Postponed Indefinitely: ROOM On Broadway - News & Discussion Thread- Page 4

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 12:25pm

Just based on the trailer link, it looks like the production might go inside Jack's mind, a la Curious Incident, so I could imagine some theatrical flourishes to open up the world outside the room. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 2:54pm

Interesting tidbit in the NYT. Which could mean that they aim to call it a musical –– especially if that field continues to be quite thin from an awards standpoint, and if LEOPOLDSTADT continues to be the Best Play favorite.

“The producers have previously described ‘Room’ as a play with music, but as there has been considerable work done since the last production, they do not plan on making a definitive call on this until after the show is frozen, as is traditional for productions that could technically qualify for either category.”

In terms of marketing, it's probably better to call it a musical. How many songs were in the Canadian production? And how do they fit into the plot?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 2:54pm

Interesting tidbit in the NYT. Which could mean that they aim to call it a musical –– especially if that field continues to be quite thin from an awards standpoint, and if LEOPOLDSTADT continues to be the Best Play favorite.

“The producers have previously described ‘Room’ as a play with music, but as there has been considerable work done since the last production, they do not plan on making a definitive call on this until after the show is frozen, as is traditional for productions that could technically qualify for either category.”

In terms of marketing, it's probably better to call it a musical. How many songs were in the Canadian production? And how do they fit into the plot?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 2:57pm

Probably smart to call this a musical... it will likely be the only new tuner that will put up a decent fight against Kimberly Akimbo this season. 

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 3:12pm

If the producers don't know if their show is a play or a musical maybe they shouldn't be bothering.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 3:28pm

RUkiddingme said: "If the producers don't know if their show is a play or a musical maybe they shouldn't be bothering."

Oh please. It’s not that they don’t know. This is a seasoned press rep being coy about a theatre piece that seems to straddle the forms of play vs musical. Nice to occasionally get Broadway shows that don’t fit within the typical binary confines of plays and musicals.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/23/23 at 8:24pm

It will end up being a musical if they think it can take out Kimberly, and based on the reviews in Toronto it might be the only thing that could this season...also if they are hoping to tour the show marketing it as a musical has a bunch more benefits 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 1:55pm

 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 1:56pm

 

[pethian]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 4:58pm

In terms of awards consideration, is it solely the producers who decide whether it is a musical or a play with music? Could, for example, the Tonys decide differently and  independently of the producer's decision and then could the Drams Desks arrive at a different verdict? Or is it whatever the producers say it is?

[JoeW4]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 5:20pm

pethian said: "In terms of awards consideration, is it solely the producers who decide whether it is a musical or a play with music? Could, for example, the Tonys decide differently and independently of the producer's decision and then could the Drams Desks arrive at a different verdict? Or is it whatever the producers say it is?"

 

as I understand it, the Tony committee has the final say. They tend to abide by the choices of producers, but not always. The closest point of comparison, I could think of, are the cases where some shows have tried to petition themselves as revivals, and gotten denied. That’s what happened with Shuffle Along, which was in no way shape or form an actual revival. It was just Scott Rudin, pulling his usual BS, as an attempt to avoid competing with Hamilton at the Tonys.

IIRC it was a similar situation with Nice Work If You Can Get It, as well as One Man Two Guvnors - both of which were VERY loose adaptations of stage shows. Again, these were clearly not revivals. 

This situations feels different because, unless there are a TON of added songs, it’ll probably be more borderline/subjective. In which case it’s more likely that they’ll just go with whatever the producers decide. 

But as the revival situations indicate, the Tonys TECHNICALLY make the final call.

 

[pethian]

Posted: 2/4/23 at 9:15pm

Thanks JoeW4. I wonder if the producers do decide the piece is a musical  if they will add a defining subtitle, such as 'A New Musical'.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/5/23 at 2:58am

I get it from a producing stand point, but, I already think this will be a tough sell and making it a musical.. I think people associate with a good time.. so I'm not sure I think that's the best way to go...

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/5/23 at 5:28am

A friend of mine who auditioned for this said that he was only given dialogue to prepare - no songs - so from his perspective, it seems like it’s a play

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 11:37am

Full cast has just been announced:

"Joining Ms. Warren will be Tony Award nominee Ephraim Sykes (Hamilton, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations) as SuperJack, Tina Benko (The Rose Tattoo, The Crucible, "The Rehearsal" ) as Interviewer/Police Officer, Michael Genet (The Prom, Choir Boy, She Hate Me) as Grandpa/Doctor, Triney Sandoval (Bernhardt/Hamlet, Marvin's Room) as Old Nick, child actors Aiden Mekhi Sierra of New Jersey and Christopher Woodley of New York City alternating in the role of Little Jack, and three-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award nominee Kate Burton (The Constant Wife, Hedda Gabler, The Elephant Man, "Grey's Anatomy" ) as Grandma.

