Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Broadway Bound 2016-2017

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 4:40pm

Announced today that it is aiming at a 2016-2017 season opening, this time directed by Jack O'Brien. Thoughts?

Updated On: 12/9/15 at 04:40 PM

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 4:41pm

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/177152/just-the-golden-ticket-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory-is-broadway-bound/

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 4:57pm

There's only 2 people who should direct chocolate factory and that is Diane Paulus or Casey Nicholaw. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 4:58pm

Aaron Burr said: "There's only 2 people who should direct chocolate factory and that is Diane Paulus or Casey Nicholaw."

 

OMG, a Nicholaw CATCF production would be insanely good.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:06pm

Do you sam is upset? I agree with the Casey nicholaw suggestion. Will peter darling return as coreographer?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:08pm

I still don't understand what is so horrible about the production in London that it requires a new director. If Sam Mendes' work was unsatisfactory to them what makes them think the guy who directed Love Never Dies can do better?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:11pm

Whitman and shaiman just want Obrian because the writers have a long history with him. The right person for the job is actually Diane Paulus, and I think Nicholaw could do a good job too. They should both do it!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:26pm

Sam Mendes didn't want he job, HE bowed out, so they needed a replacement.

 

From TheaterMania: An upcoming Broadway mounting of Sam Mendes' hit West End production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory won't feature Mendes at the helm, according to published reports. Mendes, who bowed out due to film commitments, will likely be replaced by Tony winner Jack O'Brien. A transfer, which has not officially announced, is expected to take place during the 2016-2017 season.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:32pm

I thought the London production was fun and is my favorite adaptation of CATCF. I figure they're going to want to integrate more of the film songs for American audiences but hopefully, they retain the dark humor of the British production. 

[Buddy Plummer2]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:48pm

What I'd wish they'd do:

Put "Candy Man" with "Almost Nearly Perfect" to create one big opening number.

Use "I want it now" as a sort of group number for Augustus, Violet, Verucca, and Mike. Yeah Verucca is the designated spoiled one, but they're all alike in their greed. I'd also shorten almost all of their introductory numbers by a verse. They're each individually funny but all together it's almost like a joke worn thin.

And then, use the original Oompa Loopa song as a sort of ominous chant as they exit each scene. Think about it: they finish their big flashy production number and they exit chanting the Oompa Loompa choruses. Then have a final Oompa Loompa song once Mike gets taken away.

And then you could just ignore "Cheer Up Charlie"; I'm not sure anyone would notice. 

[KCW]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 5:48pm

One word: Collaboration.

[Tag]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 6:49pm

Wrong person to replace.  Get Shaiman & Wittman out, their score was by far the weakest link.  

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 7:14pm

I didn't mind the score. I like that they distanced themselves from the film by only including the one song but I do agree that American audiences are going to expect at least a few more. Personally I can do without the endless "Oompa-Loompa" reprises but if they do decide to include more songs from the film they could easily incorporate "Candy Man" into "The History of Mr. Willy Wonka" number and just replace "Don'tcha Pinch Me Charlie" with "I've Got a Golden Ticket." Along with "Pure Imagination" I think those are the three songs people will expect to hear but I know Warner Bros. initially wanted a new score and that may still be the case. I've lost faith in Jack O'Brien to direct big spectacle musicals so I don't think we'll get any smart or interesting choices from him.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 8:04pm

 Warner Bros had been waiting for Mendes to become available but I guess they couldn't delay the production any further so he bowed out. Theatre wise, my guess would be the St James Theatre, it's the only theatre that is likely to be free by late 2016/early 2017 which could house this production.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 8:05pm

I'm guessing Matilda will bow out of Broadway when this comes. Charlie is way more popular than Matilda. 

[Tag]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 8:21pm

Whatever theatre it is, it needs to be huge.  This has a massive physical production.  (Assuming that the design isn't changed when a new director comes in).

They definitely need to add in "I've Got a Golden Ticket".  The entire first act is building up to Charlie getting the ticket, and then when he finally does, there was no payoff.  The London production goes almost immediately into the forgettable Grandpa Joe number when there should have been a golden ticket song showstopper.

Updated On: 12/9/15 at 08:21 PM

[Wildcard]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 8:22pm

I wouldn't mind if they got rid of "If your mother were here". It stops the momentum of the show.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 9:33pm

They need to start from scratch, it really was up there with Ghost as one of the worst musicals I have ever seen, it's was a mess from start to finish, its biggest crime was it was dull. The show had no magic, no wonder, and not a single sense of fun.

Nothing worked, they really do need to start again, new score, new design , new book 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 12/9/15 at 11:29pm

Can they not just do the Mary Poppins treatment and have new songs and old songs? 

[ggersten]

Posted: 12/10/15 at 12:28am

My understanding is that the producers can't add songs from the Warner Brothers' movie, so all of those suggestions are for naught. They do not have the rights and I believe the Dahl estate is the major stumbling block.  Getting "Pure Imagination" into the London show was the best that could be accomplished.    

I think Mendes' direction was the least of the problems with Charlie in London.  The biggest problem is that each kid gets a song in Act One - and none were memorable.  Some were more like interminable.  They don't get to the Factory until Act Two, which means the dynamism and energy of Wonka is missing for too long.  

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 12/10/15 at 12:41am

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an interesting property because the fact that it's so well-known is both a boon and a bane. On the one hand, it's like A Christmas Carol, the audience comes prepared and excited for the ritualistic story. We look forward to seeing how they're going to put on all of our favorite moments - what's the chocolate room going to look like? How are the kids going to be dispatched? But on the other hand, it makes the first half seem like a slog, because we're all waiting for the really good stuff. It's a story that comes in two very clear halves, and the only thing I can think of would be to perform it as a shorter one-act.

[Broadway kid 2]

Posted: 12/10/15 at 12:42am

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 12/10/15 at 1:36am

What about the Simon for this one? Could this be the production taking it next year? I know Cats is rumored, but I feel like that is indeed just a rumor. 

 

Either that, or the Shubert. 

[OperaGhost2]

Posted: 12/10/15 at 4:42am

I fell Matilda is an excellent show

[c0113g3b0y]

Posted: 12/10/15 at 4:43am

another expensive crash-and-burn incoming