Broadway Sunset Will Be Open Ended Run

[BETTY22]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 7:49am

Unlike UK production, NYC show will be opened ended - not a limited run.

There is already talk about who could replace Nicole S - she has currently committed to 12 weeks, however, if she becomes the toast of the town and get's nominated for awards, she will extend.

Who would be a great replacement for this new style of Norma?

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 7:54am

I’m not one who usually dream casts a role. But, in this case, mine is not really a far fetched one at all. That would be Rachel Tucker. She is already Nicole’s alternate in London, perhaps this could get her to come back to Broadway again. Granted, I have zero clue as to how her performance has been received in London, but still.

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 7:56am

I’d love to see Lena Hall play Norma in this production!

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 7:58am

Bring on all the great movie stars.  Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Sienna Miller, Michelle Williams, I’d love to see Angelina Jolie in the role. I thought Nicole was in it for 6 months? When are they opening? And is it really the st James? That seems way too big 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 10:02am

If she's only in it for 12 weeks, then she'll be gone far before any nominations come out for next season.  Weren't we told it's starting in November?   Maybe she'll be content to stay longer if she gets excellent notices.

I don't think we've had anything but "insider info" stating its the St James.  

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 10:25am

Bring on all the great movie stars.  Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Sienna Miller, Michelle Williams, I’d love to see Angelina Jolie in the role.

Unlike CABARET, SUNSET BLVD requires someone who can sing (Close was an exception as she’s a song interpreter who can sing well). Sally Bowles in CABARET does not require a powerhouse excellent singer which is why countless non-singing actresses played the role throughout its history, including Jill Haworth, who played Sally in the original 1966 Broadway production. 

Had Nicole not have been a phenomenal singer, we wouldn’t still be talking about this reinterpreted revival. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 10:40am

Broadway Flash said: "Bring on all the great movie stars. Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Sienna Miller, Michelle Williams, I’d love to see Angelina Jolie in the role. I thought Nicole was in it for 6 months? When are they opening? And is it really the st James? That seems way too big"

The ones I know have performed on Broadway in musicals before (Williams, Miller, and Stone) would not have a snowball’s chance in Hades of being able to sing this score. 

As for it taking the St. James, a producer friend I know who works on the show says that they don’t really intend to close SPAMALOT until they have to since it’s been selling well and on a modest budget - as in it may not necessarily be a box office smash, but it has legs for an open-ended run. 

Considering the Savoy is 500 seats less than the St. James, I wouldn’t imagine they putting this show in such a large theatre. I’d sooner bet they would close Merrily in July (or maybe one more extension) and put it in the Hudson (especially since Lloyd knows that theatre and the surrounding area from A DOLL’S HOUSE). It would also drive up the demand for tickets a la Merrily.

[BJR]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 11:10am

12 weeks is a very limited run for such an anticipated performance. But then, of course, smart to get to renegotiate the contract ;)

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 11:17am

I can't believe they would open the show with her for only three months. I mean, does that even include previews? 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 11:40am

The West End run was just over 3. What’s the difference? 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 11:46am

Ummm... 12 Weeks is not what I heard. People I know said, she'll do a 6-8 month run. There is no way they would bring her for just 12 weeks and then keep replacing the leads. She would at least need to be in the show through the awards season to increase her chances of winning anything. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 11:52am

BroadwayNYC2 said: "The West End run was just over 3. What’s the difference?"

It wasn't an open-ended run.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 11:57am

Well aware! But she only played 3 months, don’t see why it would be a shock that she would do a similar timeline here. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:00pm

Honestly, I wish this season hadn't been so packed so they could've fast-tracked this to Broadway this spring. I just fear that the hype for the production won't be as high as it was while it was still running in London. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:07pm

BroadwayNYC2 said: "Well aware! But she only played 3 months, don’t see why it would be a shock that she would do a similar timeline here."

The economics are completely different on Broadway than in London, due to higher union wages, material costs, etc. There's basically no world where a Broadway musical could recoup in 12 weeks.

