Blithe Spirit Takes the Shubert

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 9:44am

As per Playbill:

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123005.html

Really? I think this is strange. Do they really expect that much of an audience for this thing? It's think it's a mistake simply based on the content of the show, not to mention questionable business practice.

The last plays at the Shubert, according to IBDB, were The Constant Wife and Seascape in the mid-1970s. Wait Until Dark also premiered there. Still, I think it's weird. Too big. Updated On: 11/4/08 at 09:44 AM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:02am

I called this the minute they announced Lansbury's casting.

I guess HAIR will take The Neil Simon after all.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:09am

Yeah, but Lansbury couldn't even fill the Music Box with Deuce, which played most weeks below 50%.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:09am

This makes no sense what so ever! I LOVE Angela Lansbury! BUT she could barely fill the music box theatre so their is no reason she would fill the Shubert. I though for sure this would go to HAIR since it is a shubert house and Elizabeth McCan does everything with the Shuberts. Not to mention the rumor that the Niel Simon would house DIRTY DANCING come fall. I'm actually suprised Blithe Spirit didnt get the Niel Simon before the Shubert.

This is an intimate comedy I think it will not play nearly as well in the Shubert as some other places. Very suprised and not a wise move. In a 1000 seats house this could have been the hot ticket of the spring. In a 1400 seats house it will most likely not. Just very surprising.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:11am

I agree that this makes no sense. HAIR should have gone here and BLITHE SPIRIT should have moved into the Neil Simon...but I guess that probably wouldn't have left enough time to clean up from HAIRSPRAY.

Eh, in any case, I can't wait to see this show.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:12am

ljay889, I didn't say it would be a financially smart decision. I just knew they were going for it once they got her.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:17am

Same amount of time as they have to clean up from Spamelot

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:23am

True. Didn't realize that.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:40am

Wow. Maybe they are planning a short run and want to have maximum seat availability very early on?

[Kayla426]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:43am

ha Hairspray is moving out and Hair is moving in.

loves it.

-k

[D2]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:45am

Shubert Theatre: approximately 1,468 seats.

Neil Simon Theatre: approximately 1,428 seats.

Yes, I can see how filling an extra 40 seats will make the difference between flop and hit.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:50am

lol D2. You know, you forget how big the Neil Simon is. However, having seen "Hairspray" from the very last row at the top of the theater, I can tell you it is quite large! I think it is something like 90 steps from the main floor to that last row,if I remember my counting correctly (it was 6 years ago!).

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:50am

Comparing this show to DEUCE is ridiculous.
I'm not saying it is a sure fire hit, but it does already have a track record, it is a very funny, witty piece and add Lansbury and it has a great chance to succeed.
Any word on a Ruth yet?
The maid is also a wonderful part for a funny quirky character actress.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 10:51am

REALLY? The Shubert? Bad choice.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 11:06am

See this show early on, because it's not going to last long.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 11:08am

Duece was a bad play with great actresses. Blithe Spirit is a great play with a great cast.

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 11:36am

I want to see this mainly because of Everett and Lansbury, but I can't see it running very long even with stars in a house the size of the Shubert.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 12:07pm

Hair is tied to the Shuberts, so they won't be going into the Neil Simon.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 12:18pm

I may be all wet on this, but isn't Blithe Spirit planned for a limited engagement? Just asking.

On another note, I'm surprised that Simon Jones will be playing Dr. Bradman. Not that he'd be bad in the role (he's a fine actor) -- think he would also be functioning as Everett's standby? I could definitely see him playing Charles, although he doesn't carry the box office clout of Rupert Everett.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 12:30pm

adamgreer, that's actually not correct. They are not tied to the Shuberts. The last I heard, Hair was looking at the Hirschfeld for when Tale of Two Cities closes. In fact, that was their first choice. This straight from the mouth of someone who works at The Public and who worked on the show this summer. Don't be surprised if it ends up in a Jujamcyn theatre (Hirschfeld or O'Neill).

[Brick]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 12:31pm

Wow. Didn't see that coming.

The cast is phenomenal. So, let's hope the crowds turn out for it. I have a feeling they will. I know I will.

[winston89]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 4:26pm

I am looking forward to seeing this because of Simon Jones. I am a HUGE Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy fan. So, it would be great to see him onstage. As much as I love this play, I think that The Shubert is the wrong house for it.

Also, I would say that if Hair was going for a Jujamcyn house, i would say that it is most likely going to get the O'Neil. I am not saying this because I love two cities. I am saying this because there has been an official announcement that The O'Neil will be free soon with Spring Awakening closing.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 5:13pm

What about the Schoenfeld for HAIR?

I mean, it could work- its probably a better fit than the Neil Simon or the Shubert- big enough, but not too big.

Maybe its just me...

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 5:35pm

I'm glad you pointed that out, D2.

The Shubert may not be the best choice for "Blithe Spirit", but I was reading the thread and wondering why the heck the Neil Simon would be a better fit, given the nearly identical size.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/4/08 at 7:04pm

It has a great location, though. So maybe in the tourist season it can get a lot of foot traffic. Old ladies love old ladies.