Alexis Gordon, who won a Dora Award for her performance as Ma in the North American premiere production of Room, will make her Broadway debut as understudy for the role of Ma. Anthony Chatmon II (Hadestown, Be More Chill) will understudy the role of SuperJack."

Updated On: 2/15/23 at 11:37 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 11:38am

Ooooooooooooh Kate Burton. This is now a MUST-SEE. 

[BCfitasafiddle]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 11:55am

It's interesting to see that the actress who originated the lead role in the North American productions will now be the understudy. Great for her to make her Bway debut and all, just not the usual trajectory I suppose. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 12:13pm

BCfitasafiddle said: "It's interesting to see that the actress who originated the lead role in the North American productions will now be the understudy. Great for her to make her Bway debut and all, just not the usual trajectory I suppose."

I think it’s actually a really smart move. Given the current climate of understudies constantly going on, and with much more visibility and praise from the public, it’s all but guaranteed she’ll perform. It allows the producers to cast a name and give a heretofore unknown actress in New York her big break. It opens the door for her to work on Broadway, meet people in this theatre scene, understudy a brilliant actress, and collect a great paycheck for a few months.

[William12]

Posted: 2/15/23 at 3:46pm

EDSOSLO858 said: "Full cast has just been announced:

"Joining Ms. Warren will be Tony Award nominee Ephraim Sykes (Hamilton, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations) as SuperJack, Tina Benko (The Rose Tattoo, The Crucible, "The Rehearsal" ) as Interviewer/Police Officer, Michael Genet (The Prom, Choir Boy, She Hate Me) as Grandpa/Doctor, Triney Sandoval (Bernhardt/Hamlet, Marvin'sRoom) as Old Nick, child actors Aiden Mekhi Sierra of New Jersey and Christopher Woodley of New York City alternating in the role of Little Jack, and three-time Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award nominee Kate Burton (The Constant Wife, Hedda Gabler, The Elephant Man, "Grey's Anatomy" ) as Grandma.

Alexis Gordon, who won a Dora Award for her performance as Ma in the North American premiere production ofRoom, will make her Broadway debut as understudy for the role of Ma. Anthony Chatmon II (Hadestown, Be More Chill) will understudy the role of SuperJack.""

 

Having seen this in Toronto, I will say this is a very good cast. Also so happy to see Alexis Gordon make her Broadway debut!

[pethian]

Posted: 3/6/23 at 11:35pm

Received a flyer for the show today. Interestingly, neither  the word 'play' nor the word 'musical' appears anywhere in the copy. It is described as the novel 'adapted for the stage.'  There's a credit for 'songs by...'

 

Updated On: 3/6/23 at 11:35 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 10:35am

The previously announced Broadway production of ROOM, which was set to begin previews in just a few weeks, has been postponed indefinitely. The reason for the postponement, according to a press release, is "due to a shortfall in capitalization and following the withdrawal of a Lead Producer."

The production, featuring songs and music by Scottish songwriters Kathryn Joseph and Cora Bissett, and directed by Ms. Bissett, was originally scheduled open on Monday, April 17, 2023 at the James Earl Jones Theatre, with previews beginning on April 3, 2023. Adrienne Warren was cast in the lead role of Ma.

"In the midst of our rehearsals we were informed by one of our Lead Producers that due to personal reasons, they did not intend to fulfill their obligations to the production. Since being notified, the rest of the producing team has exhausted all possible avenues to keep the show on track, but the narrow timeline and economic shortfall created by this series of events has proven to be insurmountable," said producer Hunter Arnold. "We are incredibly disappointed not to be able to open this remarkable production at this time and are especially heartbroken for our incredibly talented cast and creative team who were hard at work in the rehearsal room."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Production-of-ROOM-Has-Been-Postponed-Indefinitely-20230316?fbclid=IwAR0Pr8G05qEsyrFLP5ltktVQuR_t-QZVDaB8aJHP3Ger2efNLxMAmXLGA-U

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 10:45am

Oh no! How incredibly unfortunate for everyone involved. I suspect the producer withdrew due to low advanced ticket sales.

[DrMonicaDeMoneco]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 10:49am

Wow this is very unfortunate for everyone involved. 
however, did we really need another musical or play with music or whatever they were calling it, adapted from a Hollywood movie?  no!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 10:49am

How ****ty for everyone involved. That producer is scum. Curious if this has anything to do with the recent banking crisis. Did he or his investors have any money in SVB or signature bank?

Updated On: 3/16/23 at 10:49 AM

[Kad]

Posted: 3/16/23 at 10:52am

DrMonicaDeMoneco said: "Wow this is very unfortunate for everyone involved.
however, did we really need another musical or play with music or whatever they were calling it, adapted from a Hollywood movie? no!"

It was a novel first and foremost. Who cares what the source material is if the end result is quality? Enough with this silly fixation.