What are the chances of THE VISIT transferring?

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 7/1/14 at 5:59pm

Hello all,
So I am not able to go and see THE VISIT this year at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. It does, however, have a pretty heavyweight cast and the show was always intended for Broadway. I really want to see it, so do you guys think it will end up transferring?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/1/14 at 6:28pm

It should have transferred years ago.

[smallworld]

Posted: 7/1/14 at 6:29pm

When I saw Chita in May she said to come see it in Williamstown or New York when it gets there if that means anything...

[binau]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 4:51am

It doesn't, she has literally been saying for years it will transfer.

I think it is the perfect thing for the Roundabout to transfer.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 7:58am

It really would benefit from a nonprofit transferring it. It's not exactly material that will invite brisk business.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 12:36pm

I saw the Goodman production and enjoyed it, but it would definitely need a nonprofit production for Broadway. Unless it stars Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris and Idina Menzel, I don't see how it could be marketable enough to turn a profit.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 3:38pm

Would it work on the CSC stage?

[newintown]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 3:45pm

The version I saw at the Goodman would be far too large for CSC, but there are other Off-Broadway houses where it could play, including the Newman at the Public.

I wanted very much to like it, but it felt like a pitch-black night, only rarely lit by fireworks.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 4:36pm

I also have major doubts that Chita Rivera could handle doing this show in an extended run. She missed many, many performances of Drood, a less physical and demanding show for her.

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 7/2/14 at 4:43pm

I saw it at the Goodman as well. It was solid--not spectacular, but had good acting and some moments in the songs shine bright. I liked it, but to succeed, it would need be promoted as something extraordinary. I don't think it could sustain a long run, even at a small theater. If someone like Roundabout did pick it up, I think they'd need a big name leading man to help sell it and a set limited run. 12 weeks or 16 weeks and keeping it at that. Sell it as Chita's big last hurrah (even though I hope it isn't her last hurrah).

[Glitter]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 5:30pm

discussion of the show as it was at the Goodman is kinda pointless...the changes that were introduced for the 2008 Signature Production were all for the better, and both there and at the 2011 NYC concert the show revealed itself a dark, beautiful, twisted powerful evening.

For the Williamstown production, it's undergone even more re-writing and re-structuring. I adored the show as it was, but am open to the direction they seem to be heading in. Fingers crossed it makes it to Broadway, finally!

Updated On: 7/23/14 at 05:30 PM

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 7:46pm

Terrence McNally's partner has put money into the Williamstown production and is the reason it's happening there and with Doyle. He could prove to be a major asset for the show and its post-Williamstown life.

[Brick]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 9:03pm

I wonder if the likely success with ITS ONLY A PLAY might strengthen his producing abilities on this one... MOTHERS AND SONS didn't prove commercially viable, but he rebounded quickly with PLAY.

And bringing on Doyle certainly seems like it's in the interest of developing the show further. Doyle's work on ROAD SHOW and COLOR PURPLE - focusing , cutting, and reshaping - was extensive, and that's a strength he'd bring. So, to bring a new director like him on seems to signal new work on the show, and possibly new NY plans, or hopes, at least.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 10:14am

Let The Visit open and play a bit first. Then start asking about a transfer. Some shows look great in the rehearsal room and fall flat on stage, and vice versa.

After I saw The Visit at Signature, I wanted to see a good production of the play as the musical, at least there, was a bit on the dull side. This has to be a horror show with creeping, mounting dread.

According to the NY Times article last Sunday, roles have been combined reducing the large cast and the intermission cut so that the show will progress steadily to its end. I hope this forces the show forward.

At the climax and the denouement and after the lights come up, the audience ought to feel genuinely uncomfortable, even shaken.

Go to the library and read the play.

[jv92]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:13am

I believe Chita got the flu during the winter DROOD was running. I don't think those absences were due to old age and lack of stamina. She's also in her early 80s and if Alan Cumming can't perform with the flu, Chita Rivera surely can't and shouldn't be.

I don't think intelligent musicals by actual musical theater writers have much of a chance on Broadway anymore. I lost a lot of faith after this past season. (Yes, I know GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE has proven a success, which is very nice, but it hasn't changed my dour outlook.) Producers are so frightened, and audiences are so f*cking stupid. I would love to see THE VISIT come to New York and be a triumph. I don't think that's possible on Broadway...or commercial Broadway, at least.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 1:06pm

I'm really considering making the road trip to see this.
this is something Roundabout should pick up. If they can produce trash like People in the Picture, they should be greatful for a chance to produce THE VISIT.

[dreaming]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 1:40pm

I'm going in August and will report back. It sounds like a Roundabout piece.

[binau]

Posted: 7/26/14 at 8:08am

I can't believe how many productions this has had over the years....this will be the 4th production with Chita now?

Over 3 years ago Chita said in her concert this would be going to Broadway (although I guess it did shortly after this for a one-night concert at the Ambassador. I thought a soundboard would leak but alas not).

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1033707&mobile=on

If it doesn't go to Broadway after this, they should at least record it!

I don't know much about it outside "Love and Love Alone", but the idea of Chita starring in a 'dark' Kander & Ebb Musical is so appealing to me - I would buy premium tickets immediately.

Great article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/theater/the-long-journey-of-the-visit.html?_r=0

Updated On: 7/26/14 at 08:08 AM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/26/14 at 9:49am

I have no idea but I wasn't impressed with the show when I saw it at the Goodman.

[jayinchelsea]

Posted: 7/26/14 at 10:14am

As already stated, and as reported in the recent NY Times article, the show has been greatly reshaped and rewritten, by McNally, Doyle and company, and it seems silly to still be talking about the 2001 Goodman production. It is, for all practical purposes, a brand new show, rethought by some of the greatest creative people working in musical theatre, and it would be remiss of this group not to approach it with open minds and more, importantly, with a positive outlook that we could be seeing a serious new musical in the day of jukebox shows and yet another revival of war horses like LES MIZ and its ilk.

[Glitter]

Posted: 7/28/14 at 2:42pm

qolbinau, there is definitely a recording of the 2011 Broadway concert floating around.....trust me on that :P

New interview with the creators: Even the few clips of music we hear are different in structure from Signature http://www.flickr.com/photos/63582847@N06/8345120380/

[binau]

Posted: 7/31/14 at 6:00pm

They are "talking about" a cast recording:

http://www.crewmagazine.com/article/interview-john-kander-visit

Great.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/31/14 at 11:17pm

Anybody see the show tonight?

[christhefish]

Posted: 8/1/14 at 12:54am

I was at tonight's performance and while I can say there are some wonderful things to note about the production, the only hope it has for life in New York is in some sort of noncommercial production. The score in particular is beautiful (I hope it does get a recording) and Roger Rees and Judy Khun among others are doing amazing work, but it's material is a hard sell. And it's a small, intimate production that would get lost amongst the more flashy commercial whatnot.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/1/14 at 12:59am

Thanks for the info. How was Chita? How was Doyle's direction?