Really odd that this is being cancelled now. This was announced over 9 months ago. In those 9 months, there was speculation flying about potential revivals that would conflict with the rights for this, but nothing specific. Now all of a sudden 2 months out they can't do it anymore? Seems like either A) Kennedy Center really didn't have their paperwork together with these rights or B) The estate really doesn't have anything together, because there's no way a revival suddenly materialized out of thin air that will conflict with this 2 months from now. And if they were planning something further in advance (i.e. a revival in 2024) and didn't want this to take away from it, they should have determined that a long time ago.
Edit: Although now I am of course very excited about the prospects of a New York revival being announced hopefully for next season.....
Updated On: 2/24/23 at 10:19 AM
Jordan Catalano said: "I hope they can find something exciting enough to replace it with that's not going to make their subscribers all request refunds."
I either need an artisan Oscar-y musical film adaptation or an Ariana DeBose-led Broadway revival.
Jordan Catalano said: "I hope they can find something exciting enough to replace it with that's not going to make their subscribers all request refunds. "
And I'm also sure there were a handful of subscribers who were subscribing only because of this show. But obviously they won't be refunded for the others they already saw (nor should they, I'm just saying, that won't leave a good taste in their mouths when talking about getting them to renew in the future).
This is gonna upset a LOT of people (Gays). They need something for us like Patti reviving "Gypsy" for 2 weeks as an apology for this rollercoaster they put us on. lol
If we’re trying to manifest replacement shows, my want would be the Harvey-led production of Bye Bye Birdie that was scheduled for April 2020. I’m still disappointed over that.
Yeah, I’d have to imagine a Broadway revival is in the works, and I cant think of any actress more perfect than DeBose right now. I’d be shocked if it’s not her.
I just think it’s crazy that this sub was speculating for months if it was cancelled, reassured by the box office that it wasn’t, and then… this. It doesn’t leave a good taste in anyone’s mouths.
There are like 3 other people called Voter on here, FYI.
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This doesn't bode well for the Kennedy Center - it is going to hurt their subscription base. What are they planning to take Spider Woman's place in such short notice?
As someone pointed out earlier in this thread, this has been in the works for 9 months. Something's amiss.
Kennedy Center Execs: “These gays, they’re trying to murder me!”
Just got this email from them -
“The Kennedy Center has decided to withdraw from producing the previously announced Broadway Center Stage production of Kiss of the Spider Woman. This decision was made due to future plans for the show, following prolonged conversations with the rights holders.”
Jordan Catalano said: "Kennedy Center Execs: “These gays, they’re trying to murder me!”
Just got this email from them -
“The Kennedy Center has decided to withdraw from producing the previously announced Broadway Center Stage production ofKiss of the Spider Woman. This decision was made due to future plans for the show, following prolonged conversations with the rights holders.”"
READ: We withdrew because seriously, what's the point if the rights holders are already planning a major Broadway revival.
Still, if that's the case why were the rights granted to the Kennedy Center in the first place?
I totally get it. But these decisions aren’t made by the box office. Or even consider the box office staff. I’m sure the folks you spoke with were telling the truth as they knew it at the time.
The box office staff is no doubt new to this info and as frustrated as we are — because who has to deal with angry and disappointed subscribers and ticket holders? The box office staff.
Having worked box office and phone lines for multiple major regional arts organizations, I guarantee you the people answering emails and phone calls at the Kennedy Center know as much as you do. These are hourly workers who are told very little until decisions and changes go public.
Perhaps they'd like to remount the Encores production of LOVE LIFE which doesn't seem like it's ever going to materialize at City Center...
Remember, everything in theatre is a negotiation, and it may be that the KenCen is giving up this weeklong concert in exchange for opening a future tour or post-Broadway engagement of the revival (should it ever happen), which could have a greater financial potential.
Updated On: 2/24/23 at 12:02 PM
Peter Marks of the Washington Post seems to be confirming on Twitter that the cancellation is the result of a possible conflict with a potential Broadway revival.
CarlosAlberto said: “The Kennedy Center has decided to withdraw from producing the previously announced Broadway Center Stage production of Kiss of the Spider Woman. This decision was made due to future plans for the show, following prolonged conversations with the rights holders.”"
READ: We withdrew because seriously, what's the point if the rights holders are already planning a major Broadway revival.
It could be that the Kennedy Center was pushing for the rights holders to use their production as the basis for a revival and negotiations fell through on that point. Also, they could have been negotiating for a name who would not do it unless it toured or came to Broadway and they could not promise that. While it does seem to be late in the game to have this fall apart, it is not an uncommon occurence as anyone who buys subscriptions to a season can attest.
Am I the only person who does not see Ariana in this role at all? Chita, Vanessa, and Bebe all have personas that play on a sort of mystery and elusiveness. A certain stateliness even when they're playing "ordinary" characters. They *feel* like movie stars off the stage, even though none of them really were.
Ariana has an Oscar and her film career is on a decent trajectory, but her persona is something very different. Some may find her off-putting, but at the end of the day she's trying to project a certain talk show host charm. That's not Aurora to me.
Obviously, theatre is not static, and the point is to try to bring something new, but I just don't see it. I didn't even like the idea of Audra in this, but that seemed like a better idea that DeBose.
Ke3 said: "Am I the only person who does not see Ariana in this role at all? Chita, Vanessa, andBebeall have personas that play on a sort of mystery and elusiveness. A certain stateliness even when they're playing "ordinary" characters. They *feel* like movie stars off thestage,even though none of them really were.
Ariana has an Oscar and her film career is on a decenttrajectory,but her persona is something very different. Some may find her off-putting,but at the end of the day she's trying to project a certain talk show host charm. That's not Aurora to me.
Obviously,theatreis not static, andthe point is totry tobring something new, but I just don't see it. I didn't even like the idea of Audra inthis,but that seemed like a better idea thatDeBose."
Audra?!?! As in McDonald?!?! in "Kiss of the Spider Woman"?!?!?!
I love Audra McDonald as much as the next gay...err guy. But seriously no. IMO she is not right for this role at all. I won't go into why because God forbid I continue to offend the snowflakes who inhabit this forum with my opinion.
CarlosAlberto said: "Ke3 said: "Am I the only person who does not see Ariana in this role at all? Chita, Vanessa, andBebeall have personas that play on a sort of mystery and elusiveness. A certain stateliness even when they're playing "ordinary" characters. They *feel* like movie stars off thestage,even though none of them really were.
Ariana has an Oscar and her film career is on a decenttrajectory,but her persona is something very different. Some may find her off-putting,but at the end of the day she's trying to project a certain talk show host charm. That's not Aurora to me.
Obviously,theatreis not static, andthe point is totry tobring something new, but I just don't see it. I didn't even like the idea of Audra inthis,but that seemed like a better idea thatDeBose."
Audra?!?! As in McDonald?!?! in "Kiss of the Spider Woman"?!?!?!
I love Audra McDonald as much as the next gay...err guy. But seriously no. IMO she is not right for this role at all. I won't go into why because God forbid I continue to offend the snowflakes who inhabit this forum with my opinion."
As I said, I didn't think it was a particularly good choice but there was a reading in 2015 and it's certainly a better choice than DeBose. At least in my personal opinion.