Riedel on Hamilton transfer

#1

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 8:33am

This story doesn't make any sense to me. If you believe the show will run for 10 years, why wouldn't you make changes now so its better? Will a few months really matter at the box office?

http://nypost.com/2015/02/20/backstage-duel-at-hamilton-to-broadway-now-or-later/

#2

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 8:56am

He wants to make the move while the fire is hot. He also thinks they'd be a shoe in for the Tonys -- this year. Who knows what they might be up against next year?

Personally, I'm rooting for another extension at the Public so I can see it be fire remakes the big move.

Also, opening in the summer or fall is risky - more shows fail in those months.

Some of what he says about widespread appeal is true, too.

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#3

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:08am

I'd move it now. With the exception of FUN HOME, nothing opening in the next two months has that much buzz. Too many mixed feelings about NEVERLAND ( and especially Harvey's antics), a possible funny show in SOMETHING ROTTEN!, and most likely great dancing but not much else in An American In Paris. My guess is that they'd not only take the top prize, but many other categories as well. They could surely work on trimming those 20 minutes during the two month transfer process. Miranda is that good.

#4

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:12am

If they are moving this season, they should decide soon! Its almost over!

#5

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:14am

I agree with Riedel in this instance. It's obviously a hot ticket now, so it would be foolish not to capitalize on it and move the show while the buzz is strong.

I also agree about it's commercial appeal - this doesn't seem like a show the tourists will flock to. The question is: once everyone in the theater community has seen it, will there still be enough of an audience to sustain a long run?

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#6

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:15am

They really need to wait until fall. They can extend at the Public a little longer and have the summer to refine it. The audience will still be there.

#7

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:26am

A Year is forever in the world of entertainment! It should definitely make an immediate transfer! It would be foolish to ignore the immense wave of hype it has behind it right now.

Could it move in the summer or fall and still win next year…. of course! But now the buzz deafening and a year from now you run the risk of loosing it. Broadway is risky enough. Take the buzz when you can.

#8

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:29am

Plus, it would make for a very exciting TONY awards show, to say the least!

#9

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:31am

They will have big buzz whenever they open. If they fix the show and then re-open, it will be another big moment. What's the other choice: Open it again in three weeks, exactly as it is now, and all the critics will write how they didn't do the work they wanted to do to make it better? What kind of award strategy is that? Hairspray opened in the summer and did great at the following year's Tonys.

#10

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:43am

This also doesn't make sense:

Jacobs and Furman put up a chunk of the money for the Public run, and they believe that entitles them to a fat piece of the Broadway pie.

Aren't these things worked out contractually before "chunks of money" are put up?

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#11

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:46am

You'd think so, right Joey? Unless they were weighing the run at The Public before making that decision. Sellers is a savvy producer, I'm sure he had "his" cards lined up the moment they booked The Public.

#12

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 9:48am

Well, it's not like Riedel has a history of manufacturing drama. Or anything.

Transferring this late in the season is very advantageous for them. And the show is not in need of fixing or futzing with. And truly, nothing opening this season will be able to compete with it.

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Updated On: 2/20/15 at 09:48 AM

#13

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:15am

Hamilton should be transferring ASAP in my opinion. It's getting the type of hype that just can't last.

I'll preface this by saying I haven't yet seen the show, so I may be quick to judge, but I think Seller is delusional if he actually believes this show can run for 10 years. You're not going to get the tourist audience for a rap musical once the hype wears out a bit. Given that he wants to move the show now, attempting to generate further hype through the Tony's, I think he absolutely gets that and is just blustering for the press.

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#14

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:22am

I agree - transfer it now. It really doesn't need THAT much work. I also agree that no matter when it transfers, and no matter how much I think it is brilliant, it won't run 10 years. Unless maybe you paint Aaron Burr green. And he flies.

#15

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:24am

its only closing May 3 at the Public though. I doubt they have plans on transferring it this season.

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#16

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:26am

There was talk about closing early at The Public to move it. And just bringing in the audience from the canceled performances to the Broadway house. This is what Seller was thinking.

#17

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:27am

'And the show is not in need of fixing or futzing with. And truly, nothing opening this season will be able to compete with it.'

I agree, but also think there's nothing next season that can compete with it.

#18

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:30am

But the devil you know beats the devil you don't, and this season will already know is shaping up to be a rather weak one in terms of new musicals. Hamilton would have a fairly easy walk to winning Best Musical, with only a small chorus of Fun Home supporters attempting to get in the way.

It still could win next season, but not taking advantage of the weak field at the moment seems foolish.

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#19

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:34am

Whizzer: have you seen Hamilton yet?

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#20

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:42am

It's the best musical since SWEENEY TODD. I have no faith that anything in the pipeline can even come close to touching it.

#21

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:44am

Kad, I haven't. I resisted shelling out the money for a full-price ticket and now I'm stuck playing the lotto.

My comments were based solely on the reaction of friends and buzz in the press/community.

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Marie: Don't be in such a hurry about that pretty little chippy in Frisco. Tony: Eh, she's a no chip!

#22

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:48am

The show is pretty phenomenal, but I do think it should wait for next season and open in the fall.

#23

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:49am

I was just curious because it is so rare we don't get to read your thoughts on a notable production early in its run and they were missed!

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#24

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:54am

4 words Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Did very well at Public, rushed to Broadway and tanked.

#25

Riedel on Hamilton transfer

Posted: 2/20/15 at 10:57am

The difference between Bloody Bloody and Hamilton is that Hamilton is a far better show.