Rialto Chatter: Nathan Lane-Led ANGELS IN AMERICA Heading to Broadway?

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 11:48am

Yes, I know this is being discussed in the Groundhog Day thread, but thought it was more than deserving of its own thread.

While I agree that the August Wilson would be a great fit, I wonder if this is something that Lincoln Center could program at the Beaumont.  A Lincoln Center collaboration with the National isn't unprecedented and War Horse certainly did a great deal of business.  

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rialto-Chatter-Nathan-Lane-Led-Revival-of-ANGELS-IN-AMERICA-Heading-to-Broadway-Next-Season-20170526

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 12:39pm

Play Esq. said: "Yes, I know this is being discussed in the Groundhog Day thread, but thought it was more than deserving of its own thread.

While I agree that the August Wilson would be a great fit, I wonder if this is something that Lincoln Center could program at the Beaumont.  A Lincoln Center collaboration with the National isn't unprecedented and War Horse certainly did a great deal of business.  

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rialto-Chatter-Nathan-Lane-Led-Revival-of-ANGELS-IN-AMERICA-Heading-to-Broadway-Next-Season-20170526"

 

It would require some shuffling around by Lincoln Center, since Junk is currently slated to begin previews at the Beaumont this fall after Oslo closes. I don't know much about Junk and whether it's a show that could fit easily into another space if they wanted to move it and bring in this revival. And of course anything going to the Beaumont after Oslo will have to have a definite closing date since I don't see any possibility that they will delay or move My Fair Lady.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 1:36pm

^ True....but this could also be a 2018/2019 production.  That scares me a bit though as the longer productions take to surface, the less likely they are to be produced.

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 1:47pm

Wherever it goes, this is one version I won't miss. I've seen the original on Broadway, seen Michael Urie and Adam Driver at the Signature, and of course, the exceptional HBO film  However, Lane and Andrew Garfield,  two of my favorites, promises to be right up there with the ones I've already seen. Can't wait!

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 1:51pm

The article says "in time for next season," explicitly. So I'd assume it's 17-18. 

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 2:28pm

Saw it yesterday. From what I witnessed, which was a magnificent masterpiece, a full Broadway transfer would be quite difficult to pull off. 

First, the length is a big problem. This is not a play where it's okay to ditch one part for the other. Two parts together, this production runs nearly 8 hours with two 15-minute intermissions in each part. As much as I love theatre and have seen a lot, the length did take a toll on me as the day goes into night. I doubt a regular tourists-abundant Broadway crowd would be able to sit through even 4 hours. Not everybody is happy with the recent revival of Long Day's Journey into Night. Then again, seeing only Part 1 without Part 2, one won't be able to understand a lot of important points about the play itself.

Second, Lyttelton has a huge stage and the production makes full use of it with no doubt. Definitely not for August Wilson and other small to medium playhouses. Vivian Beaumont should work though.

 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 2:30pm

^ Technically, the 2016/2017 season is over and we're in the 2017/2018 season.  So, "in time for next season" should mean 2018/2019.

 

With that said, Riedel's reporting is ripe with inaccuracies, so I won't spend too much time arguing over semantics.  I should just assume he meant 2017/2018.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 5:06pm

Play Esq. said: "^ Technically, the 2016/2017 season is over and we're in the 2017/2018 season.  So, "in time for next season" should mean 2018/2019.

 

With that said, Riedel's reporting is ripe with inaccuracies, so I won't spend too much time arguing over semantics.  I should just assume he meant 2017/2018.

 

"

Valid point. I just assumed from the wording of "make it in time for next season" I assumed it was coming sooner rather than later. 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 5:14pm

I bet this will be back at the Walter Kerr 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 5:22pm

I mean, I'd think they'd scale it back for any normal Broadway house. There's not really any place to put this besides Lincoln Center, and that seems like a tough bet with My Fair Lady. So I'd think they'd just scale back the production a bit. 

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 5:23pm

Dancingthrulife2 said: "Saw it yesterday. From what I witnessed, which was a magnificent masterpiece, a full Broadway transfer would be quite difficult to pull off. 

First, the length is a big problem. This is not a play where it's okay to ditch one part for the other. Two parts together, this production runs nearly 8 hours with two 15-minute intermissions in each part. As much as I love theatre and have seen a lot, the length did take a toll on me as the day goes into night. I doubt a regular tourists-abundant Broadway crowd would be able to sit through even 4 hours. Not everybody is happy with the recent revival of Long Day's Journey into Night. Then again, seeing only Part 1 without Part 2, one won't be able to understand a lot of important points about the play itself.

Second, Lyttelton has a huge stage and the production makes full use of it with no doubt. Definitely not for August Wilson and other small to medium playhouses. Vivian Beaumont should work though.

