B'WAY TRANSFER WATCH: London's "Sweet Charity"

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 10:12am

Now with the news that the extremely well-recieved "Sweet Charity" revival at the Menier is transferring to the Haymarket on London's West End, I think a Broadway transfer is next on the list. Hear me out:

Sweet Charity mirrors the recent La Cage revival which has also been announced for a Broadway transfer in many ways, and will transfer for the same reasons:

An outstanding English performer in the lead never before seen on these shores (Douglas Hodge, Tamzin Outhwaite)
A gritty, minimalist take on a classic musical
A rapid turnaround from a not-so-well-received, glitzy recent U.S. revival that opened only 6 years prior (Sweet Charity won't open earlier than 2011)
A show that's easy to recast with U.S.-based actors while transferring over the one standout

So who knows? Considering how many Donmar and Menier productions have ended up on the Great White Way as of the last couple years, do you think an appearance in New York is next on this revival's to-do list?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 10:16am

Probably depends on the successes of CAGE and NIGHT MUSIC.

[Brick]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 10:22am

Yup, especially LA CAGE.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 1:52pm

I loved this production but even if they did bring it to Broadway, they wouldn't bring Ms Outhwaite with it. She's good but not great (she got mixed reviews) and, unlike La Cage where Douglas Hodge's lack of name value can be compensated for with Kelsey Grammar, Sweet Charity has only one lead role and it has to go to a star.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 1:55pm

Is every Meiner production transferring here now? They should just start a subscription series like Roundabout.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 1:57pm

They should. I'd go see their stuff before I'd see Roundabout's. The Menier actually knows how to do musicals.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:00pm

I think people are getting tired of these teeny tiny London transfers. But I doubt the tourists, etc even realize they're all from the same place.

And I agree, if this transfered, they would without a doubt get a star. If Night Music transferred with Waddingham and Lipman, it would probably be closed by now. You need stars for these revivals.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:03pm

I will say that I think this is one production that's coming a little too close on the heels of the last revival, were this to happen. I'm sure if they got Katie Holmes or someone like her, it would no doubt sell out, but it would still be too soon.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:07pm

I will say that I think this is one production that's coming a little too close on the heels of the last revival, were this to happen.

- Lol. What about La Cage? I guess you can say Hodge's performance warranted a transfer. But besides the 5 fans on here, no one knows who Hodge is. That's why they got Grammer.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:17pm

I think it's too soon for a LA CAGE revival as well. I love the show so I'll definitely go see it but there are so many other shows that warrant a revival before this one.

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:22pm

I don't think any *hypothetical* transfer to Broadway is guaranteed but nor do I think the point about it being in too close proximity to previous Menier revivals is really relevant - the majority of potential audience members aren't going to be dissuaded by that factor if the casting, awards, reviews and buzz are right.

I'm sure if a transfer is mooted it will give the usual suspects on this and other message boards carte blanche to state they're "sick of these minimilalist British revivals" without having actually seen them though.

Updated On: 2/7/10 at 02:22 PM

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:25pm

Shouldn't be about warrent - but quality.

Lots of shows warrent a revival but no director/producer have the vision for them or wiling to take them on or casting isn't right. Even thought La Cage only happened 5 years ago - it didn't work. This one does. Big time. So enjoy

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:27pm

How good a dancer is she?

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:30pm

If it transfers, I just hope the new choreography is good. Cilento destroyed the choreography in the last revival. I much rather see Fosse's original moves recreated.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:30pm

I'm with PJ-how does she move?? If she can move like Verdon or Allen, then sign me up. If she is "acting" the role ala Ringwald I will pass.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:48pm

The choreography of this show by Stephen Mear is one of the reasons it's a hit - it's inventive and origina land absolutely in sync with the production concept. That said, Ms Outhwaite does not seem to be an especially talented dancer - more in the Applegate mold - but on the very small Menier stage she's good enough. We'll see what happens when it transfers and there's more room to move.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 2:54pm

Did it announce a transfer to the West End yet?
Updated On: 2/7/10 at 02:54 PM

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:19pm

I'll agree with everyone and say I think they'll wait to see how La Cage does. At the earliest, I'd say spring 2011 for a transfer.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:19pm

No official announcement but the cast have tweeted that it will move to the Theatre Royal Haymarket from April.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:22pm

Thanks! What ending do they use? The original? revival? or a new one?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 4:26pm

That said, Ms Outhwaite does not seem to be an especially talented dancer - more in the Applegate mold - but on the very small Menier stage she's good enough.

If she can't dance the role, then let the production and Ms. Outhwaite stay on the other side of the Atlantic!

WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE OF YOUR GODDAMN "INTIMATE" VERSIONS OF OUR MUSICALS!!!

DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

YOU STINK THEM UP!!!

LEAVE THEM ALONE OR DO THEM IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!!!!!

We have enough problems with nonagenarian, senile American directors destroying them. We don't need any more of your pretentious crap "SERIOUS" versions of what used to be fun.

STAY ON THE WEST END AND LEAVE BROADWAY ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!

Updated On: 2/7/10 at 04:26 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 5:47pm

I'm with Peej here. The whole "minimalist and English" gimmick is wearing thinner than the Ragtime revival's profit margins. When it's done well, like in "Sunday in the Park", which was supplemented with stunning projections, it's refreshing. But the whole black-brick-wall aesthetic mostly seems uncreative.

[TIGGOSAURUS]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 6:14pm

And off we go....

At least we got a tongue-in-cheek response first.

The prospects of Ms Outhwaite transferring to Broadway with this production are a long way off - it hasn't even opened in the West End yet FGS!

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 6:17pm

Can someone please tell me the ending? Feel free to PM me, or use spoiler alerts.

Updated On: 2/7/10 at 06:17 PM

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 7:10pm

I don't know the difference between the original ending and the revival ending but I can tell you how THIS production ends.

<<>>

Charity and Oscar go to Central Park - where the show opened - where Oscar breaks the bad news that he can't go through with the wedding. Charity, in tears, reprises "I'm the Bravest Individual". Two Soldiers spot her and one of them approaches her. Note that in this production ALL of the men in Charity's life are played by the same actor - so the soldier is the same actor in a new costume. Unsurprisingly then, Charity responds to the soldier and we go out on that moment - here we go again!