London production of Guys & Dolls secured NYC location

The production is not going to a traditional theatre but rather will be performed on a floating venue on the Hudson River.

I love how this production is constantly thinking OUTSIDE the box.

I think it's possible that the producers already explored traditional theatres and determined it was too expensive or impractical to go down that route and thus had to find other options...

It also won't have to be EQUITY, then...right? (I am pro union, so I hope it is .. I'm just curious and asking.)

IF this is true...This will probably be much better for them, financially, than trying to make the numbers work within the confines of Broadway. There will a dozen other challenges. But it allows for much greater flexibility. Good move.

Kad said: "dramamama611 said: "It also won't have to be EQUITY, then...right? (I am pro union, so I hope it is .. I'm just curious and asking.)"

Equity would absolutely claim jurisdiction over it. Regardless of how it’s staged, it’s a theatre production of a classic musical."

Not necessarily. I think its highly unlikely, but the show could be done completely non union, as is the case with SLEEP NO MOIRE. Equity can't claim jurisdiction over anything unless its performed in a venue that is under equity jurisdiction. That doesn't automatically extend to a boat in the Hudson.

QueenAlice said: "Kad said: "dramamama611 said: "It also won't have to be EQUITY, then...right? (I am pro union, so I hope it is .. I'm just curious and asking.)"

Equity would absolutely claim jurisdiction over it. Regardless of how it’s staged, it’s a theatre production of a classic musical."

Not necessarily. I think its highly unlikely, but the show could be done completely non union, as is the case with SLEEP NO MOIRE. Equity can't claim jurisdiction over anything unless its performed in a venue that is under equity jurisdiction. That doesn't automatically extend to a boat in the Hudson."

This is what I was thinking... It will be interesting to see how this proceeds.

Can't wait to see what federal maritime law has to say about theatre unions...

Union contracts aside, I am more curious what the venue would be. A custom space on a barge or boat would need a dock and presumably a large vessel. There are existing sites on the Hudson- Little Island has a large open air performance venue with a great deal of production infrastructure in its sub level. Pier 17 is already a flexible concert and event venue.

binau said: "If it went non equity would that mean they couldn’t get talented equity NYC actors? Cause that seems like a bad idea…"

Correct. If it was non-Equity, the performers would either be people you've never heard of (many of them straight out of drama school), or people who aren't known for theatre and have never been part of Equity (i.e. American Idol or Housewives stars).

It's silly to even float the idea that this would not be an Equity production.

Certainly an innovative idea re the theatre space.... and quite challenging if it's a non-equity production. The roles are iconic- Sky Masterson, Adelaide and Nathan and would seem to call for experienced Broadway performers-- but there is so much talent out there, who knows? What capacity will the venue have? And Iwonder what happens in a steamy summer apropos a fully air-conditioned space (or a fully heated space in the winter).

But is the production not the show? Like how drastic of a new take on the material is it that they can complete change the setting and direction and it’s still the same revival? Or is just its own unique thing now.

Could the fact that it's not on Broadway backfire? I mean, being on Broadway has it's advantages too.