Theatre for Sweeney Todd revival?- Page 2

[magruder]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 2:11pm

Sweeney has never had a very long run in either of its two previous Broadway incarnations. The original production ran about a year and four months, and the revival, I think just a little over four months. They would be better off in a smaller theatre that is right for the intimacy of the production AND creates a build-in demand for tickets because of the diminished seating capacity, than going into a 1100+ seat house and dying after a few months, like just about every Sondheim show.

Updated On: 3/19/05 at 02:11 PM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 2:17pm

It just has such a following. I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy.

[magruder]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 2:24pm

It really doesn't have a following, beyond theatre cognoscenti. Sure, WE love it, but I'm not so sure that general audiences do. That original Broadway production was as staggering a creation as anything I've ever seen, before or since, and even with critical raves, eight Tony Awards, two great star performances (and two great star replacements), it didn't run, and lost most of its investment. And the revival, even with a Frank Rich rave, couldn't fill the 600 seat Circle in the Square after a few months.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 2:51pm

Isn't Spelling Bee going in Circle of the Square?

[magruder]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 3:07pm

Yes, Spelling Bee is going to Circle in the Square. My post above is about the 1989 Sweeney Todd revival that played there.

[Plum]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 3:11pm

I think someone proposed Circle in the Square farther up the thread. But thanks for the confirmation, anyway. :)

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 3:32pm

I think the Belasco is the best choice. Whenever I think of a theatre for a "dark" show, I always think of the Belasco first.

Dracula
James Jouce's The Dead
A Doll's House
Hamlet
The Crucible (2 different productions)
Macbeth
The Rocky Horror Show

have all been there, I dunno, something about it makes me like it for darker shows...

[magruder]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 4:34pm

I agree that the Belasco would be a great house for Sweeney. It's great for spooky shows, since the theatre is so run down, and yet still so atmospheric. But since some prime theatres will be available when limited run shows close this summer (the Music Box, the Barrymore), I think the producers of the revival would want to select a more prime location.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 4:36pm

In my opinion, The Music Box is the most ideal.

[magruder]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 4:53pm

Yeah, and with The Pillowman across the street at the Booth, 45th Street will start to resemble a charnel house!

[Princeton78]

Posted: 3/19/05 at 5:33pm

I believe this production works best in a small theatre...so what if everyone wants to see it? It will ensure a long run....
I'm thinking of these theatres...
Booth
Cort
Music Box
Plymouth
Royale
Broadhurst
Music Box