Pirates of Penzance - Will Swenson- Page 2

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:18pm

So it seems as though it's transferring, right?  Taylor Frey posted something about it and Kyle Dean Massey retweeted.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:25pm

I hope so! Let's just hope they pick an appropriate theatre this time.

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:42pm

The staging is excellent.  It would do best in a theatre like the size of The Music Box.  or perhaps with a bit of re-working I wonder if it could work at Circle In The Square.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 10:58pm

I think a theatre the size of the Music Box would be perfect, but I'll be interested in seeing if the set is reconfigured to fit a more traditional space. The way it's currently designed with the stage jutting out seven rows or so into the house as if it's the bow of a ship won't work with most mezzanine overhangs. 

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 11:35pm

That is very true Cupid.   Sat upstairs - perfect view.      oh ..... btw -kudos to whoever put those pants on Kyle.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/13/16 at 11:37pm

Rhoda4 said: " oh ..... btw -kudos to whoever put those pants on Kyle."

I spent a lot of time thinking the same thing! 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 11:34am

I'm also curious to know what the artwork and marketing would look like if they bring this production to New York. Whoever did the art for On the Town really did a great job. I think they'll benefit from a title treatment and artwork that emphasizes how fun this staging is, maybe incorporating the whimsical cloud illustrations, lighthouse and circular tree cut outs from the scenic design.

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 12:12pm

Are there new orchestrations?  I know that the original Papp recording has some distracting synth parts and I was wondering if they replaced it with strings.

[macnyc]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 12:26pm

I can't answer that question, but in the program, under Orchestra, I don't see any strings listed.

Here's what it says:

Associate musical director/keyboard

Reeds

Bass

Reeds

Drums/percussion

Reeds

Trumpet

Trombone

It sounded very good to me, but I can't remember if I was hearing strings or not! Sorry.

I enjoyed the show a lot, as I posted previously, but I just don't see this as coming to Broadway and doing well. I think the times have changed since 1981 and that this will not bring in the crowds. It's sad to say, but I think Pirates would need a noncommercial production, like Roundabout or MTC. I don't know if that would be possible. And it would be too expensive a proposition for Off Broadway, most likely

Updated On: 8/14/16 at 12:26 PM

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 12:47pm

^Thank you.  I think that if they wanted to have a Broadway run, they're going to have to put in some bigger names.  That's how the 1981 production survived.  I don't think that this show could sell on just Will and Kyle.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 3:14pm

Let's not poo-poo on David Garrison or Jane Carr! They both are truly well known and super talented singers and actors. I can't think of anyone else around right now that could do the Major General as well as DG. The NYT gave him a rave. He and Jane may not be household names but they are perfect for these roles. WS is definitely the way to go with the Pirate King, he will sell this show by himself.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/27/theater/review-on-the-high-seas-anything-goes-in-the-pirates-of-penzance.html?_r=0

Isherwood's review is very very nice. He acknowledges the entire cast nicely.


(But yes, no more synth strings!! Get a small orchestra)

Updated On: 8/14/16 at 03:14 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 3:33pm

I don't think Swenson is a box office draw but a limited run in a small theatre with great performances and rave reviews the title should sell itself.

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 8/14/16 at 3:54pm

CATSNYrevival said: "I don't think Swenson is a box office draw but a limited run in a small theatre with great performances and rave reviews the title should sell itself."

Exactly. And assuming the same producers that brought On The Town to New York are attached, I'm sure they're hoping to take what they learned from that experience and apply it to this transfer. With that said, I expect to see very different choices made in that regard. This creative team really does do special work together, and I certainly think this production could be successful on Broadway.

 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 8/15/16 at 8:13am

 

I'm sorry I didn't mention David Garrison in my brief praise for this production above.

He is the very model of a modern major Savoyard.

 

[HeatherHaroldHill]

Posted: 8/15/16 at 10:07am

I disagree that the show wouldn't be successful on Broadway. And Will was heaven! Kyle's Butt! I talked to a lot of people in the audience that were there for the 2nd or 3rd time. Yes, they may need to cast 1 "name" to give it a boost but On the Town ran for a year and they had no names, and this is a better more family-friendly show if you ask me. There is nothing like it on Broadway since gentlemen's guide closed. 

Who would be your dream star casting?

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/15/16 at 10:11am

I was told by a cast member that this production definitely has its sights set on New York. That doesn't mean it's definitely coming at all, but they want to bring it to New York and are actively seeking opportunities to do so.

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/15/16 at 10:14am

I may be in the minority, and I'm certainly no purist, but I like the daffy synths, especially the more Moogy ones, in the Papp pirates. I think they fit the feeling here (and similarly in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" more than they do in the somewhat self-serious and not as anachronistic "Les Miserables."