SPAMALOT To Play The St James This Fall- Page 2

[HogansHero]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:39am

I think that's a plausible time, but I am not sure I would tether it to unemployment. If that increases the suffering, one would expect the studios to wait to eke out concessions until that time (If you know about the unemployment, so do they. )

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 5:17am

HenryTDobson said: "Interested that it's a limited run through January. Is there something else going into the St. James for the spring? I'm curious to see the "big names" attached because they'll need to be VERY big names to turn a profit off such a quick run."

So, at best, this will run for just four months? With one or two big names coming in? It'll probably sellout its entire run at high ticket prices then. Maybe this limited run could lead to a new tour next Fall?

[BJR]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 9:38am

On the strike, studios are currently planning for Q1 of '24, pushing back most big fall and holiday openings to next year. So, I wouldn't hold my breath for Oct. But I have a feeling SAG will go first.

As for Camelot, I also wonder how they are gonna recoup in such a short period. Parade has come close (or hasn't announced) but that has Ben Platt. There better be some big names attached. I don't think Monty Python has the same pull as 18 years ago.

[inception]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 9:39am

Got out my compact disc of the OBC. The show has some good songs, but boy  that book... so many old, tired jokes.  And really problematic in today's climate.  They should bring in someone to wake it up a bit.  Aaron Sorkin could probably do something interesting with it.

[Kimbo]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:06am

HogansHero said: "3. The agent for any actor with a film commitment on hold due to the strike is going to have a bailout provision in their client's contract that looks more like off-off-Broadway than Broadway. And if anyone is foolish enough to cast a play around famous people who are "available" because of the strike is likely going to have a rude awakening."

I usually agree with everything you post, as I do with nearly all of what you wrote here, save for this. I do believe, for example, that the sudden 10-week run of the Aubrey Plaza/Christopher Abbott play – directed by another actor, who was in the middle of filming a movie, making his stage debut - is entirely a product of the strike.  Even if the strike is settled this month (it won't be), it's going to take weeks for most productions to gear up again – and those are just the ones that were already filming.  It's simply not as if the strike gets setted on a Friday and everyone starts shooting on Monday, or even Monday 10 days later.  ("Wicked" had 10 days left to shoot, but after sending presumably hundreds of people home from London, it could easily take a few months to get those last 10 days back on the calendar again.)

And for TV projects that had just started filming or were in mid-shoot, in many cases the second half of the season wouldn't even have been written yet, since the writers' strike began 2 months before the actors'.  Then you factor in seasonal shooting schedules (some won't be able to start up again in winter), and the holidays (if the strike doesn't get resolved till Oct or Nov) and that adds a whole other level of complications.  There's a reason, for example, why Yellowstone, which was originally supposed to return in May, and then in November, is now basically saying they'll be lucky if the final season airs sometime in 2024 (they film in snowy Montana so have always shot April to October, and the script for the new season weren't yet complete - so that's one show that might not go back in production till 9 months from now regardless). 

There's a reason they're moving the Emmys from September to January, and it's not because they think the strike will last till New Year's; it's because even after it's resolved, much like Broadway post-pandemic (a problem that TV and film ironically didn't have), it's going to take a few months to get everything back up and running again.   Are there performers who'll be theoretically committing to a quick fall run with screen projects that are technically in first position? Sure, but that's often been the case when filming schedules were up in the air... the difference this time is that the agents putting their clients up for those stage shows are already going to have a pretty good idea how long it'll take after strike resolution for each specific movie or TV show to resume filming.  My money is on most actors signing for a stage run that ends by first week of 2024 being able to complete most or all of that run.

But you are right, it will resolve, and in the meantime, no, it is certainly not good news overall.

 

[RunnyBabbit]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:16am

inception said: "Aaron Sorkin could probably do something interesting with it."

Haven’t we suffered enough already?

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:33am

inception said: " They should bring in someone to wake it up a bit. Aaron Sorkin could probably do something interesting with it."

Surely that must be sarcasm?

[JSquared2]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 10:46am

inception said: "Got out my compact disc of the OBC. The show has some good songs, but boy that book... so many old, tired jokes. And really problematic in today's climate. They should bring in someone to wake it up a bit. Aaron Sorkin could probably do something interesting with it."

 

If by "interesting" you mean interesting in the sense that Elon Musk has f"cked up Twitter, then yeah, sure -- Sorkin could also be an "interesting" take!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:07am

Eh I kind of feel like Monty Python - much like Book of Mormon’s sense of humor - gets a pass because it is suppose to be problematic. Like that’s kind of the point. It’s pushing the line and making fun of everything. 
 

