GHOST coming to Broadway in the spring?- Page 2

[philitalia]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:35am

The show is strong enough to do without stunt casting.
So, please, no Queen Latifah and no "the one we are not allowed to mention here"

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:42am

KylePKJP, where do you say originally that you were talking specifically about her voice? You got called out, you were proven wrong, and you now you look foolish. You can't spin it any other way. I said from the very beginning that the critics loved Levy's voice, so you pasting quote after quote praising her singing proves nothing. It was her inability to transcend the material that they bashed, and I was right. The quotes back it up.

And how do you know I haven't seen the show? I have, in fact. But thank you for your assumptions.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:52am

I have been raving about this show since i saw the first preview in Manchester. Its stunning, Cassie is incredible and moves you to tears, Richard does a brilliant job.
The music is wonderful (with the exception of 2 songs) and the design is smart and sleek. The London critics shocked me when they gave it a mixed reaction and Brantly's review just p****d me off. There is something quite special about this show.
The show recieved many positive reviews though in London and raves in Manchester

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:52am

The only person I want to play Molly is Caissie.
I love how people are actually using reviews to concrete their opinions. Just because a bunch of snobby-bush critics in London didn't like her (btw...they did not flat out hate her, they just didn't outright praise her) does not mean she is not worthy of getting the praise she deserves. Everyone I have talked to who has seen it said she is one of the best aspects of the entire show. And I think Richard really needs to transfer too. This show works perfectly for the both of them. But I could see Aaron Tveit playing Sam if that does not work...even Kyle Dean Massey

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:55am

I think they producer should look for a smaller house on Broadway. The Booth may be a little too small but something like the Jacobs or Broadhurst would be good. The set does not require a lot of backstage area. But the Lunt stage is too big and the house is WAY to big.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 9:05am

What is the feasibility of Sharon Clarke transferring? Riedel seems to think it's a done deal, but she's never worked in the US before and is not really known at all over here. Would she have trouble getting approved by Equity? Is her performance really so good that no one else can compare?

I've seen her in London in other shows and think she's very talented, but not sure that she's one in a million.

Updated On: 8/5/11 at 09:05 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 9:17am

Those old Equity rules don't much exist anymore AC1 - it wouldn't be difficult to secure permission for Clarke through Equity, especially since Levy was granted permission by British Equity to star in the show in London.

I honestly can't remember the last case of a performer being denied permission to cross the pond to re-create a role. It's been years.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 9:22am

Genevieve Lemon wasn't allowed to open the Chicago production of BILLY ELLIOT, as was originally planned. After Haydn Gwynne opened Broadway and was replaced by Canadian Kate Henning, Equity wanted an American, which lead to Emily Skinner getting the role. That's the last case I can think of. (Ironic, since Lemon is the Mrs. Wilkinson in posters for the show all over New York).

Was Laura Michelle Kelly not allowed to open MARY POPPINS originally, or did Disney just decide that they wanted Ashley Brown?

[Jonwo]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 10:11am

I think Caissie Levy would transfer with the show, not sure about Richard Fleeshman and Sharon D Clarke but I'd imagine they'd want both to transfer, are they allowed to transfer more than one performer, I know they have in the past with Phantom and Miss Saigon.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 10:19am

I would just hope they bring the physical production as is. From the few clips I've seen, it looks pretty wild.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 10:22am

The Piccadilly theatre is not really that big and they dont have tons of wing space, i think a medium size house on Broadway would be better.

And yes Sharon's performance is really that good.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 10:27am

Laura Michelle Kelly didn't come to Broadway because at the time she was having a conflict with Cameron (that obviously has since been resolved). I think Disney also wanted Brown to open the show since they'd been grooming her.

I could see Equity being stricter about Brits coming over to create roles in touring companies, but they seem to be okay with them coming over to recreate roles on Broadway.

[Jonwo]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 10:32am

What about The Nederlander Theatre? Or is that too small for Ghost.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 12:50pm

^ I wouldn't imagine so. I've never been in the Nederlander so I wouldn't be the most accurate source but it seems like it's the best option.

[Brick]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 1:26pm

Rediel says they're recasting, except fro Clarke, so we can stop arguing abour Levy's mixed reviews.

[tazber]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 2:38pm

What Brick said.

Did anyone even read the link?

[Scripps2]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 5:47pm

"KylePKJP, where do you say originally that you were talking specifically about her voice? You got called out, you were proven wrong, and you now you look foolish. You can't spin it any other way."

