Radcliffe, Groff, and Mendez star in MERRILY - Reviews & News Thread — Page 10

A friend told me NYTW held the lottery for the first 2 previews in November a week ago (entries closed Sept 19th)? Obviously I missed it but it just seemed odd how they held the lottery two months early. Does anyone know why they may have done this? Having the lottery a day or two or even a week before the previews would have made more sense to me.

Ah that makes sense! Thank you TaffyDavenport!!!

TaffyDavenport said: "I assumed it was scheduled before tickets went on sale so that those who didn't win could plan to buy full-priced tickets for another performance. Once tickets go on sale, that option will disappear. They were originally supposed to go on sale 9/21, so maybe 9/19 was with that in mind, and they kept that date even though the they moved it to 10/3."

I won the lottery winner for the November 21 show, and I was pretty bemused when it dawned on me the performance wasn't for two months.

That said, as the parent to a small child, it would be a lot easier to line up a babysitter, if more shows pulled their lottery with that much lead time. There's some upside to that unusual lottery strategy.

Some shows just decide to open off Broadway even with big names. A few years ago at The Public Theater, they had a cast of John Krasinski, Claire Danes and Hank Azaria. Why did that not transfer or open cold on Broadway? Because sometimes even with big names, they choose to have it at a smaller venue. Dry Powder never went to Broadway. Sometimes they just decide to do that.

Opening Off-Broadway helps build up word of mouth, and will probably help convince more producers to put their money up for the show.


Even with a great cast there is no way to know how this transfer will be received over here.

I remember people saying the same thing about The Publics production of Into the Woods in the park a few years back.
Super popular London staging, great A list cast, and it just did quite land here they way I think they hoped it would.

Previously announced stars Daniel Radcliffe, Lindsay Mendez, and Jonathan Groff will be joined by Sherz Aletaha (Man of La Mancha) as Scotty/Mrs. Spencer/Auditionee, Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton) as Gussie, Katie Rose Clarke (Wicked) as Beth, Leana Rae Concepcion (Comfort Women) as Newscaster/Waitress/Auditionee, Carter Harris (Only Murders in the Building) and Colin Keane (Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin) alternating as Frank Jr., Corey Mach (Kinky Boots) as Tyler/Make-Up Artist, Talia Robinson (Dear Evan Hansen) as Meg, Reg Rogers (Tootsie) as Joe, Jamila Sabares-Klemm (Baby) as Dory/Evelyn, Brian Sears (The Book of Mormon) as Photographer/Bunker, Christian Strange (The Butcher Boy) as RU/Newscaster/Reverend, Vishal Vaidya (Love Life) as Jerome, Natalie Wachen (RENT) as KT, and Jacob Keith Watson (Carousel) as Terry/Mr. Spencer. Rounding out the company as swings will be Morgan Kirner (Hello, Dolly!), Amanda Rose (Dear Jane), Evan Alexander Smith (Little Shop of Horrors), and Koray Tarhan (A Christmas Carol).

I guess they have the $$$ to cast Frank Jr.

I’m not too familiar with Katie Rose Clarke but looking forward to hopefully listen to her sing “Not a Day Goes By” !!!!! That song always gets me teary eyed.

chrishuyen said: "interesting that they have a Frank Jr., dont most productions cut out that role now?"

Every production I've seen (about 5 or 6 at this point) has had a Frank Jr.

So question... I've never been to NYTW and would love to see this production if possible. How easy is it to get to the theatre from Times Square area? Cab? Is it safe to walk? Been to NYC lots of times, just never been there before. Thanks

tthomas76 said: "So question... I've never been to NYTW and would love to see this production if possible. How easy is it to get to the theatre from Times Square area? Cab? Is it safe to walk? Been to NYC lots of times, just never been there before. Thanks"

Take the F from Bryant Park to 2nd Avenue or the RW from Times Square to 8th St NYU. Very easy.

If you have the time and the energy, it’s an enjoyable walk down Broadway to that area. I’m a fast walker so I can usually do it in 45 minutes. Probably an hour if I’m taking in the sights.

Updated On: 10/4/22 at 07:16 PM