Old Friends - Broadway?

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 11:17am

With the rumors that Cameron MacIntosh looking to bring the show over with Bernadette and Lea. I’m curious who else would proposed for filling out the cast.  Of course I’d love to see Patti in it as well

- Matt Doyle? Judy Kaye? Norm Lewis? 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 1:54pm

Vanessa Williams, Victor Garber, Andy Karl, Claybourne Elder

Updated On: 11/14/23 at 01:54 PM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 2:11pm

It has really been struggling to find an audience in the West End, despite that killer talent. I would imagine Cameron is losing a ton of money on this. Seems like something that would be better to do at the Roundabout. And if it does come over, yes a cast of real Sondheim vets would be amazing. I don't quite understand Lea Salonga's connection.

Add to your list of consideration:

Liz Callaway

Ann Morrison

Mandy Patinkin

Katrina Lenk

Judy Kuhn

Raul Esparza

 

Updated On: 11/14/23 at 02:11 PM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 2:21pm

Robbie2 said: "Vanessa Williams, Victor Garber, Andy Karl,Claybourne Elder"


For the love of God, stop allowing Vanessa Williams near Sondheim scores.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 2:43pm

Donna would obviously have to be involved. 

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 3:01pm

If his tv filming commitments are complete, would love to see Skyler Astin step in. I heard great things about his performance at the Hollywood Bowl Sondheim concert this past summer. 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 3:55pm

I want to see Megan Mullally do Sondheim. She's so much more than just light silly stuff.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 5:12pm

Saw this with a semi empty house last week. I see no need for this to transfer. Sondheim’d out. And Bernadette was in very poor voice.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 5:14pm

We had Sondheim on Sondheim in 2010 serve a very similar purpose…why do we need this? Let’s revive his actual shows and leave the concerts to one-offs at Town Hall or something.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 5:19pm

We rarely "need" any show, but citing a show from 13 years ago doesn't seem like the strongest way to suggest Old Friends shouldn't transfer.

Updated On: 11/14/23 at 05:19 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/14/23 at 5:56pm

How well known is Sondheim in the UK? I know he is highly regarded in theatre circles, but I somehow doubt he is a household name. He's not "one of their own", he is a foreigner. Not a beloved national treasure. Perhaps this production was banking on a name recognition that just isn't there. I wonder if it might get a better welcome in his homeland.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 12:00am

Jay Lerner-Z said: "How well known is Sondheim in the UK? I know he is highly regarded in theatre circles, but I somehow doubt he is a household name. He's not "one of their own", he is a foreigner. Not a beloved national treasure. Perhaps this production was banking on a name recognition that just isn't there. I wonder if it might get a better welcome in his homeland."

I mean, the West End theatre that is home to Les Miserables was recently renamed The Sondheim. So perhaps more well known than you might think.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 12:10am

How about Baranski?

If Cameron actually wants to sell tickets he needs more actual names in addition to Bernadette. Not just theatre folk. Ten Norm Lewis/Karen Ziemba-type people does not make a hit.

I would really love some people who are less expected than the "usual suspects" of Sondheim. Unless they're doing all new-to-them material.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 3:47am

I smell PR bluster to shift seats in London.

[binau]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 4:03am

I didn't think I needed this, but like Stephanie J Block said about the show in her own London concert recently, it's like going to church. It's not really like 'Sondheim on Sondheim', which was educational and a much smaller scale/cast. This is basically a kind of Sondheim greatest hits - and the idea that I can hear Bernadette sing Send in the Clowns, Broadway Baby, Losing My Mind, Not a Day Goes By, Gotta Get a Gimmick, read lines as Dot from Sunday etc. plus Lea doing an amazing "Coming up Roses" among so many other highlights in one evening is an absolute privilege. 

[Owen22]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 6:55am

I saw it and enjoyed it very much...but is it essential? Anyway, the rumor circulating here is that Cameron will transfer the entire West End cast. I know, I know...

[Kad]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 8:54am

Equity would need to sign off on that and I cannot really imagine a great argument for them to do so. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 9:13am

Hearing this is coming over, but for a very short limited run(6 or 8 weeks only).

[The8re phan]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 9:33am

okay, but where?

The only (soon to be) available house i can see this in would be the Broadway, but would it be refurbished in time?

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 9:46am

I saw this just the other night and, though I loved watching all those English musical theater divas, I cannot imaging any of the British women would mean anything to American audiences (I mean...I know Bonnie Langford sang the theme song to the original Worst Witch film, but I'm profoundly gay and a little sad). 

The only way this would sell for 6-8 weeks is to pack it with Broadway stars that are closely associated with Sondheim's material. I'd kill to see Murphy's The Boy From (though Janie Dee was sensational in this number).

I really enjoyed the show. Entertaining and moving. Salonga is essential in this...Peters lends the official Sondheim stamp and everyone else was just great. If you get to London, get a discount ticket and enjoy. 

[meredithchandler73]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 10:13am

QueenAlice said: "I don't quite understand Lea Salonga's connection."

I think the cast is a mix of Brits who have done Sondheim shows and a few people Cameron Mackintosh has worked with. Gavin Lee has never done a Sondheim show, but has worked for Cameron as has Lea Salonga (who has done a couple of Sondheim shows in Singapore and Manila).

I love Sondheim and I'm really looking forward to seeing this. My upcoming three-day trip to London is mainly to catch this show.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 10:50am

SonofRobbieJ said: "I saw this just the other night and, though I loved watching all those English musical theater divas, I cannot imaging any of the British women would mean anything to American audiences (I mean...I know Bonnie Langford sang the theme song to the original Worst Witch film, but I'm profoundly gay and a little sad)."

I did not know before this post how much I wanted a t-shirt that says "Profoundly Gay and a Little Sad." :)

"A little sad" as a double entendre is just icing on the cake.

 

The doubl

Updated On: 11/15/23 at 10:50 AM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 11:43am

I think anyone who is only feeling a "little" sad in the horrible world of today is actually doing pretty well... so don't feel too bad, people.

Islander fan, I think that theatre was re-named because of the "close" connection between Sondheim and Cameron Mackintosh. It was a personal thing, not necessarily a reflection of wider public sentiment. 

P.S. Is that cringe-inducing bit with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sondheim literally singing the praises of Cameron still in the show? Does Cameron really think he is responsible for Sondheim's success?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 11:53am

QueenAlice said: " I don't quite understand Lea Salonga's connection.

"

Lea performed the role of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd's professional Pilipino debut. She gave a fun performance in a rather strange production. It's available to watch in the usual places that such things can be found.

[binau]

Posted: 11/15/23 at 1:05pm

Yes the video is still there and Cameron gives himself credit for in his words 'starting the West End's love affair of Sondheim' or something of the sort. I do think his presence feels less imposing than it did on the one-night original concert, though (and in general the show is much better than what was filmed for that concert).