 

I can't imagine they're hoping to bring in the tourists if they transfer this.

 

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 5:59pm

For a limited run with Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane, I'm sure this could do quite well. Yes, Angels in America is not a massive crowdpleaser, but it's a very recent American classic. It's not some unknown piece. 

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 6:21pm

I went to check the grosses for Wolf Hall Parts One and Two since that seemed like the most similar situation in recent memory. It wasn't very encouraging.

 https://www.broadwayworld.com/grosses/WOLF-HALL-PARTS-ONE-TWO

I do think the cast would help but 8 hours is asking a lot even from opera audiences. 

[icecreambenjamin]

Posted: 5/26/17 at 6:59pm

I honestly think that people will go out of their way to see Garfield and Lane in something like this, even if it is 8 hours.  Every production of Angels in America that I have seen has always moved very briskly and should it not feel like you've been in the theatre for days.  If that is the case with this production, that is a bit of a problem.  I am hoping to see a transfer with a limited run over here.  I think that it would probably do just fine.

[billyelliotfan123]

Posted: 7/1/17 at 1:32pm

Has anyone heard anything else regarding a transfer? 

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 7/2/17 at 1:15am

icecreambenjamin said: "I honestly think that people will go out of their way to see Garfield and Lane in something like this, even if it is 8 hours.  Every production of Angels in America that I have seen has always moved very briskly and should it not feel like you've been in the theatre for days.  If that is the case with this production, that is a bit of a problem."

I saw this production in May, on a two-play day, and it didn't drag for a minute. It was absolutely brilliant in all aspects. Although I stumbled out of the Lyttelton after 11:15pm, it was because I was emotionally exhausted -- yet exhilarated -- by what I had just experienced.  Now, over a month later, it is still seared on my soul.  There were so many moments/images that I will remember always. (The Angel, for one, will haunt me the rest of my days.)  Lane, Tovey, Gough, et al. were incredible, but what Andrew Garfield did was other-worldly.  One of the greatest performances I have ever seen.

 

billyelliotfan123 said: "Has anyone heard anything else regarding a transfer?"

Tony Kushner gave a talk yesterday at the National Theatre. From reports online, apparently he said that he "hopes there's a chance" that this production and cast will transfer to New York.

Meanwhile, the NT Live broadcasts are still on for later this month, with some encore performances already being scheduled for those who might miss the initial showings.  Info at http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/

A trailer for the broadcast was released last week.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DinEV8NqKR0

Greetings, Prophet! The great work begins!

 

 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 12:10pm

re: the NT Live Broadcasts

Are they usually made available for purchase, either via DVD or a streaming service like BroadwayHD?

[JBroadway]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 12:15pm

Alexander Lamar said: "re: the NT Live Broadcasts

Are they usually made available for purchase, either via DVD or a streaming service like BroadwayHD?"

No, never, unfortunately. Your only hope is to catch it on a re-broadcast, or, if you know where to look, find an illegal copy online. 

 

[Alexander Lamar]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 12:20pm

JBroadway said: "Alexander Lamar said: "re: the NT Live Broadcasts

Are they usually made available for purchase, either via DVD or a streaming service like BroadwayHD?"

No, never, unfortunately. Your only hope is to catch it on a re-broadcast, or, if you know where to look, find an illegal copy online. 

 

 

"

Thanks, I'll make sure I make to to theater on Thursday then.

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 4:02pm

Alexander Lamar said: "Thanks, I'll make sure I make to to theater on Thursday then."

Make that two Thursdays.  Only 'Part One: Millennium Approaches' is showing this week.   :) 

 

 

[WestCoastActor/Director]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 4:10pm

God I hope so- with Nathan Lane, Andrew Garfield and Russell Tovey please!   I was seriously considering going to Londin the s summer to try to see it.   The run sold out right away but a friend said you could cue up in the morning to try to get tickets.  I have tickets for both parts for the filmed version from National Theatre Live.

[WestCoastActor/Director]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 4:10pm

I also would have loved to see Jack O'Connell in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.  Sienna Miller as Maggie- not so much.

Updated On: 7/17/17 at 04:10 PM

[Robbie2]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 4:11pm

Jordan Roth will have the August Wilson available this fall...I believe he's involved in the move

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 7/17/17 at 11:52pm

Robbie2 said: "Jordan Roth will have the August Wilson available this fall...I believe he's involved in the move

 

"

Is Groundhog Day officially closing?  Any word on an official date?

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 7/18/17 at 1:41am

Robbie2 said: "Jordan Roth will have the August Wilson available this fall...I believe he's involved in the move

I also heard this today.  Hopefully everything will work out. It'll be wonderful to have Angels in America back on Broadway.