Alec Baldwin back on B'way in ART

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:04pm

https://nypost.com/2022/08/30/alec-baldwin-plans-his-return-to-acting-on-broadway/

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:09pm

One of our resident rumor-heralds, troynow, mentioned this in an unrelated thread, but there's several pieces of new info here. 

When we talked about this in the other thread, the general reaction was pretty “meh” to “negative,” but personally I’m totally down for this.

I really enjoyed this play when I saw it remounted at the Old Vic. Interesting that Warchus is doing it yet again. I would’ve liked to see another director take a stab at it, but as I said, I enjoyed the Old Vic production, so I can’t complain.
 

This cast seems great!

Updated On: 8/30/22 at 02:09 PM

[troynow]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:09pm

I said this was happening...

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:13pm

No producer, which is odd. But I guess that means Warchus (who can be notoriously challenging) gets to pick who he wants to oversee the production and raise the money.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:17pm

This would fit nicely at the Schoenfeld. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:20pm

We'll see if Baldwin is considered too toxic for audiences (not wanting to get into any specifics on this board) but Shalloub and Leguizamo in a Broadway comedy is sure to be some good fun.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 2:23pm

Right? Curious to see if audiences warm to Baldwin or if they're still a little "eh" about him. But great cast/director. 

[Playbill_Trash]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 3:16pm

https://nypost.com/2022/08/30/alec-baldwin-plans-his-return-to-acting-on-broadway/amp/
 

According to the NYPost, the show has been “promised” a Shubert house by the Shubert Org. And has no actual producer currently. It was put together by Creative Arts Agency and CAA is currently “auditioning” producers.

My first thought was, Shubert = Rudin (I know not 100% of the time). So Rudin could be pulling the strings behind the scenes like he is with all of his other shows and CAA is “auditioning” who will be the face of lead producer for optics sake.

Pulling together an all star cast, including an actor everyone would be curious to see in his first outing since a major scandal/incident sounds like a Rudin move. And the fact that they haven’t announced who the face of the production is yet leads me to think of Rudin since he can’t show his face anymore. But he knows how to put together an event.

However, Rudin could on the other hand not go anywhere near the insurance/media risk this could bring. But I don’t know, I just wouldn’t be surprised if he’s behind this.

[mememe]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 5:01pm

It’s David Pugh, surely? I think he still holds the rights 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 5:13pm

If Warchus is involved, that means Rudin isn’t. They had a blowup over GROUNDHOG DAY (Rudin lucked out).

This is probably either (a) an eccentric producer trying to be coy, or (b) actually a CAA “package” project since they rep everyone involved. Agency packages are not uncommon for star-driven plays, but usually they’re shopped to a producer before the press gets wind. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 5:14pm

I like this play. I have seen in a couple of times and it makes for good acting scenes for my students.

BUT...is there really an audience for this - on Broadway, or otherwise? It is like reviving a Neil Simon play. White, upper-middle class, suburban New Yorkers are the target audience. Will there be enough of them willing to pay top dollar to watch 85 minutes of these actors talking about a painting?

[mememe]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 5:34pm

This definitely has David Pugh written all over it. He’s hugely eccentric and has been known to pull David Merrick style stunts in the past. Even if he’s just the silent money, he is totally involved. All of this reads as his kind of producing, the mystery and drama - the idea that these stars would sign on with no producer is laughable 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 5:44pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "I like this play. I have seen in a couple of times and it makes for good acting scenes for my students.

BUT...is there really an audience for this - on Broadway, or otherwise? It is like reviving a Neil Simon play. White, upper-middle class, suburban New Yorkers are the target audience. Will there be enough of them willing to pay top dollar to watch 85 minutes of these actors talking about a painting?"

Considering there was just a star-driven Neil Simon revival on Broadway that made a lot of money, I don't think your analogy is making the point you think it's making.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 5:49pm

I saw the original production and thought it was vapid.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 6:00pm

The star power IS the reason for seeing it. Doesn’t really matter what play they’re doing. That’s a good trio. Yes they’ve all done shows recently that weren’t terribly successful at the box office, but together could mean box office gold.

Because of Shalhoub and Leguizamo I don’t think audiences will have too much hesitation buying tickets to a Baldwin project. And it will surely generate much press. The court of public opinion will decide if he deserves to be welcomed back, and all signs point to this being a true accident + negligence on the part of the armorers & crew, not the actor/producer. 

