Riedel says: Evita coming, "Hairspray" going!!!! Say it ain't so.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:33am

I hope he is wrong again! He claims "Evita" is heading to NY and "The head of the Really Useful Group, Lloyd Webber's production company, is in New York this week looking at theaters. He has his eye on the Neil Simon, home to the long-running "Hairspray," which may close by the end of the year.
"Evita" will likely be co-produced by Really Useful and the Nederlanders, who own the Simon."


http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/evitas_tears_of_joy_entertainment_michael_riedel.htm


Why would they close "Hairspray" which is still doing great business for another revival of "Evita"? Say it ain't so!

[LostLeander]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:47am

As long as they bring the hot Argentinian, and leave Menzel in London.

And Michael Arden is Che, and makes sweet love to me every night.

[AnotherDay46]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 5:09am

Hey, I would LOVE for Evita to return to broadway.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 5:21am

Let it return if it must but leave "Hairspray" alone!

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 7:10am

First of all, look at the source. Second, the operative words in the article being "may close".

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 7:39am

wow, i would love an EVITA revival, but as jimnysf said, dont bother HAIRSPRAY! bother THE PRODUCERS or something...

[Princeton78]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 7:39am

Although it's had a bad week (in the 60's) here and there, Hairspray continues to be in the 80's and 90's every week. It's in the black at the moment, so I see absolutely no reason why it would close. I also don't see the Simon being the right house for an "Evita" revival. The Palace would be nice.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 8:10am

If HAIRPSRAY or THE PRODUCERS played in the 50s or 60s, they definitely would be gone by now; even hit shows back then typically didn't play more than four or five seasons. Both shows are doing okay business, but I wouldn't morn the loss of either, if there were a viable hit show to come in and replace them.

Still, its hard to imagine HAIRSPRAY won't hold on at least long enough for the film to open next summer; though perhaps the producers realize the real money is to be made on the show from regional licensing.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 8:27am

A Chorus Line, Les Miserables, Dreamgirls on the big screen and now, Evita... It's like "I Love The 80s - Broadway Edition".

[madbrian]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:12am

I think 'The Producers' has run its course, and I wouldn't miss it. However, I think 'Hairspray' is still strong enough to run for awhile longer.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:17am

exactly madbrian! THE PRODUCERS had their time, made a movie, and still didn't do much better. HAIRSPRAY is in the process of making their movie to do better, and it deserves more time on Broadway
yup
:)

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:25am

I hope this happens...would love to see a live production of Evita!

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:26am

Sometimes shows close even while still making money. The Fully Monty was, while not raking it in, doing marginally ok when it decided to close. It's too early to play second-guessing but any number of reasons could cause a current hit show to close.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:40am

It really is the 80s all over again, isn't it?

But it would be very cool to have Evita on Broadway, but I'm liking the idea of a non-Idina version. Bring on Elena!

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:44am

The article on playbill says they're looking at theatres(plural) including the Neil Simon. It also says its eyeing a FALL 2007 bow. I say Bring on ELENA!!!

Playbill Article

Updated On: 6/28/06 at 09:44 AM

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:45am

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=10613

THE PRODUCERS is still going relativly strong, so I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon.

If they are allowing them to even look at the Neil Simon and let them publically annouce they are looking at it, it might be pretty safe to think HAIRSPRAY will be closing sometime early next year.

I'd love the chance to see Elena! I adore Idina, but have doubts as to her Eva.

Updated On: 6/28/06 at 09:45 AM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:03am

and actually, HAIRSPRAY could transfer to another theatre if they really wanted to, but it doesnt seem likely
i think it'd be funny if Idina did EVITA, it wouldnt be great, it would be more funny. i rather see Elena do it, though...

[bare_nakedlady]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:07am

Am I missing something? Why do people think Idina would be doing it? Because she was up for the role in London, or because of her insane popularity? Personally I think she would be wretched in the role, but that's just my opinion.

[Parks]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:20am

I'm wondering that too, bare_nakedlady.

Hairspray can't close . I mean--I won't let it. I'll go all teeny-bopper Broadway fanatic on yallz *sses and protest outside the Neil Simon if they announce its closing.

[timote316]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:20am

I think Idina would be fine.... for about a week. Then she'd be awful, because her voice would be shot.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:43am

First off, anything beginning with "Riedel says" should be taken very lightly but moreover if Evita is ever done on Broadway and the person playing Peron is anyone other than Orfeh, I'll be over theater casting for good. Don't much care if she ever plays the green witch or some swamp lady BUT, if they screw up on this, my faith will forever be shot to shreds. And why does everyone keep mentioning Menzel? How would that ever be a good fit? Eva is a formidable character and that's not an adjective I would relate to Menzel.

[Corine2]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:45am

HAIRSPRAY BETTER NOT CLOSE.
I WOULD BE VERY UPSET.

[Parks]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:53am

Corine, would you like join me in the protesting?

[Corine2]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:55am

Well,
Riedel could be wrong. And I sure hope so.
It is such a wonderful show. I want it to run FOREVER.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:55am

weird... maybe Hairspray would move?