It's official! Frankie and Johnny coming to Broadway with Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 4:35pm

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/23/theater/audra-mcdonald-michael-shannon-frankie-and-johnny-broadway.html

 

 

[Sauja]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 4:42pm

Woop! I'm thrilled. What're we thinking: the Belasco after Network wraps up its limited run?

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 4:53pm

Sauja said: "Woop! I'm thrilled. What're we thinking: the Belasco after Network wraps up its limited run?"

People on this board have speculated about Anastasia closing in the spring- if that happens, it could take the Broadhurst. Otherwise, it seems like Belasco would make the most sense.

So excited for this!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 5:04pm

I love this play but I just never imaged Audra doing a show with full frontal nudity.

[binau]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 5:10pm

Is it me or is there a crazy amount of competition for plays this season? I remember a time a few years ago where there were barely any plays running at all sometimes!

[ElphabaGoodman]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 5:16pm

qolbinau said: "Is it me or is there a crazy amount of competition for plays this season? I remember a time a few years ago where there were barely any plays running at all sometimes! "

The Tony eligibility cutoff date is April 25 and this begins previews in May, so it won’t be a part of this season. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 5:31pm

My actual brain upon hearing this: guithktxvuschexvhhbnhoooopkjg&&%%#!!!!!

[RW3]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 5:46pm

This will be my first time ever seeing Audra live so I’m beyond excited!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 5:47pm

qolbinau said: "Is it me or is there a crazy amount of competition for plays this season? I remember a time a few years ago where there were barely any plays running at all sometimes!"

Ain't it great.  I imagine the mediocre bunch of musicals probably helping attendance at someplace,but who knows.  An aberration or is a new cycle starting (hopefully).

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 6:01pm

In terms of what theater, I think the Belasco isn't an option. Network closes on April 26. Doubt this could be ready to start previews by the end of May . If The Prom closes, it could sneak into the Longacre. Otherwise I don't see what Shubert house this could go into.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 6:12pm

Well, ANASTASIA has the same lead producers as F&J --- so the Broadhurst is a pretty good guess?

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 6:19pm

Yes!

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 8:06pm

dramamama611 said: "My actual brain upon hearing this: guithktxvuschexvhhbnhoooopkjg&&%%#!!!!!"

me too. assuming the translation is "I'm there!"

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/23/19 at 11:32pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I love this play but I just never imaged Audra doing a show with full frontal nudity. "

Jordan, Audra is committed, I see her having no problem servicing the material. 

This is most def a must see for me!!

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 1:55pm

I'm with Jordan. Props to Audra and whatnot, but being nude on stage is something I would never be comfortable with. Was the last revival with Edie Falco good?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 2:08pm

Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "I'm with Jordan. Props to Audra and whatnot, but being nude on stageis something I wouldnever be comfortable with. Was the last revival with Edie Falco good?"

The script (from what I can remember) doesn't actually specify the level of nudity, so I imagine it will be tailored to their comfort level. The last revival was very good -- Tucci and Falco had real chemistry (they became a couple during the run). It's a stretch to imagine Audra, who always reads so elegant to me, as a dumpy diner waitress, but she's a good actor. Shannon is pretty much ideal.

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 9:15pm

LarryD2 said: "Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "I'm with Jordan. Props to Audra and whatnot, but being nude on stageis something I wouldnever be comfortable with. Was the last revival with Edie Falco good?"

The script (from what I can remember) doesn't actually specify the level of nudity, so I imagine it will be tailored to their comfort level. The last revival was very good -- Tucci and Falco had real chemistry (they became a couple during the run). It's a stretch to imagine Audra, who always reads so elegant to me, as a dumpy diner waitress, but she's a good actor. Shannon is pretty much ideal."

It was hard to imagine her tailoring her voice to Billie Holliday too. But she did THAT. I swear that Audra can honestly do no wrong. She is no mere mortal. Michael Shannon has also never turned in a false performance with me and I enjoy him quite a bit.

