TAMMY FAYE will transfer to Broadway in 2024-2025 Season — Page 5

Or they have to offer him more money now?

starlightlocamotion said: "Wonder if they would pull the plug all together now?"

They have to find a name as commercial on Broadway as Rannells, who is willing to work for less than Rannells. With performances starting in October. 

Pulling the plug certainly should be on the table.

If he wasn’t doing “Macbeth”, I’d say this would be a great musical vehicle for Jake Gyllenhaal. 

Garfield would be wonderful! 

Jonathan Cohen said: "TheatreMonkey said: "Jonathan Cohen said: "starlightlocamotion said: "Wonder if they would pull the plug all together now?"

They have to find a name as commercial on Broadway asRannells, who is willing to work for less thanRannells. With performances starting in October.

Pulling the plug certainly should be on the table."

That only holds water if Rannells was the most famous name involved -- I think Elton John would like a word. And they're still pretty well known names otherwisestillon board -- he maybe on the rise, but I don't think Rannells was that big a draw. ​​​​​"

If Elton John replacesRannells as Jim Bakker that would be spectacular from a ticket sales point of view. But unless John is appearing in the show and obviously he won't, the show is still vulnerable. John has a better track record than most as a Broadway composer andLestat still closed after 39 performances.

Meanwhile, Gutenberg! The Musical! just recouped and almost it's only selling point was being a star vehicle for Rannells and Josh Gad.

I don't think it's going out on a limb to say losingRannells is a net negative for ticket sales."

I don't disagree that it might impact ticket sales -- in fact, I generally agree, in principle, with most of what you said. But initially you said losing Rannells puts "pulling the plug on the table" on the whole project, and I find that overstates Rannells value/involvement in the overall production.

True enough about Gutenburg!, but it's damn hard to not factor Josh Gad into that show's success -- and the associated marketing of the duo "back on Broadway!", etc. It was a fun, light two-hander, easily digestible. And with the knowledge of if just recouping and banking on the two of them, it could be looked at that since Rannell really isn't a huge draw, it won't hurt "Tammy Faye"  nearly as much as such a situation would do to others.

Plus, this is a different beast, entirely. But with Elton John's name anywhere on the poster, "featuring the Olivier-winning performance of Katie Brayben" (not as big a deal for Broadway audiences, admittedly), even Jake Shears as lyricist -- it's got a lot going for it and easily marketable.  Enough for it to weather the loss of Rannells, at least. 

Updated On: 6/17/24 at 01:09 AM

A lot of things get announced before proper contracts are signed. Deal terms will be agreed upon by both parties, but it takes time to iron out all the little details and put together a long form agreement, and usually the producer and the agent are operating in good faith. 

Sometimes even directors and authors go into rehearsal without a proper contract signed.

My assumption is terms were agreed upon by both parties, they announced, and then Andrew's team came back with new demands (more money, or length of run, or an "out" for a more lucrative gig) ---- likely because Andrew either had another opportunity arise (film/TV) or had second thoughts about returning to Broadway so soon after his 5 months in Gutenberg.

Some investors will flee. I wouldn't want to be around Team Nederlander tonight or tomorrow.

 

Updated On: 6/17/24 at 01:24 AM

And James Graham just won his second Olivier and has about eight plays in the West End.

I do wonder if it’s a contract ploy. Both Graham and Goold are in Germany right now working on Dear England. I heard there is/was a big Tammy Faye meeting scheduled for late June in NYC. Feels like poor timing on Rannell’s part to make a shock announcement when the creatives aren’t in the country to deal with the fallout, when he could have waited a week or so and decided together how best to announce his departure.

Maybe Luke Thallon will be cast as Jim.  He’ll make Kad squirm in his seat again. 

lilpunkin said: "Agreed. And while Katie Brayben isn’t a well-known name in New York, it’s 100% Katie’s show. They passed on the West End run rather than re-cast when she got pregnant, that’s how much she owns this production. Rannells might be a bigger name in the US but his character is completely outshone. A lot of actors could play that role. "

That has nothing to do with selling a show 

lilpunkin said: "mememe said: "lilpunkin said: "Agreed. And while Katie Brayben isn’t a well-known name in New York, it’s 100% Katie’s show. They passed on the West End run rather than re-cast when she got pregnant, that’s how much she owns this production. Rannells might be a bigger name in the US but his character is completely outshone. A lot of actors could play that role. "

That has nothing to do with selling a show"

My comment wasn’t about selling the show. But actually, reviews and word of mouth are crucial when it comes to selling, and good reviews and word of mouth rest more on quality of performance than having a famous person in the the cast."

Reviews and word of mouth help a show, after it’s open. But you need a commercial hook to pull in the crowd to begin with. A show like this needs names in the cast.

Jordan Catalano said: "If he wasn’t doing “Macbeth”, I’d say this would be a great musical vehicle for Jake Gyllenhaal."

He’s not doing Macbeth.