West End CABARET Revival (and B’way Transfer?) - News & Discussion Thread

On Broadway — sources say the musical would like to come to the Hudson Theatre … If “Cabaret” truly wishes to get a red carpet “Willkommen” from NYC, the show must grab hold of what’s great about it — immersion, a sexy ensemble and high spirits — and then bring the audience crashing down along with its characters.

https://nypost.com/2022/04/05/should-eddie-redmaynes-london-cabaret-come-to-broadway/

Updated On: 8/22/22 at 09:32 AM

I've said before, The Hudson or The Broadway are really the only theaters (not occupied by long running shows) we have in the city that could be transformed into the immersive experience they have in London now. And depending on casting, it really doesn't matter that the last production was less than 10 years ago.

inception said: "The last remount on Broadway with Alan Cumming was only a few years ago. Not sure what the audience appetite is to see it again so soon?"

Surprisingly, if this opened today, there would be more time between this and the closing of the Cumming revival than there was between the last revivals of GYPSY and LA CAGE. But none of those revivals made money. The Cumming closed in March 2015 and ran just shy of a year –– not quite the length that Roundabout hoped for, I don't think. It became very reliant on whatever star was playing Sally.

It would do great business for 2-3 months, at minimum. I just don't know that mass audiences care enough about Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley? ("Knowing" being different than "caring."

I traveled to London this past winter to specifically see this production, and had the most magical time. I saw the Mendes revival twice, the original run and 2014 revival, but this particular production really gutted me.

Loved it so much there is a part of me that doesn’t want a transfer. Also, I’d be (pleasantly) surprised to see Jessie Buckley reprise her moving performance. Her film career is on fire, but also I believe she had some vocal issues during her run in London.

Part of the appeal of the last revival was that it was a revival of the previous revival, complete with its Tony-winning star. Even then, it only ran a year or so. Redmayne is a known actor, with a wealth of recognized performances, and the star of this Fantastic Beasts trilogy. While he is not A-List, neither is Alan Cumming, but if Eddie can get his performance out in public, and with the promise of a new version of Cabaret, it could potentially excite audiences. (Buckley, if she did it, wouldn't be a selling point here, but could bring the awards-season cache and a possible Tony win to exploit.)

Yet another revival of CABERET?

I would love to see this production - and I wouldn't care who was starring. Getting Redmayne HERE to do it might be a reach, but I'd be thrilled.

My introduction to Cabaret was the wonderful 1968 London production starring Judi Dench and Lila Kedrova. This Cabaret would definitely bring me back to Broadway from the Left Coast.

The last Roundabout had 2 major A -list stars as Sally. Would be tough to beat.

I suspect if it comes to the US, it would be with Redmayne AND Jessie Buckley. Even if that's a year or more away due to scheduling. Pushing it out a bit wouldn't be a bad thing given how recent the last revival was.

Jessie Buckley has appeared in the West End in numerous musicals and plays; she also trained at RADA. It's hardly as if she is some hack who has no business doing Sally Bowles on Broadway. She also wouldn't be the first person who has gotten ill whilst playing the role and had to miss performances.

The decision to make transparent a star's absences (planned or otherwise) is completely the jurisdiction of the producer, not the performer.