Toronto, LOTR, etc.

[Tag]

Posted: 6/21/06 at 10:36pm

On the subway home today I rode in the 'LOTR car', that was totally decked out with pictures, posters, etc.
Since I haven't seen the show in a while it got me thinking, does anyone have current info on the status of an OCR? And anyone know how attendance is these days?

Also to note, in today's Star, Richard Ouzounian talks about the upcoming ensemble of Mary Poppins on Broadway (as some members are former Toronto Mamma Mia-ers). He writes:

"A huge hit in England, expectations are high it will repeat its success on Broadway. (And then maybe come to Toronto?)"

Now is he just saying that or is he hinting at something. I know to speculate this early is ridiculous and he usually doesn't write (gossipy) things like that.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 12:47am

There are currently no plans to do an OCR. There will be a show demo done by the writers but a cast recording would be very pricy with a cast of 55.

As for Ouzounian's mention in the Star today, I'll believe it to be a rumor when I actually get concrete evidence from producers. Ouzounian (for all of his crabiness) really wants Toronto back on the map for tourism. WICKED really helped last year he was one of the many that were FURIOUS when the producers went with Chicago over Toronto.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 2:32am

I think Wicked is the perfect show for Toronto. It is pretty flakey fun...Catchy tunes and lots of gimmicks and not too much thought involved (not to put down Toronto audiences...but Mamma Mia was selling out here for 5 years...that says something).

Akiva

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 3:39am

LOTR : I had two sets of friends attend in the last few weeks. Saturday matinee JUne 10 was not sold out. They were in the balcony where there were quite a few empties. They also spotted some scattered empty singles on the orch floor (mainly off to the side.) The other friends saw a midweek performance and guestimate it was about 75-80% sold. It seems to be doing allright but not sensational.

There are enough songs in the show to fill maybe one side of an LP: A half-hour CD would probably feel like a rip off. (Remember it is NOT a musical, It has some songs and a great deal of underscoring, but it is not a musical.)

As for WICKED, Akiva is right. I am sure there are enough teen and pre-teen girls who could beg and plead with their parents to buy the little princesses tickets so they can see it multiple tiems then fill up chat room message boards with inane babble about how Shosana and Megan are like so to die for like....

[Colle]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 9:12am

It is good to hear that the show is not doing awful. I am a little disappointed that there will probably not be a OCR. I have heard good things about some of the cast members, and a legal recording would have been great for someone who would want to go the show but can't. Hopfully the demo will be good, maybe they could get a cast member of two for some of the songs, assuming it will be put on sale.
Updated On: 6/22/06 at 09:12 AM

[sabrelady]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 7:43pm

It looks like the West End transfer will proceede now. I expect they'll use this new prod to sand away all the little problems ( and MAYbe whittle down the running time a bit too!)

[Tag]

Posted: 6/22/06 at 7:51pm

Well the Toronto run will drastically effect the budget for the West End. Producers in London will not have to pay the $41 million it cost to fully mount the Toronto production.

[AJ1985]

Posted: 6/23/06 at 6:30pm

How did you get 41 million? Everything I have read says 25 to 27 million.

I saw it I liked some parts, was bored by some. Theres not a memorable song anywhere. Actions sequences were good.