How Feasible is a Caroline, or Change Transfer??

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 10:28am

I was just listening to the score again and my God, what a gem. I actually didn't know that it's currently running in the West End (with Lauren Ward as Rose!). Have there been any rumblings about bringing it across the pond? Maybe not Broadway, but I could see this working well somewhere like St Ann's.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:12am

Kushner & Tesori want it in NY, so fingers crossed.
I can’t wait to see it this Fall!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:25am

I could see it going to a non-profit somewhere in the city, but I don’t think we’ll ever see a commercial revival of the show unless Beyoncé decides she wants to play Caroline. 

Updated On: 8/1/18 at 11:25 AM

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:38am

With the current state of it's competition this season, it's guaranteed a few Tony's.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:41am

I hope it makes it over here in nyc. I feel it was overshadowed by wicked and Avenue q back in 2004 when it was on bway.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:44am

This is the number-one show I have been dying to see a professional production of and have yet to have the chance. Would love to have it in New York.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 2:58pm

So I've been watching all the clips I could find on this production, and I'm as struck as I was years ago on just how incredibly smart this creative team is. Tony surprised me in one of the videos - said that out of all his work, Caroline is his favorite. I'm not sure I think it's better than Angels, or if they're apples and oranges. But he was also saying that this musical (like Angels) is fundamentally about how we deal with change, and how prescient and relevant that is right now.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 3:54pm

GlindatheGood22 said: "So I've been watching all the clips I could find on this production, and I'm as struck as I was years ago on just how incredibly smart this creative team is. Tony surprised me in one of the videos - said that out of all his work, Caroline is his favorite. I'm not sure I think it's better than Angels, or if they're apples and oranges. But he was also saying that this musical (like Angels) is fundamentally about how we deal with change, and how prescient and relevant that is right now."


The musical is inspired by Tony Kushner's childhood, which is probably why this is his favorite work. He's the "Noah" character.

There was an interview when the London production first opened that said several Broadway producers were already circling the project. So maybe there's chance of a transfer as a passion-project? (But the original was also a money-losing passion project)

[Robbie2]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 4:25pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "GlindatheGood22 said: "So I've been watching all the clips I could find on this production, and I'm as struck as I was years ago on just how incredibly smart this creative team is. Tony surprised me in one of the videos - said that out of all his work, Caroline is his favorite. I'm not sure I think it's better than Angels, or if they're apples and oranges. But he was also saying that this musical (like Angels) is fundamentally about how we deal with change, and how prescient and relevant that is right now."


The musical is inspired by Tony Kushner's childhood, which is probably why this is his favorite work. He's the "Noah" character.

There was an interview when the London production first opened that said several Broadway producers were already circling the project. Somaybethere's chance of a transfer as a passion-project? (But the original was also a money-losing passion project)"

 

It was a failure in '04 running for only 3 months at a loss! Who's the audience and gonna back thi$?

Tonya Pinkins and Annika Noni Rose were highlights with Pinkins being magnificent but the musical score is tedious and finding an audience....will be problematic again.

Updated On: 8/1/18 at 04:25 PM

[raddersons]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 4:35pm

Robbie2 said: "SomethingPeculiar said: "It was a failure in '04 running for only 3 months at a loss! Who's the audience and gonna back thi$?"

Guilty white liberals who in 2004 thought racism was "fixed" and now understand that it's not -- that's the audience. It's been a running theme in recent off-bway plays in the past year (see: Admissions, and other plays like it)

[binau]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 4:45pm

This could have a prestigious run off-Broadway for a couple of months and maybe pay for some of its costs, but unless you're a sadist I'm not sure why any producer would want to see this stagger to half-empty, papered houses on Broadway - losing every penny, or pence* rather, put into it. Keep the intimacy, audience and excitement where it belongs Off-Broadway!

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 5:40pm

I thought this musical was way ahead of its time. This is the perfect moment for the piece. However, this will require a "name" to sell. It was by far the best musical of the 2004 season however and it deserves a second chance. It's too good to be forgotten.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 5:41pm

2004 is a different time from 2018. I mean the whole Confederate statue controversy actually made national news as white supremacists everywhere have had rallies leading to some violence about keeping those monuments up, and maybe mainstream audiences in the age of Trump finally realize that racism is still a very big deal. I do think this is the most brilliant Broadway show in the past whatever years. I'd rank it higher than even the most celebrated musicals in the past few decades, including Pulitzer winners. It's libretto and score still has not been matched to me, nor has such a relevant topic being treated with as much nuance and sensitivity.

I still think a lot of people didn't fully understand this musical because I still believe most Broadway audiences are so far removed from the experiences of a black maid from Lake Charles, Louisiana in the 1960s who really has had so little education that she screams out "I can hardly read" that they can't even begin to empathize. Like they hear that and understand it on some level, but they are not fully able to process it. I'm not even touching upon Noah and his family and grief, Dot serving as Caroline's foil who is of a similar age and station in life, and Emmie proudly acknowledging that she is a daughter of a maid. It may not seem like a big deal to people but it really is. I remember my feelings when I told some people at my law school (both students and professors and deans of very different backgrounds) that my mom was a waitress for most of my life.

That said, I don't think anybody expects this to be a financial success, that's why the only way I can see this being brought here is if it does a limited run Off-Broadway, or a non-profit funds a limited run in one of the Broadway houses.

 

Updated On: 8/1/18 at 05:41 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 5:54pm

They would obviously need a big name for this. Someone like Jennifer Hudson (but hopefully not) level of fame.

It’s still a masterpiece and the best musical of the 21st century, so far.

[Sondheimite]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 6:16pm

Someone call up Uzo Aduba because she'd be perfect for this.  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 6:17pm

Does Viola Davis sing?

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 6:25pm

Sondheimite said: "Someone call up Uzo Aduba because she'd be perfect for this."

Wow! Amazing idea. 

[JBC3]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 6:45pm

Updated On: 2/6/19 at 06:45 PM

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 6:48pm

Uzo Aduba, Jane Krakowski, and Hailey Kilgore would be sublime in this show.

[faceleg]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 7:39pm

This show grew on me to a point where I was in tears one day listening to the cast album. I love Idina, but Tonya should have won. I would love to see this show, but I'm mad I didn't get to see the original. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 7:44pm

GeorgeandDot said: "Uzo Aduba, Jane Krakowski, and Hailey Kilgore would be sublime in this show."

 

This is sublime casting right here.

 

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 9:47pm

How about Anika Noni Rose as Caroline?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 10:52pm

Funny enough, when I spoke with Anika a couple of weeks ago, CAROLINE came up and I mentioned to her that people would love to see her as Caroline. I’m paraphrasing, but her response was “Oh Lord, no! Give me at least a couple more years before I age into that role!” It’s funny because Anika is 45 and Caroline is only 39.

And still a maid.

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:24pm

I love Anika, but she's always been so youthful and petite. I'm not sure she could really come off as the intense pillar of strength that Caroline is described as. By the way, that woman is in her 40's and looks like she's in her late 20's. I'll have what she's having.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/1/18 at 11:39pm

I think Seycon (I know my spelling is awful) would be amazing as Caroline after seeing her in Eclipse. Great actress and she can SANG.