Posted: 3/14/17 at 8:52pm
I apologize if this topic is covered elsewhere, but I wanted to see if anyone knew if the revival of Once on this Island is still planning to open on Broadway in May, 2017? I haven't heard anything about the show or tickets in the last few months. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Posted: 3/14/17 at 9:11pm
Overheard Phillip Boykin at the Sunday stage door talking about how he's doing it in the fall. He's pretty perfect.
Posted: 3/14/17 at 9:13pm
If I recall correctly, unless anything closes within the next 2-3 weeks, there isn't a single theatre empty come May. So not this season, but perhaps for the 2017-18 season it might come
Posted: 3/14/17 at 9:26pm
I haven't heard anything about it for this season but it does have a website that's up and running:
http://www.onceonthisisland.com/
Not much there but they will email you once there is more information if you sign up for their email list.
Posted: 3/14/17 at 11:19pm
I would be willing to bet everything I can borrow that no show will open in May of this year (or any year absent a major restructuring of the theatre).
Posted: 3/15/17 at 4:01am
There's a lab happening in a couple months. I'll bet the farm that its not coming in till 2018 at the earliest.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 4:50am
I don't have much to bet apart from my Hello, Dolly! tickets, which I'm not willing to bet. But yeah... it's not coming this season no more lol. Who's producing this revival?
Posted: 3/15/17 at 6:58am
Why in the world would this need a "lab?" It had a lab of almost 500 performances on Broadway.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 7:53am
Wilmingtom said: "Why in the world would this need a "lab?" It had a lab of almost 500 performances on Broadway."
Because maybe they've decided that they're not going to do an exact replica of the original production, and would like to spend more time and less money than a rehearsal period allows to work out some new ideas.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 9:52am
Ken Davenport is producer. Michael Arden is directing. I've heard Circle in the Square, this fall. Not quite official, but that's the rumor. I think Circle is an inspired venue for this. I, for one, can not wait. It's one of my favorite shows. The original was stunning, and completely overshadowed that season by the massive shows that season: Miss Saigon, Will Roger's Follies (which won), & Secret Garden.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 11:00am
Why in the world would this need a "lab?" It had a lab of almost 500 performances on Broadway.
There was an article about approaching the staging and orchestrations/performances in an entirely new way. Sort of a cross between Stomp and a John Doyle actor/musician concept. From what I read, it deserves a lab because I'm not convinced it will come across as anything more than a gimmick unless the direction, choreography and performances are impeccable and astonishing.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 11:03am
I lost all interest in this production once I learned of Ken Davenport's involvement.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 11:05am
A producer friend of mine describes "labs" as code for 'expensive backer auditions' meaning they are more than anything about raising money.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 11:06am
Well from the sounds of it, three separate productions are eyeing Circle in the Square for the fall. I'd bet on either SWEET CHARITY or OTHELLO nabbing it before this. Especially with Ken Davenport involved.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 11:10am
Have we heard anything more about Charity? I kind of thought that was dead in the water.
Posted: 3/15/17 at 11:38am
I thought Charity was dead, too. But either way, I doubt Ken Davenport will be able to make ISLAND happen. Unless his investors are just that stupid that they keep giving him money for projects that don't recoup.
