Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond to star in NYCC Gala presentation of Parade- Page 10

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 7:28pm

JSquared2 said: "SouthernCakes said: "You love to imply so much with my posts. Never said the man isn’t talented. Just stating he’s had a very big leg up given his father’s career. Same for his brother and his bestie, Beanie. Thems the facts.


I think the word you're looking for is "infer" (not imply).

Also, do you hold people such as Liza Minnelli, Lucie Arnaz, Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave, Jane Fonda, Mamie Gummer, Michael Douglas, etc etc to those same standards? They all had rich and famous parents. Or is it mainly the "Jewish thing" that puts those bees in your bonnet about Platt and Feldstein??

"

Well whatever the word, you’re doing it again. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 8:06pm

This thread makes me tired. 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 9:03pm

I smelled the same implication re his Jewishness, because it was barely-hidden in the deranged overthetop feeding frenzy re Beanie. But THAT would be inferring something that isnt there, so I wont even go there. I dont know SouthernCakes and it isnt fair to make those assumptions.

BUT did *i* suggest that a sold-out, praised-by-every-critic production was going to transfer because of Ben Platt's dad? Not because, you know, it might make money? Not because its guaranteed to get more rave reviews and a slew of nominations? Nah, its because Marc Platt is pulling those strings for his hack son. 

Its such an ugly, revealing take and so inherently unfair. Now, Ben can laugh it off as petty jealousy, and surely if ANYONE suggested that Ben Platt is an example of someone clawing his way to success from the bottom, theyd be a liar.

But literally NO ONE has said that, anywhere. So if the dig is hes getting these jobs because of his family and not, you know, because hes an extremely talented committed actor, k. How pathetic. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 9:27pm

No I’m saying he is where he is because of his father and same with Beanie. Those are just the facts. Not dissing either as they’re both talented. But his father has given him a giant leg up in the industry. If you want to deny that and think it’s all just hard work that’s fine but that’s not what actually happened. 

Updated On: 12/21/22 at 09:27 PM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 9:44pm

i dont doubt he had help getting started. i dont doubt that someone just as or more talented missed out because at some point long ago Ben Platt had a leg up. the same can be said for [insert at least half of all performers here]

but this is, of course, a backpedal. you didnt say "by the way, does everyone remember that Platt had a leg up? I just want to always remind people of that!" That would be a different form of petty jackassery. No, what you said--no implied, no inferred by me, what you SAID-- was that with respect to whether Parade transfers, "daddy has lots of money." THat has nothing to do with his early start in Mormon or those accapella movies. That implies that right now his rich dad is still behind the scenes pulling strings, and unfairly, I take it. 

and its a ludicrous statement to make about, once more, a SOLD OUT run with RAVE reviews. i am SURE you do not see how nasty and delusional you sound, and i know theres zero chance you'll stop and reflect on how ridiculous your insinuations are (as if someone is going to put up money for a Parade transfer bec Marc Platt has to twist their arm!). But you should. 

[Pashacar]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 10:21pm

I have never understood why Ben Platt, of all the Broadway actors who come from families who gave them a leg up in the industry, attracts such a disproportionate amount of vitriol and dismissiveness.

Whatever you think of the man’s talent, it’s indisputable that he made a major hit out of DEH. Then in this case, he was a big part of why Parade was a sellout and one of the best-reviewed and best-received shows in recent memory. 

So the idea that this wouldn’t have a very good shot at transferring without a boost from Mark Platt is just silly. And to repeatedly suggest it shows folks’ cards as people who are letting their opinions cloud their judgement—and often choosing to express it in a particularly mean-spirited way.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/21/22 at 11:32pm

Pashacar said: "I have never understood why Ben Platt, of all the Broadway actors who come from families who gave them a leg up in the industry, attracts such a disproportionate amount of vitriol and dismissiveness."

Similar vitriol with Beanie, but there it was at least piling on, because clearly there were legitimate critics who detested her performance. But with Platt, its downright disingenuous to pretend that, whatever grudge is apparently held against him, that he can't, you know, sing/act. Its MUCH more revealing here because there's no "he cant hack it on that stage" to fall back on. Its just--at best!--petty. 

