Hedwig closing Sept. 13- Page 10

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:21pm

Just in case.

 

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:31pm

Hm. My post didn't go through.

What I meant to say was ... I think this forum has a high tendency to lean on naivety, which they confuse with rational thinking. Having said that, I will try my best not to use any cheap shots in any subsequent discussions. I think I do have valid points about Hedwig's closing, and I'd rather not let them get reduced to another catfight (and this is coming from someone who LOVES Cats). At this point, we're all guilty of doing the same thing.

See -- I can totally subscribe to love and understanding. I'm not so terrible.

[skies]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:35pm

Skimbleshanks2 said: "If Taye's run had ended on time I wouldn't be firing these shots. I think the fact that it is closing early says a lot about the quality of his performance. The fact that they announced it was ending early one day after the NY Post's scathing review is a point even your Naive Goggles should be able to see." 

 

So the NY Post has the clout now to shut shows within a week?  As to 'performance' damn that  Chita Rivera as her quality dictated the demise of her show. 

Hedwig is closing on its 6th Hedwig, just a thought.

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 12:35 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:41pm

Naivety? Anyone can look at BWW's graph of Hedwig's grosses this year and see a noticable downward trend dating back to January.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 12:49pm

"At this point, we're all guilty of doing the same thing."

 

Except not really.

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 1:20pm

I have never seen the show (only the movie) & would like to before it closes.

Posted: 8/21/15 at 1:47pm

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 01:47 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 2:46pm

"but some of these Hedheads are transitioning into hysteria mode. The delusion is real."

You're another one who doesn't get it. Yes, there are those who are sad the show is closing but I'd hardly call it hysteria. You're deluded thinking it's hysteria. They have every right to post here and express their sadness.

 

So what are you going to do when your beloved Hamilton closes, Hamilton?

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 3:09pm

No Jane, I don't think you understand. Everyone has a right to be sad about Hedwig closing, but some of the comments made about why it's closing, are ridiculous. Mostly Skimbleshank's comments. 

 

So what are you going to do when your beloved Hamilton closes, Hamilton?

 

I'll be blaming Javier or whoever the new Hamilton is for ruining the run of the show, obviously!  Oh god I have to prepare for a life without Hamilton! I need some LMM news in my life right now. I haven't felt this vulnerable since Christopher Jackson had to miss a week of performances! 

 

No but seriously, I'll probably go to the final performance, wish the cast success in the future and then I'll move on with my life. I certainly won't be crying about it or blaming certain performers  for the closing of it, like others are doing here.

 

And Jane, it's not like you were ever enthusiastic about any Hedwig  that wasn't JCM. I figured the show was already dead to you after he left. Why be sad now? 

 

.

 

 

 

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 03:09 PM

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 3:29pm

Post THING... @neilhimself and John CM wrap @amandapalmer. What an inspiring performance.. ?? pic.twitter.com/rKUXnRSIEm

— Krys Fox (@krysfox) August 21, 2015

 

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 3:39pm

"And Jane, it's not like you were ever enthusiastic about any Hedwig  that wasn't JCM. I figured the show was already dead to you after he left. Why be sad now? "

 

Well, I'm not sad. I was just defending the other Hedheads who are. Also, you may or may not have read any posts I made about Hedwig at the Jane, but I have raved about Michael Cerveris and Matt McGrath. Actually, with the exception of Ms. Sheedy, all the Jane St. Hedwigs were better than NPH, I thought.

 

And about my not understanding. Maybe I don't, because I didn't realize your objection was to the posts made about why the show was closing. I thought you were just complaining about the "hysteria" that was shown because it was closing.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 4:46pm

Also, you may or may not have read any posts I made about Hedwig at the Jane, but I have raved about Michael Cerveris and Matt McGrath.

 

I was referring to all the Broadway hedwigs that you weren't enthusiastic about. Not surprising at all that you liked all of the Hedwigs from Off-broadway

 

Actually, with the exception of Ms. Sheedy, all the Jane St. Hedwigs were better than NPH, I thought.

 

Yes you have been very vocal about your disdain for NPH. Don't worry, not once did I ever think you liked NPH over the off-broadway Hedwigs .What a preposterous thought. 

 

I thought you were just complaining about the "hysteria" that was shown because it was closing.

 

A misunderstanding. The hysteria and melodramatic attitude  of people complaining the show is closing BECAUSE of Taye Diggs, is what is ridiculous.I'm not saying he is completely off the hook, but the people targeting him as the sole reason for the closing, are just delusional. 

 

[Phan2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 4:49pm

Guys, this discussion is going downward fast.  I know we all have different perspectives, and I can see where different people are coming from.  And I can only imagine how deeply upsetting this is for those long-time Hedwig fans.  But to play the blame game, I mean, how does it help anyone?    I am a Taye fan (braces for Hedwig's tomatoes to be thrown at me, but please consider I'm just a college student), but even if I wasn't, I think what others have said (Kad, perfectlymarvelous, Jallenc32) holds a lot of truth:  When you look at the trending pattern of the numbers, the show has been losing some steam for some time, since at least early spring, when many new shows of 2015 emerged in March.   The show is over a year old, yet is competing with new shows that have received more recent press coverage (and some Tony noms and/or wins), and that are capturing the interest of many tourists, as well as the attention of  those within the Broadway community. 

