AUGUST closes April 20 at the Imperial, moves to Music Box April 29- Page 2

[winston89]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:17pm

Newyorkcurious,

When you ask does this happen a lot on Broadway. Are you making a reference to a play or a musical changing theatres?

If so then it is not common at all with a play. Most plays with an open ended run usually play about six to seven months and then call it quits. That is why producers have realized that it would end up coasting less money in the long run if they opened up new plays as limited runs. August was opened up as a limited run for the same reason. No one expected the success that this show is getting. That is why they realized that they can still make money off of it and they are spending the money for the transfer as oppose to closing it.

Now as for musicals. It doesn't really happen a lot but it does more often then plays. Musicals tend to make more money then plays do and run longer by far. So, if need be they can transfer. The most recent transfer was that of The Lion King to the Minskoff to make room for Poppins. And, I think the current Broadway musical with the most theatre transfers is Chicago. It opened up at the Richard Rogers Theatre for about a year or so. Spent a lot of time at the Shubert and then went to the Ambassador.

And Rentboy, she can still win the Tony if she isn't there. She opened the role on broadway therefor she is qualified for the award.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:22pm

When exactly *is* she leaving?

I have the opportunity to get primo seats for the show in mid-March at the Imperial? SHould I just ... see it now (assuming the full OBC is still intact?)

[obsessedjb]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:26pm

I thought she was leaving after it closes in April.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:27pm

I'm pretty sure she is staying with the show through its run at the Imperial, and her replacement will open the show at the Music Box.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/18/08 at 11:29pm

Lovely, lovely.

Thanks a bunch for the confirmation.

[JulianHookbucks]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 5:24am

Will she and Deanna both be eligable for best actress do you think? They both seem to pull equal weight in the show... and... have their own explosively stellar moments... but it seems like the show is being marketed with Deanna at the helm... It just seems odd to me to try and fit Amy into the featured catagory...

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 6:32am

Yes, the Tony Administration Committee has ruled that both ladies can be considered for Best Actress in a Play.

I can only hope they don't cancel each other out, because one of them deserves to win this award. Though, if I were a voter, I'd be hard-pressed to choose which one.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 8:24am

frogs_fan ~ I know this is late (just got in from London last night), but with Billy I don't think a non-center aisle is a problem. Granted I was in the "grand circle" (read: balcony), but it really seemed like any aisle would work as long as there's a way for him to get off the stage. Then again, they could change that exit. It'll be interesting to see what changes they make ~ and honestly as much as I loved it how it'll play to an American audience.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 11:36am

It's like I'm doomed to never see a straight play on Broadway.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 12:28pm

Mattbrain ~ meaning you'll be in town between the 20 and 29?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 1:01pm

"Most plays with an open ended run usually play about six to seven months and then call it quits. That is why producers have realized that it would end up coasting less money in the long run if they opened up new plays as limited runs. August was opened up as a limited run for the same reason. No one expected the success that this show is getting. That is why they realized that they can still make money off of it and they are spending the money for the transfer as oppose to closing it."

Open-ended plays are rarer now than they were 10 years ago. Nowadays, plays are "limited" because they can get celebrities to do a 10/12-week stint. It doesn't cost less to play as a limited run.

Everyone knew August would be a success. It transfered to NY because of the the stigma that it was the best play in years, and the NY reviews assured that. They're spending the $$ to move it because they can. And why would you close a successful play before the Tony deadline?

"Now as for musicals. It doesn't really happen a lot but it does more often then plays. Musicals tend to make more money then plays do and run longer by far. So, if need be they can transfer. The most recent transfer was that of The Lion King to the Minskoff to make room for Poppins. And, I think the current Broadway musical with the most theatre transfers is Chicago. It opened up at the Richard Rogers Theatre for about a year or so. Spent a lot of time at the Shubert and then went to the Ambassador."

Only successful musicals transfer theater-to-theater - as Winston pointed out, Lion King (Disney $$), Chicago (Weissler $$), and Les Miz (MacIntosh $$).

Updated On: 2/19/08 at 01:01 PM

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 2:53pm

Webber transfered Les Mis?

anyways, I thought Billy just ran down the SL asile (but i was all the way up in the top balcony so its hard to tell), but i don't think they will go to the trouble of putting in a centre asile just for that. Theatres with centre asiles are terrible since the best seats are in the centre, and its a pain to direct traffic with one asile (although they usually are 2 side asiles against the wall)

I do hope they somehow can expand on the staircase / underground concept. It is a sound concept comparing everything to the coal miners who practically live underground, but I thought it was rather small against the bare stage. And I just didnt like the sidewalls at all with their cut off tops, and the only scene I liked was the sidestage tryouts (and i read somewhere that that scene was being changed)

[jordangirl]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 3:18pm

Justin ~ I agree with Billy going up a side aisle. I was way over on the side, but had a pretty good view of the center aisle and I'm fairly sure he didn't go up that one. And at curtain call they definitely seemed to be looking towards the side for him.

[Belleof14thStreet]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 9:38pm

Oh god, I hope that Morton takes the Tony. I really think the play becomes hers starting with Act II. Yes Deanna Dunnegan is fantastic, it's a fantastic role, but Amy Morton rules that stage! It's a shame they have to lose her.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/19/08 at 9:41pm

My bad - I was confusing different shows.

And, Morton will win the Tony.

It's no contest.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 2/21/08 at 6:22pm

Tickets for performances at the Music Box are available on telecharge now.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/24/08 at 2:00pm

Yep, and looks like least expensive ticket at the Music Box is $76 ! Yikes !!