Josh Groban to star in The Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway in September - Page 2

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 1:30am

RippedMan said: "Sucks for the guy playing Pierre at ART knowing he's got to take a backseat."

 

LOL, I was thinking that earlier... Obviously, he must still be killing it, but he's gotta feel a little forlorn/disheartened knowing there isn't really any future down this path for him...

Updated On: 12/14/15 at 01:30 AM

[ActingDude172]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 1:37am

I saw the NY productions briefly covered on NY1 once upon a time ago, but the property had left my mind until it popped up in ART's season. Even then I only vaguely remembered it as an adaptation of a Russian novel. Cut to me seeing and listening to the show for the first time in Cambridge this past Tuesday and being inraptured. Five days later, news breaks it's going to Broadway.

 

Life is funny sometimes.

[Brick]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 1:54am

RippedMan said: "Sucks for the guy playing Pierre at ART knowing he's got to take a backseat. 

I thought that last week when those first shots from ART came out, and knowing they were about to announce Groban. The thing I hadn't yet heard were dates. I figured they wouldn't shoot for Spring, like productions usually do, since this isn't a usual year. Any new musical is smart to get far out of the way of the HAMILTON juggernaut, of course. But also, I wondered if Groban's scheduled would remain open for so long, considering he'll likely sign a year contract starting in July.

 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 2:00am

I found the album to be a bit of a mess and while I enjoyed Preludes for what it was, it's not on my list of favorite shows. But with all the raves I've heard about the original production I would definitely like to see this version for myself. I don't really have an opinion on Josh Groban and having no ties to the material... if he's what it takes to get it Broadway, that's cool, I guess.

[haterobics]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 2:03am

Brick said: "I wondered if Groban's scheduled would remain open for so long, considering he'll likely sign a year contract starting in July."

 

He puts out albums and tours. Seems like he has complete control over his availability.

 

RippedMan said: "Sucks for the guy playing Pierre at ART knowing he's got to take a backseat."

 

You should learn his name before you start making him into the next Jeremy Jordan already...

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 4:15am

Groban is as bland as dry toast, feel sorry for the poor guy at ART who just got Jeremy Jordaned, I hope most of you plan to boycott this, cause it all comes down to that lying producer. PS is it Harvey? 

 

But in all seriousness looking forward to seeing this! 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 7:17am

I'm so excited for this!

I would love to see it in Circle In The Square but as people have said, Fun Home isn't going anywhere anytime soon, especially with their recoupment announcement (not that they should, it's an amazing show and it makes great use of the space). I think The Music Box would be a great fit.

[Hamilton22]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 8:07am

Jeremy Jordan is a verb now. Oh dear

 

I'm still not over that. Jordan should have taken FN to broadway. Weinstein is dbag.

 

.

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 8:09am

Smart, strategic decisions made by everyone, starting with Groban.  He has likely been offered myriad revivals (he's said as much), yet is choosing to put his box office power behind a still new show, one that will only benefit in the short run from his name attached. I don't think it's a logical show to fill a 1500 seat theater 8 times a week, no matter its status as a downtown hit.  So Groban's involvement is both artistically and commercially shrewd  Cynics who feel he'll dampen the show are underestimating what his presence will bring, and how it will enable access for the many people otherwise not predisposed to see this show.  As for Circle in the Square: no one is putting Josh Groban's B'way debut in a 765 seat theater.  Wisdom, this.  

[Buddy Plummer2]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 8:48am

But thinking about it- what theatre can this take? I'm assuming they're gonna try for one with a raked house and a greater orchestra vs. mezz ratio (that way they could close the mezz and use onstage seats). Houses that came to mind: the booth? Winter Garden would be perfect simply due to the expanse of that orchestra. I know someone earlier had suggested the Kerr. Or maybe Something Rotten'll pack up and it'll take the st James. As long as they keep the current configuration (or improve it), I'd be happy.

 

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 8:51am

Random sidebar: in photos, why does Groban always seem to be wearing Rosario's Members Only jacket from Will and Grace?

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:05am

My friend texted me screaming at me to wake up and good lord this was worth it. I'm so happy for this miracle of a show. My guess is that Pippa Soo will leave Hamilton to come back to Natasha. It'll be great publicity for the show especially if she wins this June.

[little_sally]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:07am

This is great news! I love Josh Groban's voice, and I had been wanting to see this show again. I wish he were coming in that long-rumored Chess revival but I'll take this!

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:22am

He might be doing this to get Chess to happen^^^

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:33am

VintageSnarker said: "I found the album to be a bit of a mess and while I enjoyed Preludes for what it was, it's not on my list of favorite shows. But with all the raves I've heard about the original production I would definitely like to see this version for myself. I don't really have an opinion on Josh Groban and having no ties to the material... if he's what it takes to get it Broadway, that's cool, I guess."

Comet is nothing like Preludes. Preludes was a bore. Comet is years better.

 

[Jshan05]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:39am

Well I'm quite intrigued in this news! Groban has a beautiful voice, but his acting is a little on the dry side. I saw his performance in Chess and it was very middle of the road. Hoping he seeks out some acting lessons/advice! I'll stay hopeful though as the score is absolutely fantastic!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:45am

However, Pierre is a bit of a nebbish, a mensch.  Just a harried guy feeling lost....I think the singing is the key to this role.

 

For them to make this announcement, they must already have their theater lined up, I would think.  I just booked tix to catch this again at the ART with my 15 year old son -- whom I believe is going to be blown away...was able to snag a couple of onstage seats. 

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:47am

This explains why he was sitting next to a friend of mine there a couple nights ago.

 

We're seeing the show next Sunday.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 9:57am

I was blown away the two times I saw this at Kazino; it was the kind of theatre-going experience I hope for every single time I go see something, but so rarely end up getting. I can't wait to see this revamped production on Broadway (and I would love to see Soo return as Natasha, as I found her astonishing in the role).

[Markecib]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 10:06am

This is exciting news! I was thinking maybe the Booth or Helen Hays for the production of the wanted to keep it small, but what about the Belasco. It would look amazing in that space.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 11:05am

I mentioned this in the other thread, but I'll mention it again:

 

I heard a while ago that Comet had its eyes on the Walter Kerr after their 2nd run off-Broadway, but when Gentleman's Guide became a hit, they couldn't do it. Now with Gentleman's Guide closing and The Crucible on a limited run, I think the Kerr could very well be their theatre. 

[BroadMagTech]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 11:12am

Belasco would be great.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 12:01pm

JBroadway said: "Now with Gentleman's Guide closing and The Crucible on a limited run, I think the Kerr could very well be their theatre."

 

Especially with a Crucible closing date in July and Great Comet being listed as beginning performances "in September," this move-in seems extremely realistic and doable. My bet's on the Kerr now.

[Kad]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 12:20pm

In previous incarnations, Pierre isn't a vocally showy role at all and, despite being one of the two title characters, isn't what I would think of as a "star" role, particularly since the show is really a big ensemble piece (with some of the smaller roles getting the best parts, like "Charming").

Despite the inevitably of it being thought of as "the Josh Groban show," I can't imagine that actually being the case.

Updated On: 12/14/15 at 12:20 PM

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/14/15 at 12:26pm

According to the Times article, as well as Dave Malloy's twitter, they are writing new material for Pierre for Josh. I can't imagine it will become a star role, but it will be more substantial.