Any thoughts on why both Mescal and Scott have opted a non-Broadway run?

Andrew Scott was in The Vertical Hour, with Julianne Moore, back in 2008. Maybe he had a bad experience. Paul Mescal maybe just doesn’t care, perhaps the ticket prices put him off.

Updated On: 11/9/24 at 10:59 AM

Yes, I realize. (Which I said directly in the post.) - I just forgot to edit the Subject line correctly.

Didn't say their being Irish HAD anything to do with it - but it is certainly interesting they've both taken the same route(ish). Saying both European actors seemed far too broad as they are, well, both Irishmen.





Kad - thank you for your insight, and lordy, I hope you are wrong that it will only be a two week run! That will be a bloodbath for tickets!

Yeah, sorry dramamama, I did read your comment, I just meant that that particular show didn’t go down so well if I remember right.

Also, perhaps them being Irish is relevant. Maybe their own national theatre, The Abbey, was their top goal. I know Paul Mescal at least has already trod those boards. Prices there run about $60 at most for top seats. Maybe they are uncomfortable in using their fame to price gouge.

It comes down to economics & scheduling.

On Broadway for a commercial production of a star-driven play, it's hard to make the numbers work with less than 15 weeks of performances. Maybe 10 for the right project. Ideally there's also an option to extend to 18-20 weeks. Add in 3-6 weeks of rehearsal & tech and that becomes a 4-6 month commitment for an actor.

Off-Bway can be quite lucrative for the right project. Adam Driver/HOLD ON TO ME DARLING, Branagh/LEAR, Fiennes/STRAIGHT LINE CRAZY, Jeremy Irons & Lesley Manville in LONG DAY'S, Blanchett/THE MAIDS, etc. Remember, everyone else makes less money off Broadway (crews, costars, etc) because the union minimums are different, so the costs can be lower.

Updated On: 11/9/24 at 12:29 PM

bigbelterbaby said: "Uncle Vanya is soo over produced, it was just on Broadway last season and didn’t do well. Streetcar also over produced.


plus the fact there is only 41 Broadway theatres and as of now not a single one is available in the Spring unless a show that’s open/coming in closes earlier than expected and even then there is other projects from producers that are probably ahead of them in line."

I can’t even remember the last time Streetcar was on Broadway. The only one I can remember that wasn’t a long time ago was the one with Natasha Richardson, who has sadly been dead for over 15 years. It’s possible that I am forgetting one that was bad.

And Broadway is not necessarily everyone’s dream.

bigbelterbaby said: "Uncle Vanya is soo over produced, it was just on Broadway last season and didn’t do well. Streetcar also over produced..."

I agree that Uncle Vanya has been done -- a lot. But Andrew Scott's Vanya is a different beast, in my opinion. I just got done watching it on NT@Home, and it's a very interesting (single person) adaptation -- not to mention, an amazing performance from Scott.

binau said: "I’m personally most surprised that they are doing a very short west end run. Is there a broader strategy eg public rehearsal before NYC?"

Well…I’m just happy that I’m hopefully gonna get to see this production in London as I missed the last run by like a month and a half. But I think the whole short London run as a “public rehearsal” sounds about right or just to get the hype around it up again as people were wanted an immediate transfer to NYC after all the awards it got from its initial run. Or…maybe they will be using the 3 week run in London to film it cause I don’t think they did that in the last run. My guess is NT Live wants to add that to their collection.

I think Cate Blanchett did both Streetcar and Vanya at BAM (as well as her never-to-be-outdone Hedda). There's something special about heading out to Brooklyn to see a show. Like you're traveling for theatre (something I do often). The results are obviously the same if you saw it on Broadway, but I enjoy going to a somewhat "new" place (outside the theatre district) and having a meal (easier now after the gentrification of the area).

Jay Lerner-Z said: "Sorry, Owen, you probably don’t mean it to, but that reads as quite elitist. Some theatre lovers do actually live in Brooklyn already. Maybe this is for them, not just a chance to give intrepidexplorers the chance to venture into the jungle."

Three times I've reread what Owen22 posted and I cannot imagine what you see as "quite elitist," but then I know that is one of your hot topics.

Owen22 said: "I think Cate Blanchett did both Streetcar and Vanya at BAM (as well as her never-to-be-outdone Hedda). There's something special about heading out to Brooklyn to see a show. Like you're traveling for theatre (something I do often). The results are obviously the same if you saw it on Broadway, but I enjoy going to a somewhat "new" place (outside the theatre district) and having a meal (easier now after the gentrification of the area)."


Cate Blanchett did Vanya at City Center.