Why do Broadway shows close?

Just in general. Like RENT for example. Its the 7th longest running show on broadway. and its closing.

i guess it means on the popularity? any opinions.

i mean obviously phantom of the opera [which just celebrated 20 years] is popular. i mean the esteem of the musical? like CHICAGO for example. i mean that musical is loved as heck and its been on bway for 11 years and still going strong. and other ones such as chorus line. revivals can live quite a lot too. so just some general...answer-ness? why would they close a show.

[ramble over]

Why do Broadway shows close?the grand theater

Theatre Doc is right. I also agree with Ivory though, the only positive side to Rent closing is the rights will become available HOWEVER I think Rent will fast become the most overdone show across the country. Let's hope producers and directors don't just do it for the money the show will bring in, but they do it for the love of the show itself and keep it's integrity intact.

Marianne

Why do Broadway shows close?soap opera opera theater

More on the wave of, The show is losing popularity. And in that it losses money. And there are always going to be new plays that need space.

but the good thing about them closing is....the RIGHTS COME OUT!!!!
I think that, in the case of RENT, there are new musicals with a similar style that are getting more popular, like Spring Awakening and right now it's not doing so well as it did before. I'm sure there will be a revival in the future. They're tryning to create expectation, so when they come back Rent will be a hit and people will crowd to get tickets.
Broadway shows rent the theatres they are presented in. There is always a closing clause in the rental agreement that says if the box office receipts fall below a certain level for a specified time (like three consecutive weeks), the show will have to leave the theatre.
Several of you have hit on it -- Theatre Doc comes closest. A Show closes when it begins losing money. As attendance declines, they can send blocks of tickets to the half-price TKTS booth in Times Square, but eventually, without a little boost from winning a Tony or two or re-casting the show with a new star -- Chicago has had Bebe Neuwirth, Karen Ziemba, Ute Lemperer, Sharon Lawrence, Jasmine Guy, etc. etc. in the lead role -- interest lags and it's time to put together the first National Tour, then release the rights to professionals, then the movie to try and make money. Much as we like to think of theatre as art, it is also very much a business