Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#1
Posted: 2/22/25 at 5:07am
The show might be common denominator material with a score that ranges from ok/good to awful (the title song might be the worst ever). However, Vanessa Williams is getting her later-in-life diva moment the same way someone might do in ‘hello, dolly’. Star entrances and exits, glamorous costumes, dancing, diva worship and sassyness with the exact kind of attitude you’d expect from Vanessa Williams. Zippy one-liners.
The box office is on fire and one of the hottest shows in town. I don’t think the show will be received well in New York, but I do think for a fun evening at the theatre Vanessa Williams delivers and I hope she will make it to New York.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#3
Posted: 2/22/25 at 6:24am
Not sure where you got the idea it isn’t selling. I’ve seen it quite a few times and it’s been sold out each time. Just a quick look at the sales for the next month show how well it’s doing and for a massive barn of a theater as the Dominion, I’d say that’s quite an accomplishment.
Also, I’ll just say again that while the show isn’t the next great piece of musical theater, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Jerry Mitchell took a trainwreck of a show from Chicago and turned it into something that’s just a really enjoyable couple of hours, with Vanessa Williams being absolutely perfect in the role. For what this show was and now is, I’d consider it a success.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#4
Posted: 2/22/25 at 6:39am
Exactly. This is a barn that never sells out and yet it’s selling out night after night with a strong advance. Shows in New York also typically run with higher attendance because of the cost pressure (ie they need to be sold better than in London) so in comparison to London market in particular it’s also selling unusually well.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#5
Posted: 2/22/25 at 7:30am
That's exciting to hear. I've been saying I wish people would write new Dolly/Mame shows but with a more modern sensibility/ sense of humor. Shows that glorify the leading lady and let us just queen out, minus the odd Thornton Wilder jokes or plantation numbers.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#6
Posted: 2/22/25 at 8:23am
Are people buying tickets because of Vanessa Williams or because of the production? I don’t think Vanessa was involved with the show back in it’s Chicago run.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#7
Posted: 2/22/25 at 8:50am
Wick3 said: "Are people buying tickets because of Vanessa Williams or because of the production? I don’t think Vanessa was involved with the show back in it’s Chicago run."
This is an entirely new production. Completely. Including the entire cast, sets, costumes, etc.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#8
Posted: 2/22/25 at 10:50am
Vanessa Williams is a positive add-on, the title is doing most of the work selling the tickets. It sold well in Chicago too. When it comes to Broadway it probably has a minimum of 6 months good sales there too.
Very different show, but Darren Criss plays a similar “positive add-on” role in MHE: he’s not drawing huge crowds on his own, but people hear it’s good and there’s a semi recognizable face in it as another reason to go. Which is often a better sales result than “I hear it’s great and there’s nobody I recognize in it.”
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#9
Posted: 2/22/25 at 2:13pm
I just hope they get Christian Thompson back as Christian Thompson for the Broadway transfer. A wild coincidence in Chicago.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#10
Posted: 2/22/25 at 4:58pm
EDSOSLO858 said: "I just hope they get Christian Thompson back as Christian Thompson for the Broadway transfer. A wild coincidence in Chicago."
Considering it's a different director/choreographer and they're trying to distance themselves from the Chicago production as much as possible, that seems pretty unlikely, but it was a fun coincidence.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#11
Posted: 2/22/25 at 5:29pm
I would rather her jump into Death Becomes Her than bring this over.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#12
Posted: 2/23/25 at 5:23pm
Vanessa Williams is the weakest link in this show, followed very closely by Matt Henry.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#13
Posted: 2/23/25 at 6:06pm
Any word on a London cast recording? Show was a mess in Chicago but it had some fun songs and I am hopeful for the chance to listen to them again.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#14
Posted: 2/24/25 at 1:31pm
Does Vanessa Williams have a scheduled or planned departure date? Last time I was in London was between its run at the Plymouth and opening at the Dominion. I'd love to try to catch her when I'm back towards the end of August/start of September if she's still in the show!
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#15
Posted: 5/5/26 at 6:16pm
I was listening to The Happy Grownup podcast featuring Vanessa Williams, and she mentioned she signed her third extension to October...
And she says plans are for her to come to Broadway with the show in 2028!
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Understudy Joined: 6/1/17
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#16
Posted: 5/7/26 at 4:13pm
She should be pretty great. Hasn't she kind of already played this role as Wilhelmina on Ugly Betty? I mean...if it's coming here, they might as well get America Ferrera to play Andie. Maybe Michael Urie can take the Stanley Tucci role and Becki Newton can play Emily.....
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#17
Posted: 5/7/26 at 4:56pm
ShowBro said: "Vanessa Williams is the weakest link in this show, followed very closely by Matt Henry."
That couldn't be further from the truth!!!! Her playing Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty makes people want to see her live on stage playing a very similar role and playing it very well. The weakness of the production is in the book and score, NOT VANESSA WILLIAMS. This wouldn't have a chance on Broadway if Vanessa Williams wasn't in it.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#18
Posted: 5/7/26 at 7:34pm
So this has been running in London since December of 2024? Also, Vanessa has played Miranda the whole time? If that’s correct, I did not realize that.
Vanessa Williams in ‘Devil Wears Prada’#19
Posted: 5/7/26 at 7:36pm
JMH27 said: "So this has been running in London since December of 2024? Also, Vanessa has played Miranda the whole time? If that’s correct, I did not realize that."
Yes, aside from scheduled vacations she's been there the whole time. I saw the show in London and enjoyed it, but Vanessa could play this role in her sleep. The real highlights were Matt Henry as Nigel and Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily (she's since left)
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