Manilow and Sussman's Harmony Coming To Broadway

[BETTY22]

Posted: 4/22/23 at 10:10pm

The two authors are announcing it Friday on The Today Show (I love Broadway getting national press)

With a New York Times 'Critics Pick' and Drama Desk Outstanding Book win, I'm not surprised.

What theatre do they have?

https://variety.com/2022/legit/reviews/harmony-review-barry-manilow-musical-new-york-1235232141/

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/22/23 at 10:35pm

I'm hearing the Barrymore, we just have to find out exact dates. The house is vacant after August 27.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/22/23 at 11:31pm

So let's say they open in October/November, another tenant should be able to squeeze into the Barrymore before the 2024 Tony cutoff  

[Dolly80]

Posted: 4/23/23 at 2:02am

It’s going to the Barrymore

[Impeach2017]

Posted: 4/23/23 at 3:13am

I'm so excited to hear this.  It's such a timely story right now.  

[pethian]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 3:34pm

Impeach2017 said: "I'm so excited to hear this. It's such a timely story right now."

I am excited about this one too. And you are right--it could not be more timely. I hope those who are saying it's The Barrymore are correct. I love that house.

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 4:29pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "So let's say they open in October/November, another tenant should be able to squeeze into the Barrymore before the 2024 Tony cutoff "

I see what you did there and I don't disagree. Still happy it's finally gonna make it to Broadway and happy for all those involved!

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 4:51pm

Chip Zien's performance in this was easily one of the best I saw last year, so I'm just glad that more people will get to see it. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 4:54pm

Assuming last year's Off-Broadway cast will be the same as the Broadway company, it will be very nice to see Zien and Boggess reunited after It Shoulda Been You.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 4:54pm

I loved this show because of Chip’s performance.  I think it will be a hit on Broadway with the olds and tourists.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 9:12pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Assuming last year's Off-Broadway cast will be the same as the Broadway company, it will be very nice to see Zien and Boggess reunited afterIt Shoulda Been You."

Julie Benko did the recent workshop only because Jessie Davidson is starring in the Pretty Woman tour. I wonder who will play Ruth on Broadway?

[Penna2]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 9:41pm

Robbie2 said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Assuming last year's Off-Broadway cast will be the same as the Broadway company, it will be very nice to see Zien and Boggess reunited afterIt Shoulda Been You."

Julie Benko did the recent workshop only because Jessie Davidson is starring in the Pretty Woman tour. I wonder who will play Ruth on Broadway?"

FG closes early September, Benko could get the role depending on the timing. 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 9:59pm

Considering the success of Leopoldstadt and the Yiddish Fiddler, I think people are underestimating this. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 10:26pm

I'll happily be proved wrong by the eventual sales, but the finances of LEOPOLDSTADT and Yiddish FIDDLER are two prime reasons why I don't see this succeeding: starts strong, but when the Manilow diehards & traditional theatergoers dry up after ~4 months, it struggles badly. The commercial production of Yiddish Fiddler didn't make money and lasted less than a year...and then the New World Stages return engagement sold abysmally.

Maybe not numbers as bad as KIMBERLY or PICTURES FROM HOME, but it would need love-letter reviews, a significant & sustained Manilow press tour, and a savvy ad campaign (a skill that Ken Davenport hasn't yet demonstrated) to overcome the odds.

Or to compare to another Davenport show: I don't see it doing as well as Neil Diamond, sales-wise.

Updated On: 4/24/23 at 10:26 PM

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 10:30pm

I hope this gets Chip a Tony award (or at least a nomination). Do we think Sierra will stay with this for the fall and then return to the Secret Garden for its (supposed) Broadway transfer? 

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 10:39pm

HenryTDobson said: "I hope this gets Chip a Tony award (or at least a nomination). Do we think Sierra will stay with this for the fall and then return to the Secret Garden for its (supposed) Broadway transfer?"

Yes please. I can't think of any living actor more overdue for at least getting a Tony nomination (still a travesty he didn't get one for ITW)

[Penna2]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 10:45pm

HenryTDobson said: "I hope this gets Chip a Tony award (or at least a nomination). Do we think Sierra will stay with this for the fall and then return to the Secret Garden for its (supposed) Broadway transfer?"

That's a big if for SG. It wasn't exactly a big success in LA.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/24/23 at 10:51pm

Penna2 said: "HenryTDobson said: "I hope this gets Chip a Tony award (or at least a nomination). Do we think Sierra will stay with this for the fall and then return to the Secret Garden for its (supposed) Broadway transfer?"

That's a big if for SG. It wasn't exactly a big success in LA."

This. Do they have the Bway money in place? Are they actively working with a theatre owner? Is there an actual pipeline or is it all a pipedream?

In the unlikely event that SG does materialize on Broadway, Sierra could always negotiate an out. Helps that both Harmony and SG are directed by Warren Carlyle.

[BJR]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 12:29am

I know they want Julie for the tour. But if she has a Bway offer, I wonder...

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 1:50pm

BJR said: "I know they want Julie for the tour. But if she has a Bway offer, I wonder..."

The FUNNY GIRL tour would be a guaranteed year of work at a good price, and can raise a performer’s stock for symphony gigs. Playing LA can be big for a career. But she might be tired of Fanny after a year+ and it means being away from home and away from the hub of NYC theatre & film. (Unless she gets a generous out from the tour, I.E. can take off time with 48h notice)

The HARMONY gig is a seventh-banana role in a show that could tank after 5 months, and the type of role that she could have booked pre-Funny Girl. But it allows her to moonlight doing concerts and readings in NYC with a possible out for TV work.

The ideal, of course, would be a third offer for something different that allows her to play a better role ON Broadway (or in a high-profile pre-Bway run).

Updated On: 4/25/23 at 01:50 PM

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 3:49pm

BJR said: "I know they want Julie for the tour. But if she has a Bway offer, I wonder..."

They already have their tour Fanny and it’s not Julie.  As far as I know, she was not even offered it. (It’s a former Elphaba, she will be great but tbd on if she can sell tickets)

[broadwayben3]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 4:43pm

Hamilfan2 said: "BJR said: "I know they want Julie for the tour. But if she has a Bway offer, I wonder..."

They already have their tour Fanny and it’s not Julie. As far as I know, she was not even offered it. (It’s a former Elphaba, she will be great but tbd on if she can sell tickets)"

Please tell me it's Shoshana

[inception]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 4:52pm

For the tour stops where the subscriber base is strong it doesn't matter who is in a show.

Hamilfan2 said: "BJR said: "I know they want Julie for the tour. But if she has a Bway offer, I wonder..."

They already have their tour Fanny and it’s not Julie. As far as I know, she was not even offered it. (It’s a former Elphaba, she will be great but tbd on if she can sell tickets)"

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 5:25pm

Yea there's not usually any need to "star" cast a tour for a musical (and a title as notable as this). Any star that is worth the money probably doesn't want to tour anyways; a "semi-star" is money that the markets don't usually want to pay for.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 4/25/23 at 5:28pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Any star that is worth the money probably doesn't want to tour anyways; a "semi-star" is money that the markets don't usually want to pay for."

Norm Lewis is touring with A Soldier's Play...