Sidebar: Tucci is a daddy if there ever was one and even his partial nudity in BURLESQUE gets me hot under the collar.

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 1/24/19 at 11:42pm

This seems an odd choice for Audra BUT she seems to always surprise and be brilliant so I am excited for this! 

Posted: 1/25/19 at 10:18am

Stanley Tucci and Edie Falco were very impressive... especially Tucci.  I'm sure Audra and Michael will do a great job with their version of these roles - I am very much looking forward to seeing this production.

[laurensambrose]

Posted: 1/25/19 at 11:19am

How similar is the play to the movie version with Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino? 

[bdn223]

Posted: 1/25/19 at 11:28am

ElphabaGoodman said: "qolbinau said: "Is it me or is there a crazy amount of competition for plays this season? I remember a time a few years ago where there were barely any plays running at all sometimes! "

The Tony eligibility cutoff date is April 25 and this begins previews in May, so it won’t be a part of thisseason."

I have a gut feeling that the F&J's producers were hoping either he Ferryman, or Network, wouldn't extend or The Prom would have its last dance in early January, or even as many thought near the end of summer Beautiful  would end its run "On Broadway" and Waitress's would close up the dinner in January, but the fall seemed to have a pretty bountiful harvest of new shows and especially plays outside of the quick demise of Gettin' the Band Back Together  and the painfully slow failure of Head over Heels. 

Frankie and Johnny  is such an adult show and even with Audra, I still see it as a difficult sell, without some award recognition, which now it won't get. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/25/19 at 12:12pm

laurensambrose said: "How similar is the play to the movie version with Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino?"

Not similar at all --- the names of the characters are the same, but that's about it...the movie even includes a wacky gay next door neighbor (played by Nathan Lane).

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 1/25/19 at 2:02pm

Ive seen the play plenty of times where Frankie opens her robe with her back to the audience when he looks at her. Audra isnt necessarily going to be fully naked. Also, they can do a lot with lightning. She can be standing there naked and no one sees anything if the lights are done right.

It's a lovely play and Audra will nail it. She's a wonder.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 1/25/19 at 2:27pm

"I have a gut feeling that the F&J's producers were hoping eitherhe Ferryman,orNetwork, wouldn't extend orThe Promwould have its last dance in early January, or even as many thought near the end of summerBeautifulwould end its run "On Broadway" andWaitress's would close up the dinner in January, but the fall seemed to have a pretty bountiful harvest of new shows and especially plays outside of the quick demise ofGettin' the Band Back Togetherand the painfully slow failure ofHead over Heels.

Frankie and Johnnyis such an adult show and even with Audra, I still see it as a difficult sell, without some award recognition, which now it won't get."

I dont know about hoping specific shows would close, but yes they were hoping to open it right at the end of Tony cutoffs. But they still had a specific timeframe in which these two stars were available, so had to go with theater availability. That being said, I don't see thme having much trouble selling tickets. Audra can sell a show, she's one of the few Broadway names who can sell tickets on name alone. Lady Day did just fine before she was nominated for the Tony. Add in Michael Shannon and a limited run (which will make people jump on tickets) and this production should sell very well.

[FlySkyHigh]

Posted: 1/26/19 at 7:32pm

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but shouldn't they already know which broadway house theyre going into? If the production is confirmed for May, then chances are they already know what show is closing or finishing its run. Do you think the production is debating which theatre to go with? Or are they hoping against hope that that a theatre might free up sooner than expected and they sneak into this season; since they did not announce specific dates. I remember when Audra did Lady Day, they thought they were going to miss out on the season because they couldn't get a theatre and then Circle in the Square opened up at the last minute. I think the show was announced in late February and previews began mid-March.

Either way, Im excited Audra will be back on Broadway. Although I enjoy her immensely on The Good Fight,  there’s  nothing like seeing her live.

Updated On: 1/26/19 at 07:32 PM