Could "Frogs" close?

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:39pm

Speculation abounds about Chris Kattan being replaced by Roger Bart in "The Frogs", and that the show might close after opening night. I really enjoyed this show (okay, I'm one of the few, apparently!). Could this happen, if the entire run is practically sold out? Has this kind of thing happened in the recent past?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:43pm

Why might the show close after opening night?

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:45pm

Because the buzzword isn't good. I guess. I disagree.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:45pm

Huh? Who says it's going to close after opening night? The run is selling very, very well, LCT has thousands of members, so it's presold for its limited engagement. Also, as a LORT member, it's not a signatory to the Production Contract, so if there's a strike, it could be the only musical running in town -- not bad for business. Where did you hear a rumor that there was a chance it would close? "Buzz" -- bad or good-- has nothing whatsoever todo with whether a show will close ... ticket sales determine that and the show's damn near soldout.

Updated On: 7/11/04 at 07:45 PM

[kittykat2428]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:49pm

where did you hear this? I heard about Roger Bart, but not about it closing! I have tickets for the end of July and this was my saving grace if the strike lasts a while ( I have Wicked tickets too) I have been reading that it had some problems during beginning previews but nothing major. My New York trip is slowly falling apart with the possibility of strike and now this...I thought Kristen and Norbert leaving before I got there was bad but I will be happy just seeing a show at this rate!!

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:50pm

I was at the show last night (second time) and a few "suits" were speculating about it. Wasn't sure if they were producers or affiliated with the show in any way. I am doubtful it would close considering it's almost sold out - just wondering if it has happened before, and hoping not! it's really taking tremendous shape and is a terrific show, IMHO. I have tickets for October and really want to see it again - Peter Bartlett was freaking hilarious!

[magruder]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:51pm

If Lincoln Center's Thou Shalt Not managed to play out its limited engagement, then certainly Nathan Lane in The Frogs with a score by Stephen Sondheim would as well, regardless of what the preview bitches are currently saying about it.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:54pm

Early word has been mixed. I enjoyed it tremendously as did many others, but some have reservations about it. The strike doesn't pertain to LCT. Regardless of anything else, it's an LCT subscription show which means, come hell or high water, good reviews or bad, it'll be running through October which is the end of its limited engagement.

Updated On: 7/11/04 at 07:54 PM

[Corine2]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 7:54pm

I am going this week. I can't wait.
My mom heard it sucked and is giving me her ticket.
I live for Nathan Lane.
Updated On: 7/11/04 at 07:54 PM

[kittykat2428]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:00pm

Thanks MArgo, you made me feel better about it. I thought the same thing...its sold out basically and at lincoln center it must have a ton of regulars to the vivian beaumont coming. So you are thinking there is no way it would spend a month in rehearsals and then just close, right? Especially with Lane attached...Have you heard anything else about Chris KAttan being out?

[SamIAm]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:11pm

If the rumor about Bart is true it can only help the show and every change they make seems to be for the better. Though there are likely to be people who don't GET the show and don't like it even after it is in shape for opening on 7/22, there were plenty of people at the show I went to who liked it and thought that with a few changes it would be a really good show. Bart can only be a bonus as Kattan was a weak link.

With the subscription sales and the daily sales I doubt there is any danger of it closing. I had a friend who tried to get tickets over the weekend of the 4th which is typically very slow for Broadway and she got the last cancellation ticket available with quite a bit of waiting and luck...so I think they are doing fine at the B.O.

[Yoga Girl]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:11pm

I saw the show last week. It's not perfect, and clearly Act II could use some editing, but I liked it. I didn't think Chris Kattan was a major distraction. Nathan carries the show. I do wish they had given Burke Moses more to do.

[Lorelai]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:12pm

Ok....I think like a few others, when I saw this subject I thought...what?! Because I have also heard that the show is selling out. In fact, I know for a fact that ticket sales "jumped" after that NY Times interview with Nathan. Maybe there will be a cast change, who knows? Wouldn't be the first time and better to do so earlier rather than later, think about it. Same thing happened in The Producers when Nathan and Matthew left the first time.....Henry Goodman didn't perform they way they expected and they got him out of there real quick.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:13pm

No further word on Kattan -- if it's true I imagine we'll get official word before Tuesday's preview (not sure it'll happen considering the critics will be coming in about a week, unless they delay the opening). LCT has tens of thousands of members, more than enough to sustain the show's three month limited engagement -- canceling this show prior to October would be royaly piss off its elderly, rich and powerful subscriber base and would be career suicide for the folks in charge of the theatre.

[Mattio98]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:31pm

I'm going opening night and I'm very excited. I hope they don't delay the opening.

[SamIAm]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:38pm

Margo, I agree. They have Monday performances during the months of July and August and I would be surprised if they don't publish something tomorrow if there is any truth to this (unless they are waiting for contract stuff to happen).

In the meantime, the people over at ATC are decrying the end of the Frogs before 7/24 and that's probably what is causing this chaos here. It's weird how when you do something to IMPROVE a show (if in fact this is what they are doing with Bart and Kattan) people think it means you are admitting defeat? Isn't the first time that a cast replacement has happened in previews.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:42pm

Every institution, including LC, is hurting. Subscription or not, if the production is a goner, they may just want to cut their losses, a la Roundabout and ASSASSINS. Given LC's track record with musicals in the last few years, I hardly think its elderly, rich and powerful subscription base is holding its collective breath for THE FROGS (which is not a comment on the production itself, which I have yet to see).

[Plum]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:44pm

Of course this isn't the first time a show has been changed in previews. Especially when it opens cold in New York, with no workshops or out-of-town tryouts. Unfortunately, some people see previews as the perfect time to flaunt their "inside knowledge" and predict the demise of a show.

The Frogs ain't closing due to anything short of a months-long Equity strike. End. Of. Story.

[kittykat2428]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 8:46pm

Did you all see the posting...Roger Bart is a sure thing. Says Kattan "withdrew" from the production.

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 9:23pm

Thanks for all the feedback! GO see The Frogs - it is a fantastic show with an excellent cast. (I waited in the cancellation line last night and scored two 6th row center orchestra tickets - there's hope!)

[SamIAm]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 9:25pm

was doubtless made so he could save face

They have not been happy with him for a long time nor has the audience

[SamIAm]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 9:27pm

one of my favorite lyrics from The Frogs

and when you understand the world, you need a lot more wine

Ain't that the truth?

[SamIAm]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 9:29pm

if you go see the show...they are all there -- I saw them with my own little eyes

And they keep coming

[HeartinNYC]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 9:31pm

SamIam - absolutely about needing a lot more wine when you understand the world! "A little wine will get you through a lot of drama!"

[SamIAm]

Posted: 7/11/04 at 9:51pm

yes, another favorite line: A little wine will get you through a lot of drama

We've got a million of them