West End Drowsy To Close in Aug.- Page 2

[jv92]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:41pm

If Caroline, Or Change went to London, Grey Gardens will go to London. It probably will be a short run. Ebersole has kids and even if they send her next summer (with the children) the summer only lasts 3 months.
Anyway, regarding Drowsy- Wow. That was fast.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:41pm

Am I the only one thats surprised it's actually still on Broadway?
Updated On: 7/6/07 at 04:41 PM

[mallardo]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:49pm

Caroline or Change played the National Theatre with its huge subscription base - it could never have played in the West End. Unless Grey Gardens does a similar deal there will BE no deal.

[postergirl]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:52pm

Yes, youjusthavingfun, you're the only one........poor you

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:55pm

Well that was fast.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 4:58pm

"What? Why? The two shows are pretty much completely different. Different tones, different styles, different themes, different types of performances, different genres."

I know that. I'm not comparing the shows. But the producers might be hesitant that a show that was a hit here failed, so could Grey Gardens do well there? Elaine Page is pretty well known in the theatre world, especially in the West End, and Drowsy still struggled. I can't see Grey Gardens doing any better over there. The documentary isn't that well known here, I can't imagine it being more well-known in England. That's why I can't see it doing well.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:02pm

Well, Bob was completely unknown here in America except for writing S&A and that doesn't have a huge Audience out here but then, viola! A new sensation! When he left the NY show, it started to dive. Only Crombie's appearance gave it a lift and he at least is known better here in the US because the Anne Series is still shown quite regularly here in the States. Once he left, Glover, who is known on Broadway and Television, hasn't been able to pull in a crowd though he is holding it up the best that he can. I fear he may be getting typecast and in this role, his reputation may be hurting him some? I bet he is doing a fine job but Bob owns it and Jonathan has at least a reputation as a comedian in Canada, some NY'ers may have known that from his Skippy days.

As for any of the original Cast, why be so negative? Bob likes LA so it is likely, if he isn't busy that he might make some of the run and he said he will make some appearances. The others, I can understand but with Georgia coming back, that was more of a surprise to me. I really doubt "Drowsy" will still be running in NY by next year considering the numbers on the board.

I do doubt that Beth and Danny would actually tour, they are too popular and don't have to. Yet, when it comes to LA, who knows? It depends on how much money the show really wants to make out here I guess? They were loved in LA and if they even make an appearance it would probably pack the house.

They are all definitely welcome out here and I don't mind saying so, for what it is worth.

[postergirl]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:13pm

Glad you have the welcome mat out!
Yes, Bob was unknown in America, but within a month of opening he and the show had been nominated for and won Drama Desks, Outer Critics Circles, Tonys, etc. Nothing like that happened in London to put his name before the public.
I'm not being negative, just realistic. I'm willing to bet he has other irons in the fire by now and is ready to move on to other projects. Crombie, I admit is certainly a possibility, but I can't imagine more tha n a handful of NYers ever heard od Skippy's Rangers.

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 5:41pm

Ah but you forget, that Bob was already developing his reputation by winning recognition in LA for his performances, a complete unknown in the Theater scene. Though for Bob, it is really being the right guy in the right role. Along with such a wonderful cast of Actors, it was a real treat for those fun loving LA'ers.

Yes, I was reaching in "Skippy". Of course it was the Anne Series that got my attention. It really is more than likely we would get Bob before Jonathan but I enjoy them both in the role. Bob is the only one who said he would make appearances. Jonathan was only rumored to do so. It would be great but one never knows. I still prefer a Canadian in the chair because it just seems right and they deserve the credit for something they created.

I don't know what went wrong in London, it is too bad but I know Bob is working steady on his new Musical, how he does it is amazing but of course, it is a team effort for him so that helps a lot.

I agree though, "Drowsy" did draw in more of a crowd opening when it did and getting all of that publicity early on. Of course, the show has to be good, to gain that much recognition.

It is rough,having to work six days a week, to promote something new. They should have went to France! It has a better reputation of entertaining the more fun Musicals out there. It does though lend more to the great job the Broadway/LA Cast put on for us and why whomever decides to visit us is welcome in my book! I love them all.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:48pm

mallardo its pretty funny you say west end theatre is full of revivals , films that are based on movies and jukebox shows ... have you seen broadway recently.

I think Grey Gardens will do ok here in London as there is a lot of talk about it(people weren't really that interested in drowsy here.

I agree with Wicked Lord of the Rings will be out very soon becoming the biggest flop in musical theatre history.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:50pm

Because you work in the West End, do you think it would be better for GG to do a limited run, ala Caroline, Or Change?

[nealb1]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:53pm

I'm so surprised that it's closing. I'm going to see it on Saturday, July 21st. I LOVE Elaine Paige. So, I'm very excited.

Of course, right after I bought my ticket, discount codes started popping up. But, that's ok.

