haterobics said: "And what Broadway house can compete with the intimacy of 270 seats?!?"
Completely agree. I remember getting a survey on this, too, and it was very specific that the producers wanted an intimate, stripped-down version of the show. I'm personally skeptical that the concept would work, but this cast and creative team could definitely make it work. If anything, it's something to look forward to.
Couldn't resist this. Never seen Little Shop in any iteration. Groff is out when I'm in town (he's out 11/5-11/17, for anyone interested), but I'm excited for Borle and Blanchard! $69 side orchestra is a great deal!
The "Upstairs" theatre at the Westside doesn't have those awful poles that are in the Downstairs theatre, right? Looks more like stadium seating? I just realized I've seen close to a dozen things Downstairs yet have never been Upstairs.
Upstairs is open and very raked - great - I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change ran there for 12 years. I produced Clever Little Lies upstairs with Marlo Thomas and it was wonderful. Downstairs, we had Carol Lawrence in Handle With Care and, for the right show, it's perfect even with the columns (sort of feels like the Orpheum did back when I saw Little Shop the first time)...but upstairs for this production is groovy. I will bring Jackie Joseph to opening!
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "The "Upstairs" theatre at the Westside doesn't have those awful poles that are in the Downstairs theatre, right? Looks more like stadium seating? I just realized I've seen close to a dozen things Downstairs yet have never been Upstairs."
Yes, I believe you're right. I saw Daniel's Husband upstairs and it was definitely more stadium seating than downstairs where I saw The Other Josh Cohen. For The Other Josh Cohen, I was closer to the stage so I don't recall seeing the poles you mentioned.
I wonder if he’s out due to press for the second season of MINDHUNTER.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
Hot Pants said: "I love Jonathon Groff, and he’s likely going to do a great job. However, I think he’s way too handsome to play Seymour. No matter how homely they dress him, he’s still going to look too good. I personally would’ve preferred Brandon Uranowitz. I also would’ve liked Ethan Slater as Seymour if they wanted to go for a younger actor. I think Blanchard will likely be a very good Audrey, and Borle is perfect for Orin."
In my humble opinion, you can't get any hotter than Jake Gyllenhaal, yet he was believably nebbish-y in the City Center Encores version of LSOH not too long ago (and with the incomparable original Audrey, Ellen Greene!!). I love Groff and think he can do nerdy/nebbish-y very well...
I can't wait to see this!! Love Groff, Borle, Blanchard!! Excited.... :)
kade.ivy said: "Couldn't resist this. Never seen Little Shop in any iteration. Groff is out when I'm in town (he's out 11/5-11/17, for anyone interested), but I'm excited for Borle and Blanchard! $69 side orchestra is a great deal!"
Ugh really. Same time I’m in town. So disappointing
ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "I'd love to see a woman as Audrey II. We've seen the "cross between Otis Redding,Barry Whiteand Wolfman Jack" (Ashman's words) enough."
Saw an excellent in-the-round production at the Marriott Theatre north of Chicago with the fabulous E. Faye Butler as Audrey II - it worked beautifully. And the plant came down from the flies and rotated 360 degrees - those "eaten" crawled up through the stalk into the flies to escape.
Barring truly disastrous reviews, I can't imagine this not being an easy sell. It's a well-loved title in a small space with high-profile names only running for 10 weeks.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
How incredibly fun. Not everything needs to be on Broadway, I love the intimacy of this theater, it makes it even more special. Looking forward to going in late November.
That's insanely cool news! A cast, director and design team of that caliber in a small off-Broadway theatre? By the way, I can totally imagine this moving for a brief Broadway run to get some Tony love.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
There are SO many things that make me happy about this! Groff, Borle, BLANCHARD. Little Shop. Tiny theater. Affordable seats.
Mid October!
Not too many of those $69 seats, only 20ish/performance. Get 'em while you can!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
dramamama611 said: "There are SO many things that make me happy about this! Groff, Borle, BLANCHARD. Little Shop. Tiny theater. Affordable seats.
Mid October!
Not too many of those $69 seats, only 20ish/performance. Get 'em while you can!"
I agree about the $69 seats. The theater is so small, there's hardly any difference between those and the more expensive seats. They could very easily have gotten rid of the the cheaper and most expensive seats and charged every seat in the theater for $99 each.
Ditto on the affordable tickets, dramamama. I am wondering if they’ll bring in another name for the two weeks Groff is gone. Probably a pipe dream since it’s such a short run.
I was thinking, that same thing re: Groff's coverage. (If it's Gyllenhaal, I might be pretty bummed to no see him. Not because I couldn't buy a 2nd set of tix but because I'm in production at that time and can't really make it to NY.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.