I think it has a run somewhere else this summer, Philadelphia or L.A.
Well as far as the plot was revealed in a few articles it didn't sound like a helluva book. So I don't know if it has the guts for Broadway. The score will probably fine but it seems to me, Broadway has nowadays no place for old pro's scores. Unless they'd try writing a jukebox show
It had a hugely successful backer's audition some months ago in NYC. Most of the same cast (including stars Debra Monk and David Hyde-Pierce and supporting player Karen Ziemba) are taking it to the Ahmanson in LA this summer.
Roger Berlind is producing and has plans to bring it to Broadway.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
It's being mounted in LA....And the tide could change on Broadway...Jersey Boys is a rare high point in jukebox musicals. The failures of Lennon, Good Vibrations, We Will Rock You (in Vegas), All Shook Up, Ring of Fire (and Hot Feet which isn't doing well) could mean that the love affair with jukebox musicals will end soon.
"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"
CURTAINS, staring David Hyde Pierce will be doing it's pre-Broadway run this summer from July 25th - September 10th 2006 at the Center Theatre Group Ahmanson Theatre at the Music Center in L.A.
"Debra Monk, Edward Hibbert and Karen Ziemba would join announced star Pierce in the work. Production spokespersons could not confirm the casting of the trio of Broadway veterans Monk (Reckless, Chicago), Hibbert (Noises Off, Me and My ) and Ziemba (Contact, Steel Pier) — who appeared in an Oct. 31, 2005 reading."
From the website: "CURTAINS is a backstage murder mystery and musical comedy set in the 1950’s Boston. After the leading lady’s mystifying curtain call demise, Frank Cioffi (David Hyde Pierce), homicide detective and musical theatre aficionado, is on the case! He’s got a tough job as the bodies pile up, the ensemble dwindles, and everyone is a suspect. And that second act needs work! Can Cioffi solve the murders and save the show before it reaches Broadway?
CURTAINS is both a classic whodunit and classic Kander and Ebb. Ahmanson audiences will be the first to see this brand new musical wonder before it heads off to New York for a Broadway run.
John Kander and Fred Ebb’s 40-year songwriting collaboration have produced distinctive, original, fantastical award-winning musicals for the stage including CABARET, ZORBA, CHICAGO, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, THE ACT, and for the screen FUNNY LADY and NEW YORK, NEW YORK, for which they created the classic title song. Rupert Holmes (book) is a multi Tony Award-winner for THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD."
I read that it was coming to Broadway after it's run in Los Angeles. It runs from July - Sept at the Ahmanson Theater in LA. Since it stars David Hyde Pierce, I'm sure it will be well received on Broadway, especially after the great job he did in "Spamalot". I am looking forward to it coming this winter.
Of course it should be mentioned that director Scott Ellis worked with David Hyde Pierce and Edward Hibbert on numerous episodes of "Frasier" (in addition to directing Monk and Ziemba in STEEL PIER.)
I've got tickets to see it in Los Angeles for some time in July, August, and September. Three different parties have asked me to go, and so I accepted all three invitations. I'll let you all know how it goes!
I hope this is another Drowsy-like experience for me. Ah, the joys of seeing a show way before it opens on Broadway, and being one of the first.