Rachel Chavkin to Direct THE THANKSGIVING PLAY on Broadway, Spring 2023

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:02pm

Going to the Hayes next year!

https://www.theatrely.com/post/larissa-fasthorses-the-thanksgiving-play-is-coming-to-broadway

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:09pm

I know 2nd Stage is limited by their subscription programming and artist schedules, but would have bene fun to see this play in October-December! Either way – – looking forward to seeing.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:10pm

“Rachel Chavkin to Direct…”

That’s all I need. Don’t need to know anything else. Here’s my Amex. 

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:11pm

Oh wow. This play is VERY funny. Good for Fasthorse!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:16pm

The Distinctive Baritone said: "Oh wow. This play is VERY funny. Good for Fasthorse!"

I concur, having read this for a class.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:39pm

Interesting that they aren’t transferring the recent Off-Broadway production directed by Moritz Von Steuelpnagel. Not to say I’m especially disappointed; there was nothing special about his direction of the piece, and obviously Chavkin is a huge deal.

But it’s an unusual situation – will it be considered a “revival” since it’s a totally different production of an existing play? (which has, by the way, been produced regionally in the intervening years – which is one of the criteria for deciding whether something fits under the “classics Rule&rdquo Or will be deemed a new play since it premiered so recently?

Also, for those who are excited about Chavkin’s involvement: I share your excitement, but I would warn you guys that Chavkin’s track record for plays is much more spotty than it is for big musicals. Not to say she can't direct a play, or that none of them have been good. But she's more inconsistent, and less unique. 

Chavkin is at her best when she’s a major part of the creative process, and gets to help conceive the show – when she’s just putting a normal script up on its feet, she hasn’t always demonstrated the same level of skill and imagination.

I would not advise people to go into this expecting the “next great work” from Chavkin. Even if it turns out to be very solid work, I expect it to be pretty straightforward.

Updated On: 6/2/22 at 12:39 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:39pm

Guess this rules out a transfer of lempicka next season.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:52pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Guess this rules out a transfer of lempicka next season."

Not necessarily. Many directors have directed more than one piece in a season. It helps that this one is already written too. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 12:57pm

JBroadway said: "Interesting that they aren’t transferring the recent Off-Broadway production directed by Moritz Von Steuelpnagel. Not to say I’m especially disappointed; there was nothing special about his direction of the piece, and obviously Chavkin is a huge deal.

But it’s an unusual situation – will it be considered a “revival” since it’s a totally different production of an existing play? (which has, by the way, been produced regionally in the intervening years – which is one of he criteria for deciding whether something fits under the “classics Rule or will be deemed a new play since it premiered so recently?

 

 

There shouldn't even be any question about it -- it's a new play.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 1:03pm

JSquared2 said: "There shouldn't even be any question about it -- it's a new play."

 

Yeah, upon reflection, you’re right it definitely should, and most likely will. It occurred to me after writing that post that there’s already several cases of recent precedent for situations like this. 

 

[nophibbing]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 1:07pm

InTheBathroom1 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Guess this rules out a transfer of lempicka next season."

Not necessarily. Many directors have directed more than one piece in a season. It helps that this one is already written too."

Could Lempicka maybe just be coming over in the fall instead of the spring? Seems plausible. Directing two Broadway shows at the same time sounds exhausting. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 1:36pm

nophibbing said: "Could Lempicka maybe just be coming over in the fall instead of the spring? Seems plausible. Directing two Broadway shows at the same time sounds exhausting."

I don't know what LEMPICKA's timeline is, but Jerry Zaks (Music Man and Doubtfire) and Scott Ellis (Tootsie and Kiss Me Kate) have done it recently. It is doable, but challenging. "Spring 2023" is vague phrasing and can basically mean it starts anytime between January and May. If reviews at La Jolla are hot, and if money and a theatre are in place, it might behoove Lempicka to at least start previews before Christmas 2022.

