Gypsy taping for Great Performances? When?

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 1:36pm

A few months ago there were some posts here regarding taping Gypsy for PBS. There was also a link to where to write to request this. I did so and had received a e mail pretty much stating that though there were no plans.. that was the hope. Has anyone heard anything new now that the March closing date is approaching?


"i received this response:

Thank you for writing regarding our programming.

Your comments suggesting that GREAT PERFORMANCES tape the current
Broadway production of
'Gypsy' are deeply appreciated and will be shared with the appropriate
staff. A number of viewers have emailed/called asking that we consider
broadcasting this 2008 Tony Award winning revival of the Jule
Styne/Stephen Sondheim musical.

There are currently no plans to tape 'Gypsy'. However, PBS and GREAT
PERFORMANCES have had a long and successful history of broadcasting the
work of Stephen Sondheim. Ultimately, the decision rests with the
producers of the revival and Arthur Laurents, the show's book writer and
this production's director. If they were to come to GREAT PERFORMANCES
with the idea of our taping the musical we would definitely consider it.


Sincerely,

Scott McClintock
Member and Viewer Services
Thirteen WNET New York"

Updated On: 11/5/08 at 01:36 PM

[glitterandjazzhands]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:14pm

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. ???

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:29pm

well, at the TimesTalks interview the other night, someone asked Patti when she was leaving, and if the show was closing with her. she said March 1st, and they're choosing not to replace her. so...the show is closing March 1st.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:39pm

Or earlier.

[NGD2225]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:40pm

DAMN!!! I thought that it was getting taped.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:43pm

So is it getting taped or not?

[RyToast1]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:49pm

I asked Patti when the show was closing

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 7:50pm

I was sitting right behind you then. =D

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 8:07pm

If you want to send them a e mail petitioning them..



http://www.thirteen.org/about/contact

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 8:18pm

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.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 8:22pm

So... where do I write?

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 9:59pm

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

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 10:13pm

Image Entertainment is a distributor and handles the distribution of those titles -- they didn't film them. They also are the distributors of the COMPANY DVD, which again... they did not film.

Here are the numerous private sources who FUNDED the filming of COMPANY:

The Irene Diamond Fund
The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust

... and most importantly, Ellen M. Krass and her production company who are the actual people who took it completely upon themselves to get COMPANY filmed.

Again... Image Entertainment only distributes these films -- they don't film them.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 10:30pm

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.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 10:49pm

It just needs to be documented and in a way that can be seen.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:27pm

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

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/5/08 at 11:36pm

She's booked solid with her concert tour until the end of June 2009, so there's your answer.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 12:03pm

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

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 12:09pm

I thought there was a better chance of her going to London with the show, but I honestly don't know much of anything.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 12:10pm

sorry, duplicate post.

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

[RyToast1]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 12:13pm

I planned on asking about London at Times Talks, but I got so nervous just asking about when the show was closing that I couldn't say anything else.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 12:15pm

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?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 1:02pm

It won't be taped. Largely because there is still talk about remaking the film.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 1:04pm

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.

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

[ProfessorG]

Posted: 11/6/08 at 1:09pm

Oh I so wish they taped the Tyne Daly version. Everybody forgets how wonderful she was.