 The standard number you see is that only around 20% of Broadway shows recoup even their original investment. Based on people I've been speaking with and based on some personal exposure, I wouldn't be surprised if 20% is actually overstating it. But whatever the case, most Broadway shows lose a lot of money for their investors. Does it even make sense to call it investing? Should I think of it instead as essentially a way of supporting the arts with a small chance that I'll actually get some money back?