It's also interesting that this is the 3rd established director to be attached to the play: Leigh Silverman directed an online presentation of it last year.

Updated On: 6/2/22 at 01:36 PM

[nophibbing]

Posted: 6/2/22 at 2:18pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "nophibbing said: "Could Lempicka maybe just be coming over in the fall instead of the spring? Seems plausible. Directing two Broadway shows at the same time sounds exhausting."

I don't know what LEMPICKA's timeline is, but Jerry Zaks (Music Man and Doubtfire) and Scott Ellis (Tootsie and Kiss Me Kate) have done it recently. It is doable, but challenging."Spring 2023" is vague phrasing and can basically mean it starts anytime between January and May.Ifreviews at La Jolla are hot, andifmoney and a theatre are in place, it might behoove Lempicka to at least start previews before Christmas 2022.

It's also interesting that this is the 3rd established director to be attached to the play: Leigh Silverman directed an online presentation of it last year."

I guess it has been done pretty recently. Isn't that kind of funny that the two men who did it recently both directed shows about a man in drag and a revival? What a funny similarity.

[Robbie516]

Posted: 11/14/22 at 3:32pm

Tickets on sale now…any rumors on casting?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 11/14/22 at 4:51pm

Robbie516 said: "Tickets on sale now…any rumors on casting?"

I'm very curious who they'll get for this. A name perhaps or just a Broadway name?

[Robbie516]

Posted: 11/14/22 at 5:03pm

Me too Keanu Reeves and Bobby Cannavale did a reading I read…they would definitely sell tickets 

[Robbie516]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 3:27pm

Do you guys think they will get a star for this?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 5:05pm

There is no starring role - it’s a real ensemble piece. My guess is it will have somewhat well known TV actors with strong theatre backgrounds. Bobby Cannavale-type people (although I don’t see him in either of the male roles - interesting that he did a reading of it).

I’m not sure why this play is being done in the spring rather than the fall. A September to November limited engagement would have made much more sense.

 

 

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 7:39pm

nophibbing said: "InTheBathroom1 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Guess this rules out a transfer of lempicka next season."

Not necessarily. Many directors have directed more than one piece in a season. It helps that this one is already written too."

Could Lempicka maybe just be coming over in the fall instead of the spring? Seems plausible. Directing two Broadway shows at the same time sounds exhausting."

 

I'm hearing next season for Lempicka as Rachel wants the Walter Kerr after Hadestown closes!

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 7:43pm

That’s what I was thinking. Hadestown had a good run but it’ll close within the year and Lempicka will replace it. 

[Robbie516]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 7:53pm

I honestly think they have a star for this that’s why it’s being played when it is 

[amiyagi]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 8:09pm

Robbie516 said: "Tickets on sale now…any rumors on casting?"

Only for subscribers so far right? I don't see any info yet for public on-sale dates.

[Robbie516]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 8:15pm

https://cart.2st.com/events/3164?view=calendar&startdate=2023-03-01&promoApplied=true

The Thanksgiving Play Audience Rewards Presale unlocked! Available to Audience Rewards members from November 14, 2022 10am - November 20, 2022 9:59am. Please remember to note your Audience Rewards number on the checkout page. 

[gibsons2]

Posted: 11/15/22 at 8:48pm

For some reason,  mezzanine tickets aren't available. Seems like only premium tickets are on AR sale.

[amiyagi]

Posted: 11/16/22 at 7:48am

Robbie516 said: "https://cart.2st.com/events/3164?view=calendar&startdate=2023-03-01&promoApplied=true

The Thanksgiving PlayAudience Rewards Presale unlocked! Available to Audience Rewards members from November 14, 2022 10am - November 20, 2022 9:59am. Please remember to note your Audience Rewards number on the checkout page."

Thanks!

Unfortunately, going to have to wait until public on sale for mezz tickets. With $159 being the lowest price point, that's too steep for me at the moment especially with a new play and unknown cast. Didn't pay that much for Prima Facie tickets with Comer.