Entire Broadway company of HAIR to star in London production- Page 2

[Scripps2]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 2:32pm

"but have things from Broadway ever transferred THERE before with the full cast intact?"

Wasn't the original London production of A Chorus Line a direct transfer of the second Broadway cast?

[Tom1071]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 3:31pm

Wow, if it is going to be the entire company that is going to be extremely expensive.

Won't they have to provide housing and per diem in addition to their salaries?

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 5:18pm

I am VERY pissed off by this. I have tickets for it already for March 13th. I guess I will have to see it before they leave.

[BrianS]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 5:27pm

The entire cast was offered the choice to go to London for the first 6 months of the run over there. They won't be guaranteed (and are being told that they most likely won't get) their old track back on bway after that. Add to that the fact that, as of now, the tour cast will be set before that 6 months is up (making them unavailable for the tour) and it becomes a complicated decision for the individual actors. Because of this, I would expect it won't be the whole cast going as there are probably more than a few who would just rather stay put.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 5:28pm

^Booking so far in advance obviously means a high chance of a cast change.

I think this could have a healthy run in London. Surprised they are going with the relatively small Gielgud. Thought it would have taken the Novello.

[singer73192]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 9:56pm

I have my tickets for what should be the cast's last performance!

[claudioislove]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 10:48pm

I have tickets for exactly a week after the last performance. ):

It's weird to me that say Will Swenson will be going, since aren't his kids pretty solidly rooted right here in the US of A? And I wonder if Theo will go, what with the announced move of AI. If I were guessing, he probably will.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 10:51pm

This is weird. It seems very expensive to transport the entire cast over and cover all living costs. It's not like anyone in this cast is well known...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 10:55pm

It's not a cast. It's a tribe.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 10:57pm

I would jump at the chance to transfer to London, even for only 6 months. I think they'd be foolish to turn down this opportunity.

[claudioislove]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 11:02pm

Yeah I have to agree with Drunk Chita. I mean, Gavin's the only one who's been to the West End, and he was a replacement in Mary Poppins. That was my first reaction: no one is well known, so from a marketing pov, is their any advantage?

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 11:03pm

Unless they turn it down for the very reasons that BrianS clearly stated, in his response. I wouldn't blame anyone for passing on this. Sorry but 6 months in London doesn't make sense if the prospects of a potential job, afterwards, looks slim.

But to each his own. I still strongly doubt that every single cast member is going to transfer - it seems like a stretch.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 11/16/09 at 11:36pm

Scripps2, I'm almost positive that the cast for ACL didn't transfer to London. I know Donna did go to London.

Also, most of the cast for Company went to London, as I read they really didn't record a OLC album, they just used the OBC and sang over the parts that were recast. However, I could be wrong.

BTW didn't the Broadway cast of My Fair Lady go to London?

[ActingIsLovee]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:46am

when is the cast's last performance? does anyone know?

[changinandhow]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 12:55am

March 7.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 1:15am

I have a question. What was the experience in London/England was opposed to the American one at that time? Can it be argued that Hair is a fiercely "American" story which is why they want the American cast to open the show on the West End? The British were not involved in the war but what was the opinion of the citizens?

[galadriel_freak]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 7:42am

They may have not been nearly as involved as the US, but the British were involved in the Vietnam war, I seem to remember reading a few times that they sent a small number of people and if fact tried very had to end the war though diplomatic channels if I remember correctly. I don't think the show is specific to that war at all and I think, while they might not embrace the show in the same way it is embraced in NY. It will be embraced in a different way and it's message will be just as powerful. The story might be American, but the message isn't.

Updated On: 11/17/09 at 07:42 AM

[Devious]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 7:56am

Are you sure it's the 7th? I have to get tickets then

[winston89]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 10:09am

galadriel_freak, I was having a PM conversation with someone on the West End forum about this very thing. We were talking about how while the hippie movement was started in America, the US was not the only place where hippies were. Furthermore, while they were talking about the Vietnam War in the show. The way that they are talking about it can really just be war in general and still have an impact.

I think that the show will have an impact there just like here. The question will be how big an impact?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 11:35am

The names of Swenson and Creel are not going to sell tkts and the producers know that. That's why they are advertising the Broadway cast, that's the selling point.

As far as Swenson and his kids, as has been discuseed, sometimes work and career take take you away. It happens to a lot of people, besides actors.
Swenson's kids have a baby Mama and they will probably stay with her and maybe visit.
And the original show was huge in London and had a healthy run that only closed because the roof of the theatre collapsed.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 1:34pm

Has anyone considered how this will affect the newly hatched Groff/Creel love story (magically brought together by the Broadway gods)? Let distance not challenge their bond!

(Who wants to take a bet that it'll be over a month after Creel leaves?)
Updated On: 11/17/09 at 01:34 PM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 2:18pm

"Absense makes the heart grow fonder"

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 2:41pm

Perhaps, but abstinence does not :-/

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 4:11pm

The complete cast of 'Aint Misbehavin' opened at Her Majesty's Theatre in London 1979.
The cast of 'Dancin' at Drury Lane was 100% U.S.

It is very rare that a 100% complete company opens in the UK..
Cameron has announced that this is the very first time - WRONG Mr Mackintosh.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 11/17/09 at 4:30pm

Ain't Misbehavin' has FIVE cast members...