It may be that ATG has an idea in their heads of a business model not unlike what they're hoping to do with CABARET. Easier said than done, as the performance is the star of this production and you'd ideally need someone who means MORE than Nicole at the box office, or else you suffer serious dips. But the challenges of replacing a star in a Bway musical have already been discussed on other threads at length.

[east side story]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:11pm

Very few (if any) are looking to follow the Merman model nowadays, so a three to four month contract sounds about right. I think the days of artists essentially working themselves to the point of being unwell due to a twelve month contract in a musical are behind us. The pandemic taught us many things, and taking better care of ourselves is just one of many items on the list. 

Updated On: 1/21/24 at 12:11 PM

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:14pm

If it were a 3-month run on Broadway, then you better have a 6-figure bank balance because tickets will cost thousands. 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:15pm

Once again, I’m aware of the economics of Broadway compared to West End. I’m saying that it shouldn’t be a shock that she would only do 3 months here and then find a replacement. Will it be successful once she leaves, I don’t know! But It was always assumed in the cards that she was only going to do a limited run. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:37pm

Yes, but a 12-week limited run is much, much different than a 24 week or 36 week limited run. If an agent came back with "she'll only do 12 in New York," that's enough for most producers to say "no thanks." It's hard enough to make the economics of a play work with just 12 weeks in NY, and it's tough to raise money on the promise of "we'll recast" because that can cause big changes to the gross potential, running costs, etc.

But also, this is one person's rumor, so it's premature to get worked up.

Updated On: 1/21/24 at 12:37 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 12:44pm

The Sunday in the Park with George musical revival back in 2017 recouped after 56 performances (7-8 weeks) on Broadway so it is possible to recoup within 3 months depending on the star power, how much $$$ fans are willing to pay, and of course, the budget.

 

Updated On: 1/21/24 at 12:44 PM

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 4:34pm

I don’t necessarily think anyone needs to be an amazing singer to play any role.  Glenn Close was obviously no Patti Lupone, idk why you think those other actresses aren’t on Glenn’s level when it comes to singing. 

[lenovox1]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 4:58pm

Given the themes, physical demands, and the nature of this specific production, it's best if they go for a 80s-00s pop diva type in her 40s-60s that's "still got it." This particular production seems to be quite physical for the lead actress.

A Christina Aguilera type that has done Broadway. Think Deborah Cox, Brandi, Destiny Child's Michelle Williams, Mya, even Katherine McPhee, etc.

Or a Broadway actress that can perform in that vein. Sherrie Rene Scott was a good suggestion I've read here.

Updated On: 1/21/24 at 04:58 PM

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 5:09pm

I would bring on trove of stars.  As unrealistic as it is after hearing that cher auditioned. I’d love to see her do a limited run of 10-12 weeks.  Regardless of age.  I’m curious about Patti LaBelle. Donna Murphy. I know I’m aging the character up. But I love to see the seasoned actresses in a leading role like this.  Idina Menzel. Alice ripley.  Meryl Streep.  Michelle Pffiefer.  

[Ke3]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 5:28pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "I would bring on trove of stars. As unrealistic as it is after hearing that cher auditioned. I’d love to see her do a limited run of 10-12 weeks. Regardless of age. I’m curious about Patti LaBelle. Donna Murphy. I know I’m aging the character up. But I love to see the seasoned actresses in a leading role like this. Idina Menzel. Alice ripley. Meryl Streep. Michelle Pffiefer."

Did Cher audition? I was under the impression he approached Cher, Diana Ross, and Olivia Newton-John about the role out of desperation. A bit bold of RUG to ask any of them to audition in that position.

[Seb28]

Posted: 1/21/24 at 5:45pm

Broadway Flash said: "Bring on all the great movie stars. Emma Stone, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Sienna Miller, Michelle Williams, I’d love to see Angelina Jolie in the role."

Do you have any clue about this score and its demands?

The only thing that was respected in this production was the reasonably high standard of singing.