The Broadway and Los Angeles engagements of 'Funny Girl' have been postponed.
Speaking on behalf of the FUNNY GIRL producing team, Bob Boyett said "We have made the extremely difficult decision today to postpone our production of Funny Girl. Given the current economic climate, many Broadway producing investors have found it impossible to maintain their standard level of financial commitment. Our desire to produce Funny Girl on the scale it deserves required a capitalization of $12 million making it one of the most expensive revivals in Broadway history."
Boyett continued, "I am deeply saddened by this decision, but I, along with the finest group of co-producers I have ever had the pleasure to work with, Sonia Friedman, Jean Doumanian, Stacey Mindich and Tim Levy, determined that this was not the right time to bring Funny Girl to the stage."
That's too bad I was looking forward to this show.
Wow. That sucks. I think it is going to be Evita's season..
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Just to get this out of the way...no matter how much anyone wants it to be so:
FOLLIES WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRING TO THE IMPERIAL.
As you were.
I was excited in seeing this on Broadway. But I do wonder if casting Lauren Ambrose was the key to this being postponed. In these economic times, who is going to want to invest $12 million in a B- or C-List star like her. I love her, but she's not going to get Hugh Jackman dollars into their coffers. It's a sad Broadway reality.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
This doesn't read like "postponed" - it reads like "cancelled". There's no indication of any future time for the revival. I feel bad for Lauren Ambrose and Bobby Cannavale.
(And now cue the endless Lea Michele gossip as the revival may now not happen until she's off Glee)
(Plus now cue the griping about whatever show CTG puts into the gap)
I wish, wish FOLLIES' business were stronger because it sounds like a perfect sized theatre to transfer to.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
It wouldn't surprise me if Rebecca moves from the Broadhurst to the Imperial but I think Nice Work if You Can Get It or the transfer of One Man Two Guvnors although OMTG isn't confirmed yet.
What if FOLLIES were to close in January and re-open in April again at the Imperial after BP's string of concerts in Feb?
Actually, I should stop this. These relentless pipe dreams must be relentless.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I wonder what the real story is? Strike 2 for Sher after WOTVOANB, I hope he gets back on track soon. Maybe he should start working on that KING AND I revival.
Yeah, "postponed" is usually a euphemism for "cancelled" when it comes to Broadway-aimed productions, so I've noticed. I feel so bad for those who were to be involved.
Mr. Roxy, I worked with Mimi Hines a few years ago at The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. She sings the FUNNY GIRL songs as if it were 1968! (She's also a lovely person who lives and works out of Las Vegas.)
You can find her sing "Broadway Baby" for ENCORES on You Tube. It's well worth it.
FUNNY GIRL is a huge show calling for a huge cast, huge production values (thank you Mr. Ziegfield) and a large orchestra. That 12 million dollar price tag doesn't surprise me.
Still, Bob Boyett has deep pockets so there must be more to the story. Perhaps early sales in Los Angeles indicated there wasn't as much interest as originally hoped for.