Lord of the Rings cancels first two shows

[JRTO]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 7:38am

Though this deserved more attention:

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=885001&dt=3

Not suprising at all that this happened. I beleive this is a perfect weapon used by the producers to ensure that there are no reveiwers or media writing about the show until it is ready. Think about it: if you want the first story about the new show, you'd buy tickets to the first or second night and get an early story. Cancelling those two shows bumps any rogue media personelle with tickets back a month.

Every show needs 48 more hours before opening, and 48 after that. You are never ready for the first performance, but you stumble through it as best as possible.
Updated On: 1/31/06 at 07:38 AM

[JRTO]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 6:12pm

does anyone care about this show?

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 6:13pm

I wish I could see it. Hope it comes to New York sometime soon.

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 6:18pm

I'm going on FEB 19th. When I saw the announcement I had DRACULA flashbacks... I was in NY when they kept cancelling previews and then they had the water main break in the theatre. I never got to see the show after all that. But you take your chances when you buy your tickets to a preview.

I just hope this is a ploy. They've had 5 weeks to rehearse onstage. Four more than any other show. Let's hope they're ready by the 19th!

[hak]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 7:42pm

i've got my tickets for mid march
this show will either be brilliant [crosses fingers] or a huge flop
i just don't see how they'll fit this story into a 3.5hr musical
Updated On: 1/31/06 at 07:42 PM

[Luckydave14]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 7:59pm

Will there be 2 intermissions?

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 8:01pm

I am Toronto theatre reviewer for Broadway World.

My policy has always been not to review previews. I will attend the opening night and will file my report then.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 8:41pm

frontrowcentre, have you seen John and Jen or Rocky Horror? I'm going to see those, and Wit at U of T this weekend.

[SimpleJoysHaveSimpleVoice]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 8:46pm

I am excited to hear what AR Raham has put together. I love his music.

[MissElphie]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 9:27pm

I was supposed to go to the first show on Thursday. But I called and they were nice enough to give me Saturday seats, so I am still going to the first show. I actually have better seats now, too.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 9:31pm

I'd be willing to bet that it's set and or tech problems, since it's such a massive show. And JRTO your suggestion is a good assumption and a pretty smart tactic if you ask me.

There was a small article and new picture from the show in Entertainment Weekly this week. I posted about it a coupld of days ago, but no one posted back. It's very cool, go check it out.

[MissElphie]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 9:34pm

erinrebecca:
I saw Rocky at UofT last Friday. It was pretty good. The sound was off (but we were right at the back so that may have been the reason). Frank lost his mike for most of the show, but he has a very powerful voice, so he did his best.
The show is A LOT more raunchy than the movie. Be prepared for very little clothing and some s&m. and lots of shouting from the audience.
Updated On: 1/31/06 at 09:34 PM

[Matters]

Posted: 1/31/06 at 11:52pm

I had Feb. 2nd tickets too, then it got cancelled and I was upset and my mom whos been blessed with the gift of confrontation called the ticket people today and managed to get my ticket changed for Saturday so now I still get to see the first preview which doesn't seem to count as opening night, even though it technically is. In a way. In every way.

[Tag]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:39am

This whole thing doesn't really make sense. The production started using the theatre in October! When they did renovations and started load-in. And they have been rehearsing for the 5 week period. What can 2 days do?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 12:44am

Tag: A lot.

ErinRebecca: Rocky Horror was really fun. John and Jen was SPECTACULAR.

Akiva

[Tag]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:01am

I guess when it does come down to the 'crunch time' a lot could happen in 2 days, but in perspective, having extensively rehearsed/tech planned in the space since October, it doesn't seem like a lot of time to do much.

I'm leaning towards 'publicity stunt' as the reason for the delay as there hasn't been much talk lately around Toronto about the show. Updated On: 2/1/06 at 02:01 AM

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 2:24am

I have seen JOHN & JEN and it is really very good! (I wil be posting a review shortly.)

I did not see the U of T prod of ROCKY HORROR but may cover the prod of WIT.

Mark Andrew

[JRTO]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 7:12am

Tag:
you're right- there has been nothing about the show here. There are two billboards that I have counted in town, a really crappy TV and radio ad campaign and the occasional street covered with those pole flags. Other then that, you wouldn't even know that the show is going to be here- let alone start performances tomorrow night (oh, I mean Saturday night). You think a world premiere show would have a little more glitz and glamour attatched to it, but the mirvishs generally suck at marketing.

EponineThenardier:
Apparently the director was given complete creative control and forced mirvish to cancel two shows and they are livid about losing that $400,000- but i have a hard time picturing any of them livid, and they didn't loose the $400,000- most if not all will simply reschedule. I am convinced it is to keep the press away.

Interesting that you can still get tickets for Saturday night.