SCOTT ELLIS (Roundabout Interim Artistic Director) First Big Show

[BETTY22]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 2:38pm

Scott is going to  a full-scale production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance

In 2022 they did a one night fund-raiser with Ramin Karimloo, Lilli Cooper, David Hyde Pierce!

 

 

[OhHiii]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 2:41pm

BETTY22 said: "Scott is going to a full-scale production of Gilbert and Sullivan’sThe Pirates of Penzance

In 2022 they did a one night fund-raiser withRamin Karimloo, Lilli Cooper, David Hyde Pierce!"

Yawn. "Full scale" musical productions at Roundabout still always have a cheapness. And sorry, is anyone clamoring for a straightforward revival of this? 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 3:02pm

OhHiii said: "Yawn. "Full scale" musical productions at Roundabout still always have a cheapness. And sorry, is anyone clamoring for a straightforward revival of this?"

While Roundabout definitely has had it's fair share of cheap musical revivals (and just production in general), I would argue that their past musical revival productions of Anything Goes, On The Twentieth Century, and She Loves Me were all pretty solid.

[OhHiii]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 4:25pm

I'll give you She Loves Me, that was beautiful.

[quizking101]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 4:29pm

Oh look, another thread from someone who frequently posts falsehoods and unsubstantiated rumors.

 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 6:37pm

Why doesn't Roundabout do new musicals?  its always musical revivals and new plays with them.  Wouldn't new musicals bring in the most money and excitement? 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/3/23 at 7:53pm

Broadway Flash said: "Why doesn't Roundabout do new musicals? its always musical revivals and new plays with them. Wouldn't new musicals bring in the most money and excitement?"

That was a Todd thing. I think he got scared of new works on Broadway. It's been pretty rare that they lead-produce new plays on Broadway, too (though increasingly common in the past few years). The only musical they have ever produced on Broadway with an original score was PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE.

New musicals are risky and they also can take a long time to develop, but IF they hit there can be a massive upside and they can generate income for a long time.

I hope whoever the new leader is embraces new work. That should be the function of a nonprofit: take the risks that commercial producers can't afford. Same with LCT.

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:19pm

IS this for the '24-25 season? Pirates is a favorite of ours.

WE loved all 3 musical revivals - She Loves Me, On the 20th Century and Anthony Goes w/ Sutton was one of the best revivals we've ever seen! 

Now get NAthan Lane and Audra McDonald for Pirates! 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:30pm

wasn't Kiss me Kate a roundabout revival too?

[Robbie2]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:38pm

Broadway Flash said: "wasn't Kiss me Kate a roundabout revival too?"

Yes it was forgot about that w/ Kelli 2019. I'll never forget though the '99 revival with MArin Mazzie and Stokes far superior production! 

[inception]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 2:43pm

I just watched the film of " Are you there God, It's me Margaret" which says it is 1970 when it opens.  There is a scene where Kathy Bates as the grandmother takes Margaret to a production of Pirates at the Delacorte in Central Park.

According to Wikipedia though, the production at the Delacorte was actually in 1980.

I realize this has almost no significance to the thread, but interesting that in 1980 a production of Pirates was a hit in New York. 

[Kad]

Posted: 11/4/23 at 5:09pm

Broadway Flash said: "Why doesn't Roundabout do new musicals? its always musical revivals and new plays with them. Wouldn't new musicals bring in the most money and excitement?"

Roundabout’s foundation and initial mission is revivals. It’s what established the company and made them successful. They have done original musicals in the Pels- with substantially less success. 
 

And if you think new musicals bring in the most money, then you need to see what happens to most new musicals. 

[FirstRowBalcony]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 2:41pm

Do we know if they'll be doing this at the American Airlines / Todd Haimes or Studio 54?

[BETTY22]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 3:05pm

FirstRowBalcony said: "Do we know if they'll be doing this at the American Airlines / Todd Haimes or Studio 54?"

 

American Airlines on 42nd. I am a huge fan of his work on She Loves Me and Kiss Me Kate. Would love to see him develop more original shows......

 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 11/5/23 at 9:59pm

"I just watched the film of " Are you there God, It's me Margaret" which says it is 1970 when it opens.  There is a scene where Kathy Bates as the grandmother takes Margaret to a production of Pirates at the Delacorte in Central Park."

I actually worked on "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret"-- our version of the "Pirates" production in Central Park came about chiefly because the writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig was in love with the patter song of the Major General for that moment in the story between Margaret and Grandma Sylvia. I myself was at that 1980 revival of "Pirates" in Central Park, so we took great pains to avoid mimicking those set designs for our show. We did match the circa-1970 look of the Delacorte Theater itself pretty accurately, but the movie WAS guilty of a few errors in that scene. For one thing, Grandma Sylvia PAID for her tickets! (We all know Delacorte shows are free.) Also, this scene takes place in early October-- at least a month too late for Central Park shows. Despite this, I hope the scene rang true for you in the context of the movie.

Updated On: 11/5/23 at 09:59 PM

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 11/6/23 at 12:35pm

Broadway Flash said: "Why doesn't Roundabout do new musicals? its always musical revivals and new plays with them. Wouldn't new musicals bring in the most money and excitement?"

Years ago, Todd was on Theatre Talk and they asked him why he didn't do more original work/musicals? His was response was pretty right on when he said that they had the Roundabout Underground program that is the main focus of new work and that since they were a subscription/season house, and in honor of their strategic mission, was to put on revivals that generates revenue and interest to a paying audience and community. He did also mention it takes years and it is costly to do new works so quickly. Remember they are not just doing like one show that a Broadway house may see, but an entire season that costs millions to produce.

Updated On: 11/6/23 at 12:35 PM