By Jennifer R Jones | Posted on January 30, 2015 6:17 PM
Larry David’s New Play Fish In The Dark Has A Record-Breaking Advance Of $13.5 Million. The Next Biggest Advance In History Was Set By Betrayal.
The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” Star Conquers Broadway
Larry David, best known for creating and starring in the television show Curb Your Enthusiasm, as well as for co-creating and lead writing the series Seinfeld, is coming to Broadway as both lead actor and writer.
Fish in the Dark, billed as a dark comedy that involves the death of the patriarch of the family, has released little other information about the show. However, the pedigree of Larry David’s name alone has allowed the show to break advance box office records.
"Fish In The Dark" Talented Cast
Additional cast includes Rita Wilson, Rosie Perez, and Jayne Houdyshell. The show is directed by Anna D. Shapiro (Motherf**ker with the Hat) and produced by Scott Rudin. Previews begin this upcoming Monday, February 2, 2015, and the play is already selling out. Opening night is scheduled for March 5, 2015, and the run is intended to be a limited engagement of 18 weeks.
A Record-Breaking $13.5 Million Advance
It has taken in a remarkable $13.5 million, which breaks the advance box office records for a straight play. The previous record for a straight play’s advance was $13.05 million, earned by Betrayal starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz.
That play was produced by Scott Rudin, who is also the producer of Fish in the Dark. The budget for this play has not been reported, but it is surely in the low millions, probably not over $3 million. It is therefore a surefire hit before it even begins. Other plays this season are also doing well, but not quite as well as Fish in the Dark.
No One Else Competes With "Fish In The Dark"
It’s Only a Play starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick was performing alongside top musicals this whole season, but its opening advance was only $10 million. The Bradley Cooper led revival of The Elephant Man also performed very well at the box office, as did Hugh Jackman in The River, but neither could compete with Fish in the Dark in terms of advance sales. Other starry plays opening this spring include Helen Mirren in The Audience, as well as Bill Nighy in Skylight by David Hare.
Larry David, The Broadway Newbie
Larry David is a novice in the theatre. He told the press that he has not been in a play since the eighth grade. In a memorable episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, David plans to star in The Producers alongside fellow performers David Schwimmer and Cady Huffman.
Though the audience is wowed, Mel Brooks is not impressed, and he ends up failing to make the cut. Of course the entire scenario was played for comedic effect, but he certainly demonstrated that he was not intending to pursue a career in musical theatre. Nevertheless, theatre itself is not outside his domain, as he is making quite a debut on Broadway this week. The critical response will become clear in March after the opening night, but there is no going back now; audiences are already committed to loving this show.
