Can Evita Fill the Imperial Theatre/ Would it be successful

[ben1986]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 10:45am

Okay earlier this year playbill.com had an article on their front page about ALW and Time Rice shopping for theatre's on Broadway so they could bring Evita back for a 2007 Revival using the London cast. One possible theatre mentioned was the Neil Simon, and the article went on to speculate that Hairspray might close by the end of the year. Seeing as to how that looks unlikely to happen, do you think a new revival of Evita could fill the Imperial theatre?

Also, given as to how the new London Revival is not exactly selling out every night, do you think an Evita revival would make it on the Great White Way?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 11:00am

It's a moot point. The Imperial is expected to receive Coram Boy in the spring, and is confirmed for Billy Elliot in fall, 2008.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:38pm

Even if BILLY ELLIOT weren't opening, EVITA wouldn't be opening there: Webber's agreement is with the Nederlander Organization and the revival is going to open at one of their houses: the Neil Simon, the Palace, the Marquis etc.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:46pm

"Okay earlier this year playbill.com had an article on their front page about ALW and Time Rice shopping for theatre's on Broadway so they could bring Evita back for a 2007 Revival using the London cast."

I highly doubt that Actor's Equity would even consider allowing this to happen. There isn't a huge demand for Evita, (unlike Phantom or Miss Saigon when they were trying to open), so there's no way it would grant permission for the London cast to perform the show on Broadway.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:47pm

Personally, I think it's time for a good EVITA to come back, anywhere on Broadway, and that it would sell well for 6-9 mos.

But then, I'm also waiting for a wonderful "West Side Story" and a spectacular "Secret Garden" to spring up. Both are my little wish list for someday soon.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:50pm

No...let's have a Funny Girl revival instead!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 2:55pm

Regarding Evita casting, they'll bring over Elena Roger. She's got it in her contract to come to NY. The producers will appeal to Equity that she's uniquely qualified - she's the 1st Argentinian to play the part.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 3:09pm

It's not in Elena Roger's contract, but American Equity has approved her coming to the states. Equity, in general is much more lax than they were a few years ago about letting members of British Equity cross the pond, so its possible a couple of the leads could come over - possible but unlikely.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 3:18pm

Get Elena and Raul. That would sell tickets. I'd see it.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 3:24pm

Raul who?

Also, I heard ALW liked the Neil Simon. Maybe if Hairspray moves to the Imperial, Evita couild take the Neil Simon.

And, St. James could be available for another revival (West Side Story, Funny Girl)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 3:27pm

Your facts are all wrong. First off, how many Rauls do you know?

the Imperial, like previously stated, is going to Billy Elliot. No other show can have the theater unless it's a limited engagement.

The St. James is going to Young Frankenstein most likely.

[myManCape]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 4:21pm

... and Hairspray would not move to Shubert House with the Nederlanders as producers/ Neil Simion theatre owners.

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 12/13/06 at 4:36pm

When I saw this thread, the first thing that popped into my head was, "Would Evita win through? But the answer is yes!". As much as I'd love to see Evita on Broadway sooner than later, I think it should wait a good year and a half before crossing the pond. I'm still a little wary about ALW's shows after the Woman in White opened on Broadway only a year after London, and then bombed. If they start advertising early in 2007, hopefully the buzz will build up and it will be quite a hit if it does indeed arrive in fall '07. I can see it doing well at either the Richard Rogers, Nederlander (if Rent dies by then and they fix it all up), or maybe even the Palace if it sells well enough.