West Side Story Revival....which theatre?

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:24pm

OK, here's what we know:

It's a Nederlander Theatre. Previews start on February 23, 2009.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119539.html

NEDERLANDER THEATRES (http://www.nederlander.com/Broadway.html)

Brooks Atkinson-GREASE
Gerswhin-WICKED
Lunt-Fontanne-THE LITTLE MERMAID
Marquis-9 TO 5
Minskoff-THE LION KING
Nederlander-RENT
Neil Simon-HAIRSPRAY
Palace-LEGALLY BLONDE
Richard Rodgers-IN THE HEIGHTS

So, with what we know, the obvious choice seems to be the Nederlander Theatre with Rent closing on September 7. They'd have time to fix it up, etc. But, I think they should close Legally Blonde and open WSS up at the Palace.

West Side Story at the Palace Theatre. In the heart of Times Square.

Palace Theatre-1,740 seats
Nederlander Theatre-1,232 seats



Thoughts?

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:25pm

Also, one would argue that with the Legally Blonde TV show wrapping up, ticket sales will increase. I think it can hang on through the holidays and close with just enough time for West Side Story to move in.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:26pm

The Nederlander is TOO SMALL.

30 member Orchestra and 37 cast members?

It just doesn't make sense.

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:28pm

Even more reason for it to go into the Palace.

Are any of the Nederlander Theatres a possibility?

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:29pm

If Hairspray closes....the Neil Simon??

1,445 seats

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:30pm

Couldn't Legally Blonde pull a Beauty and the Beast and switch theatres?

[winston89]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:36pm

Technically I am sure it could. However, that would mean re doing the entire set of the show to fit in whatever theatre they move it to. The only one I can see it moving to is the Nederlander after they fix it up. And even then with smaller sets I don't think it would fit there.

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:36pm

Where would it go though?

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:39pm

Heres thoughts of mine. Legally Blonde COULD move to the Nederlander. Which would give it a reason to be fixed up and renovated. But how long would that take? Are the LB Sets easy to move? Could they fit in another house or is the Palace just the right fit?

Hairspray...In my opinion isn't closing any time soon.

Grease...We'll maybe WSS could take the Brooks Atkinson?

Wicked,TLM,In the Heights are locks.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:42pm

Legally Blonde has been taking in over 780K since the reality show started. When the new Elle takes over, it's only going to go up. It's not going anywhere.

The Brooks Atkinson is actually smaller than the Nederlander, so that's not option.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:44pm

My bet is the Nederlander. This is a GREAT chance for a show to come in totally revamp the whole place, a big show at that.

[winston89]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:45pm

Keep in mind the only reason why Beauty was able to move to the smaller Lunt was because it used the sets from the tour. There was NO way that it would have been able to fit in Lunt had it used the sets from The Palace.

[Glory]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:45pm

The only thing I see is West Side Story moving into the Nederlander. I really don't see Legally Blonde going any where until if not the spring then the following fall. If Legally Blonde were to move out of the Palace, would it be able to move to a Shubert owned house? Or would it need to move to a Nederlander house?

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:47pm

The Nederlander is simply TOO SMALL. It doesn't work, folks.

This may be absolutely crazy but what if they moved In The Heights into the Nederlander? put West Side in the Rodgers...

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:48pm

How far in advance do they generally announce which theatre it will be in for sure?

It still has 7 months 'til it begins previews.

[shh282]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:55pm

Well 9 to 5 announced it's theater and it's opening after WSS, if I'm not mistaken?


would they postpone opening if they have no choice but the Nederlander which is too small?

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:57pm

The Nederlander actually kind of looks like it could work for ITH. Like the fire escape and what not. Just a thought!

[winter_sky]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:57pm

Aw I would love it if ItH moved to the Nederlander. It would have been great there to begin with and I think it would be a really cozy theatre for that show.

Posted: 7/16/08 at 5:59pm

You'd think Too Darn Hot would KNOW where the show was going- all he needs to do is ask his good friend, the star.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:13pm

The Richard Rodgers suffers from a lack of wing space. It's really not a very easy house for a big musical, even though it has housed plenty of them.

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:23pm

passing strange theatre? ive heard nothing about it

[alfgiotir]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:31pm

^Speed-the-Plow is taking the Belasco

[RyToast1]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:35pm

The Belasco isn't a Nederlander Theatre.

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:36pm

so WSS has to be in a nederlander theatre?

[winter_sky]

Posted: 7/16/08 at 6:39pm

It's in the article.

"The new Broadway production of the landmark musical West Side Story, directed by librettist Arthur Laurents, will begin previews Feb. 23, 2009, at a Nederlander theatre to be announced, the producers confirmed July 16." Updated On: 7/16/08 at 06:39 PM