Encores! The Band Wagon Headed to Broadway?

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:08am

I know it probably will, but I don't want Side Show to be a show that falls victim this winter Updated On: 11/5/14 at 12:08 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:13am

I also don't think very many producers would be interested in the Lyric if On the Town doesn't make it. If it's too big for On the Town it's certainly too big for The Band Wagon.

Is there already a show lined up for the Music Box? If Fran and Barry are producing both shows it seems like they could get the Music Box for The Band Wagon.
Updated On: 11/5/14 at 12:13 AM

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:13am

If it ends up coming, should it be eligible as a New Musical or a Revival?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:18am

Are they not using the original script and score? I actually haven't read up on this production. I thought Encores always staged the original versions when possible.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:21am

I think I'd rather see Papermill's Can Can transfer, but I am looking forward to Bandwagon. Wonder why Rees dropped out so late in the process?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:30am

I really thought Tony Sheldon was a women in that picture.

Was Nice Work a revival? Seems like the same sorta deal with this.

Who knows what will be available come March/April.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 12:55am

It's probably closest to AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, which is being promoted as a "new" musical.

They're both classic MGM film adaptions with scores of (mostly) pre-existing stage songs from single composers/teams molded around an original story. Of course I don't know how much either show plan to take from the film screenplays and what will be re-worked / new.

Besides, it's pretty much unrelated to the original revue THE BANDWAGON except a few songs and the title, so there's really no reason to consider it a revival of that show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 2:22am

According to the article it's already a pre-existing show just with a new book, new titles, and some new songs?

[yfs]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 11:31pm

It would be a new musical, not a revival. Although there was a musical revue called The Bandwagon in the early '30s, the current show is based not on that revue, but on the 1953 MGM movie, which was also not based on the revue, though they share a title and a few songs. Basically the film was a backstage story concocted by Comden and Green featuring the Schwartz and Dietz songbook and the songwriters wrote one new song, "That's Entertainment" for the film. The current stage version is closely based on the film, and would qualify as a new musical, as it is an adaptation of a movie.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 11/5/14 at 11:41pm

I bet this or Amazing Grace will go into the Neil Simon after The Last Ship

[inception]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 1:53am

So is there really that much of a market for such old fashioned shows? And two Vincente Minnelli films remade as stage shows in the same season - American in Paris and Band Wagon? What made those films so great were the big dance numbers by their stars Gene Kelly in the former and Fred Astaire in the latter. Are the people involved dancers of that caliber?

I don't even think Band Wagon's story is that great - Fred Astaire's numbers really are the only reason to watch it. It feels like producer Arthur Freed was just putting together a carbon of Singing In The Rain for Astaire. Washed up movie star tries to reinvent self on Broadway vs Silent movie star reinvents self for talkies.

Singing In The Rain was turned into a pretty good stage version, so it will be interesting to hear if this has been reworked as successfully.

[macnyc]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 5:03am

My impression that the whole point of doing the Special Encores productions was as Broadway tryouts. It worked for Cotton Club Parade/After Midnight, but not for, thankfully, the painful-to-watch (in my opinion) A Bed and a Chair.

[NoName3]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 5:51am

The film of The Band Wagon will be released on Blu-ray on March 3 (along with Calamity Jane and Kiss Me Kate in 3D). I started a thread with a link to more details on the Off-Topic Board.

Updated On: 11/6/14 at 05:51 AM

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 4:23pm

UH-OH. Some serious probs here. I think ANY forecast of "Heading to Broadway" is a week (or more) too premature.

[#1CarrieFan]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 5:31pm

Not according to our friend Rietel he already has it at the St. James. As a devout follower of the original side show and having a number of friends who saw the revised addition in California and at the Kennedy center, side show has built their ante up. Is it possible that our conjoined twins on Broadway and Sarah Paulson in AHS on the small screen are too many.twins??!! I also am worried about Sting and his sinking (??) Ship at the Simon friends who have viewed both Chicago and New York versions are somewhat underwhelmed by this production. I'm hoping side show will survive the winter doldrums and the early chatter about the bandwagon will put it into Neil's theater.

[thommg]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 5:53pm

I don't think this show is anywhere close to coming into Broadway this season. Since I just saw the dress rehearsal, I'll keep opinions to myself except that I think the book still needs some major work.

[mar97]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 6:53pm

Another Michael Riedel fluff piece. Let's not forget what he predicted for Bullets Over Broadway calling it a big hit after just a few previews. Saw the dress rehearsal last night and no way is it Broadway ready.

[evic]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 7:02pm

No way is this transferring in the shape that it is in now. It is just not exciting enough and I do not know what they could do to make it so. Too old fashioned for today's audiences.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 7:07pm

A friend of mine who died a few years ago gave me a program/playbill of the original production with Fred Astaire @ the New Amsterdam

Must look @ it sometime to see the rest of the cast and the song list.

[followspot]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 8:15pm

And two Vincente Minnelli films remade as stage shows in the same season - American in Paris and Band Wagon?

With the Kennedy Center Gigi likely to arrive in the spring.

Is there a Meet Me In St. Louis revival out there ready to come in?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 8:27pm

Doubt St Louis will ever happen.

[followspot]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 8:44pm

(joke)

[dave1606]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 11:05pm

I was there tonight and I'm a bit surprised at the negative reactions, this is easily my favorite musical I have seen this fall (not that I have seen that many). For me this is the firs time I have been able to stand Douglas Carter Beane and it almost makes me forgive me for that Cinderella book. Almost.

What is great about this show is that it is truly an ensemble piece. This is at once a great starring role for Brian Stokes Mitchell, but Tracey Ullman, Michael McKean, Laura Osnes, and Tony Sheldon all have so much to work with as well, that everyone gets their time to shine.

Tracey Ullman was the biggest delight. She really needs to be onstage more, and was easily one of the biggest highlights of Act 1 for me.

An of course Laura Osnes. She continues to be a star, and has two amazing moments in Act 2 (They Hayride scene and the ballad that immediately follows). She is a total delight and this is another great vehicle for her.

Tony Sheldon gets the majority of the Douglas Carter Beane one liners, but he sells them well.

I think this show could do very well transferring, though I do worry that after Nice Work, and Bullits, that the market for this particular type of musical is dried up. That said, I think this is a better show than either of those and I hope that word of mouth and the critics would be enough.

Kathleen Marshall has done some wonderful work here. The dance numbers are excellent and the tap number at the end of the show is a joy (even if she's stealing from herself here).

I hope to snag another ticket and go back. This was a joy to from start to finish.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 11:19pm

Im totally rooting for this show! I had a feeling it would turn into a full production

[teresa2]

Posted: 11/6/14 at 11:41pm

I saw it tonight also and I really enjoyed it!! I liked it so much more than On The Town. I loved the cast, the singing and most especially the tap dancing, which was sorely lacking in On The Town. I was not a fan of the ballet in On The Town. These old shows should have tap dancing!!