Official: OPERATION MINCEMEAT to open on Broadway spring 2025- Page 5

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 9/26/24 at 2:32pm

I ADORE this show, but I definitely recognize the challenges that it will face on Broadway. There are certainly shows that do well in London and don't in New York (and vice versa). But, I also don't think you can wholesale dismiss the success it's had in London just because of some different tastes. There are plenty of shows that are incredibly well-received, awarded, popular, and/or successful on both sides of the pond. 

I do think their digital strategy needs to be SIGNIFICANTLY beefed up. IDK how they're doing it with only 10k followers on TikTok and13.5k on Instagram. But this show has a fanbase who comes back to see it over and over. They keep track of every understudy combination they've seen like people do with Six. They'll need to figure out how to replicate an exceed that on Broadway in the way Outsiders and Gatsby have. OFC, they'll be doing it without a massive IP. 

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 9/27/24 at 2:57pm

bway1430 said: "Jumpin_J said: "Kad said: "The point still stands that they all won Oliviers so whether or not they're original scores is irrelevant."

I counter that it is relevant if this discussion is about the prospects of Mincemeat being a success on Broadway. Jukebox musicals are far more successful in the West End than Broadway. Furthermore, especially if we're talking awards, the Tonys usually frown on jukebox shows and give props to original shows which is why Sunny Afternoon never transferred and RTTFB stayed off Broadway (even though I quite liked it). The point of the matter is there's plenty of West End transfers that have made it to NY successfully. It has an original score, a true story so wild that it has to be told as a comedy, been sold out since they've opened, and got four and five star reviews across the board. Those are just facts and pretty compelling reasons for it to come to NY."

Clearly you are a fan.

But an original score and loopy story don't guarantee a hit. BAD CINDERELLA also had a handful of decent reviews in the West End (five stars in The Sunday Times) and did ok box office its first few months, albeit in a theatre much larger than the Fortune which is rather small by West End standards. We all know how that one ended up.

I wish it well....but I have a feeling that a £14million dollar turkey is on its way.

"

You're comparing Bad Cinderella to OM? Since when does, in your words, a handful of good reviews and a few decent months that BC got compare to Mincemeat? BC got mostly mediocre reviews to straight up pans. OM has more than just a handful of good reviews. It's had literally dozens of good to great reviews with 4 & 5 stars from the media. And more than a few decent months at the box office. It's been practically sold out since it opened. Also BC got no awards while OM won the Olivier. It's a truly apples to oranges comparison. It'll do fine.

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 9/27/24 at 5:22pm

while I did like Operation Mincemeat, I do agree that the Olivier doesn't always translate.  Just look at Back to the Future on both sides of the pond.  Though the difference between that and Mincemeat is that BTTF had the benefit of a popular property that would get the fans to go while Mincemeat would be trying to build a fan base from ground up (though I think it is far better written).

[binau]

Posted: 9/28/24 at 3:56am

I watched the show with the replacement cast recently, which was fine and the show still works/is enjoyable but slightly less effective. It also made the show feel a lot more like the off-broadway type origins it came from. than I remember...I will admit I am super worried about the chance this show can succeed on Broadway. The quoted financials earlier do not make it more convincing. I would bet against the show personally in terms of risk, but I wish it well. 

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 7:25am

Looks like the transfer announcement is coming at 10am according to an email last night. 

[inception]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 7:42am

Sounds like they've been running some sort of scavenger hunt contest thing with clues "found randomly" by online influences- like a sticker or something on a sidewalk with a qr code.  Not a great promo since news of it didn't make it here.  

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 8:11am

I heard about it, but perhaps it was on a different site. I don't think there was a press release . 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 8:40am

First preview is February 15 at the Golden, with an official opening date to be announced soon. 

I’d like to think all four musical acting awards at the next Tonys are on lock now: Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis, Joy Woods, and Jak Malone. 

 

Updated On: 10/1/24 at 08:40 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 9:06am

EDSOSLO858 said: "First preview is February 15 at the Golden, with an official opening date to be announcedsoon.

I’d like to think all four musical acting awards at the next Tonys are on lock now: Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis, Joy Woods, and Jak Malone.

"

…when have all 4 of those awards ever been on lock in early October? 

