It is soon for a revival, but this particular concept for the show is so unique, I think its justified. That said, I do think a commercial Broadway presentation is ambitious. It does feel like it belongs in a co-production with a not-for profit.
I don't know who thought this was a good idea financially. Wasn't Spring Awakening the shortest running Best Musical Tony winner of the last two decades? It had glowing reviews from the critics, good word of mouth, and an ideal theater (AND the aforementioned Tony award), and it still closed only a year and a half after winning. Do they really think a large crowd of people is going to come see this?
Why did it close so early anyway? It had everything going for it.
Maybe we should wait for more information about the production before we talk about how long it'll stay open. I think it would make sense for it to play a limited engagement rather than an open-ended run.
I think this exciting news, but I was also shocked when I heard it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
Bilbo you probably weren't alive then, but there was a bit of an economic crash in 08. Maybe you can google it.
"I don't know who thought this was a good idea financially."
Ken Davenport, who has never had a success as lead producer.
The original production of Spring Awakening still recouped though. So it's not like it closed as a failure.
I wonder how this would fare in an open-ended commercial run somewhere like the Little Shubert, or NWS, even.
Since this is the Deaf version, this could seriously get Best Revival and Best Direction. So glad to see deaf people, finally being on Broadway. As a disabled girl, this makes me so happy!
there's an overall lack of available theaters this Fall. As of right now we only have: Brooks Atkinson & Schoenfeld available. The Lyric should open up shortly, but what new show would want it??
Schoenfeld has the new Al Pacino/David Mamet show^
"Since this is the Deaf version, this could seriously get Best Revival and Best Direction. So glad to see deaf people, finally being on Broadway. As a disabled girl, this makes me so happy!
"
Not even an hour ago you said this was "wayyyyy too soon." What changed your mind?
The Schoenfeld has China Doll in the Fall.
I don't think this show would be good in the Lyric. Really any show would struggle in that airplane hanger. Maybe they should move BoM or Wicked to it. That make SA's original home open lol.
As surprised I am that they are choosing to go the Broadway route, it is quite exciting.
I agree with QueenAlice –but the uniqueness of this production in contrast with the original makes the short amount of time between the original and revival feel more justified.
Whatever happens, this is a phenomenal production and I’m simply glad to see it live on and to give others the opportunity to see it. It deserves much praise and success.
""Since this is the Deaf version, this could seriously get Best Revival and Best Direction. So glad to see deaf people, finally being on Broadway. As a disabled girl, this makes me so happy!"
Not even an hour ago you said this was "wayyyyy too soon." What changed your mind?
The Schoenfeld has China Doll in the Fall. "
I mean it is too soon, but anything for representation for minorities. It's rare to see a disabled, deaf, or blind person on Broadway and this would be the perfect production to do it
maybe it's time someone booted CHICAGO out of the Ambassador, revamp the theater & open something new there in the spring.
This revival is already screaming "Special Tony' award if it happens.
I'm thrilled to see this production, as I've heard nothing but wonderful things. Will it last? Doubtful, but I know ill but a ticket.
It's already looking like one interesting Tony race for Best Revival of a Musical next year...
The Color Purple
Dames at Sea
Falsettos
Fiddler on the Roof
She Loves Me
Spring Awakening
I can only echo what GilmoreGirl said. It's a very special production that warrants being seen. It's not the original Spring Awakening...the biggest bones of the show feel so different. Bring it in for a limited engagement and bring in new audiences.
That's if it can find a theater. Can it hold out until the Spring??
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, my skeptical eye of doing this commercially is that it is a very large cast - 27, with some doubling as musicians, but even still -- that is very big for a show at the Brooks Atkinson. If they were doing this at the Roundabout, the reduced union pay scale would be much more viable than full Broadway rates. I don't know how this would recoup in a three or four month limited run….I'd be very curious to see how they make that work.
If they wanted to recoup in 3 or 4 months, they would need a bigger house then the Brooks Atkinson. They are probably waiting for a bigger theatre to open up. I don't know what theatre that would be though because everything's taken for the fall unless they want the Lyric lol
Please bring Ben Frankhauser back to Broadway! He was a member of the Spring Awakening tour company, so I hope that he joins the broadway cast!
^Fankhauser already has a national tour lined up...
Updated On: 7/1/15 at 01:32 PM
If/when this comes to Broadway, it'll be the only full-time deaf-friendly show on Broadway. All of the disabled tourists/theater kids are going to see it. Why won't it do well? It would lasts for at least 18 months
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