I am curious what other shows might pop up or what we might get.

 

And the OcT timeline I heard was coming from the Executives basically saying once unemployment dries up they’ll come graveling back. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:08am

I don’t think we need whatever a “woke take” on Monty Python would entail, because at least in the Broadway version the jokes are all satires on prejudice. An extremely talented lead actress complaining all the good parts go to the men and she’s undervalued? Still relevant. Gay marriage “still being controversial?” A darker joke now than it was twenty years ago. 
 

What I wouldn’t mind is gender-bending some of the male tracks, since drag and gender play is already intrinsic to the Python sensibility.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:45am

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Expect an official announcement tomorrow.

It is a transfer of Kennedy Center production but with ALOT of replacements (I am hearing only Michael Urie and Leslie Kritzer are continuing on) as they have several big names coming in (the strikes apparently have opened up availability thus why they are moving fast)

Starts previews mid-october for a limited run through the holidays into mid January."

well, looks like Michael Urie is now otherwise invloved in another project.......... 
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Urie-Hannah-Cruz-Charles-Shaughnessy-to-Star-in-THE-DA-VINCI-CODE-at-Ogunquit-Playhouse-20230801

 

edited to add: just noticed The DaVinci Code is only scheduled to run until the end of September, but that's still cutting it very close to previews for Spamalot starting in mid-October

Updated On: 8/1/23 at 11:45 AM

[smidge2]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:48am

The8re phan said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Expect an official announcement tomorrow.

It is a transfer of Kennedy Center production but with ALOT of replacements (I am hearing only Michael Urie and Leslie Kritzer are continuing on) as they have several big names coming in (the strikes apparently have opened up availability thus why they are moving fast)

Starts previews mid-october for a limited run through the holidays into mid January."

well, looks like Michael Urie is now otherwise invloved in another project..........
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Urie-Hannah-Cruz-Charles-Shaughnessy-to-Star-in-THE-DA-VINCI-CODE-at-Ogunquit-Playhouse-20230801"

 

[smidge2]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 11:48am

smidge2 said: "The8re phan said: "BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Expect an official announcement tomorrow.

It is a transfer of Kennedy Center production but with ALOT of replacements (I am hearing only Michael Urie and Leslie Kritzer are continuing on) as they have several big names coming in (the strikes apparently have opened up availability thus why they are moving fast)

Starts previews mid-october for a limited run through the holidays into mid January."

well, looks like Michael Urie is now otherwise invloved in another project..........
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Urie-Hannah-Cruz-Charles-Shaughnessy-to-Star-in-THE-DA-VINCI-CODE-at-Ogunquit-Playhouse-20230801"

"

Ends in September 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:05pm

He could easily do both.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:15pm

When is this announcement coming?

[Voter]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:28pm

Call_me_jorge said: "When is this announcement coming?"

I was just going to say the same... It probably won't happen today, just like when a Cabaret announcement was "incoming" for almost two weeks.....

[Alex M]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:36pm

give me Nick Kroll as Lancelot (and others) or give me death 

[Observation]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:48pm

Spamalot was my very first broadway show! We sat so far in the balcony and we got to meet Steve Kazee on the stage afterwards for a meet and greet. 

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney would get me back, in a heartbeat! I wonder if Steve Kazee would come back... 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:49pm

delayed to later in the week

[Voter]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 1:53pm

BoringBoredBoard40 said: "delayed to later in the week"

ah yes..... of course.... (and my dog ate my book report that was due!)

Updated On: 8/1/23 at 01:53 PM

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 2:53pm

ok I mean I also said Gutenberg was happening, sometimes the info is just slightly off (shrug)

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 3:18pm

Unless they bringing in actual stars I don't see this selling? 

[Peppa222]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 3:39pm

^ It's heavily rumored that only Kritzer & Urie are transferring from DC with the rest of the leading roles padded with big names. We'll see. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 3:53pm

Definitely just heard that it’s a who’s who of comedy in this revival. Yes. Announcement coming later in the week! Yes the St James Theatre.  
This is actually quite exciting!!!!!  

[inception]

Posted: 8/1/23 at 3:55pm

Nick Kroll? John Mulaney?  Are those "stars?"  Should we lower our expectations? How about...

Brad Pitt with Leonardo DiCaprio

Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore

Ben Stiller & Robert DeNiro 

Jim Carey & Jeff Daniels 

Owen & Luke Wilson

Steve Martin & Martin Short

Updated On: 8/1/23 at 03:55 PM