"12 Angry Men" to move to Hirschfeld?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:15pm

From a Playbill.com article:

"The Roundabout Theatre Company's seven-time extended staging of Reginald Rose's Twelve Angry Men may be holding court at a new Broadway house, Playbill.com has learned.

Sources now have the Roundabout work moving to the now-vacant Al Hirschfeld Theatre — which was, until recently, scheduled to house the canceled revival of Sweet Charity with either Christina Applegate or replacement Charlotte d'Amboise starring.

A Roundabout spokesperson confirmed to Playbill.com that the non-profit is in discussions for a commercial transfer of Twelve Angry Men, one of its most popular stagings to date. No information, however, was confirmed on a theatre."

I think it's a great idea. The show's supposed to be phenomenal. It's good to see more hit drama's on Broadway and it must be something in order for a move like this to be considered. It would definitely give me more time to see it.

To read the whole article...click the link below.
Change of Venue: Twelve Angry Men in Talks for Commercial Broadway Transfer

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:17pm

I loved this production and wish the best for it, but I have a suspicion that if it moves it will run out of steam not very long afterwards. But maybe some Tony nods and some possible wins could prevent that.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:31pm

How long do you think it would survive there?

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:34pm

I hope this is ture I saw it a few weeks ago and loved it.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:34pm

I feel like that house may be a bit too large for that show. I love the intimacy of AA, and even though it seats many, it doesn't FEEL as big as the Hirschfeld does.

That said, I love 12 Angry Men and would love to see it continue on.

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:52pm

I was also thinking the same thing about the size differance, GirlfriendFromCanada

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 4:55pm

Agree w the need for intimacy w this show. One of my surprises faves ( last min rush tkt) As a transfer, w different stage dimensions does this mean they will have to reconstruct the full set? $$$ Just wondering.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:25pm

Whenever a show transfers theatres they have to build a brand new set, it in equity rules. So yes they have to reconstruct a new set when they move. It is one of the reasons you rarely see a show move theatres. But Roundabout must think that the show is going to win tony's and therefor gain more momentum and make them money.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:26pm

God, I think they should wait for Jackie Mason to leave the Hayes, that space would ensure longevity for the production...

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:29pm

It's an interesting move to transfer a play in a 740 seat theatre to one that holds 1,400... But they may be getting the theatre at cheaper rent since it was just quickly abondoned.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 5:35pm

Not often a play has so much success these days. Good for them if they can make it- I really loved this production.

[chasgoose]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:12pm

Well right now, Twelve Angry Men is far and away the frontrunner to win the Best Revival of a Play Tony Award. First, it is the critical favorite (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is the only revival thus far that has come close and even that was mixed to positive). Second, it is probably the most appealing to the widest range of people of all of the revivals currently on Broadway. Finally, it is extremely rare (like never) that a play is so well-done and has such a wide-ranged appeal that it has great tour potential and will be able to survive long after the marquee stars leave (12 Angry Men has already had replacements and it is still great, whereas nearly all of the play revivals are star vehicles of a sort that will lose a lot of business/close when the stars leave). It would take an extremely stellar showing from Streetcar (which, early in previews, apparently needs work) and Julius Caesar (which I thought was amazing early in previews and could provide the force to topple 12 Angry Men with a few tweaks) to stop the juggernaut that is 12 Angry Men.

Assuming it wins the Tony, it should definitely stay on Broadway, and it should definitely move to a theatre that isn't a repertory theatre for Roundabout, but it should wait for a more suitable theatre than the Al Hirschfeld. The Brooks Atkinson, where Democracy is closing or the Plymouth/Eugene O'Neill Theatres which both will probably be empty soon after the Tonys are over (the Eugene O'Neill will probably be available first) are all better fits for Twelve Angry Men and will allow it to last longer than the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/28/05 at 6:22pm

Going tomorrow. Can't wait.