Paging all theatrical insiders and oddsmakers…

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 9/5/23 at 11:33am

Was looking forward to Chess in this season but alas it appears we won’t likely see that until 24-25  

The rest of my wish list is short but equally as up-in-the air.  Am hoping that some of you with clearer crystal balls - if mor influential connections than I - can opine about the likelihood of seeing any of these shows open here before the next Tonys?:

Crazy for You (perhaps at the Beaumont) - it seemed a foregone conclusion that this would transfer given the notices, but ticket sales are tanking in London  So will producers be willing to take a chance on it here?  I’d think late spring, if it’s this season?

In Dreams (lots of potential houses) - another critical UK darling, from the & Juliet team with Lena Hall and Roy Orbison tunes  It’s headed to Mirvish in Toronto in the fall, but could easily slide in here by Tony time  my gut says it’s sell well  

Swept Away (maybe CITS after Etheridge) - Stark left “& Juliett to rejoin his Berkeley cast mates for this run at the Arena Stage, and (like so many other shows), they’re touting it as a pre-Broadway run.  Granted, the Avett Brothers and the dark subject matter may make this a tough sell, but notices were verrry positive and I’ve been looking forward to it for some time.

So - all you prognosticators, soothsayers and oddsmakers out there…do I get to see any of these on the Main Stem before next May?

 

 

 

[RumTumJM]

Posted: 9/5/23 at 5:41pm

OuttaTowner said: "Was looking forward to Chess in this season but alas it appears we won’t likely see that until 24-25

The rest of my wish list is short but equally as up-in-the air. Am hoping that some of you with clearer crystal balls - if mor influential connections than I - can opine about the likelihood of seeing any of these shows open here before the next Tonys?:

Crazy for You (perhaps at the Beaumont) - it seemed a foregone conclusion that this would transfer given the notices, but ticket sales are tanking in London So will producers be willing to take a chance on it here? I’d think late spring, if it’s this season?

In Dreams (lots of potential houses) - another critical UK darling, from the & Juliet team with Lena Hall and Roy Orbison tunes It’s headed to Mirvish in Toronto in the fall, but could easily slide in here by Tony time my gut says it’s sell well

Swept Away (maybe CITS after Etheridge) - Stark left “& Juliett to rejoin his Berkeley cast mates for this run at the Arena Stage, and (like so many other shows), they’re touting it as a pre-Broadway run. Granted, the Avett Brothers and the dark subject matter may make this a tough sell, but notices were verrry positive and I’ve been looking forward to it for some time.

So - all you prognosticators, soothsayers and oddsmakers out there…do I get to see any of these on the Main Stem before next May?

I don't mean to change the topic, but what happened with Chess? - Nice to hear that it seems like it's still planned. But, why the delay?




"

 

[Voter]

Posted: 9/5/23 at 5:50pm

The rumor for pushing back Chess to 2024/2025 is Lea Michele's schedule ... correct me if I'm wrong.

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 9/5/23 at 7:13pm

That’s what I’ve heard as well. In fact, I’m not sure that any of the primary roles have been nailed down. So if Lea is one of their “must have’s,” it’ll be the 24-25 season before we see this. 

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 9/5/23 at 9:56pm

I said this about three months ago. The buzz is she wants to have a baby and the producers don't want to do it without her. Since she bailed out Funny Girl, she's got clout. 

[scripps]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 12:57am

OuttaTowner said: "Swept Away (maybe CITS after Etheridge) - Stark left “& Juliett to rejoin his Berkeley cast mates for this run at the Arena Stage, and (like so many other shows), they’re touting it as a pre-Broadway run. Granted, the Avett Brothers and the dark subject matter may make this a tough sell, but notices were verrry positive and I’ve been looking forward to it for some time."

I'm actually heading down to DC in December to see this because while its great pedigree has piqued my interest it doesn't exactly scream commercial viability. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

Updated On: 9/6/23 at 12:57 AM

[William12]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 2:18am

OuttaTowner said: "Was looking forward to Chess in this season but alas it appears we won’t likely see that until 24-25

The rest of my wish list is short but equally as up-in-the air. Am hoping that some of you with clearer crystal balls - if mor influential connections than I - can opine about the likelihood of seeing any of these shows open here before the next Tonys?:

Crazy for You (perhaps at the Beaumont) - it seemed a foregone conclusion that this would transfer given the notices, but ticket sales are tanking in London So will producers be willing to take a chance on it here? I’d think late spring, if it’s this season?

