think of when I choose a theater.

Yes, economics are important, without a doubt.  And I’d look at the average # of people coming to see Broadway or Off-Broadway shows on a nightly basis to determine what is appropriate.

But just as important is the feel and the energy inside the theater. 

I like my theaters to feel like a soda can that is shaken up – so filled with energy and excitement that it could burst! 

And then, when you open the doors at the end of the show and let your audience out, it’s like opening up that shaken soda can . . . and all those people go spilling into the streets and all over everything else, gushing about what they just saw, because they can’t help it. 

Those are the people that are going to sell tickets for you. 

And a smaller more energized theater also means a harder to get ticket, less seats to fill so less advertising expenses, lower theater expenses and an overall better experience for the audience.

So get people excited with something smaller.