ON THE TOWN sets opening night for 10/6; previews to begin 9/20

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:13am

Broadwayworld link

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:14am

How is this going to last at that huge theater?

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:23am

No cast announced.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:25am

Must be nice to have such a large amount of money to throw into the wind.

[gstrus2]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:34am

The image they seem to be using has Tony Yazbeck, and I HIGHLY doubt if he is cast he could sell out the Lyric. He would be great, but they need to sell tickets too.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:48am

This is that sexy version.

There was a time when a Bernstein show could fill a huge theatre but remember the last revival? It was wonderful in Central Park then it got lost in another big Broadway house.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:52am

They better have an ace up their sleeve if they want to last more than a hot minute at the Lyric at the very start of the season.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:54am

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Ozzie and Daniel Radcliffe as Chip, obviously.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:55am

They really do need a name for this, but the big question is whom?

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 10:56am

I'll never understand why a musical revival without names (assuming this revival won't have any) would open in the fall. It's almost always a disaster, like RAGTIME in 2009.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 11:01am

I'm right there with you, LJay. It's always baffling, as if the producers had no idea what the challenges are. I guess the idea is they don't wanna be swallowed whole by the flashy spring shows, so it might seem like a losing battle either way. Still, looking back at the Foxwood/Hilton/Ford/Lyric history since the original RAGTIME opened, I don't think any show has actually recouped there. Maybe someone like Smaxie can provide better info on this. It's just odd to hear they'll open in such a big theatre, and to announce a pre-sale without any cast attached. We know Hugh Jackman is already taken in the fall, so who will their star be?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 11:41am

Grinch recouped and 42nd Street came very close, but that's it.

[Rinaldo]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 11:41am

My guess is that they kind of know they'll lose money on this (especially with that 28-piece orchestra *swoon*), and just feel that it's worth doing -- I figured the same about the FINIAN's revival a few years back. Still, if they want it to run at all, I suppose they do need a name. Insasmuch as the 3 male roles have pretty high-level demands and the 3 men they already have seem ideal, the likelier places to put a name would be Claire or Hildy (or the character parts, but audiences would probably feel cheated coming to see a big name as Madame Dilly or Pitkin). But who even is such a name as to ensure a run?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 12:35pm

This was, hands down, the best revival of an older musical I've seen since the Lincoln Center South Pacific, and the best production that ON THE TOWN could ever hope to see.

I hope they keep the cast from the Berkshires, because they were all spectacular.

I am very excited about this production.

Updated On: 5/9/14 at 12:35 PM

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 12:40pm

PalJoey-that theater is enormous. They need a couple of names to put people in seats. They'd have been better off to try for Lincoln Center-at least there you get a subscriber base that builds word of mouth.

Not sure this can succeed in that cavernous theater.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 12:47pm

This was the Times review of the production at the Barrington Stage:






NY TIMES: THEATER REVIEW Pressed for Time and Looking for Love In ‘On the Town,’ Sailors on Leave Look for Love

Updated On: 5/9/14 at 12:47 PM

[dreaming]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 1:34pm

That's great, but I bet even the amazing revival of South Pacific couldn't fill that theater. I'm doubtful this will unless some serious A-listers are cast.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 1:53pm

I bet they go with the same cast, I can't think of ant "A-listers" who would fit in this production. I wonder if the fabulous Nancy Opel will have to choose between this and HONEYMOON. And any show that gets Rupert back on the Boards is OK with me.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 2:10pm

Why are they so set on the Lyric? The Schoenfeld will be open now, as well as some others I'm sure.

[quizking101]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 2:29pm

They should gamble on a temporary renovation to reduce seats...or only sell certain sections

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 2:37pm

They may be getting a "deal" on the Theatre due to KING KONG's delay.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 2:53pm

Maybe wait to see the casting or first preview before declaring it a disaster....

[HorseTears]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 3:07pm

Man, this does seem like a HUGE gamble in that giant theatre, but I've got to give kudos to the producers for taking such a big risk. To me, this is the most exciting revival news since the Broadway transfer of the Kennedy Center Follies. And I am seriously THRILLED that they are mounting this show with a 28 piece orchestra. I know that West Side Story is Bernstein's musical theatre masterwork -- and God knows I love it -- but for my money the dance music in On the Town can't be beat. It's just on another level and I'm so grateful that we'll get to hear it played by a full orchestra.

PJ, how was the choreography in the Barrington production? I'm really curious about that aspect of the production. Can it really hold a candle to Robbins' work?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 3:10pm

The Men were shirtless, so the dancing was good.

I don't think anyone is calling this a disaster, we are just questioning the size of the house they are going to have to fill. The production sounds fabulous.

[AnythingGoes23]

Posted: 5/9/14 at 3:22pm

Kristen Chenoworth as Hildy may fill the theatre but doubt that'll happen!

Hope it has at least fairly good run and wish all the best, it'll be great to see this show on a big scale