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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/25/22 at 11:19pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "because the show has never worked and if you have the oppritunity to test it out on a smaller scale with a non-profit before dropping like 15 million dollars on a Broadway run, thats the smart idea"

Yes. And we know it could play ~4 solid months on Broadway. But the key to longevity after that is that the production has to be great, and get good reviews & WOM. Easier said than done. The NYTW production ensures they have time to work out some of the problems and hone it in a less pressured environment than Broadway.

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 12:03am

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.

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 12:12am

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.

Updated On: 9/26/22 at 12:12 AM

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 12:16am

Ah that makes sense! Thank you TaffyDavenport!!!

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 1:22pm

inception said: "I don't understand why, if they want to take this to Broadway, they don't just take it to Broadway with those stars?"

Because opening on Broadway cold worked so well in 1981.

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 2:29pm

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. 

 

 

[binau]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 2:56pm

halfhourcheckwithmerman said: "inception said: "I don't understand why, if they want to take this to Broadway, they don't just take it to Broadway with those stars?"

Because opening on Broadway cold worked so well in 1981."

Yes but their point of course was that, unlike in 1981 l, they have some genuine name(s) - Radcliffe and Groff. And unlike in 1981 it’s a known property now including potentially this specific production. I guess that doesn’t make it a sure bet of course but the prospects for this production are a much surer bet than the original. 

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 6:16pm

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. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 6:26pm

halfhourcheckwithmerman said: "inception said: "I don't understand why, if they want to take this to Broadway, they don't just take it to Broadway with those stars?"

Because opening on Broadway cold worked so well in 1981."

 

This is a pretty different situation.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 8:53pm

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. 

[halfhourcheckwithmerman]

Posted: 9/26/22 at 9:57pm

TotallyEffed said: "This is a pretty different situation."

I know, I know :) 

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 9:26am

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).

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 9:35am

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

[Wick3]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 10:11am

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.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 12:29pm

Katie Rose Clarke will be an incredible Beth! This just gets more and more exciting.

[Ravenclaw]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 4:40pm

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.

[binau]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 4:49pm

Out of curiosity does anyone have any thoughts on the 2012 Merrily production at Encores! vs the London revival/this production? Particularly excluding the actors, who I think it would be fair to say were probably better in NYC? A good Mary especially if I recall (though feel free to explain why if not).

[tthomas76]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 4:49pm

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

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 4:58pm

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"

 

It's safe to walk, but it would be a long walk, an hour at least. You could easily hop on the subway or take a 15-20 minute Uber or cab.

[52889j]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 5:33pm

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.

[tthomas76]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 5:38pm

Awesome, thanks! 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/29/22 at 6:48pm

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. 

[Bonkers]

Posted: 10/3/22 at 6:21pm

Was anyone able to get tickets for this show today? I logged in at the exact time it was released and still couldn't get a single ticket for any showing  

Please let me know if anyone was able to get extra tickets!

Thank you in advance!

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 10/3/22 at 7:16pm

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

[FlightyTemptressAdventure]

Posted: 10/3/22 at 11:17pm

I have followed these message boards for years, but never created an account until now, because I have to know if anyone has an extra ticket for January 20 or 21?

I took time off work to fly to NYC just for this show, and was in there within 5 seconds of the tickets going on sale and was number 2,977 in line or something outrageous. Needless to say, by the time my spot in the queue was up, every single performance was completely sold out. 

Please send me a message or lead if you have one, otherwise I'll cancel my trip and be jealous of and happy for all of you from afar. 

Updated On: 10/3/22 at 11:17 PM