Profile for Chaz Hands

Ken Davenport is making it seem like Griswold’s Broadway Vacation will open this season based on all his posts about it on social media.I wouldn’t be surprised if Regency Girls and the Dolly Parton jukebox musical transfer in as well with all of the available theaters.

My partner saw this at Berkeley Rep and echoed a lot of what other people have posted. He said the score and cast were very strong but the book wasn’t quite ready. They’ve had 2 years so hopefully it’s done some tightening.Also- very disappointed in people who claim to support wanting “original musicals” already bashing this show. All of Sondheim’s shows weren’t perfect either, so even if the book still isn’t fixed, isn’t it exciting Zoe Sarnak will be making her Broadway debut and Raul Espar...

Zoe Sarnak feels VERY close to breaking out if any of her shows in development make it to Broadway.Recent shows of her include: Galileo, Empire Records, Afterwords, The Lonely Few, etc.

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Or you could stop trying to control legitimate discourse on how the business is functioning.Great! I heard wonderful things about The Heart as well! Let us continue to champion new works together!I’ve controlled nothing. You are free to post what you like. I apologize if you thought otherwise. And in the same way, I am free to say that the majority of what you post is doom and gloom. I tried to find common ground with you, but alas, was unsuccessful. Therefore, let t...

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Creatively The Heart and Lincoln among others but by all means keeps being an ass. One has a good business model.lmChaz Hands said: "Ensemble1711444445 said: "I didnt say anything like what are attributing to me… your laundry list of shows has nothing to do with me ot what i support with my investments. You are not additive and a know it all that seems to live to be right on here. So stop putting words in other peoples posts and get a life.If your comments were addit...

Ensemble1711444445 said: "I didnt say anything like what are attributing to me… your laundry list of shows has nothing to do with me ot what i support with my investments. You are not additive and a know it all that seems to live to be right on here. So stop putting words in other peoples posts and get a life.If your comments were additive to the conversation, I’d have no problem. But every week, you talk about how Broadway is gonna fail. And you’re entitled to your opinion, but at some point...

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Merkin2 said: "Along with every other new musical ever apparently. Fall 2026 will certainly be busy with all these limited engagement plays we’re getting this spring.""Galileo got pretty good reviews and word of mouth out-of-town. It was received much better than Great Gatsby was at Paper Mill, for example, which is still running.But everything is always so doom and gloom with you, so I’m not surprised.God forbid we talk about the realities of the business and why so...

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Yes the fall seems to be loading up with the expensive, failed out of town shows - and the billionaire's showsthat failed on the road.Merkin2 said: "Along with every other new musical ever apparently. Fall 2026 will certainly be busy with all these limited engagement plays we’re getting this spring.""Galileo got pretty good reviews and word of mouth out-of-town. It was received much better than Great Gatsby was at Paper Mill, for example, which is still running.But e...

The UK also had “Austenland” last year, but I’m not sure if that was based more on the novel or the film.Also forgot to mention:UK: Burlesque, But I’m a CheerleaderRoundabout/Theatre Latte Da: Scotland, PASt. Ann’s Warehouse: Monsoon WeddingBAM/Signature Theater: Safety Not Guaranteed

2 1/2 years later and the only musical discussed in this thread that will have made it to Broadway is Beaches this spring.But that gives hope to the others! It sounds like The Devil Wears Prada and Griswold’s Broadway Vacation will be arriving soon, too.More musicals to add to this thread for archival’s sake:Paper Mill Playhouse: Take the LeadMcCarter: Empire RecordsArena: A Wrinkle in TimeOgunquit: My Best Friend’s WeddingLa Jolla: Working GirlAlliance: The Preacher’s Wife, Millions

Do we think Griswold’s Broadway Vacation has any steam?They just released that EP last month… was that a sign? I wouldn’t put it past Ken Davenport to rush a show in.

Ensemble1711444445 said: "People were concerned about the finances but charmed by the show..those are very different things. People loved the creative on Happy Endings. People were excited by the numbers and the show on two strangers and while Gatsby wasn'ta critics darling the word of mouth was great. People loved it and still do...it sells very well. These new shows are not well received for very different reasons.Chaz Hands said: "kdogg36 said: "Chaz Hands said: "The Great Gatsby had bad w...

kdogg36 said: "Chaz Hands said: "The Great Gatsby had bad word of mouth at Paper Mill and lots of haters on this board. Two Strangers should’ve gone off broadway because it was too small and earnest of a show to succeed. And Maybe Happy Ending’s tryout was so many years ago, people didn’t know what to expect, but people didn’t think it was going to open because producers weren’t wanting to invest in it."As far as I can recall, this is correct. I certainly remember that the consensus here was ...

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Thats not even remotely true. People were excited for two of those and curious about the third with stars they loved. These two announcements are nuts...ATG said Titanique and Shubert said hold my beer.Chaz Hands said: "This thread is reminding me of when they announced The Great Gatsby, Maybe Happy Ending, and 2 Strangers weregoing to transfer in.So much vitriol. Everyone saying, “What are the producers thinking?”Y’all… let’s give it a chance. There’s no way this is...

This thread is reminding me of when they announced The Great Gatsby, Maybe Happy Ending, and 2 Strangers were going to transfer in.So much vitriol. Everyone saying, “What are the producers thinking?”Y’all… let’s give it a chance. There’s no way this is going to be the worst show that has opened on Broadway.I never understand why this board always goes so doom and gloom when shows announce they are transferring in. Instead, we can celebrate all the people making their Broadway debuts and hope ...

I think after reading the past couple of pages, what Ensemble is trying to get at is that sometimes word-of-mouth pre-Broadway does not have any indication of how well a show will do on Broadway.I distinctly remember how harsh this board was to The Outsiders at La Jolla and everyone thought it was insane at how fast it was transferring in. However, despite word of mouth on this board specifically, it has become a success on Broadway.I also don’t think there’s a lack of quality shows waiting t...

I just don’t think word of mouth matters much in regards to when shows transfer in. People on these boards ripped the tryouts to shreds for shows like The Great Gatsby and The Outsiders, and SURPRISE! They’re both still running.People on these boards do not speak for commercial audiences, and if they did, they would have let you believe Back to the Future was so bad it was going to close immediately.The Devil Wears Prada is still selling extremely well in London, the sequel has hyped up renew...

I also don’t think we can rule out Bull Durham or The Devil Wears Prada transferring in this season. Both shows have a lot of money behind them

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Just read the out of town reviews. Why would they bring this in?The out of town reviews weren’t kind for The Great Gatsby or The Outsiders, but look at them now.I heard a lot of positive things about Galileo. Is it perfect? No. But so few musicals are, so I don’t see why it shouldn’t transfer if the money and talent are there.

For a commercial Broadway show, I think Disney would have a hit on their hands if they turned Phineas and Ferb into a stage show. The marketing could be, “Mooooom, Phineas and Ferb are making a Broadway musical!” I think it’d do well in licensing for high schools and community theaters as well.For something a little darker/weirder, I think Don’t Look Up could translate well to the stage as well.