Gypsy taping for Great Performances? When?

When did they announce a March closing date? I thought just the principals were leaving in March. A few months ago they had replacement auditions for June, Louise and Tulsa. ???

Or earlier.

So is it getting taped or not?

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I was sitting right behind you then. =D

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That's sweet of you to try but unfortunately, PBS doesn't film ANY of those Great Performances programs, etc. PBS obtains funds from private sources and donations (hence those obnoxious pledge drives they do). They don't have the means to film anything.

All the previous Broadway shows that have aired as part of their Great Performances series were shot/filmed and produced by private sources which later negotiate with PBS to air them, etc. PBS also has in the agreement to release such program/film on DVD, which they also profit from.

Shows shown as part of LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER are also a separate entity from PBS. Lincoln Center films on their own dime all the programs that air as part of the LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER series --- PBS does not film them nor owns them, which is why none of those broadcasts are ever released on DVD.

Yes, the recent broadcast of the John Doyle revival of COMPANY was not filmed by PBS. A private investor and production company funded this filming. PBS only aired it and released in on DVD. Again... PBS did NOT film it.

The people you DO need to try to contact are the people that invested and produced that COMPANY film. THEY are the ones you need to convince. I remember many people badgered PBS continually about filming GREY GARDENS before it closed and someone from PBS finally answered back and basically told them what I wrote above.

Sorry, kids.

Image Entertainment does a lot of them. They have for years. They did Kiss Me Kate, Sweeney Todd, Oklahoma, the recent Jekyll and Hyde, etc.
Image Entertainment Theater Titles

Brody is right. PBS often puts some funds towards the project witha deal to air, but rarely initiate the taping.

SWEEENEY TODD was taped for the (new long gone) Entertainment Chanel. Great Performances bought the rights and showed it later, as did A&E (with many commercial breaks.)

SUNDAY was produced by Brandman Productions (with money provided by the Shuberts and PBS's American Playhouse) with a deal in place to show it on Showtime and later on American Playhouse. The Beta/VHS release came a year later.

INTO THE WOODS was also done by Brandman with Great Performances lined up to broadcast it.

It costs a lot of tape these programs and PBS alone can not underwrite the taping. If the show gets a commercial video release, that can bring in extra money but as with cast albums it takes years to sell enough copies to pay off.

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And is there any validity to the rumor that Patti is taking this show on the road?

So a tour could go out in September 2009. So you really have no answers.. just blah.. blah.. blah... ( just joshing with you)

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sorry, duplicate post.

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Updated On: 11/6/08 at 12:10 PM

SO back to my original question.......Anyone actually really know anything about the taping of the show for PBS? Who are the correct people to contact? Anyone have any e mails and address?

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That is so stupid. There are already two filmed versions out there and neither of them those justice to the stage version. If that is the case it will always be regretted.

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Updated On: 11/6/08 at 01:04 PM