Broadway Sunset Will Be Open Ended Run

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.