How Much Longer for DRS?- Page 4

[SirLiir]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 8:15pm

Well, Norbert:

1) just left
2) is doing the DRS tour till October
and
3)knows that Brian D'Arcy James is doing a fine job as Freddy.

As I said previously, I feel the worry is not because the new cast isn't doing their job. It is just that it lacks some draw now.
Updated On: 8/11/06 at 08:15 PM

[MimiJudith]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 8:19pm

I just thought that if they gave Norbert a month or two to take a break and then got him back in on Broadway, it would really perk up the percentages. And then maybe to bring in Tom Hewitt as well? That might work.

I understand that Norbert is probably tired of the show, but he is just so fantastic in it and I doubt he will be in another show like it.

I guess it's just wishful thinking. I love Norbert! Updated On: 8/10/06 at 08:19 PM

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 10:46pm

I still believe that DRS is the best show on Broadway - and possibly the best that's played in NYC in many years. Having said that, I do think that a combination of some ridiculous criticisms in the Times, the jinx of opening the same year as Spamalot (which isn't half the show DRS is) combined with the nightmare of losing all three leading men at the same time, has probably dealt it the killing blow. (I know far too many people outside of the New York area who genuinely believe that DRS is not a good show because the Times reviewer said so).

It was going to take some spectacular stunt casting to get them past these horrendous odds. I mentioned it before - if they could have talked/bribed/blackmailed Steve Martin into coming in as Lawrence Jacobson - then every tourist hitting NY would have tried to see this show.... no matter what the Times hack said. Along with some spectacular casting like this, I think they should have re-thought the replacement casting for Andre and Muriel. DRS was a clown-heavy show before and Joanna and Greg provided a needed touch of charm in the midst of the mania. Now they've been replaced with two more clowns. Very, very funny people - but not what the show needed.

It's going to break my heart to see it close - but I think it's now inevitable. The really heartbreaking part is knowing that something like a "Mamma Mia" continues selling out while a wonderful show like this goes down.

Updated On: 8/11/06 at 10:46 PM

[mallardo]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:26am

Can Kelsey Grammar sing at all? He might be enough to save it. Look what his former co-star David Hyde Pierce is doing for Curtains in LA. It's pretty much sold out every night.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:35am

He sings and his name has been considered in conjunction with DRS, but he turned the role down.

"Dirty Rotten Scoundrels? No, sorry, I'd rather hang out in L.A. and do sh*tty movies." ~Kelsey Grammar

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=851977#1402845

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 7:46am

Kelsey would be great as Lawrence... It's a shame to hear him speak of the possibility that way

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:08pm

Thanksgiving.

[ILUVTOMG]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:12pm

it's the best show on bway right now AND it will have a very long life in stock once it does close on bway and tour winds down. personally, i can't wait to see Adrian Zmed, Eddie Mekka, Joyce DeWitt and Linda Dano in what is sure to be a future Bucks County production!

[VinnieTheIceman]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 12:39pm

You cannot compare DRS with Producers. That's a joke. One made millions, one has recouped 70% so far. DRS has had very few weeks of losses until Norbert left. Last week was a disaster. They are trying to get stunt casting to get them through the year because the current cast is not getting it done. They do not want to lose 100K per week through September because they'll never make that money back. Although they would love to get through the year it might not be possible. It'll be interesting to see what they try and do.

[greatgilly]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 2:24pm

You just crack me up...like no other production has ever thrown in a "name" to sell tickets...it's a summer stock theatre...they don't have a budget to get huge stars, and yea they were not that good but the shows sold...be it for the sheer fact to laugh at the second rate stars. and for your information there are no longer stars at the bucks county playhouse...and I hope eddie mekka does come back, he is great in fiddler. But i know his scheduale is very busy after doing hairspray in vegas and filming the dreamgirls movie. I just love how people always bring up bucks for the hell of poking fun at it. It's a successfull theatre...like it or not.

