The Music Man should do the right thing and postpone/cancel the run now — Page 6

Scarlet Leigh said: "If/when this production is able to happen, I am not going to be shocked if we end up loosing Foster in the production to keep Jackman.

There is NO question at this point that this is not going to be able to happen in it's original timeline even though Rudin has yet to make that announcement. And I am sure that the delay in said announcement would be in large part right now with attempting to re-align the schedules of their two headliners.

Foster was supposed to have the next season of her TV show filmed before starting Music Man rehearsals. That did not happen. And let's be real, if she has to make a choice between filming her tv series once it's possible to do so again or being on Broadway, she will pick the TV series. Just like if Jackman hasany kind of film projects lined up for after Music Man and those films are still on schedule for post pandemic starts, he's gonna pick the film. If they can move the dates but only keep one of the stars to do so, they are gonna work around Jackman and if Foster can't line up with him, they will recast her to keep him."

I’ve been saying this for months now, but I don’t necessarily think it’s an either/or: Foster only needs about 3 months to film the ten 20-minute episodes of “Younger”, so with film and TV production almost certainly set to be allowed to begin production months before it’s safe to consider re-opening Broadway theatres, and with Marian offstage for large parts of “The Music Man” and only in two large production numbers (which would allow three to be -some- overlap between the end of shooting her series and the beginning of rehearsals for the stage show), I think it’s possible she’d be able to do both even if “Music Man” were to open this season.

But we’re not seeing the forest for the trees: while Younger was supposed to start filming in March and will be ready to go back into production as soon as it’s safe to do so, a new stage Show is simply not going to be able to begin rehearsals this fall if they don’t know whether they can open in January, March, or May. Or if they don’t know whether audiences will feel safe coming back at that time. Or if there’s a chance that there might be a second outbreak this fall and winter.

I realize that to many this will variously sound naive, oversimplistic, aspirational and inspiring, or depressing and boring.... but I still believe that with one or two exceptions next spring on Broadway (if we’re lucky) will wind up looking much like this past spring was supposed to: shows that had just opened, just started previews, or were just about to: (Girl from the North Country, Company, Lehman Trilogy, Mrs Doubtfire, The Minutes, Caroline or Change, Take Me Out, Six, Birthday Candles, Flying Over Sunset, Plaza Suite, etc.), and that The Music Man, along with some other shows originally announced for this coming season, will simply move to fall 2021-winter 2022.

Updated On: 6/13/20 at 03:41 PM

RUkiddingme said: "I don't know Sutton Foster - but I do know she would pick a smash Broadwaymusical over a low rated cable tv show.

And i don't know Scott Rudin - but I know he could buy her out of her Younger contract with his spare change for laundry.

"

This is not a thing. (Let alone something that could or will happen.) Her show, far from being low-rated, is the most successful and highly-rated show on its network (and in fact has become its signature series). It will be entering its 7th season, and already has a spin-off announced for the character of her best friend. Furthermore, I happen to know from first-hand knowledge that she loves doing the show. And as to your point about Scott Rudin, you may or may not know that he also works in film and Tv, so even if you were right that the series was some flop that she was ready to leave and that he could “buy her way out of”, I don’t think even he would risk pissing off a whole world of TV and film executives and producers the same way he pissed off a handful of people on Broadway with his treatment of Beetlejuice. If in fact The Music Man manages to somehow get back on track for a spring opening that conflicts significantly with the Younger shooting schedule, then the original poster is correct, they would have to recast Marian.

Updated On: 6/13/20 at 08:08 PM

jo said: "We do not know what's happening behind the scenes. Where's Michael Riedel when you need himIf they are now refunding tickets, it seems to me that Rudin will likely make an announcement fairly soon. Original rehearsals were supposed to start by end-June... that could be the time he might make an official announcement of the new playdates?

Who is Scott Rudin ? Apart from being the only EGOT producer that we know ( unless someone made it to that rare list lately)

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Scott-Rudin-Ryan-Murphy-Among-THRs-100-Most-Powerful-People-in-Entertainment-20170621


"According to the site, those in the lineup have, "the authority to take projects from a no to a yes or the talent and track record to make what he or she wants." Other factors which were considered included the size of an executive's empire, access to vast sums of money, and the number of series a showrunner has on the air and their ratings...

Coming in at #92 was Broadway producer Scott Rudin. According to THR, "no active producer is more admired or feared than the 58-year-old EGOT behind Scott Rudin Productions, who demonstrated in 2017, as he has for decades, unparalleled taste in material and drive to get his work seen and recognized." Among his recent credits were the big screen adaptation of Broadway's FENCES, and the Tony-Award winning revival of HELLO DOLLY..."

Some of his film productions include the Oscar-winning NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN and the Oscar-nominated THE SOCIAL NETWORK."

Exactly.
Rudin can’t get TV Land to cancel “Younger” or put season 7 off for another year and a half (after already having been off the air for more than a year)... but he certainly has the clout to bring some pressure to bear to get everyone to work our schedules in a way that best suits all projects.
Still, I’m fairly certain that with so much uncertainty (ha) regarding the reopening of Broadway in winter-spring, and the return of tourists and older audiences in the middle of flu season and a possible second Co-vid outbreak, he’ll be announcing that Music Man (assuming it still happens at all) will do basically the same thing that Plaza Suite is doing, specifically postponing its dates by roughly a whole year. That’s the smartest (and safest) decision, from the standpoint of investors, actors, audiences, and Broadway as a whole.

Updated On: 6/14/20 at 12:59 AM

Or Mrs.Paroo.

Updated On: 6/14/20 at 01:56 AM

No one could pull in the big bucks like Jackman, initially, for the opening run, then there are many who could follow.

Ms Foster could easily be replaced with an equally talented Marian.

Mr Jackman is looking older now but still could charm the socks[substitute your own word] off any audience, but don't wait too long.

All this speculation is just that, and if it can't open in the next 6 months I'd just put it to bed as just a great idea born at the wrong time.

Mine was for the first week of November. No problems, no questions asked.

My refund was for Sept 9 show. No questions asked and I got my money already.

Our tickets for Music Man in October were refunded and credited to our account 2 days after request...quick and easy!

The Music Man was easy, but Company is taking forever!

It's a very popular show actually, and they will resume shooting the final season when they are allowed to do so. With The Music Man not happening this Fall, hopefully they can do it then.