Top Hat Coming to Broadway?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 4:59pm

They released some Equity auditions for it. Is it coming state side this Spring?

[gstrus2]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 5:13pm

If you are referencing this: It is for a developmental lab in late October-early November
Playbill Job Listing

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 5:16pm

Another one? How many labs does this show need? Wasn't it a success in London?

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 5:36pm

That's how I feel! But I'm sure if the lab goes well, maybe it'll open in the Spring.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 5:38pm

I really enjoyed it London--it was just plain fun to me--but I from what I understand, the producers wanted to do some major revamping on book elements before mounting an american production.

[Mr. Musical]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 5:46pm

The casting seems like they are only looking for dancers. I wonder if it's just a dance workshop?

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 10/9/14 at 5:55pm

I hope it does make it to Broadway, eventually.
Top Hat West End

[HorseTears]

Posted: 10/19/14 at 7:02pm

When it comes to musicals, it does seem like the British critics (and audiences) are a lot easier to impress than their NY counterparts. Perhaps this cautious approach is a good idea.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 10/20/14 at 9:55am

My wife and I also saw it in London when we were there for the 2012 Olympics and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were rumors then of an immediate transfer. So I also wonder about why a development lab is needed at this stage of the game, but I do give them credit for trying to make something that was very good even better.

What I don't know is whether the show could be commercially successful here without a star or two.

[iWannaBEaSedaris]

Posted: 10/28/14 at 8:54am

The show is getting a complete overhaul. If something appears in NYC it will not look anything like the London production. Chad Beguelin is writing a completely new book, and trunk songs from the Berlin catalogue are being used.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/14 at 2:01pm

Wasn't it a success in London?

It won Best Musical in London, but from what I remember from a documentary I watched, the West End production closed at a loss.

[Fantod]

Posted: 10/28/14 at 2:16pm

That's strange because the production ran for about 17 months, so I would think that it would have made back its money, especially with a pre-West End tour.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/28/14 at 3:01pm

I feel like this is just like "Nice Work" and we know how that went.

[fredandgingermad]

Posted: 10/12/16 at 7:16pm

Top Hat had two very successful UK tours one before and one after the mainly successful 19 month West End run, which won 3 oliviers for Best New Musical, Best Choreographer and Best Costume Design. Lloyd Webber decided he wanted the Aldwych Theatre where Top Hat was playing for Stephen Ward (which lasted less than 4 months). Top Hat also had a very sucessful if limited tour of Japan, I find it strange that they would write a whole new book considering the show is based on an American musical film regardless of where the movie is set

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/12/16 at 9:36pm

I didn't see it in London but the score does seem a little uneven on the cast album. Maybe it could use a revision. The first six or seven songs are all sung by the male lead. Let the girl sing something!

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 10/12/16 at 9:52pm

I saw it in London and enjoyed it, but it was a bit like the current Holiday Inn, so if you're not a fan of that, Top Hat probably isn't up your alley.  I can't see them bothering with it.

[brian1973]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 3:48am

Not entirely true. Look at the rubbish that has done well in NYC and flopped in London- Thoroughly modern Millie, Rent...

uK audiences are much more discerning than US ones. You have to earn a standing ovation here for a start. In NY, everyone stands up for any old crap.

 

HorseTears said: "When it comes to musicals, it does seem like the British critics (and audiences) are a lot easier to impress than their NY counterparts. Perhaps this cautious approach is a good idea. "

 

Updated On: 10/13/16 at 03:48 AM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 1:35pm

Look at the rubbish that has done well in NYC and flopped in London- Thoroughly modern Millie, Rent...

"Rubbish"?  In that case, look at the "rubbish" that did well in London and flopped on Broadway - Canterbury Tales, Starlight Express, Buddy...

uK audiences are much more discerning than US ones.

Which explains why Thriller Live has run for so long.

You have to earn a standing ovation here for a start. In NY, everyone stands up for any old crap.

When I was in London at a the end of August, every show I saw received a standing ovation.  Same thing happened when I was in London last year.  

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 1:41pm

brian1973, yes, The Kinks musicals is high drama. And Ghost the Musical, what a masterpiece. If you hate New Yorkers so much, stop reading BroadwayWorld?

[Kad]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 1:44pm

It had several NYC readings/labs after it premiered in London, but it hasn't seen further development on that scale in almost a year and a half. I think it's safe to say that it's been shelved, for now at least.

[InnerMonologue]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 1:47pm

A source from RKO Stage informed me about a month ago that they are planning to open on broadway in the 2017-2018 season. They want to strengthen the book material I believe in the meantime.

[brian1973]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 3:16pm

I

 

neonlightsxo said: "brian1973, yes, The Kinks musicals is high drama. And Ghost the Musical, what a masterpiece. If you hate New Yorkers so much, stop reading BroadwayWorld?

 

"I don't hate New Yorkers! 

But im not going to see someone say that brits are easily pleased and not respond when audiences in NY give every show a standing ovation without fail. And laugh at *everything*. That is all. 

 

[brian1973]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 3:20pm

neonlightsxo said: "brian1973, yes, The Kinks musicals is high drama. And Ghost the Musical, what a masterpiece. If you hate New Yorkers so much, stop reading BroadwayWorld?

 

"I didn't like those shows either.. and neither got standing ovations when I saw them. They would in NYC. I bet Ghost got one every night during its short run!

 

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 3:23pm

I also liked the show in London and would have seen it a 2nd time if I could. Hopefully, whatever they do will make it better though it is usually the other way around. I thought it was quite good already. But it always seems as if the powers that be think they have to change things for an American audience. 

[brian1973]

Posted: 10/13/16 at 3:25pm

It was wonderful in London. Great choreography and beautiful to look at. I hope all of these labs/changes don't mess it up.