FAT HAM will open on Broadway in Spring 2023 at the American Airlines (commercial production, not Roundabout)

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 12:05pm

Performances begin March 21 ahead of an April 12 opening. It will be on the Roundabout subscription, but it is not a Roundabout-produced production. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/05/theater/fat-ham-broadway.html

Updated On: 12/5/22 at 12:05 PM

[JoeW4]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 12:09pm

Happy that this play will get the additional exposure it deserves, and I'm glad the intimate American Airlines won't sit empty for the Spring!

As ever, I worry about the commercial viability of a play with no stars, but I wish them all the best!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 12:13pm

Yeah this feels like a complete “prestige money loser” situation. Which is ok if someone like Christine Schwartzman is putting up the majority of the $$ and has no expectation of ROI.

We’ll see…

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 12:22pm

Ok...I was AWARE of this play at the public and that it had done well and that it had won the Pulitzer.  But I never looked further into it - and boy, am I kicking myself.  Just reading the info in the linked article above, makes me see this is my kind of play!

 

Looks like I filled another spot for my April trip!

[BMcGregor]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 12:28pm

Enjoyed this at the Public, but I also worry about its financial viability on Broadway. Regardless, I'm happy for Mr. Ijames that he's getting this moment. I guess this explains why the filmed version still hasn't been made available since its original release. 

[akhoya87]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 12:30pm

Pleased to hear that this will get a Broadway run, although I do think it will lose some of its charm being on stage, rather than being in-the-round-ish at the Public.  (Also, I gather folks won't be sitting on lawn chairs for this run.)

There's nothing more fun than having Chris Herbie Holland (Tio) look you dead in the eye and deliver his monologue about gingerbread men...

[kurtal]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 1:16pm

I'm *very* excited about this.  I caught this at the Public and thought it was excellent.  I'll be interested to see if a) the cast stays the same; and b) if there are any textual changes.  I thought there were a few scenes that could be tweaked or tightened to give it even more punch...I hope that James and the team are open to that.

[sorano916]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 2:01pm

kurtal said: "I'm *very* excited about this. I caught this at the Public and thought it was excellent. I'll be interested to see if a) the cast stays the same; and b) if there are any textual changes. I thought there were a few scenes that could be tweaked or tightened to give it even more punch...I hope that James and the team are open to that."

It will be the same cast from the Public run. And from the Times article:

Ijames said he has made some minor changes to the script for Broadway, but the more significant changes will be to the staging, as it shifts from an amphitheater-like setup at the Public to the more traditional proscenium theater at the American Airlines. Ali said he would seek to preserve the show’s sense of a communal gathering, as well as its elements of supernatural magic, as it moves to the larger venue.

[kurtal]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 2:04pm

Thanks for that!

[quizking101]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 2:07pm

I’m SUPER excited because I LOVED the off Broadway run. I’m surprised it’s going here though, because it’s definitely more fit for Circle/Square (since everyone seems assured of KPOP’s ultimate demise.

Its a great play - both hilarious and heartbreaking - and I cannot wait to go again multiple times. I hope they offer rush/lottery.

Sidebar: Is 1776 Roundabout’s only production this year?

[JoeW4]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 2:43pm

quizking101 said: "Sidebar: Is 1776 Roundabout’s only production this year?"

No, they have several productions lined up at their off-Broadway spaces, including 2 that are currently running . But yes, it's unusual that 1776 is their only Broadway show on the slate.

 

[lachri5]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 3:41pm

https://www.fathambroadway.com/

[Pashacar]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 5:30pm

lachri5 said: "https://www.fathambroadway.com/"

Rooting for this play, but geez that entire website is just so cringe, from the logo to the copy to the little video teaser toward the bottom.

I wish shows that are shaking things up artistically would try to do the same with their branding and hire an agency outside of the Broadway bubble. The right choices would help them commercially, too.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 6:20pm

Pashacar said: "lachri5 said: "https://www.fathambroadway.com/"

Rooting for this play, but geez that entire website is just so cringe, from the logo to the copy to the little video teaser toward the bottom.

I wish shows that are shaking things up artistically would try to do the same with their branding and hire an agency outside of the Broadway bubble. The right choices would help them commercially, too."

 

What's wrong with the website??

[BETTY22]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 9:08pm

Smart choice on theater.

I think its about 500 seats. 

 

[perfectliar]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 9:18pm

Pashacar said: "lachri5 said: "https://www.fathambroadway.com/"

Rooting for this play, but geez that entire website is just so cringe, from the logo to the copy to the little video teaser toward the bottom.

I wish shows that are shaking things up artistically would try to do the same with their branding and hire an agency outside of the Broadway bubble. The right choices would help them commercially, too."

I mean I love it?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 9:28pm

BETTY22 said: "Smart choice on theater.

I think its about 500 seats.

"

727.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 12/5/22 at 10:07pm

Really odd that Roundabout isn't producing anything on Broadway this Spring...has that ever happened before?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 12/6/22 at 12:39am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Yeah this feels like a complete “prestige money loser” situation. Which is ok if someone like Christine Schwartzman is putting up the majority of the $$ and has no expectation of ROI.

We’ll see…"

I think there is a new model developing for these PML shows. It has significant benefits for the smart monied producer viz-a-viz making a donation and every so often there is a payoff, but it is really beside the point. I have more to say on the subject (but not tonight lol) 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 1:10pm

Anyone have a discount code for this ?  Please, pretty please?

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 1:22pm

dramamama611 said: "Anyone have a discount code for this ? Please, pretty please?"

TodayTix is currently having a sale with all seats up to 40% off.

Even the good rear Mezz seats are $52 with fees. (And you can pick your own seats

[Melissa25]

Posted: 2/3/23 at 1:23pm

PUBFH23

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 12:38am

Thank you, both! Will check out!

[JasonC3]

Posted: 2/26/23 at 7:33am

Nice profile about the playwright and director (and more) in today's New York Times (gift link).

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/26/23 at 10:31am

This is...not selling well. I'm looking at a lot of the shows opening this Spring and, short of a miracle, the sales for most of them (aside from Sweeney Todd) make this season look like a "flop era" for Broadway.

It's truly tragic because people are really missing out on fantastic plays and new works because of a hesitancy to go to the theatre (COVID and flu), as well as prices going back through the roof - becoming more cost prohibitive than even before the pandemic.