It will be a short trip to London/Paris.....6 days, "Drowsy" and seeing Streisand's last 2 concerts in London!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 8:56pm

It would make sense for it do go to the National for a limited season but as i said there seems to be a lot of interest in this with people curious to watch it so it will probably book in for an open ended run in London(it would probably choose the Novello ironically )

Drowsy is a shame but the show opened without any fuss and as much fun as i think it is i don't think its the greatest show and i guess West End theatre goers agreed.

The advertising wasn't that great either and to be honest Elaine Paige put some off my friends of going to watch it.

[alterego]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 11:08pm

DROWSY is closing but DIRTY DANCING and WE WILL ROCK YOU just go on and on and on. I guess there is no accounting for taste.

[Wicked63]

Posted: 7/6/07 at 11:11pm

Well all three should go to prove tastes havent been lost totally. You guys have been spared so far the 'joys' of WWRY and DD but for how long??

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 8:37am

The thing with shows like WWRY and Dirty Dancing and your Fames etc is that the UK public like to go and have FUN at the theatre as well as go and watch things like Sunday In The Park etc.

Large groups of people like to go and watch a fun show then go out for a meal and then go and get drunk round the west end and make a night of it, we embrace the shows what a fun and cheesey because we want to have a laugh, we want to get up and dance etc, unlike broadway where it would appear that every time a silly fluff show opens people yell "arrgh theatre is dead , its dumbing down"

This board proves that , look at the abuse people give out to Wicked , Legally Blonde or the now closed Wedding Singer

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 10:01am

I suspect GG will end up at the National for a limited run.

There are two distinct audiences in the West End. It has re-branded itself as a non-elitist centre for recreation, which attracts people for whom a performance of Mamma Mia, WWRY or Dirty Dancing is part of an extended party night.

The theatre-loving audience has been dwindling for some years, with the coach-party audience entirely focussed on the pop-culture shows.

The theatre-going public also identifies itself much more closely with the music of the 70s, 80s and 90s than earlier styles- including traditional musical theatre show tunes. The likes of GG and Drowsy appeal to an ever decreasing minority.

However, the Boney M nonsense also shows that the show must still be good to succeed- a back catalogue is not a guarantee of success!

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 10:02am

I thought Grey Gardens was goin to do a limited run like C/C anyway... well... it SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY anyway... and in the National Theatre as well!
It's so sad Drowsy is closing... and to think that nowadays most audiences drift to reality TV, movie turned musical crap... aka Joseph, Grease & Dirty Dancing *sighs*

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 10:05am

devonian.t i agree with you 100 percent

And Grey Gardens, company etc hasnt really taken of at the US box office either they always seem to be hanging on by the skin of their teeth.

The West End still produces a lot of great work in theatres like the National etc but it also knows that it's a business.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 10:13am

Not that I think this is what killed DROWSY, but I think it was a bad idea for Bob to kick off the production knowing he would leave a month later. People like to be able to see the original cast, whoever that is, and when they see that a replacement has been put into a show, they feel that it's somehow decreased in quality -- like, "if this replacement is so good, why didn't they put him in the original cast?"

Original cast members need to commit themselves to a production at least through awards season, or the show becomes overshadowed by other new shows whose original casts are still intact.

Plus, the critics reviewed Bob. So people are going to read the reviews about this actor, who also happens to be the writer, only to find out that he cut out of his own show early on. That's not a promising sign to a prospective ticket buyer.

Updated On: 7/7/07 at 10:13 AM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 10:56am

yeah i dont think that has really had anything to do with its downfall as you said but i see your point.

Many people here though just did not care , the reviews were good but not great, its advertising was rubbish and Elaine Paige seemed to put a few people off oddly enough.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 10:56am

That's a very astute observation W.B.A.F.

I am not a fan of DROWSY, but I really thought the Brits would love it. They all have a soft spot for frothy Jazz Age fun.

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 11:16am

erm no we dont lol

The shows what seem to do well here at the moment are either the big spectacular shows like Wicked , the fun dumb shows like Fame and WWRY or the interesting shows like Sunday in the Park.

The last show of the drowsy era we had here were probably Beautiful and the Damned and that was a disaster

[Tkt2Ride]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:33pm

I agree, that Bob dropping out so soon may have had an impact on the shows outcome. The show dropped off here when he left too. It isn't a serious show at all and I don't think too many people think it is a masterpiece. It is just a fun romp, that was why I thought it had some promise in London.

I just enjoyed the silliness of it and it was fun. It got everyone in such a good mood, so I thought it had promise there. I don't know Elaine, so I don't mean any disrespect, I just know our Beth was quite a character and I thought she was just great. Our whole cast were so well represented that it made everyone laugh quite a bit.

My only regret is how much money that must have been invested to get the show up and running. Drowsy wasn't a repeat but a mocking of the old Broadway Musicals I grew-up watching as a kid.

GG is a very different show but it only did so-so here so I hope it finds it's audience enough to pay the bills at least.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/7/07 at 2:53pm

>erm no we dont lol <

So then, why was The Boy Friend a success last summer, so much so that it's coming back again?