Was at the reading. It was fun and successful on many levels. It would be a welcome addition to Broadway if the critics don't slam it for being hopelessly old fashioned, light and not exactly new. The casting of Michael McGrath as Ralph Kramden and Leslie Kritzer as Alice was perfection. They suggested Gleason and Meadows but still made it their own. They were delightful and genuinely made me smile. They totally worked it. The music was quite good albeit old fashioned Broadway which I happen to love. The choreography by Josh Bergasse for the male chorus especially the bus drivers was stellar. There were full out production numbers at the reading. If it comes to Broadway.. more of that please. Unfortunately the casting of Hank Azaria and Laura Bell Bundy was serviceable but kept you yearning for Art Karney and Joyce Randolph.( I couldn't help thinking--that's not quite Trixie and Norton) In some ways it did resemble the musical "The Honeymooners" on the Jackie Gleason hour but I found that aspect of it a nostalgic treat. I loved those mini musicals on the Jackie Gleason show. Great supporting turn by Michael Walters. Good old fashioned Broadway. The question is.... Can we handle old fashioned Broadway anymore??
Happy to hear that McGrath was at the reading. Was concerned when he announced leaving She Loves Me for personal reasons. Very happy to be seeing him on Sunday but now wondering if his personal reasons have anything to do with a problem with someone connected to the show?
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/2/14
Just curious how does one get invited or in to see readings/workshops. I'm moving to New York in the fall and I would love to see shows in development
They're normally "closed" events. It's not a ticket situation. You have to know someone/get invited.
And I'm sure McGrath isn't leaving for any dramatic reason. You can still do a workshop and live your life. A Broadway show is a commitment.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
To the poster who suggested that we can't "handle old fashioned Broadway anymore," I think the lie is given to that by The King and I, Fiddler, She Loves Me, Aladin, Lion King, Color Purple, Chicago, Phantom, and other "old fashioned" shows that seem to be doing just fine.
Chorus Member Joined: 11/26/15
Does anyone know when this play will open, assuming it hasn't already?
Michael McGrath tweeted this last week:
https://twitter.com/mcgrathbway/status/746176437787332609
...so I don't know what that implies.
Chorus Member Joined: 11/26/15
Thank you. I wonder if it will open in the fall.
Will Kritzer be available if they come in before her "Something Rotten!" contract is up? Assuming she signed a one year.
Not sure of material but just the idea of the McGrath/Azaria pairing is worth a ticket for me.
Swing Joined: 3/10/15
I have a friend in the Ensemble and got into the Lab in April. The show is funny as hell and the lyrics quite clever. McGrath and Azaria are a good team and Kritzer was amazing as always. Geri Vichy almost stole the show as the cranky old man and Lewis Cleale was the bad guy from Madison Avenue. It reminded me of "The Producers" and "How to Succeed" but with a lot of heart. I was sobbing at the emotional ending as were several others around me. My friend thinks they may come in in the spring.
Chorus Member Joined: 11/26/15
So you are saying it is going to start up next year?
Chorus Member Joined: 11/26/15
Well, are there any updates as far as this musical goes? I am anxious to know if it will start up next year.
Chorus Member Joined: 11/26/15
This show, to me, is a classic example of how any production with a New York workshop/lab can be considered "Broadway-bond." Hell, the musicals I write are Broadway-bound...
Bumping this since it's one of the Papermill Playhouse productions that begins on Sept. 28, 2017 running thru October 29, 2017. No cast is listed at the website, but today I got this photo in my Facebook newsfeed of Michael Walters who is cast as Jackie Gleason with Megan Hilty at 42 Street Studios I believe in Ft. Lauderdale, FL which is where Michael Walters lives. 
Could she be returning to play the role she first workshopped Trixie which was played by Laura Bell Bundy previously or maybe she's going to be Alice?
B-but Michael McGrath!!!! NOOOOO
^ Don't worry. Michael McGrath is playing the lead - Ralph Kramden (Who was played by Jackie Gleason)
Michael Walters is playing the actor Jackie Gleason.
Swing Joined: 3/10/15
I believe Leslie Kritzer plays Alice and Laura Bell Bundy was Trixie in the lab I saw. Very funny musical.
Would Hilty really use this as her return to musical theater? seems odd.
Ooh! This is some enticing casting!
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/189430/laura-bell-bundy-leslie-kritzer-more-to-lead-world-premiere-musical-the-honeymooners/
Excellent cast! Excited to see Laura Bell Bundy back. I can't imagine this will do well if they bring it to Broadway, but I could see this playing VERY well regionally.
So happy Laura Bell Bundy is officially coming back to the stage!!
Broadway Star Joined: 9/15/16
This casting has me SO excited! I'll be there in mid-October. I wonder if they're aiming for a spring Bway transfer after the PMP run?
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