[defygravity2oz]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 3:07pm

for me, its a toss up. i think the producers have yet to pull out all the stops.

if you think about it, people intially saw DRS because of who was in it. (John Lithgow, Sherrie & Norbert) It opened with good reviews, that drew more people in. They were then nominated for tons of Tonys, again, atrracting more people. After Norbert won the Tony they reached their peak. John Lithgow left and people were excited for Jonathan Pryce's return to broadway, which again, drew more people. after the announcment of the "new and improved" cast, DRS lost their crowd. it's still a good show and a great cast but, people are thinking, "Who are they??" Even though the new cast is good, they should recast some roles, to draw people in. They need a big name in one of the two men, either Freddy or Lawerence.

Their has been buzz of maybe Jack Black in the role of Freddy, which would be a great marketing idea. The guy can sing well enough, he is extremely funny and the role doesn't require hardcore dancing. Why not? In my mind he'd be great.

But, anyway. I think the problem is all in the casting.

Can anyone think of any other names to draw people in??

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 3:14pm

I think they need to get Steve Martin in there as Lawrence, even though he played Freddy, he is too old now.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 3:20pm

I do not think it is fair to think about replacing any of the new cast. The low B.O. is not their fault. Perhaps they need to work on better advertising.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 4:23pm

I actually think DRS has had one of the best advertising campaigns in recent memory...

Not that it's the new cast's "fault" the Box Office is low. But whether it's right or not, a name would bring in more people. I doubt it will happen, and I have no clue what the logistics of contracts are and stuff, but just since it was brought up...

[broadwayxminixidina]

Posted: 8/11/06 at 6:12pm

The new cast isn't NEARLY as fantastic as OBC.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 12:15am

Have they placed new posters with Keith and Brian? They were so very effective (and hilarious) with Norbert and the Johns.

[WiiCKED x3]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 9:12am

I think the problem is the casting... no one really knows who these people are. Except for Keith, Sherie and Lucie. They need to put a better well-known person for Freddy.When Norbert was in, it drew attention to the show because he won a Tony for that role. And Jonathan drew more to the crowd, also. My personal opionion is that Brian was amazing as Freddy. But he's not that well known to the public.

I also think they need to advertise more. All i've been seeing is The Wedding Singer.

[wickedobsessed]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 9:23am

Im sad to say because I love the show so much, but I dont think that DRS will be at the Imperial Theater come Febuary-March.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:20am

This whole situation depresses me. When a 1st rate, top quality show cannot get a good enough run to recoup, well it's a sad commentary on theatre going tourist tastes.
It's strange it took so long to recoup. I met an investor in March who said they were 2/3 to 3/4 repaid @ that point.

[LaVieHilary]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:58pm

W/o a big name in the cast people don't really want to see it. I saw the tour in Seattle and NLB was fantastic with Tom Hewitt. You need not only celebrity for it to work but chemistry and strong animated personalities. Jack Black would be a perfect Freddy.

[AshleyBrownFan123]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 1:04pm

GodIHopeIGetIt, The Producers was a hit?

[folkyboy]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 1:13pm

i love Dirty Rotten Scoundrels but personally feel like too many shows stay on Broadway far too long lately.

i do hope this role gives Brian D'arcy James more recognition, though. he hasn't been showcased nearly as much as his vocals and acting ability deserve.

[altoid06]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 5:27pm

I saw this show in April as part of my senior trip. I was the only one who knew anything about the show, had any clue who any of the stars were, had heard the cast recording, etc. And to be honest, I was one of the only ones looking forward to seeing it. By the time we left the theatre, everyone was saying how much they loved it and how good everyone was. Now mind you, we saw it with Norbert and Jonathan Pryce, which were bigger names if you know anything about Broadway, however the group that went could have cared less who was in it, they just wanted to be entertained.

In a perfect world DRS would survive, but without the celebrities in it that draw the tourists in or the publicity in areas outside New York that shows such as "Wicked" or "Hairspray" or "Spamalot" get, DRS will have a hard time keeping it's doors open much longer. It's sad though, because it is a fantastic show and the new cast looks like they'd be fabulous!

[JamesMacon]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 5:46pm

folkyboy-
I agree with you. I hope more and more people see DRS with Brian D'arcy James and see how awesome he is. Hopefully, this will be really good for him.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 5:56pm

Based on the grosses, it will be lucky yo make it until the end of the year.

I hope I am wrong but it seems to be running out of steam. Luckily we saw it with the original cast