Riedel says: Evita coming, "Hairspray" going!!!! Say it ain't so.- Page 5

[H.Higgins]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 1:52pm

My God, READ THE DAMN ARTICLE!

Reidel did NOT in any way make any bold or remotely official statements! His piece was simply commenting that the powers behind the London revival of Evita are eyeing a NY transfer and the Neil Simon is one of the theatres they would be interested in. That's all! It was in no way implied that a still-successfully running Hairspray would be FORCED out of the theatre. It's only the notion being expressed that if Hairspray were to be closing by the time Evita was ready to transfer, the Neil Simon would be a theatre of choice for the production.

I'm sorry, I fail to see the problem here. I'm with you, Munk.

And has anyone else considered that ** FALL 2007 ** is a year and a half away?! Many of you are reacting as if someone suggested pushing Hairspray out of its home this September-November, when, in reality, it's just the idea that should it close within the next YEAR AND A HALF, Evita may be the theatre's next tenant.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 1:54pm

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AshleyBrownFan123]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:27pm

Close The Producers, Mr. Brooks!

[musicman89]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:28pm

Riedel is known for his speculations, some which turn out to be true and some that do not. Since insider sources say that a RUG producer is looking at theaters to hold EVITA and the Neil Simon is one of them, he is simply making an assumption that the show "may" close soon.

Read more closely, however. Riedel states that EVITA is being conditioned for a Fall 2007, more than a year away. It is likely that HAIRSPRAY could close or move theaters during that time, especially since the movie would have just been released.

In my personal opinion, I doubt the show will close or move theaters. There are several other theaters that will be vacant over the course of the next year that would serve to be excellent houses for EVITA.

As for the issue regarding Menzel, people are referring to when she was given an opportunity to audition for the producers for the show in London. She turned down the audition, so it is valid to state that she might have not gotten the role to begin with.

It is possible that the producers may want to offer the chance for her to audition if the show does indeed come to Broadway, especially since she is a member of Actors' Equity. In addition, she is much more well known than Rogers, however to the general public (which will make up the majority of the audience of the show), they probably could care less who is in the role.

"I don't think Hairspray will move from The Neil Simon, with 1428 seats, and all the way up there on 52nd St.
Fall of 2007 is still some time off, and The Palace is available. I could picture a short run for either Mame or Hello Dolly, and then...
Or maybe The Broadway Theatre, Evita's first home. The Color Purple is doing great there now, but for how much longer?
Anyway, I'm very exited about this production of Evita coming to NY. The origional was my 2nd Bway musical, and I've been hooked ever since!"

MAME is not headed for Broadway and there was a HELLO, DOLLY! revival in the mid-90s already which still starred Carol Channing. I doubt either of these shows will return to Broadway, especially for a limited run at a theatre like the Palace.

THE COLOR PURPLE is not going anywhere for a while.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:42pm

Let it close on top. It's made TONS of money. I don't think the latest tour sold too well. At least it didnt here. I saw it on a Saturday night and the orchestra was barley full and balcony wasn't open. It was about as full as Little Women on a Sunday afternoon.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:44pm

If Elena doesn't transfer with the show. There is something wrong.

She got unbelievable reviews. Broadway needs her!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:45pm

Are there any video clips available yet of the show?

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:50pm

Munk: Which show? If you're talking about EVITA, there are clips on the RUG website, and the official website.

Here's a link.

http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/evita/music/video.htm

Updated On: 6/28/06 at 02:50 PM

[AshleyBrownFan123]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:52pm

Move Hairspray to the Palace, but many upcoming shows should book theatres now! (Legally/Pirate battle for Hilton)!

[musicman89]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:53pm

With her glowing rave reviews, it is MOST likely that Rogers will open the show in New York if it transfers, but you can never be too certain.

THE PRODUCERS might be likely of closing, especially since Brooks is planning on bringing YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN to Broadway.

Of all the current long-running shows, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is another one that has a good chance of closing within the next year, especially with the opening of MARY POPPINS.

Updated On: 6/28/06 at 02:53 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 2:58pm

Yeah, I'd say Producers has run it's course. The tour is doing good and let the show close on top. It won a bunch of Tony's but hasn't been doing 'excellent' business.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:20pm

Why would they movie Hairspray into The Palace? It's a larger theatre than the Neil Simon, plus, Legally Blonde will be there.

If it comes in Fall 2007, The Hirschfeld should be open (thoug not the largest theatre, it is not at all the smallest).

Billy Elliot has the Imperial When DRS closes, Legally Blonde at The Palace seems pretty much assured for March of next year.

Color Purple will definitely still be at The Broadway Theatre a year and a half from now.

The Producers will close at The St. James a few months before Young Frankenstein comes in, prolly in Spring of 2008.

The Question is: Will Drowsy Still be at the Marquis come Fall 2007? I hope so, but I am not 100% sure it will be. I could see Evita in the Mariott Marquis, especially if that is its only option.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:22pm

The Producers hasn't been doing slam dunk business, but so far this year it has had one bad week. As long as it grosses more than $625,000 every week, it will stay open until Frankenstein comes in.

[kec]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:29pm

Munk here is the link to the official Website, where you will find some video clips:
EVITA

[Cenoern]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:32pm

Hairspray would NOT close before the movie is released, in order to reap in the ticket sales boost caused by the movie's release.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:41pm

Did the film versions of Rent, Producers or Phantom boost the box office of the Broadway productions? I know that Chicago's got a boost, but what of the others?

[jimnysf]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:45pm

"Yeah, I'd say Producers has run it's course. The tour is doing good and let the show close on top."


What tour? There has not been a "Producers" tour for some time and the next one will be Non-Equity. It didn't do well here in SF the last time it came around. In fact they cut 10 days that were scheduled and there were still plenty of empty seats.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 3:46pm

Sueleen, I believe the musical Titanic got a boost when the movie opened, but I think people were disappointed that it wasn't similar to the movie. I, for one, preferred the stage version.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:13pm

Yes, Dottie, but they cut that great Celine song from the stage version, which didn't help at all!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:17pm

RENT def. saw a boost in ticket sales.



jimnysf - I saw the tour about two years ago. I figured it was still touring somewhere. It was packed when I saw it. Our theater seats around 3,000 and I was in the last possible seat in the house. It was packed as much as Lion King was when it came through.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:28pm

Not that I doubt you, Rentboy, but is there some easy way to find if there was a boost in BO for these shows following the disastrous release of the film version? Playbill, perhaps?

[MissNY]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 4:34pm

Check out the Rent grosses for the end of 2005 when the movie came out https://www.broadwayworld.com/grossesshow.cfm?show=RENT&year=2005

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 5:05pm

That's also the holiday season, so, the movie probably only minimally contributed...