Tell us, Southern Cakes, did we miss your comment about The Piano Lesson is only getting made because of Denzel Washington? Is Charlotte D'Amboise worthy of her accolades given her progeny? Did Liza Minelli claw her way through years of auditions?  WHAT IS IT about Ben Platt that makes him not like these others?

Updated On: 12/21/22 at 11:32 PM

[MannPhan24601]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 9:03am

So it might be Josh Groban vs Ben Platt at the Tony's again ,lol 😂😂

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 9:26am

So what if their parents have helped....there are hundreds of thousands companies across the country (EVERY country) that children get a leg up, in business, in politics, in many things. Why should the arts be any different.  Just having different contacts and  money makes all things easier.

If anyone wants to suggest that a parent SHOULDN'T do what they can to help their kid succeed in this world, then you are just bitter.  Do I have the means to help my kids be an actor? Run a business? Run for office? Nope, nope and nope.   

 

Crap like the college entrance scandal is entirely different. Nothing "wrong" here but sour grapes.

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 11:01am

It’s def coming to the James Earl for a limited run 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 11:14am

If this is indeed transferring, I wonder if Jason Robert Brown will conduct the orchestra as he did at City Center. That would be AMAZING!

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 12/22/22 at 12:00pm

If it is in fact going to the James Earl Jones, then the orchestra will almost certainly be reduced, yes? Seems kind of impossible to me for a show with that big a cast and orchestra to be able to make any money in a theatre that size. Which would be disappointing as the orchestra was the most exciting thing about this production for me.

As for Mr. Platt's success, he is undeniably a talented actor, and there are also undeniably talented actors of his generation who have not had the success he has. That's the business. I went to college with several "nepotism babies" who have gone on to find success much faster than their equally talented peers. I've also seen nepotism babies fail to make their mark. The industry is all about networking, and some people have a leg up in that regard. Is it fair? No, but neither is life. I don't think it's reasonable to imply that Marc Platt has bought his son's career, though, as evidenced by the couple other talented Platt siblings the world has mostly not heard about.

This is not necessarily directly related to the subject, but if you have a spare two hours or so (and from the looks of it, MANY of you have too much time on your hands), this video might make you think more deeply about the vitriol being thrown at Ben Platt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPhrTOg1RUk

And, for the record, I was skeptical going in, but found Ben Platt's performance to be quite impressive (and I was mixed on the production generally).

[Robbie516]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 2:44pm

Parade, the 1998 Broadway musical featuring a Tony Award-winning score by the-then 28-year-old Jason Robert Brown, will be revived this spring by Greg Nobile’s Seaview Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group, according to a pitch deck distributed to investors.

Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen) will star in the dark historical drama, following an acclaimed weeklong tryout at New York City Center in November. Platt will reprise the role of Leo Frank, a Jewish Brooklynite transplanted to Marietta, Georgia, where he was falsely accused of murder and lynched by a mob in 1915. Micaela Diamond (The Cher Show), who earned stellar reviews playing Leo’s wife, Lucille Frank, also returns to the cast. Platt, who like Diamond is Jewish, has spoken eloquently about the story’s timeliness amid rising antisemitism. 
 

acoording to Broadway  Journal

[Robbie516]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 2:45pm

http://broadwayjournal.com/ben-platt-to-lead-6-5-million-parade-exclusive/ 
 

article just released today 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 3:14pm

The article says that Parade will open mid-March and end its limited run mid-August. I assume this would mean previews would begin late February or early March.

And assuming this takes the Jones as is rumored, Ohio State Murders is currently scheduled to close on February 12… does this potentially mean an early January closing notice after Christmas given its underwhelming grosses? 

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 4:05pm

the linked article is based on offering material sent to potential investors that he got access to. I am guessing it will most likely go forward but the article does not (because it could not) speak in certainties or report on an announcement; it may not. I am also guessing that it will not recoup; it may.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 4:37pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "The article says thatParadewill open mid-March and end its limited run mid-August. I assume this would mean previews would begin late February or early March.

And assuming this takes the Jones as is rumored,Ohio State Murdersis currently scheduled to close on February 12… does this potentially mean an early January closing notice after Christmas given its underwhelming grosses?"