I disagree. I don't think Kyle looks foolish and exposes the ambiguity in your own post ("Caissie Levy was not well received by the London critics at all"). The use of "at all" would imply that the London critics had nothing good to say about her whereas you acknowledge in the reviews quoted that her voice is clearly praised.

"It was her inability to transcend the material that they bashed, and I was right."

Can anyone seriously expect an actor to transcend material this banal? I could more easily believe in transcendental levitation than expect actors to make make up for the short comings in the writing of this show.

And, yes I've seen the show, and yes I thought Caissie and the sets were the only good things in it.

And the sets looked as though they were lifted from Enron.




Updated On: 8/5/11 at 05:47 PM

[tourboi]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 7:58pm

Tag is absolutely right in saying that the "rumor" (first I've heard) that GHOST will go into the Royal Alex is bogus. Aubrey Dan would never allow a show he's a producing investor in play a Mirvish house.

That said, he'd love nothing more than to get a Pre-Broadway engagement in Toronto under the Dancap banner. So it's possible it could play Toronto, but it most certainly wouldn't be at a Mirvish house.

[KylePKJP]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 8:48pm

Royal Alex was my error. Was confusing it with Elgin - the exterior facades of the two always mix me up. Totally my bad!

We had heard that it would would be Elgin (again, not Royal Alex) because, no, it certainly wouldn't be at a Mirvish house, and also because Aubrey Dan is consistently bringing in a steady stream of amazing shows that occupy the theatres he has deals with/access to. Unfortunately, those are limited to two pieces of theatre real estate. Restrictive to say the least, which is unfortunate.

If they are in fact aiming for a Spring 2012 Broadway run of GHOST before the Tony eligibility cut-off, a TO pre-Broadway engagement is possible - as DanCap is an investor, which another poster pointed out. But with DanCap's schedule for 2011 fall, unless there is some schedule juggling, there isn't a centrally located house to hold GHOST except for the Elgin. Four Seasons Centre and TO Centre for the Arts are stocked or the fall with DanCap shows.

I think it would be great for the Elgin, which hasn't really seen a GOOD run since the 90's production of Joseph... with Donny Osmond. It's a beautiful house. Unfortunately, being that it's owned by the government AND has heritage designation, renting it would cut deeply into DanCap's profits.

As said, this is just a rumour we've been hearing. It could be complete B.S.

But, again re my initial post, was thinking Elgin but typed Royal Alex. Error on my part.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/5/11 at 10:02pm

It's too bad, because I think Carpathia Jenkins would be great as Oda. Maybe she could replace.

Darren Ritchie played the Swayze role in readings?

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 2:30pm

If this does transfer, it will be the best thing to happen to Broadway this season. Forget about the critics, this is a great production. It's too bad if Caissie isn't going to transfer, as she was absolutely stunning. She isn't "grumpy," as one idiotic critic put it. She's just witnessed her lover being murdered in cold blood and she's going through the grief process, for gosh sakes! Caissie put absolutely everything on that stage, and she deserves accolades. She demonstates more emotion in just one song ("With You") than Demi Moore did in the entire movie. I can't praise her or this production highly enough. Also, Caissie is very warm and friendly. We stayed a little late to buy some things at the gift shop and she was outside talking to a few people. We stopped by and asked for pictures, and she was very gracious and appreciative of the compliments we gave her (and we're not even "stage door" people, LOL!) We asked her if they were coming to Broadway soon, and she said "we hope so." Fingers crossed that they do, with Caissie!!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 8/6/11 at 4:17pm

^ Agree 100%, excellent show, done very well on stage, breathtaking illusions.

The reviewer who labelled Casey Levy as 'grumpy' has lost complete respect with the theatre hardcore, ever since he slated and was
the only one to do so the Olivier Best Musical 'Legally Blonde'.

This show would sit excellently from any theatre from the Broadhurst to the Lunt Fontanne.

[allant]

Posted: 8/15/11 at 2:49am

I've just returned from London and I saw this show while I was there. The show itself is wonderful and some of the special effects were spectacular. Sadly, the music, with the exception of "Unchained Melody" and Oda Mae's number, was absolutely abysmal! As bad, or worse, than "Spiderman". The Oda Mae character steals the show much the same as Whoopi did the film. Just my two cents and worth what you paid for it

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 8/15/11 at 7:45am

i found Outta Here (Oda's big song) the weakest in the show, the rest of the score (apart from Ball of Wax) i thought was great

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/15/11 at 10:30am

I think Cheyenne would be perfect for Ghost, but I cannot fathom how he would be considered too old for the part. Next spring, he'll be a year younger than Swayze was in the film and Demi was 10 years younger than Swayze.