Chicago
Broadway musicals sometimes make the transition from stage to screen. But success at one box office doesn't mean big bucks at the other. Here's how seven Broadway shows fared when they received the Hollywood treatment. (Stage figures as of July 15, from the League of American Theaters and Producers, are for Broadway runs, not touring productions. Film amounts are global box office gross.)
Hairspray
Hollywood (1988): $6.7 million
Broadway (2002 through present): $203.6 million
Hollywood (2007): Opened July 20, first weekend earned $27.8 million—the largest opening on record for a musical
Dreamgirls
Broadway (1981 to 1985, 1987): $20 million
1 Hollywood (2006): $154.6 million
1 A partial figure, since the League of American Theatres and Producers only keeps records from June 1984 onward.
The Producers
Hollywood (1968): not available
Broadway (2001 to 2007): $288.4 million
Hollywood (2005): $38.1 million
Rent
Broadway (1996 through present): $249.1 million
Hollywood (2005): $31.7 million
The Phantom of the Opera
Broadway (1986 through present): $656.1 million
Hollywood (2004): $154.6 million
Chicago
Broadway (1996 through present): $301.9 million
2 Hollywood (2002): $306.8 million
2 Figures not available for the original run, from 1975 to 1977.
A Chorus Line
Broadway (1975 to 1990 and 2006 through present): $95.1 million
3 Hollywood (1985): $14.2 million
3 A partial figure, since the League of American Theatres and Producers only keeps records from June 1984 onward.
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