I wouldn’t count out the Barrymore of Jacobs. Diamond not being announced for Joanna combined with these investor materials makes me pretty certain it’ll be announced the beginning of the year. I don’t think it’s going into the Jones because per those investor materials, it needs to get close to $1mil per week and the Jones has a notoriously small orchestra with limited ability to capitalize on a lot of premium ticket sales which is what this would need. Could be wrong and they could bet the demand will be so high they can charge an arm and a leg, but the market doesn’t seem to be indicating there are many shows people will spend like that on right now. 

[ATerrifyingAndImposingFigure]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 4:44pm

Expecting and hoping Alex Joseph Grayson comes back for this.

[Luscious]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 6:39pm

Ben Platt has more talent in his left pinky than most of the envious haters on this board combined. Of course, his father helped him get his foot in the door. Why wouldn't he? If he had the means and the connections, more power to him. As if any one of the jealous wannabees on this board wouldn't accept the same help if a family member or friend were able to offer it. But getting your foot in the door doesn't guarantee success. You have to have the talent to back it up. And Ben Platt has it in spades! He is an incredible performer who I have had the privilege and pleasure of seeing perform live on three separate occasions, and meeting once. I am in awe of this young man's talent. Each of his performances left me gobsmacked! And on top of that, he could not be sweeter. Can't wait to see him in PARADE!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 7:00pm

If they are going to play a “playhouse,” I think they almost HAVE to cut down the orchestra to 10-15. Which would lose quite a lot of the thrill of the Encores production. That cast isn’t small.

I loved much of the Encores production, including Platt, so will be exciting to see it again.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 9:54pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "If they are going to play a “playhouse,” I think they almost HAVE to cut down the orchestra to 10-15. Which would lose quite a lot of the thrill of the Encores production. That cast isn’t small."

If we assume that the physical production is not substantially enhanced (and I very much doubt it will be) and if the orchestra is scaled down substantially (as it would need to be in a place like the Jones, as you say), then I think they are marching into another big problem which is that Sweeney is being marketed based on, among other things, the original orchestrations being used and, I assume, will feature a set with some "flash." And compounding that is that the audience who will be attracted to the dark and serious subject is also the audience that loves the "thrill" of the big orchestra. It's a conundrum. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 10:00pm

Yes it’s hard to justify a concert production when it’s not a full orchestra.

Now we’re all hypothesizing here, and they may be trying to cram 18-25 pieces into the Jones, with Platt & co earning scale, and no real hope of recoupment. But that’s still a tough sell considering the subject matter, the composer’s track record, and the lack of a STRANGER THINGS boy as a bonus.

We shall see!

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 10:26pm

According to the investor materials the show would only need to gross $984k each week for 25 weeks to recoup running costs and then that same amount for 32 weeks to recoup the full capitalization.  In the Jones that would be an average ticket cost of $123 which is not absurd.  And Barrymore/Jacobs are pretty much the same capacity- however, they do have the benefit of larger stages and more orchestra seats which are generally easier to sell at a premium.  
 

The main question in my mind is just if the demand is there to sustain a 32 week run (personally I’m skeptical, but we’ll see!)

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 10:52pm

Hamilfan2 said: "According to the investor materials the show would only need to gross $984k each week for 25 weeks to recoup running costs and then that same amount for 32 weeks to recoup the full capitalization."

That tells us that the projected running costs (for 32 weeks) is $768,750 per week. That's a lot, so I think that likely suggests the full orchestra. No matter how many ways I look at it, I do not see it recouping. Prove me wrong. 

[inception]

Posted: 12/23/22 at 11:52pm

Comparing this to Into The Woods which also started at NY City Center, ITW will have only played 28 weeks by the time it closes and while early on had some very good weeks, it looks like it also had weeks where it was below $900K.

I don't see Parade as a show being a bigger draw than ITW.  I don't know if Platt has the star power to draw full houses for the entire run.  I see competition for the same ticket buyers from Sweeney Todd, Camelot & perhaps NYNY.

In the last two days I've seen photos posted online of rows of empty seats at Some Like It Hot and 1776.  For investors right now, this seems like a bad time to bet on a long shot.

As a tourist theater goer,  if this does end up playing while I am in town I likely would go.   I am an anomaly though. I already have tickets to Sweeney & Camelot, and  I am already paying over $2500 for flights & hotel.  I don't  think that my behavior is a good barometer for the population in general.