In Dreams (lots of potential houses) - another critical UK darling, from the & Juliet team with Lena Hall and Roy Orbison tunes It’s headed to Mirvish in Toronto in the fall, but could easily slide in here by Tony time my gut says it’s sell well

Swept Away (maybe CITS after Etheridge) - Stark left “& Juliett to rejoin his Berkeley cast mates for this run at the Arena Stage, and (like so many other shows), they’re touting it as a pre-Broadway run. Granted, the Avett Brothers and the dark subject matter may make this a tough sell, but notices were verrry positive and I’ve been looking forward to it for some time.

So - all you prognosticators, soothsayers and oddsmakers out there…do I get to see any of these on the Main Stem before next May?

I could be wrong, but I remember hearing that In Dreams was eyeing Broadway following the Toronto run. I'm seeing it next month, and I'm curious to see how it is received here. I know it did very well in the UK. Like you said, it stars Lena Hall and I'd have to imagine it has Broadway ambitions.

As for a possible theatre for it, I'm not sure. It played the Leeds Playhouse in the UK which has around 1,000 seats, and the Ed Mirvish Theatre has around the same now. It strikes me as a show that is a bit more intimate and not as flashy as & Juliet, so it might be aiming for a smaller Broadway theatre.

 

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 8:28am

scripps said: "OuttaTowner said: "Swept Away (maybe CITS after Etheridge) - Stark left “& Juliett to rejoin his Berkeley cast mates for this run at the Arena Stage, and (like so many other shows), they’re touting it as a pre-Broadway run. Granted, the Avett Brothers and the dark subject matter may make this a tough sell, but notices were verrry positive and I’ve been looking forward to it for some time."

I'm actually heading down to DC in December to see this because while its great pedigree has piqued my interest it doesn't exactly scream commercial viability. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

I guess much will depend upon their marketing and fan base (niche as it may be).  I think they may do better to aim for Off Broadway.  Either way, I hope to get to see it here in the city  

 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 8:40am

I'm only interested in it for Gallagher. I miss him. (Note: I dont mind dark subject matter, and I know nothing about the Avett Brothers music.) But I'll be there, if/when it gets to NY.  

[BJR]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 9:31am

Oh I hadn't heard CHESS was pushed back. Not surprising since they've wait 5 years since DC already. And after FUNNY GIRL, I'd wait, too.

Updated On: 9/6/23 at 09:31 AM

[binau]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 4:56pm

Is Lea Michele not too...good for Chess? Idk, I know the show has its fans...and I like some of the songs, but I just don't think it works. After Funny Girl, I would hope she has higher standards lol. 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 5:46pm

Swept Away is aiming for the Spring, it is a DARK show though 

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 6:27pm

Indeed. I’m familiar with the source material, so I know what you mean. And without a high profile star (despite both Gallagher and Sands having their share of fans), I can see this being a tough show to promote.  I’m sure they’re hoping for critical praise while in DC. 

[LeftofLinus]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 9:02pm

binau said: "Is Lea Michele not too...good for Chess? Idk, I know the show has its fans...and I like some of the songs, but I just don't think it works. After Funny Girl, I would hope she has higher standards lol."

Broadway should have higher standards than Lea.

[Ke3]

Posted: 9/6/23 at 9:40pm

binau said: "Is Lea Michele not too...good for Chess? Idk, I know the show has its fans...and I like some of the songs, but I just don't think it works. After Funny Girl, I would hope she has higher standards lol."

She just did a show where every review was preempted by writers talking about how terribly written it is. I think as long as you give Lea something decent to belt out she'll be a happy camper.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/7/23 at 12:52am

I could see Swept Away going the dark, dramatic, adult musical route that usually wins best musical 

[bear88]

Posted: 9/7/23 at 1:43am

RippedMan said: "I could see Swept Away going the dark, dramatic, adult musical route that usually wins best musical"

Trouble is, Swept Away wasn’t a very good show - at least when I saw it. It sold well at the Berkeley Rep because the Avett Brothers have a national following. Gallagher plays the only interesting character and does his best, but there isn’t really much to it barring major changes since then. If the musical was dark but compelling, that would be a tough sell but a worthy show. The version I saw, despite the talent involved, just ended up dull. 

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 9/7/23 at 10:56am

That’s a bummer to hear - I’ve been looking forward to this. 

[bear88]

Posted: 9/7/23 at 8:45pm

It’s just my opinion, and I’m sure many people will disagree. The main actors are very talented, and for all I know, the musical has been thoroughly revamped anyway.