The press release I saw today mentioned 60 cities in its first touring season. With that kind of schedule I’m willing to bet that it’s going to be non-Equity.
With 51 dates remaining (not even including the Fall/Winter dates already passed), the currently Equity Beautiful Tour, may present the argument that 60+ for Hairspray as an Equity tour isn't out of the question... it isn't probable.. but it is possible.
Bettyboy72 said: "If they want to get butts in the seats for this old chestnut, they should consider some non-traditional drag casting, like Jinxx Monsoon for Velma. They really have the opportunity to do some interesting casting and freshen the show up. This show has not been begging for a tour yet IMHO."
I’ve always thought it would be really interesting to see all three mothers played in drag. The camp elements lends itself to drag so much and I would love to see a queen chew the scenery as Mrs. Von Tussle and Mrs. Pinkleton!
RoadGypsy2010 said: "With 51 dates remaining (not even including the Fall/Winter dates already passed), the currently Equity Beautiful Tour, may present the argumentthat 60+ for Hairspray as an Equity tour isn't out of the question... it isn't probable.. but it is possible."
True, it's still possible to get that kind of itinerary on an Equity tour, but, as you say, not very probable, especially in the first leg of the tour.
SouthernCakes said: "This seems like a money grab, so I’d bet it’s non-union so they can get all the profits. "
I have to say I don’t understand when people accuse a commercial production of being a money grab. Making money is the main reason commercial theatre exists. Yes, sometimes it intersects with projects that people might consider “high art,” but even on those the commercial producers want to make money.
RIP to Margo Lion, the original Lead Producer of HAIRSPRAY, who passed away yesterday. (She's the one who had the idea to adapt it as a musical, and she got the rights from Waters and assembled Shaiman & Wittman & co.) Margo was also behind Catch Me If You Can, Jelly's Last Jam, The Wedding Singer, the original Angels In America, and at the time of her death had been lead-producing The Secret Life Of Bees.
RoadGypsy2010 said: "With 51 dates remaining (not even including the Fall/Winter dates already passed), the currently Equity Beautiful Tour, may present the argumentthat 60+ for Hairspray as an Equity tour isn't out of the question... it isn't probable.. but it is possible."
The difference between this hairspray tour and the current beautiful tour, is that Beautiful is still being produced by the original producers and it hasn’t been licensed out to a second party manager like NETworks or Troika. Once one of those companies takes the helms its always more than likely it’ll go non-eq.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
I just saw the non-equity tour of A BRONX TALE. The problem I have with these non-union productions is that most of the actors are far too young for the characters they are playing. The two actors playing the parents looked younger than their son. I always walk away from these productions feeling like I've seen an excellent college production---not a B'way touring show. The only non-union production I've seen that I didn't feel this way was last year's SOMETHING ROTTEN! If theatres are bringing these non-equity shows I feel that they have the responsibility to let their audience know & I don't think they should be charging the same prices. The national tour of BRONX TALE started out as an equity tour with most of the final B'way cast. Don't think we should pay for young inexperienced actors as we pay to see union actors with B'way & extensive experience......Just my opinion.
Nina West as Edna is great casting! Makes me wish even more that this was an Equity tour and playing some of the bigger markets! Hope to catch it when it plays Philly or DC!
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
This is some awesome casting so far - with these talents it should keep the integrity of the show with great new energy! Now I just have to find out where it's going to be!!!
Bwayornoway said: "This is some awesome casting so far - with these talents it should keep the integrity of the show with great new energy! Now I just have to find out where it's going to be!!!"
SouthernCakes said: "Some of the dates seem to be messed up. There’re no way it’s playing St Louis for months… but I hope I can see it in Santa Barbra."
I think you're just reading the dates wrong. It's playing in St. Louis April 5-9, 2022
TaffyDavenport said: "Bwayornoway said: "This is some awesome casting so far - with these talents it should keep the integrity of the show with great new energy! Now I just have to find out where it's going to be!!!"
SouthernCakes said: "Maybe I was! Wouldn’t normally care about a non-equity show but I’d love to see what Nina West does! "
No you weren't, you just misinterpreted the way it was written, the same way I did. LOL. It says its playing St Louis from 4/5 - 9/22 on the site for example. Which to me looked like it's saying it's playing from April 5th (4/5) to September 22nd (9/22). But it's actually meaning April 5th through April 9th, 2022.