Gershwin Theatre Question
Gershwin Theatre Question
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#1Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 12:49pmIs the Gershwin Theatre the only Broadway house big enough to house such a big production (Wicked)?
defyinggravity2
Stand-by Joined: 1/16/12
#2Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 12:51pmI think so, because the sets for WICKED are so huge, with all the clock gear and such, especially the 800 lb. proscenium dragon. its just amazing these sets, and i don't quite know of any other theater that CAN house these amazing sets.
#2Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 12:54pmGiven that other theatres have been home to larger productions (one even currently running) I'm going to have to say no, the Gershwin is not the only theatre that can host big shows.
defyinggravity2
Stand-by Joined: 1/16/12
#3Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 12:55pm^^ what other productions are bigger than WICKED?
#4Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 12:57pm
The Broadway house a helicopter! Miss Saigon.
#5Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 1:20pm
Mary Poppins, The Lion King, and Spider-Man are just as big, if not bigger, than Wicked and they manage to fit in other houses. Phantom is another show that's just as big as Wicked and the list goes on from there. So yes, Wicked could very easily have been mounted in the Broadway or the Minskoff or the Foxwods if the Gershwin was unavailable.
Of course none of those theaters have as many seats as the Gershwin (although the Foxwoods is close) which means that the producers of Wicked wouldn't make as much money.
defyinggravity2
Stand-by Joined: 1/16/12
#6Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 1:34pm
Of course none of those theaters have as many seats as the Gershwin (although the Foxwoods is close) which means that the producers of Wicked wouldn't make as much money.
I read that the producers of WICKED purposley chose a theater with lots of seats, because being a twist on THE WIZARD OF OZ, they thought it would have a huge appeal, which it did.
#7Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 1:56pmThe Palace also could probably hold it. They have that huge bus for Priscilla there now.
#8Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 2:00pm
Wicked was specifically designed to fit the Gershwin's super wide proscenium It is similar to how American Idiots producers were trying to get the St. James at all costs because it is the only theater with a proscenium high enough to fit American Idiots extremely tall set.
So technically yes The Gershwin is the only theater with a wide enough stage to fit the show, but that is because producers had the show designed to fit the theater.
Huss417
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#9Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 2:12pmHow about the set for Sunset Boulevard at the Minskoff? Huge.
Buscee
Featured Actor Joined: 7/9/05
#10Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 2:14pm
All shows are designed specifically for the theatre they are going into. If WICKED were going into a smaller house it would have been designed smaller. They sameway the touring company cuts down on sets.
You'll notice when a national tour comes to Broadway the sets are usually smaller.
I think the main reason for choosing the Gershwin was yes you can put a large set, but more importantly it has over 1900 seats making it one of the largest theatres seating capacity wise. Which ofcourse brings in larger ticket sales.
Bwaydide92
Leading Actor Joined: 5/16/12
#11Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 3:17pm
And the dragon is only like 40 lbs. It's all made of foam. It would be way too dangerous to house a giant, heavy dragon above an audience. If that dragon fell, it would be more of an annoyance than a hazard.
Updated On: 6/15/12 at 03:17 PM
#12Gershwin Theatre Question
Posted: 6/15/12 at 3:18pmIs the dragon really 800 pounds? In the Behind The Emerald curtain video no youtube, it says that it is actually quite light weight.
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