Catherine Rampell figures what it might take for the Spider-Man musical in New York to recoup its initial investment. Her calculations sound way too approximate and vague to me…and like she notes, she's not including income from merchandising. She doesn't figure in the loot from the inevitable cast CD, either.
Still, it's not a bad primer for the costs of mounting a Broadway show. It all tells us something everyone probably always knew; that it will take a long time and a lot of eager ticket buyers before this thing gets within web-slinging distance of break-even. As I noted earlier, the reported size and technical requirements of the production make you wonder if they can even do a touring company, which is where a Broadway show can make a lot of money. There are shows that lose money in New York but make it back on the road. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark may have to settle for one or two non-touring companies in other cities…say, a long run in Las Vegas. Spidey has his work cut out for him.