Mike Birbiglia - Old Man & The Pool - Broadway Bound?

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 12:27pm

Has anyone caught the new Mike Birbiglia show in LA?  Reviews out of Chicago were so strong and Variety just gave it a positive review

https://variety.com/2022/legit/reviews/the-old-man-and-the-pool-review-1235335037/

Any chance it will come to Broadway?

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 12:49pm

At least staging wise, this one feels smaller and more intimate. So not sure Broadway is the end goal. But maybe a healthy extended off-Broadway run or a run at, say, The Public?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/6/22 at 12:51pm

I saw him test out some material for this at the Cherry Lane back in 2019, and ever sine the pandemic he's been continuing to test out material for it via his podcast, and I believe he also performed some version of it at City Winery last fall, though I didn't get to see it. Still, it feels like it's been developing right before my eyes, which is so fun. I'm excited to see it in its final form!

As for the thread question, I think there's a 99.99% chance that he'll bring the show in NYC. He lives in NYC, he performs here all the time, he has a long history of doing Off-Broadway shows, etc. I think it's very safe to assume the show will play NYC in its final form.

As for whether it will come to Broadway...a very different question. The New One did very poorly at the box office, but then again, I'm sure it was also extremely cheap to run. Plus, I'm not sure how the financial model worked exactly, whether or not Netflix helped finance the show so they could film it, and how that might have affected their bottom line. I don't personally know. But bringing any show to Broadway is a financial risk, and it's possible that they'll feel better just doing a month or two at Cherry Lane or somewhere like that.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/8/22 at 12:22pm

Per yesterday's episode of Birbiglia's podcast: 

"There will be a New York announcement. It's hopefully coming soon" 

Updated On: 8/8/22 at 12:22 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/8/22 at 12:33pm

I had a comp and couldn’t go, but from the looks, I’d say it’s a go for Cherry Lane just given the look and design. Or maybe the Lortel. 

[Popular]

Posted: 8/8/22 at 12:43pm

I will be trying for lotto tickets! A friend of mine saw it and loved it! 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 8/13/22 at 10:50pm

This was really really good. Glad I saw it.  

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/11/22 at 12:50pm

An NYC run is being announced next week: https://twitter.com/birbigs/status/1569004004092280835

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 9/11/22 at 1:13pm

Mike also announced that he’s rescheduled shows he had booked in November, presumably to accommodate the NY run.

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 9/11/22 at 4:11pm

awww so glad.  i think folks will really enjoy this

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 9/12/22 at 3:49pm

Enjoyed this in LA, it is a bit thinner then The New One but certainly a bit more deep 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 9/12/22 at 4:05pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Enjoyed this in LA, it is a bit thinner then The New One but certainly a bit more deep"

 

How can it be two things that contradict one another?

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 9/12/22 at 7:19pm

the story itself is smaller then The New One but has more serious moments is what I meant 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 9/13/22 at 2:12am

All shows on the tour after October 23 (including the one I was going to see) are apparently cancelled. Seems that it is indeed going to NYC in November.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 9/13/22 at 2:19am

Could it be taking the Imperial for a brief run before Cinderella?

[sassylash3s]

Posted: 9/13/22 at 10:13am

It seems like an unlikely venue for this kind of show, but I heard it was going into the Beaumont.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/13/22 at 1:00pm

sassylash3s said: "It seems like an unlikely venue for this kind of show, but I heard it was going into the Beaumont."

Well it played the Taper in LA which isn’t that far off from the Beaumont. Wonder if this would be an LCT-produced show or a commercial rental?? Either way I’m sure it will be quite cheap to mount and will be income for LCT now that CAMELOT has been moved to spring. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 9/13/22 at 1:13pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "sassylash3s said: "It seems like an unlikely venue for this kind of show, but I heard it was going into the Beaumont."

Well it played the Taper in LA which isn’t that far off from the Beaumont. Wonder if this would be an LCT-produced show or a commercial rental?? Either way I’m sure it will be quite cheap to mount and will be income for LCT now that CAMELOT has been moved to spring."

I think you’re thinking of the much larger Ahmanson. Theater.  The Taper is quite small, especially compared to the Beaumont (I spent much of my childhood at the Taper, so many great memories). 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/13/22 at 1:24pm

I think the Taper is more comparable to the Newhouse at LCT.

LCT's fall season seems pretty.... lacking? So this could fill the spot. But it's very much a one man show. Nothing fancy, etc. I think if they only used the thrust stage at the Beaumont, it would work fine enough.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 5:46pm

Mike has posted a picture on his Facebook saying this is coming to Broadway for 70 performances. No dates or theatre though are mentioned.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 5:52pm

n2nbaby said: "Mike has posted a picture on his Facebook saying this is coming to Broadway for 70 performances. No dates or theatre though are mentioned."

Looks like it's coming to the Vivian Beaumont. Previews begin October 28, opening on November 13, for a limited run through December 30.

[Alex M]

Posted: 9/20/22 at 6:17pm

Exciting! do you think ill be able to use LincTix for this?

[wendy999]

Posted: 9/21/22 at 11:48am

So excited for this! What do u think the chances are that there will be a discount code or it’ll end up on tdf? Contemplating buying now @ full price or waiting for lower priced option.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/21/22 at 11:50am

LincTix would all be up to the commercial producers + LCT making a deal. BUT, I have no doubt there will be no shortage of inexpensive tickets in the $30-50 range for this show. It’s a big theatre for Birbiglia to fill alone. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/21/22 at 11:58am

Yeah I'd hold out for a rush/lotto.