Minsky's?

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 6:22pm

I haven't heard any news about this show in a while. Is it still Broadway Bound?

Also, wasn't Beth Leavel going to be in this? Updated On: 9/23/08 at 06:22 PM

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 6:28pm

i think this show has a real chance. While the score has been around for years, i really love Strouse when he's cooking (though i haven't heard much from the score itself, just snippets). And Bob Martin, given his love for theatrical forms (not only DROWSY, but also SLINGS & ARROWS) is the perfect person to adapt the book. Fingers are still crossed on this one....

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 6:31pm

Do you know if Beth is still attached the project?

[azeller]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 6:34pm

She is and is really excited about it. Don't quote me on the dates but I think they go to LA in early 2009 (January maybe) with a hopeful opening on Broadway in the spring or fall of 2009.

I can't wait for this one to come to NY.

Updated On: 9/23/08 at 06:34 PM

[WickedOne2]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 8:53pm

I have season tickets to the Ahmanson in L.A. and it is scheduled to be at there from January 21-March 9.

I am so excited if Beth Leavel is really going to be in it. I loved her in 42nd Street and Drowsy Chaperone.

I assume the show may have something to do with Gypsy Rose Lee given she was one of Minsky's stars.

[azeller]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 9:06pm

Just a link from the Ahmanson website. No casting is listed but there is a synopsis.
Minsky's at the Ahmanson

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 10:38pm

Too bad Susan Birkenhead's doing lyrics. It could have been a decent musical.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/23/08 at 10:40pm

What happened to Adams Lyrics? Is it offical he & Strouse will never pair again for a show?

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 8:25pm

I spoke to Beth on Sunday at the Flea Market. Go see her in YF REALLY soon if you haven't already; she's a headin to Cali for Minsky's!!!

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 9/25/08 at 9:27pm

^^^^^ yay!!!!! I'll definitely see this then :)

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 4:14pm

Nope, Strouse and Adams did for instance collaborate on "Marty" in 2004 and as far as I know they're in couple of projects together. It's just that Strouse wanted to do the Minsky's score as something totally new, he even left out the film's title song which is not part of the score. And he's collaborating on that show with Susan Birkenhead since the late 90s.

[DryMartini]

Posted: 9/26/08 at 7:11pm

Susan Birkenhead is an amazing lyricist. Her work on Jelly's is stellar.

[Elke]

Posted: 10/17/08 at 1:49pm

I don't think this was posted yet:

"Minsky's will world-premiere at the Ahmanson. "We start rehearsals Nov. 24, and then we're out there in L.A. for January and February." The unstated hope is that the show will be on Broadway by spring.

This time it's a real musical - music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, both of whom were in attendance - and it's based on a movie title: Bob Martin, The Drowsy Chaperone's co-book-writer and "Man in Chair," adapted 1968's "The Night They Raided Minsky's" into the night they actually raided Minsky's, shelving the original movie plotline.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," promised Nicholaw, who's primed for it. "I'm very excited about the cast." Norbert Leo Butz, long-rumored for the lead, won't be doing it after all. "Chris Fitzgerald (the Eye-gor of Young Frankenstein) is who we're hoping for, but the deal's not done yet.""

http://www.emediaworld.com/press_release/release_detail.php?id=219455

[Bwayidiot]

Posted: 10/18/08 at 1:20am

WickedOne, it has nothing to do with Gypey Rose Lee. Rent the movie. It's fun film about the first stip tease.

[BNN]

Posted: 10/18/08 at 1:48am

Charles Strouse is actually stopping by my college in a few weeks, and I cannot wait to ask him about this show.

If anybody has any question about this show they want answered, send them my way.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/18/08 at 3:44am

A young Amish woman becomes a burlesque queen on the night that Minsky's is raided by the cops. This 1969 film was directed by William Friedkin and stars Jason Robards, Britt Ekland, Norman Wisdom, Bert Lahr, Forrest Tucker, Harry Andrews, Denholm Elliott, Elliott Gould and Joseph Wiseman.

[Elke]

Posted: 10/18/08 at 3:51am

Thanks for those pictures, BrodyFosse123.

I'm not really familiar with the story and the characters. For which character are they considering Christopher Fitzgerald? The tall guy with the hat and striped suit?

[leefowler]

Posted: 10/18/08 at 8:46am

The plot to the musical is completely different that that of the movie. The only thing they have in common, actually, is the title and the burlesque atmosphere.

[Elke]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 8:59am

*bump*

I read there was a reading yesterday... Does anyone have any details to share?

[LotteTBS138]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 9:05am

>>The plot to the musical is completely different that that of the movie. The only thing they have in common, actually, is the title and the burlesque atmosphere. <<

Yep, I was shocked when I saw the film description too because the show is focusing on him. (I read the final (so so they claim) script)

[fanadu1996]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 6:15pm

i went to the reading and it was FANTASTIC!
it is broadway bound (fingers crossed) after a tryout in CA.
christopher fitzgerald is brilliant, and debbie downer (rachel dratch) from SNL is in it! beth leavel was great, of course.
just a very funny, very catchy new musical.

i dont think its anything like the movie just bc its billed as "an original new musical" but i dont know bc ive never seen the movie.

[Elke]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 6:25pm

Thanks, fanadu! I'm thrilled to hear that Christopher Fitzgerald will indeed be in it. So there's one male lead and two female leads? Or they were just the only ones there?

[fanadu1996]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:02pm

id say one male lead, maybe maybe 2 female leads, lots of supporting roles, and about 12-15 ensemble.
its a cast of about 26-30

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/24/08 at 11:15pm

fanadu1996, is the cast that did this workshop doing the full scale production?

I'd love to see Rachel Dratch finally make her legitimate theatrical debut (she was hysterical as Paulette in the final workshop of LEGALLY BLONDE.)

Isn't the female lead an ingenue-type character? I remember Kelli O'Hara playing that particular role in the last reading they did.

Updated On: 10/25/08 at 11:15 PM

[fanadu1996]

Posted: 10/25/08 at 12:11pm

yes, very ingenue. im forgetting her name right now, my cast list is in my office, she wasnt that great tho, kinda weak. then i would consider beth leavels role a lead, but she COULD also be seen as supporting, im not sure, we'll see.
yes, this cast will be the broadway cast, so that was exciting! i think it has the potential to be a fantastic show!