With how popular this revival has been in London, not to mention big wins at the Oliviers last month, has anyone heard anything about a possible New York transfer? Just curious. I really wish this would still be running when I go to London this summer.
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Ambassador Theatre Group is the commercial producer in London, so we shouldn't count out a Broadway move.
The key to that production moving would be Paul Mescal, and that boy is BUSY. He's about to start shooting Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR sequel, and then he's doing HAMNET for Chloe Zhao (opposite Jessie Buckley). This fall he'll have a press tour for Garth Davis' FOE (opposite Saoirse Ronan), and he has some other films in the can. And then there's MERRILY when he has a spare moment.
He's not a massive, sell-out star in the U.S. yet, but he's on the brink of it, so it might not be a bad idea to hold out a bit and revisit in late 2024/early 2025 (after Gladiator is released) if we wants to continue with it.
Who could play his role if he isn’t able to do the show on Broadway?
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
I think Jodie Comer has shown that you don't need to be a universally known star to run a sold-out or at least close to that stage show, just enough people to be hugely passionate about at least one of your roles and Comer had that with Villanelle, as opposed to say Chastain, who far more people will know, but is more along the lines of "respected actor" than has a devoted "fandom". Mescal has that on account of Normal People, even if Aftersun is a barely seen film by metrics where general public is concerned.
All that is moot anyway, since has a gazillion things to film, and Frecknall seems to be equally busy.
I know this is HIGHLY unlikely, but would a big name like, oh, I don't know, Tom Holland or Timothée Chalamet be good if we can't have Paul Mescal? I'm probably overimagining here, but if they want to go down the "big name" route, those two names would definitely sell out an entire run before even opening.
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Dylan Smith4 said: "Who could play his role if he isn’t able to do the show on Broadway?"
Think the UK cast is the key to moving it over here. Otherwise it's just yet another Streetcar.
Audra was to do it with Adam Driver for Sam Gold and Scott Rudin a few years ago (before her Williamstown production) but that obv fell through.
Comer was more universally lauded/"must see" in Prima Facie than Mescal in this, since PF is also a new play. PF has also had precisely 3 weeks of performances, so its numbers could go down or up.
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Who could play his role if he isn’t able to do the show on Broadway?"
Think the UK cast is the key to moving it over here. Otherwise it's just yet another Streetcar.
Audra was to do it with Adam Driver for Sam Gold and Scott Rudin a few years ago (before her Williamstown production) but that obv fell through.
Comer was more universally lauded/"must see" in Prima Facie than Mescal in this, since PF is also a new play. PF has also had precisely 3 weeks of performances, so its numbers could go down or up."
I think the show is worth it without him. I still have no solid idea of what he has done beyond Streetcar. He was good, but totally replaceable.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
Fair. I would just think that it's been 11 years since the last Streetcar revival. I feel like we are overdue for a revival of this Tennessee Williams classic.
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Plus, I really would like to see something Freknall directed here in the US.
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Everything I’ve read about this production is Paul Mescal. If it comes over, it needs to be with him. You throw in a different and, perhaps, better known star then you have a different production.
blaxx said: "Dylan Smith4 said: "Plus, I really would like to see something Freknall directed here in the US."
I find everything they do so exciting. If it's not this or Cabaret, I hope it happens soon."
We can just keep our fingers crossed blaxx! I'm gonna be in London this summer, and Cabaret is on the top of my list of shows to see!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Dylan Smith4 said: "Plus, I really would like to see something Freknall directed here in the US."
I've heard rumblings there are producers who want to move SANCTUARY CITY to Broadway. Loved the play but that seems like a tall order with the current economic climate + zero momentum since it closed in at NYTW in 2021.
Jordan Catalano said: "I’m seeing it this weekend and CAN NOT wait."
Jealous a bit here! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts Jordan!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
Jordan Catalano said: "If i can get any info from any of the cast about a possible transfer; I’ll let everyone know."
Thanks Jordan! Enjoy!
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
All of my friends (21-28 ish) have seen Normal People and love Mescal… I don’t think any of them know what Killing Eve or who Jodie is. Not that the audiences would be the same but I think Paul would sell very well in New York.
Dylan Smith4 said: "I know this is HIGHLY unlikely, but would a big name like, oh, I don't know, Tom Holland or Timothée Chalamet be good if we can't have Paul Mescal? I'm probably overimagining here, but if they want to go down the "big name" route, those two names would definitely sell out an entire run before even opening."
Have you seen this production? I just can’t imagine it working with those two names. Paul is a terrifying, ferocious, imposing monster. It’s very difficult to watch at points (for me, at least). I can’t imagine those two names being able to do what Paul did and also, they don’t really have the look. I’m sure Paul is replaceable I just can’t easily think of who right now.
Like her Cabaret; this director also has put a very large stamp on the whole production so I would say it doesn’t NEED Paul to work in theory. I just can’t really think who else right now.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
binau said: "Have you seen this production? I just can’t imagine it working with those two names. Paul is a terrifying, ferocious, imposing monster. It’s very difficult to watch at points (for me, at least). I can’t imagine those two names being able to do what Paul did and also, they don’t really have the look. I’m sure Paul is replaceable I just can’t easily think of who right now.
Like her Cabaret; this director also has put a very large stamp on the whole production so I would say it doesn’t NEED Paul to work in theory. I just can’t really think who else right now."
No, sadly. I was just coming up with big, well-known names here in the states that could bring this over and sell out houses each night if Paul couldn’t do it. I wanted though to discuss this because it’s been over a decade since we’ve had a Streetcar revival and this production, from what I’ve read about, is the perfect one to transfer.
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
I thought the production was quite good, but I do think Mescal is replaceable. He brings a brooding Alpha male physicality and can spring into ferociousness in an instant, so if you want a mirror image, that's the type of actor to seek.
Play Esq. said: "Everything I’ve read about this production isPaul Mescal. If it comes over, it needs to be with him. You throw in a different and, perhaps, better known star then you have a different production. "
The advertising and hype of this production have definitely been focused a lot around Paul Mescal, but as someone who saw it at the Almeida (not knowing who Paul Mescal was ahead of time) I think it would be hard to argue that he’s essential to the show itself. He was undeniably great in the role, but it didn’t feel singular in any way. Granted this is the only production of Streetcar I’ve seen, but I think it would be perfectly worthwhile to see even without him. If anything, name recognition aside, I’d be more insistent on Patsy Ferran transferring (ironically since she’s the only of the 3 leads not to win this years Olivier award, and she was a last minute replacement).