Updated On: 10/1/24 at 09:06 AM

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 9:56am

EDSOSLO858 said: "First preview is February 15 at the Golden, with an official opening date to be announcedsoon.

I’d like to think all four musical acting awards at the next Tonys are on lock now: Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis, Joy Woods, and Jak Malone.

"

The first rule of Audra McDonald is that you never count out Audra McDonald. There are a few others I could see pulling some upsets. But, yes. These four would certainly seem to be heavy frontrunners. 

[kirby1058]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:08am

https://www.operationbroadway.com/

Limited run for 16 weeks beginning February 15th.

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:14am

kirby1058 said: "https://www.operationbroadway.com/

Limited run for 16 weeks beginning February 15th."

Opening March 20. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:20am

I’ve never seen a show with so much critical acclaim and award love in London have so little buzz here. I really don’t see this doing well, even as a limited run.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:24am

Limited run? It's only so they can announce their many inevitable extensions if it catches on, which I hope it does because it's a brilliant show.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 10:41am

Mark_E said: "Limited run? It's only so they can announce their many inevitable extensions if it catches on … ."

Maybe so. Nevertheless, it’s still a limited run. That way, if they don’t extend, they can always say it was intentionally limited.

[Bobster159]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 11:31am

This was comfortably my favorite show on my last trip to London (okay, I really liked Starlight Express, too!). $11.5M seems expensive for what this is, I guess that's Broadway now, but this has to be cheap to run. I'm always dubious that a little show can make it here like it can in London, but if any show could, this one could be it. A British spy comedy with lots of Mischief-like physical jokes and a hummable score that's also really witty and smart. Seems like a lot of things that Americans go for.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:00pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "I’ve never seen a show with so much critical acclaim and award love in London have so little buzz here. I really don’t see this doing well, even as a limited run."

So little buzz?   It's been talked about on this very site for over a year.  The NYT even ran an article about its Bway trajectory, not all that long ago

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:17pm

dramamama611 said: "So little buzz? It's been talked about on this very site for over a year. The NYT even ran an article about its Bway trajectory, not all that long ago"

Yes and it doesn't begin previews for another 5 months! Most buyers aren't planning that far ahead for a show like this.

The only pause I have is that it's the Broadway debut of the lead producer who doesn't appear to have a U.S.-based partner who really knows the Broadway territory. (T.T. Partners is the General Manager, which has done its share of producing and executive-producing and will no doubt play an outsized role in shepherding this musical through the weirdness of the Broadway environment.)

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:22pm

Absolutely thrilled! Saw this last year in London and it instantly became one of my favorite musicals. Very much hoping the original cast starts the run here in New York.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:32pm

I guess I mean more word of mouth than internet buzz. I’ve heard almost nothing about it from anyone I know who has been to London or lives there. Of course, this is a small sample size considering its wild success over there and more anecdotal than anything, but I just find it strange that - given that kind of success - I haven’t heard a single person in my life say a thing about it. And that’s including folks I know saw it.

I’m just puzzled by what makes it over the pond vs. what doesn’t sometimes, that’s all.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 12:57pm

Ehhhh. Saw this right after their Olivier win.  Left at intermission. I didn’t find it “too British,” just too corny. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 1:18pm

Jak Malone’s “Dear Bill” in this show is one of my favorite things ever. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 1:25pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "I’ve never seen a show with so much critical acclaim and award love in London have so little buzz here. I really don’t see this doing well, even as a limited run."

16 weeks for a British import, even in the most financially secure scenarios, is pretty common. It’s a gamble for sure, but so was Stereophonic, The Play That Goes Wrong, and, to a certain extent, Oh, Mary!

I was hoping a subscription house would pick it up, but a limited commercial run sounds good and then can extend on and on

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 1:29pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "Mark_E said: "Limited run? It's only so they can announce their many inevitable extensions if it catches on … ."

Maybe so. Nevertheless, it’s still a limited run. That way, if they don’t extend, they can always say it was intentionally limited."

Yes, and it pushes sales into the earlier dates, which can be a helpful strategy and, if they're lucky, creates limited resources.

[OMG U Guyz]

Posted: 10/1/24 at 2:11pm

They might move it off Bway once Tony season is done