Jerry Springer the Opera at The New Group

Jerry Springer: the Opera at The New Group is starting an Audience Rewards pre-sale today. In 2004, this was the "it" show in London (winning the Olivier for Best Musical -- yes, really), but it had trouble transferring because it's so obscene... and never made it to Broadway. Rumors were that because there was no song appropriate enough to perform at the Tony Awards, investors didn't want to risk their money with nothing to show. There were also tons of protests from religious groups in the UK because of the content of the show. I've listened to a live recording a bit and it really is a totally absurd and wacko riot... I can't wait for this one. Especially being in a smaller space, it should really feel like you're more of a studio-audience than seeing something extravagant.

Anyone see the original London production?

I really like the score and think the show manages to come around to say some interesting things.

But at the same time, I think it's getting its New York production a decade too late. Shows like Jerry Springer are no longer part of the pop cultural landscape, and what was shocking in 2002 is simply blasé in 2017.

(Though it's absurd the show was seen as "too controversial" to bring to New York, of all places)

Updated On: 11/20/17 at 03:57 PM

I saw it in London in 2004. I had taken my son and 2 friends to London for their high school graduation (better to travel with mom than get drunk and drive at friends' graduation parties). I personally loved it, although the 2nd act did lose some of the fun of the first act. Not sure how it will travel in this day and age, just because Jerry Springer isn't the shock icon he was before.

Starring Terrence Mann and Will Swenson!!
I am interested to see this now...

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Terrence-Mann-and-Will-Swenson-to-Headline-JERRY-SPRINGER-THE-OPERA-Off-Broadway-20171215

Rumors were that because there was no song appropriate enough to perform at the Tony Awards, investors didn't want to risk their money with nothing to show.

Never heard that rumor before. Sounds like total BS. There are numbers that could be performed at the Tonys (My Jerry Springer Moment is the most obvious). There might be some quick-edit censoring a bit here or there, but it could and probably would be done. The reason it didn't go to Broadway is the fact that the second act alone would probably deem the show unprofitable. I would never expect a commercial Broadway production to bring in enough open-minded audiences to even come close to recouping.

Personally, I think the show is genius. The composition and arrangements are incredibly intricate and complex. I think too many people get hung up on the obscenity without giving any thought as to the purpose and intent of the piece, which is accurate and insightful in its satire and allegory. In the last 14 years, we may have shifted our reality TV idolatry to the likes of unqualified celebrity trash like Real Housewives or Kardashians, but the core idea remains the same and the bastardization of Christianity is still thriving. And with the rise of Christian bigotry and anti-intellectualism, in politics, religion and television (Duck Dynasty is STILL a thing), the message of the show remains relevant.

Will Swenson has been taking some interesting roles lately. From Rudetsky's DISASTER to Earl in Waitress and now this. Unrelated, but I keep forgetting he's Audra McDonald's husband!

Mister Matt said: "I think too many people get hung up on the obscenity without giving any thought as to the purpose and intent of the piece, which is accurate and insightful in its satire and allegory. In the last 14 years, we may have shifted our reality TV idolatry to the likes of unqualified celebrity trash like Real Housewives or Kardashians, but the core idea remains the same and the bastardization of Christianity is still thriving. And with the rise of Christian bigotry and anti-intellectualism, in politics, religion and television (Duck Dynasty is STILLa thing), the message of the show remains relevant."

Agreed 100%. A friend of mine saw the Carnegie concert a few years back. His biggest criticism: Why is this being done in such an extravagant manner at Carnegie Hall? It's operatic, but it's still as big trash as the Jerry Springer show. It seems he missed the point entirely, considering that is the point.

Definitely going to have to try and see this.

Can someone tell me why the New Group is obsessed with plays about white trash? That seems to be their niche. And they're lousy plays, too. That last thing they produced was one of the worst shows I've seen since their last play by Thomas Bradshaw (I think that's his name. I've tried to forget it.)

First performance is tonight. Anyone going? Would love to hear some reports tonight!

There's a TodayTix lottery for $35... and I think that's about it. Otherwise tickets are $85.

There is a 35 and under subscription package for $75 if you are under 35... you also get a ticket to Peace for Mary Frances.