Mary Zimmerman's "Candide" Coming to Broadway

[bmwpjager]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:31am

Our college had their rights to perform "Candide" this spring very recently revoked with the explanation being that a commercial producer has optioned Mary Zimmerman's recent revival to come to Broadway.

Having seen the final performance of the production in Boston, I can say with full confidence this is a more than worthy replacement for "Funny Girl" (and from what I'm hearing "Porgy & Bess" as well) this season. VERY excited should this materialize.

Anyone else have details?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:35am

This would be wonderful news if it happens. I had never really cared much for Candide, but I saw this when it was in Chicago and thought it was lovely.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:37am

If they can find a theatre.

[bmwpjager]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:38am

A Theatre like the Belasco or the Schoenfeld would be perfect :)

[alliez92092]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:39am

I hope this happens, and I hope it's with the majority of the cast from the Huntington. I'd love for some of my Boston people to get to hit the Broadway stage :)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:44am

A Theatre like the Belasco or the Schoenfeld would be perfect :)

Bonnie and Clyde has played TWO previews (two pretty damn decent previews based on what has been posted on here). I for one am not going to write it off so early on. The Belasco... I am all for that. Just get something in that beautiful newly renovated theatre. I cannot believe it has not had a Broadway show since Women on the Verge closed!!! It's a shame.

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 8:51am

Getting the rights to a Broadway transfer. Getting investors, as Funny Girl proved, is another. But it's about time for one, and the Chicago version's Jeff win last night might give it some traction.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 8:53am

The Belasco is already booked next year.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 9:20am

Probably zero audience for this unless it was brought in by a company like the Rounadabout

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 9:32am

Zimmerman seems to be re-treading ground that John Caird already amply covered. I don't see the point.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 9:32am

If Godspell doesn't last, how about Circle in the Square? I haven't seen the production--could it work in the round or thrust? It seems like an intimate production that would benefit from a small-ish theatre.

I have to agree, though--what's the point of a commercial revival? The last one did terribly, and it wasn't that long ago.

Updated On: 11/8/11 at 09:32 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 9:44am

But it's about time for one, and the Chicago version's Jeff win last night might give it some traction.

Jeff wins might be respected by some insiders in the industry, mostly in Chicago only, but I doubt it's something producers or investors would base a decision on for Broadway. Look at Chinglish.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 9:54am

It would, I think, actually be a good one for Roundabout. Though I think they'd need a fairly large theatre for it. There were also 20 or so in the orchestra for the previous productions.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 10:04am

Doesn't this production use a chamber orchestra?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 10:19am

I know there were some posters from Chicago who are over Zimmerman's bag of tricks, but I haven't stopped thinking about Candide since I saw it in Boston. One of the smart reviewers in Boston was puzzled by the mixed word from the Chicago run and hazarded a guess that it just kept evolving and getting stronger in subsequent performance.

I thought it was terrific, one of the very best things I've seen all year. I think it could do quite well in NYC if it gets over this early review baggage.

[mattrob]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 11:19am

I for one would be thrilled if this came to NYC. It's been nearly 15 years since the last revival, ample time in my opinion, especially if this production offers a new perspective (I realize it may be similar to Caird's revision but that production, to my knowledge, has not been presented in NYC).

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 12:20pm

I saw this in DC and I really loved it. It was wonderfully staged, and each scene brought a new surprise. Not to mention the music is beautiful. I'm not a huge fan of the story, but that's not her problem.

I think this could work at Studio 54. It's a big enough theater, and a small enough theater. I'm just not sure Roundabout could handle some of it's technical difficulties. They use a couple elevator lifts in the show, and I don't think Roundabout has every used that, so I don't know if that tours with the show, but seems out of their realm of things.

[hockeynut2]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 12:33pm

I loved the production in DC at Shakespeare Theatre Company and I hope it makes it to Broadway, and pray that Hollis Resnik plays Old Woman again. She was the ultimate scene-stealer.

[dreaming]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 12:38pm

I want Hollis Resnik to make her Broadway debut (I think this would be it). I've enjoyed listening to her voice for a few years now and would love to see her live.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:06pm

Geoff Packard's Candide was sung beautifully and never cloying in his acting.

It's a thousand million jillion times better than Diane Paulus's The Gershhwin's Porgy & Bess Directed by Diane Paulus.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 1:09pm

This production would fit well with Roundabout's artistic aesthetic, but they'd never do it without substantial re-casting, which I'm assuming Zimmerman would be opposed to given how consistently the same actors have been involved throughout its various incarnations.

Updated On: 11/8/11 at 01:09 PM

[bmwpjager]

Posted: 11/8/11 at 4:51pm

^This could definately fit at Studio 54 OR at the American Airlines... Nevertheless, I'm excited :)

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 3:33am

Didn't the NYTimes give it quite a harsh review? (not that that should matter). Zimmerman's production had her own newly revised book, right? As someone who has said numerous times how much I liek Caird's book best, I'm wondering how she has changed it.

[PortalGamer]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 3:55am

why not the revived one in boston with cheno in 2004 ?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/9/11 at 4:24am

Because it closed in 2004.