Reefer Madness coming to broadway?

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 6/28/19 at 9:18pm

Could this lead to a broadway production

 

www.playbill.com/article/ethan-slater-javier-munoz-lena-hall-more-to-take-part-in-reefer-madness-reading

 

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 6/29/19 at 12:50am

that is the end goal yes

[cuzwerehavingagoodtime]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 11:01am

actually,  as far as im aware broadway is NOT the end goal.

 

New World Stages is.....

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 11:29am

cuzwerehavingagoodtime said: "actually, as far as im aware broadway is NOT the end goal.

New World Stages is....."

That sounds more feasible for a show this size. I’d love to see Reefer Madness back in New York. We’ll never know what success the original production could have achieved had it opened any other year, but it was eventually adapted for television and won an Emmy which isn’t too shabby either.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 4:50pm

....I just talked to an ensemble member, maybe NWS is part of the plan but the end of the road plan is Broadway...

[darquegk]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 5:13pm

The material itself is much stronger today than the Off-Broadway run. The post-movie rewrites are all for the best- how rare is that?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 5:19pm

LightsOut90 said: "....I just talked to an ensemble member, maybe NWS is part of the plan but the end of the road plan is Broadway..."

Two reactions. First, an aspiration does not equate to a plan. Second, with the possible exception of a volunteer usher, "an ensemble member" is probably the worst source for anything (other than their next call time). I don't mean that disrespectfully, but do you seriously think that actual facts of this sort are shared with ensemble members? What they are likely to have heard is either (a) gossip or (b) that aspiration I referenced above. Mr. Campbell is not getting a Broadway house unless and until it blows the doors off NWS.

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 5:35pm

When I first saw this on Playbill, I was super excited for any type of revival of Reefer Madness, but how often do readings result in a show? Even just looking at all the readings announced on Playbill, only a handful seem to actually result in a production (at least from going back 2 years or so and from what I can tell). Assuming most projects just fizzle out, is this even likely to happen (and don't quote a random ensemble member)

[HogansHero]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 6:40pm

all I can say is that very few things DO happen without a reading at some point first, which of course says nothing about how many go nowhere. To add: if I had a dollar for every reading I have sat through that went nowhere, I could produce this show anywhere I want.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/30/19 at 7:12pm

darquegk said: "The material itself is much stronger today than the Off-Broadway run. The post-movie rewrites are all for the best- how rare is that?"

I agree! I was disappointed at first when they cut “Dead Old Man” but “Mary Jane/Mary Lane” is so fun!

[musicaltheatrechick]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 9:57am

Reefer Madness is one of the funniest shows I’ve seen. I think it is would have a stronger run off- broadway.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 10:01am

Broadway is absolutely the end goal of this production, which is in the middle of a workshop right now and will have a LA production in September. Spencer Liff is choreographing, with Brackett directing.

They are also engaged in heavy revisions of the material. 

Updated On: 7/1/19 at 10:01 AM

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 12:24pm

Kad said: "Broadway is absolutely the end goal of this production, which is in the middle of a workshop right now and will have a LA production in September. Spencer Liff is choreographing, with Brackett directing.

They are also engaged in heavy revisions of the material."

Do they have any plans for off-Broadway or is it straight from LA to Broadway (for a possible spring opening)?

[Kad]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 12:40pm

It's my understanding they have no plans for off-Broadway as of now. That could always change, I suppose, but the intent is that this is a Broadway-sized production. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 1:15pm

"Heavy revisions" has me nervous. I like the show as it is.

[raddersons]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 1:58pm

I've never seen this live, but I think the movie is absolutely brilliant. Multiple people have told me that the movie of this is better than the stage version. Looks like the currently licensed version (via R&H) already incorporates changes from the movie, so I wonder what people think about why exactly it doesn't work in its current form, and what changes you think they'll make in these re-writes?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 2:04pm

raddersons said: "I've never seen this live, but I think the movie is absolutely brilliant. Multiple people have told me that the movie of this is better than the stage version. Looks like the currently licensed version (via R&H) already incorporates changes from the movie, so I wonder what people think about why exactly it doesn't work in its current form, and what changes you think they'll make in these re-writes?"

I'm curious too. The current stage version does incorporate all the new material from the movie.

[zainmax]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 2:20pm

raddersons said: "I've never seen this live, but I think the movie is absolutely brilliant. Multiple people have told me that the movie of this is better than the stage version. Looks like the currently licensed version (via R&H) already incorporates changes from the movie, so I wonder what people think about why exactly it doesn't work in its current form, and what changes you think they'll make in these re-writes?"

I was at the reading. What do you want to know? Can answer yes/no.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 3:12pm

Does anyone have any information about the LA run of this? 

[zainmax]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 3:37pm

emo_geek said: "Does anyone have any information about the LA run of this?"

Nothing set in stone yet.

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 3:46pm

 

1. Any new songs?

2. Are the changes really that substantial to make it a "big broadway cast"

3. Is the reading cast the same as the LA cast?

4. Why wasn't I invited to the reading?

5. Were you allowed to smoke weed while watching the reading?

 

Updated On: 7/1/19 at 03:46 PM

[OrchardAndRivington]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 4:21pm

HogansHero said: "LightsOut90 said: "....I just talked to an ensemble member, maybe NWS is part of the plan but the end of the road plan is Broadway..."

Two reactions. First, an aspiration does not equate to a plan. Second, with the possible exception of a volunteerusher, "an ensemble member" is probably the worst source for anything (other than their next call time). I don't mean that disrespectfully, but do you seriously think that actual facts of this sort are shared with ensemble members? What they are likely to have heard is either (a) gossip or (b) that aspiration I referenced above. Mr. Campbell is not getting a Broadway house unless and until it blows the doors off NWS."

Exactly. Heathers was also looking towards Broadway and didn’t make it past NWS.

Wasn’t Toxic Avenger aiming for Broadway after NWS without panning out..?

If the producers have deep pockets and want the vanity of a Direct from Broadway or Broadway’s Reefer Madness qualifier to help sweeten its further life, or for bragging rights amongst their other wealthy, elite social circle.. “Darling, you simply must go see the new Broadway musical that Edgar and I are producing.. it’s simply the bee’s knees!" Well then hey, go ahead and employ a whole bunch of people for a while.. but hopefully they have some smart industry people around them, reminding them that if you can’t sell lower priced tix at NWS, a move to a 1000 seat house on Broadway makes no financial sense.

Updated On: 7/1/19 at 04:21 PM

[raddersons]

Posted: 7/1/19 at 4:31pm

nativenewyorker2 said: "

1. Any new songs?

2. Are the changes really that substantial to make it a "big broadway cast"

Yeah these were my big two.

[nativenewyorker2]

Posted: 1/30/20 at 12:19pm

Any new news on this ...

[Kad]

Posted: 1/30/20 at 12:25pm

The project is dead following unsuccessful fundraising.