Summer 2025: SHUCKED will play London's Regent's Park, and HAIRSPRAY aiming for Bway return, per Jack O'Brien

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 7:39pm

From a new BroadwayDirect interview. I'm tired just reading about his schedule, and I'm a lot younger than 85! Good for him.
 

You’re always working. What’s next for Jack O’Brien now that The Roommate is up and running?

When I finish this, I start with the national company of Shucked. Then I go to London to cast the British version of Shucked, which will be done next summer in Regent’s Park. Then I go to Lincoln Center to do Ghosts as my farewell to Andre Bishop and his regime. And then we’re hoping to revive Hairspray on Broadway next summer. And then another tour of The Sound of Music will go out.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 7:46pm

OMG, Lincoln Center is doing “Ghosts”, my favorite Ibsen play. I can’t imagine anyone could be better than Lesley Manville was at BAM, but this is very very exciting. 

[scripps]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 8:41pm

Can Jack Lowden revisit his Olivier winning role? Thanks in advance. 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 9:23pm

Shucked at an open-air theatre sounds AMAZING. What fantastic producing. I continue to be so impressed by Mike Bosner. I'm excited to see what he does next. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 11:07pm

scripps said: "Can Jack Lowden revisit his Olivier winning role? Thanks in advance."

The casting I heard was pretty exciting and should fill the Mitzi Newhouse, but I'm not gonna squeal because some other recent McNeal and Floyd Collins casting was set and then fell apart.

[scripps]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 11:27pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "scripps said: "Can Jack Lowden revisit his Olivier winning role? Thanks in advance."

The casting I heard was pretty exciting and should fill theMitzi Newhouse,but I'm not gonna squeal because some other recent McNeal and Floyd Collins casting was set and then fell apart."

Interesting. I heard rumor of this revival over the summer with a few names attached and to be honest,  I wasn't particularly excited. Very curious to see who this lands now.

Updated On: 9/21/24 at 11:27 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/22/24 at 10:06am

jkcohen626 said: "Shucked at an open-air theatre sounds AMAZING. What fantastic producing. I continue to be so impressed by Mike Bosner. I'm excited to see what he does next."

I'm most curious about how the humor will translate to London. It feels SO American.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/22/24 at 10:24am

Interesting about the potential Hairspray revival and return of the O'Brien helmed touring production of The Sound of Music. I saw the recent Hairspray non-eq tour and was surprised to find how stale and dated the whole thing felt. As for The Sound of Music... I'd rather see a brand new production with a fresh creative team as opposed to the relaunch of a prior tour.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 9/22/24 at 10:29am

bwayphreak234 said: "Interesting about the potential Hairspray revival and return of the O'Brien helmed touring production of The Sound of Music. I saw the recentHairspray non-eq tour and was surprised to find how stale and dated the whole thing felt. As for The Sound of Music... I'd rather see a brand new production with a fresh creative team as opposed to the relaunch of a prior tour."

The answer to both those points is $$$$$$$$$$

The physical production for SOM already exists and Networks, Concord & co will milk it as long as they can.

As for HAIRSPRAY, I agree that a fresh perspective — with, ideally, a Black director — would be beneficial. But a remount will probably cost less than a rethinking, and the authors may prefer to stick with what they know worked before with O’Brien & Mitchell.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 9/22/24 at 10:36am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "bwayphreak234 said: "Interesting about the potential Hairspray revival and return of the O'Brien helmed touring production of The Sound of Music. I saw the recentHairspray non-eq tour and was surprised to find how stale and dated the whole thing felt. As for The Sound of Music... I'd rather see a brand new production with a fresh creative team as opposed to the relaunch of a prior tour."

The answer to both those points is $$$$$$$$$$

The physical production for SOM already exists and Networks, Concord & co will milk it as long as they can.

As for HAIRSPRAY, I agree that a fresh perspective — with, ideally, a Black director — would be beneficial. But a remount will probably cost less than a rethinking, and the authors may prefer to stick with what they know worked before with O’Brien & Mitchell."

100% correct on all accounts! I can easily see them milking this touring production of SOM into eternity (just like the Networks Annie tour that was out for what seemed like ages and the Rigby Peter Pan tour).

[ACL2006]

Posted: 9/22/24 at 11:03am

They'll probably get some names in the Hairspray revival and have it run for a year.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 9/25/24 at 12:07am

I haven't been to NYC in A few years, but a revival of ' hairspray' would definitely have me trying to get back, especially with a killer cast