 

We have no idea what factors were discussed by the show's team when they decided to close the show.  What variables did they consider?    I'm sure they brought up the downward trend of the numbers that has persisted for about five months.  The issue of what replacement actor, who has the charisma and singing/acting talent to tackle Hedwig, who in addition need to have a big enough name (sufficient general popularity) to increase the numbers, who is available, as others have said, may have been a factor.  Does the Belasco have new plans with another production?  That is something that is a possibility.   Do shows that have stayed open for a while run their course at some point of time (especially when not a "big" show that appeals to the mainstream audience)?  Yes, they do.  Was Taye's performance a factor?   Possibly, but if so, it was just one of many factors, and no one knows how much of a factor the Hedwig team considered it to be.  Since none of us were in the room when the decision was made, none of us really know what analysis was made by those involved in arriving at the decision.    With all these variables involved, none of us really know what was discussed and considered.  Others may disagree, and that's fine, but we can be civil.

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 04:49 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 4:57pm

"Yes you have been very vocal about your disdain for NPH. Don't worry, not once did I ever think you liked NPH over the off-broadway Hedwigs .What a preposterous thought."

 

Did you see any of the off broadway performances?

Not so preposterous. Sometimes, when a show transitions from an intimate, off broadway house, to broadway, many things change. As in what happened with Hedwig. Because of the changes, and the actors, I do have strong leanings towards the original show and actors. Guilty!

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 5:14pm

Because of the changes, and the actors, I do have strong leanings towards the original show and actors.

 

Which brings me to my next question, did you even want this revival to happen?

 

[skies]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 5:43pm

There is nothing stopping the producers in the future from mounting an off-Broadway, more "intimate" version of Hedwig that harkens back to the Jane days.

Of course I"m sure even then we'll hear how it doesn't compare to the original, but the point of theatre is that it's a living breathing thing that evolves and entertains and captures new audiences for the work, so I hardly think Hedwig is gone forever.

 

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 7:14pm

"Which brings me to my next question, did you even want this revival to happen?"

 

Excellent question, Hamilton.

I was skeptical, leaning towards no.

[skies]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 7:23pm

 

JCM's Hedwig at the Belasco was different than at the Jane, do doubt about it.  Even if the core same persona, presented in a different light and POV for the audience.  Better?, worse?, of course all subjective but unless theatre is a dead preserved object  in enamel I could see why JCM wasn't afraid to revisit.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 8:29pm

 

Excellent question, Hamilton.

I was skeptical, leaning towards no.

 

Interesting. 

[A Director]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 9:40pm

Jane2 started bad mouthing the production when it was first announced.

Jane2 started bad mouthing Neil Patrick Harris when he was announced.

Jane2 started bad mouthing the production when John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask didn't call Jane 2 asking permission to do THEIR show on Broadway. Why Jane2 thinks Mitchell and Trask would call the Front of House staff about artistic matters is beyond me.

Having fond, strong memories about a production is okay. However, living, staying in the past is the death of any art form.

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 9:48pm

Hurry everyone, we only have until September 13 to rehash every Hedwig drama since the new production started through Taye!

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 10:02pm

Since I don't recall Jane 2 "bad mouthing" anything out of the gate, though, and thinking highly of her dedication to this piece and to JCM, I did go back to the initial thread announcing the "revival":

 

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1061293&page=4

 

In response to someone else, who is quoted, here is Jane 2's first response, which is guardedly optimistic (bolding is mine):

 

""Wow. Could they be more off the mark? This doesn't need a big name, this needs a larger-than-life personality. NPH is so wrong for this it's not even funny". 

I almost agree with you, but I'm going to have to trust JCM. I have doubts that the show can work in a broadway house, and part of me knows that a big name IS important here. JCM has said he needs to rewrite for the size theater, but he still needs a draw. I don't think an unknown is a great idea. 



But having managed the Jane St. theater and seeing every Hedwig there was, I'm not sure about Neil Harris. Can he be flamboyant and create pathos? I don't know. is he a strong enough singer? i don't know. 
 

Because of my love and respect for JCM, I'm hoping for the best."

 

Doesn't seem like bad mouthing to me. She was concerned, but hopeful, and then based on hearing about NPH, she started to think her initial fears were confirmed...

 

By the way, that old thread is a hoot. So many people thinking it would post closing almost after opening...

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 10:02 PM

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 10:12pm

wow, thanks haterobics. BUT -  after seeing NPH, I did say that I thought he was putting on the NPH Vegas style show. I bad mouthed him like that a few times. I'm not sorry, though, lol!

[haterobics]

Posted: 8/21/15 at 10:13pm

If that was you felt after actually seeing him, that isn't bad mouthing. That is an informed opinion.

 

And certainly not that "Jane2 started bad mouthing Neil Patrick Harris when he was announced."

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 10:13 PM

[Amazing2]

Posted: 8/22/15 at 7:27am

Namo, not so sure I would characterize criticism of Taye's performance as "trashing him" personally.  I didn't see him, but it seems like that people (not just here on the board) in general were pointing out real problems with his performance like not knowing the book for a number of days if not weeks.  When I go to a show, I don't expect stuff like this to be repeatedly happening.  I realize sometimes people do tend to pile on, and I certainly don't think he was the only reason the play is closing.  However, I don't think it would be farfetched to site him as part of the cause.  If he had been prepared from the very beginning, we might not be having this discussion.  But in the end, we really don't know.