Samantha Barks was Amelie in the Berkeley Rep world premiere prior to Broadway. IMHO she might have given the show more buzz on Broadway.
The age-old "theatre is dead" moaning is on again, I see. Pretentious douchebags have been whining the same thing for nearly a century (probably the very same ones!) and yet, it's never been true. Theatre isn't dead because a few narrow-minded curmudgeons don't get what they want. Curmudgeons that don't seem to add any value to our culture. Does that mean they're dead, too? Theatre is not dead. Broadway has some shows these sourpusses don't want to see. There is nothing more to it than that. And that is okay because that is the history of Broadway and the history of theatre.
General rule of thumb: If someone says "theatre is dead" and you are still able to buy tickets to a play or musical, Broadway or elsewhere, then you know that person is full of sh*t. You don't need to hear how they define or quantify "theatre" because it will be pretentious blathering (usually using words like "taste" and "class" and "vulgar" to assert their self-ascribed superior status). How they choose to define "theatre" is absolutely irrelevant to anyone other than themselves.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
The only thing more annoying than the theatre is dead comments are the Is this the worst season on Broadway threads. One should be coming soon, trust me.
And the annual "Worst Tony broadcast EVER!". If Broadway survived the 88-89 and 94-95 seasons, then this is a plethora of creativity by comparison. When the pretentious whiners start their caterwauling, it usually means there are several shows entertaining the masses, which is what Broadway has always been about.
If I could turn back time, this thread would be exclusively dedicated to The Cher Show.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BREAKING-Teal-Wicks-Micaela-Diamond-and-More-Will-Star-Alongside-Stephanie-J-Block-in-THE-CHER-SHOW-20180417
What a fantastic cast! Definitely can't wait to see this.
Wicks has an incredible voice - happy to see her land this.
Michael Berresse as Bob Mackie?! Emily Skinner as Georgia Holt?!?! Brilliant.
Elphabas for the win!
Amazing cast!!!
Funny how there are 3 former Elphaba's in the cast.
I think people are underestimating this. This doesn’t have the usual trappings of a slapdash jukebox show.
And a top-drawer cast like this is a very good sign.
I love Jarrod Spector's monopoly on playing historical American musical figures.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/2/10
fashionguru_23 said: "Funny how there are 3 former Elphaba's in the cast."
Actually there are four - Block, Wicks, Dee Roscioli and Angel Reda
Had to look up when Reda was Elphaba. Didn't know she was in the original LA production back in 2007(u/s). Surprised she's never returned to the show as she's been a Chicago regular for almost 10 years.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/12/17
She booked a TV series.
What happened to Lena Hall?
Lena's only participation was in the early readings. She was never confirmed nor mentioned as being part of actual staged production.
Broadway Star Joined: 1/12/17
Great for her! While I would prefer to see her in the show, I'm sure that she'll be making more $ on TV.
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/cher-musical-broadway-cast-bob-mackie-costumes-w519224
Sorry couldn’t link The Rolling Stones article. Maybe someone else will have better luck. Interesting read!
Popular said: "https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/cher-musical-broadway-cast-bob-mackie-costumes-w519224
Sorry couldn’t link The Rolling Stones article. Maybe someone else will have better luck. Interesting read!"
Great article! Interesting to hear how they're framing it as a live taping of a variety show. Makes me hate the title less.
Also worth noting that they've announced dates:
First preview: November 1, 2018
Opening night: December 3, 2018
Do they have a theater yet?
Yes, the Neil Simon.
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