[Georgeanddot2]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 6:00pm

I've met Baldwin a few times and he's always been tremendously kind and warm.

[Highland Guy]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 6:12pm

I watched bits and pieces of this play online, and I was ..... bored.  But, given the three stars of this new production (and especially Alec Baldwin), I think they could give "ART" enough "oomph" to draw me to the theatre.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 6:28pm

KevinKlawitter said: "The Distinctive Baritone said: "I like this play. I have seen in a couple of times and it makes for good acting scenes for my students.

BUT...is there really an audience for this - on Broadway, or otherwise? It is like reviving a Neil Simon play. White, upper-middle class, suburban New Yorkers are the target audience. Will there be enough of them willing to pay top dollar to watch 85 minutes of these actors talking about a painting?"

Considering there was just a star-driven Neil Simon revival on Broadway that made a lot of money, I don't think your analogy is making the point you think it's making."


Yes, but they weren’t there to see Plaza Suite. They were there to see Ferris Bueller and Carrie Bradshaw. Baldwin, Shaloub, and Leguizamo are well known but don’t have the same kind of following.

[MCW1227]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 6:38pm

I think Alec Baldwin is a terrific actor and I can only speak for myself by saying I would pay to see this play and this cast. It’s not up to me to judge or make assumptions about stuff I don’t have first hand knowledge of. Alec and the press have a long standing adversarial relationship and as with politics, I don’t buy into every headline. He’s good at acting and when I pay to see a show, that’s what I’m paying for. 
 

to the poster who said people only saw Plaza Suite for Ferris and Carrie, that’s basically insinuating that these actors have not had illustrious careers in all mediums and Neil Simons work wasnt legendary. That’s nonsense. 

Updated On: 8/30/22 at 06:38 PM

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 8:22pm

I think a lot of people seeing PLAZA SUITE felt more attracted to the familiarity of the actors and the novelty that they were a married couple playing multiple married couples...I doubt it was the actual play itself.

That being said - despite having illustrious careers, both did far better work in the past than whatever this was. It was so tired, dry, and boring that I can't believe I thought I struck gold when I got a cheap balcony ticket early in the run. Poor SJP was really working overtime to make her comedy land, but Matthew was so painfully bland and square (delivering every line in a staccato, almost quizzical, fashion), that what could be have supremely funny felt tedious.

Frankly, ART is not really my Yasmina Reza play of choice...Gimme Baldwin in a revival of "God of Carnage" and I'll sign away my paycheck.

[troynow]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 8:43pm

This show is being produced by The Shuberts and Jeffrey Richards. The bottom line here is, they have dropped this in the press for the exact thing we are doing....debating if Baldwin is returning too soon. 

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 11:43pm

Fosse76 said: "This would fit nicely at the Schoenfeld."

Played at the Royale now the Jacobs back in '98

Updated On: 8/30/22 at 11:43 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 11:47pm

Never seen them utilize the marquee like that. Very cool!

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/30/22 at 11:54pm

SouthernCakes said: "Never seen them utilize the marquee like that. Very cool!"

It was cool as I recall being in the city when I was in college to see a show

[MCW1227]

Posted: 8/31/22 at 7:07am

quizking101 said: "I think a lot of people seeing PLAZA SUITE felt more attracted to the familiarity of the actors and the novelty that they were a married couple playing multiple married couples...I doubt it was the actual play itself.

That being said - despite having illustrious careers, both did far better work in the past than whatever this was. It was so tired, dry, and boring that I can't believe I thought I struck gold when I got a cheap balcony ticket early in the run. Poor SJP was really working overtime to make her comedy land, but Matthew was so painfully bland and square (delivering every line in a staccato, almost quizzical, fashion), that what could be have supremely funny felt tedious.

Having seen Plaza Suite a few times, I cannot relate at all to it being boring or bland. You probably should have attended later in the run as it just got better as it went. It was 2 actors bringing terrific comedic timing to a play that, for its time, was expertly crafted by Simon. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and audiences seemed to be delighted.  Regardless of why this show was almost fully attended, people showed up and the objective is to get people in the seats. Theater attendance has not rebounded, also due to several reasons and that fact can’t be ignored. If you choose not to attend  because you don’t like the material, that’s certainly your choice, but star performers are greatly needed in any material they choose to help this rebound along.