SIDE SHOW To Replace BULLETS At The St. James?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 8:32pm

I heard from a reliable source that this is what's being discussed. I'd love for it to transfer so I could get a chance to see it!

[RW3]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 8:39pm

Interesting. Personally, I think the St. James is too big of a theatre for Side Show. The theatre it is playing at in DC seats about 1300 people. I think the Nederlander would be a more suitable choice.

[harris007]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 8:51pm

It's fantastic. But they struggling to sell tickets here in Dc . Unless this goes into the music box or booth it won't last long

[gleek4114]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 9:20pm

If they were to tansfer I think they would be wise to do it in the spring. If they opened right before the tony cut off they could try and last until nominations. Then if they received some that could easily add more fuel to the fire and if it were to win some awards then that would also extend it's run. Just my opinion.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 9:33pm

The revival category is going to be packed this season. King and I, On the Twentieth Century, On the Town, possibly Side Show, and probably a couple others.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 9:44pm

It'll be a exciting Tony season :)

[averagebwaynut]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 9:59pm

If they put it in the St. James and close the balcony, they end up with a theatre of 1,300-1,400 seats -- that could work just fine. If it turns into a hit, they can always open the balcony later.

The Booth isn't available and neither is the Music Box (at least not before year's end, and I'd be shocked if the Weisslers closed "Pippin" that quickly). I've heard the Nederlander has a show for the Spring that has yet to be announced (a musical revival) so I believe that's not an option either.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 10:14pm

Well if they're indeed looking at the St. James, that's a Jujamcyn theatre. And boy is Jujamcyn killing it. Of its 5 theatres, 4 of them are occupied by big old hits that aren't going anywhere anytime soon (including 3 of the 4 last Best Musical winners in Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, and Gentlemen's Guide, not to mention the long-running Jersey Boys). So if the producers of Side Show have ties to Jujamcyn, the St. James is actually their only option.

[harris007]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 10:24pm

sigh the St.james is too big =(

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 10:25pm

That's what she said.

[harris007]

Posted: 7/7/14 at 11:05pm

well thats what used to say at my old job

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:53am

I'd love for a Side Show transfer, but not to the St James. How about the Jacobs instead?

[newintown]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:57am

What an odd and enormous gamble - transferring a revival of a not-particularly-well-known-flop that isn't even selling particularly well. Is it some kind of tax write-off?

Or is it that producers are so afraid of new material they prefer to take their chances with revivals of flops, in the strange hope that "this time we'll get it right?"

[Up In One]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:40am

^ I dunno every now and then there is a revival like Chicago or Pippin that takes on a life of its own. The reviews out of Washington DC are beyond glowing. Sideshow was up against some serious competition the first time around (Ragtime, The Lion King) and this new more literal approach lines up with today's tastes in film and episodic TV. It also is another flavor of the "girl power" theme that feeds a big segment of the Broadway demographic and it has a rabid fan base which should get it off to a good start.

[newintown]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:02am

I see your general point, but the original productions of Pippin and Chicago weren't flops (and certainly didn't close in 10 weeks like the original Side Show).

I think there's a big difference between reviving an old hit (or beloved near-hit), and reviving a mega-failure.

And despite reviews, it's been reported that this revival isn't selling well. Good reviews are nice (the original production got a nice one from the Times), but ticket sales are often entirely unrelated.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 8:58pm

For everyone getting their panties in a twist about this unfounded St. James rumor, I would ask you ----- have you seen the Kennedy Center production?

This is not the little, precious, chamber musical Side Show that previously flopped on Broadway. This is a big, bold, in your face reimagining of the material, and it works amazingly well. I see no reason why it could not play the St. James and be quite successful.

By the way, for whatever it is worth, American Horror Story's subtitle for this season is "Freak Show", and it premieres this Fall. Obviously this is a totally different take on the "freaks" in Side Show, but something tells me there is going to be a lot of interest in this material.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 9:38pm

I've seen both the original Broadway production of Side Show and the production in DC. Despite its excellent reviews, Side Show has been discounted throughout its entire run in DC. Ragtime sold very well at the Kennedy Center 5 years ago. So much so, it was extended a week, which made for a much more encouraging transfer to Broadway.

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:06pm

Yeah, and that means what? The revival of Ragtime opened and closed in the blink of an eye.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:17pm

Ragtime was very well received and sold well and still failed on Broadway. Side Show was very well received and isn't selling well, which is why I question why people think a transfer will succeed on Broadway.

[Demitri2]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:34pm

I saw SIDE SHOW two days ago and the orchestra section was about 95% full. I couldn't say how well sold the mezzanine and balcony were. The Washington Post review that came out was a rave saying it's ready for Broadway. And it is. I saw the Broadway production twice and enjoyed this version just as much. The sets and costumes are really impressive. The two actresses playing the twins are wonderful. I see no reason to compare their vocals to Ripley's and Skinner's. They're just as enjoyable and totally invested in the roles with tears streaming down their faces during several scenes. I loved the new dance number that closes Act One. The only staging of a musical number I preferred from the original was "One Plus One Equals Three" but I'm being nit picky here. The show is just as good as anything I saw in New York recently.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/side-show-a-searing-soaring-musical-is-reborn-at-the-kennedy-center/2014/06/19/a661820a-f7e8-11e3-8118-eae4d5b48c7d_story.html

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 10:36pm

If Passing Stange, Title of Show, and others can transfer, don't rule out Side Show. Who the hell knows what producers think these days.

[jkstheatrescene]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 11:23pm

I just saw this last weekend! A big fan of the original, I also loved this version. With a few small adjustments, I think this has a shot... my review is here:

http://jkstheatrescene.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-side-show.html

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 12:49am

Yes, this revival is to the original SIDE show as the 2012/2013 PIPPIN was to the original. It took a much more literal adaptation of the material to great effect, but SIDE SHOW is still a mess of a show so it can't be saved by great direction unlike the superior PIPPIN. The Nederlander will probably have either DAMES AT SEA or FUNNY THING, so that's out of the question. It will probably transfer to opening in the Spring, as the fall is getting pretty full.

[gleek4114]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 2:42am

Who would have thought Gentlemen's Guide would succeed? It was a completely new show with no "big" names in the cast, and the majority of the public had no clue what it was about. They struggled for months and had a tony pay off. If it gets good reviews and picks up some stuff during awards season this very well could be the new Pippin or Chicago. I think it all comes down to timing and getting a house that's not to big. Also if the new season of AHS is successful it could draw attention to a musical about a freak show. I think if it is planning to come in it needs to be this season.

[15minutecall]

Posted: 7/9/14 at 2:54am

This production is not in any way, shape, or form like Chicago or Pippin or even Gentleman's Guide for that matter. Despite raves, a bravura performance, and lots of laughs, Gentleman's Guide limped along until it got more nominations than any other show and then won the big award. This has limited commercial appeal and IMHO has little chance of getting the most noms for the season. Even a Best Revival win means little on its own. I can see this doing fine as part of a Roundabout season or some such.