Explained: Big Plane vs Little Plane (The Economics of Long-Haul Flights)

(image credit: Wendover Productions)

Here is a wonderful video from Wendover Productions via YouTube about the economics of long-haul flights. It also helps to show why the airlines may use certain planes on certain routes to certain airports and why non-stop flights may or may not be available and how it may affect the cost of your airline ticket.

It's a lot explained in the 10-minute video and worth every minute to watch.

'The Phantom of the Opera' Celebrates 30 Years in London's West End

(image credit: reallyuseful)

Who knew when Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Phantom of the Opera' opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London on October 9th, 1986 (how old were you back then?), that it will remain in the city at the same theatre 30 years later.

The show may outlive the current name of the theatre. When the next male British monarch ascends the throne, the name of the venue will be changed back to His Majesty's Theatre.

From Wikipedia:
The name of the theatre changes with the sex of the monarch. It first became the King's Theatre in 1714 on the accession of George I. It was renamed Her Majesty's Theatre in 1837. Most recently, the theatre was known as His Majesty's Theatre from 1901 to 1952, and it became Her Majesty's on the accession of Elizabeth II. The theatre's capacity is 1,216 seats, and the building was Grade II* listed by English Heritagein 1970. Really Useful Theatres has owned the building since 2000. The land beneath it is on a long-term lease from the Crown Estate.

Click the link below for a 45-minute video of the event posted by Time Out London:
Watch The Epic Finale For Phantom of the Opera's 30th Anniversary Performance.

It includes a look back at the thirty years of Phantom, a conversation with Lloyd Webber & producer Cameron Mackintosh, and performances from the show's past and present stars including Sierra Boggess, Michael Ball, Ben Forster and Michael Crawford. The celebration took place on October 10th, 2016.

Click the link below for pictures of the event from BroadwayWorld.com:
Photo Flash: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Celebrates 30th Anniversary on West End

Ben Forster (present London Phantom), Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Crawford and Celine Shoemaker (present Christine Daae) (photo credit: Dan Wooler)

Abandoned Fake Disneyland in Japan: Nara Dreamland

Dreamland Nara (photo credit: Roman Veillon)

A few years ago I learned about an Abandoned Fake Disneyland in China, now I learn via The Huffington Post of a similar abandoned park in Japan. The main difference is the park in China was never opened. The park in Japan, called Nara Dreamland, opened in 1961 and closed 45 years later.

Remnants of the park still remains based on some of the photos in the article which are posted below. Many of the photos are from the hardcover book "Ask The Dust" by Romain Veillon.

Click the link below for the full article.
Japan's Abandoned 'Dreamland' Theme Park is Not for the Faint of Heart

(photo credit: Roman Veillon)

(photo credit: Roman Veillon)

(photo credit: Roman Veillon)

(photo credit: Roman Veillon)

'Hamilton': The Art of Profit-Sharing for Actors

In a Chicago Tribune illustration, 'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda depicted on the $10 bill. (photo credit:Michel Miner)

With a monster Broadway hit like 'Hamilton' gathering so much publicity, the show also made the news rounds for the behind-the-scenes negotiating of a profit sharing deal between the actors and lead producer Jeffrey Seller.

The outcome was 22 of the show's actors, some who are no longer in the show, who helped to create the show during its Off-Broadway run, will receive 1 percent of net profits from the New York production as well as .33 percent of the net profits from Chicago and all other U.S productions.

Recently an in-depth article in Bloomberg details what is probably intended to be confidential communications of how the deal was reached.  It is fascinating reading and the result will likely be a rollover into shows that are expected to be the next big hit. It also adds another layer to the difficult economics of Broadway where only about a quarter of the plays and musicals turn a profit. Click the link below for the full article.

How Hamilton's Cast Got Broadway's Best Deal: Of all the prizes bestowed on Hamilton, the greatest might be the one its cast won for itself (Sept 28, 2016).

The $10 Lin-Manuel Miranda photo at top is from a Chicago Tribune from April 22, 2016 called Do Actors from 'Hamilton' deserve to be paid royalties.

Hamilton actors during the 40th anniversary celebration of 'A Chorus Line'.
(photo credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage)