For a scenario to include Music Man being delayed a year, there would need to be doubts about whether theaters would even be open by the fall, and if that's the case, Beetlejuice is still closed.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Kad said: "For a scenario to include Music Man being delayed a year, there would need to be doubts about whether theaters would even be open by the fall, and if that's the case, Beetlejuice is still closed."
The reason why it's more complicated than this (which I'm surprised nobody has mentioned) - and why such a scenario is possible - is that Sutton was supposed to start filming the seventh season of her TV series Younger in March, to begin airing this summer (along with Debi Mazar, currently recovering from COVID-19, as well as Hilary Duff, etc.). Obviously when the Music Man dates were announced no one could foresee this, and everyone obviously assumed production on that would have long since ended by the time rehearsals were scheduled to begin in August - but now they'll be lucky if they even start filming by then. (And that's assuming Hugh Jackman has finished his new sci-fi action film opposite Thandie Newton, and has no further obligations there.)
Anything is possible, obviously... but since A) the common consensus is that film and TV production will be able to resume filming before mass audiences are allowed to convene and live theater is up and running, and B) in situations like this where there's an "act of God" the previous and ongoing commitment to the TV film or project is usually in "first position" ahead of the stage project – it's hard to imagine those won't take precedence whenever business gets back to usual, no matter how long they take to complete. (Sutton, for example, certainly can't film her TV series, in which she's in nearly every scene, while she's doing 8 shows a week, let alone in rehearsal, and there's no way TV Land is going to happily keep that cast on ice till end of 2021 or early 2022 after Sutton's contract on Broadway is up - after which time Younger would have been off the air for nearly 3 years. And that's assuming Jackman wasn't also scheduled to squeeze in yet another film in the next 5 months before returning to Broadway.)
The ramifications of this crisis are obviously echoing far and wide across all sectors of the entertainment industry, and the juggling and rejiggering when business resumes is going to be enormous and unprecedented. But with regard to The Music Man, it's easy to see the 2 leads, if not several others, now contractually unable to begin the production on the scheduled start date... and, as others have suggested, if audiences are skittish anyway about coming back to live theatre, it's not hard to see Scott Rudin welcoming such a delay. So just as the opening of nearly every major movie from this spring and summer has now been pushed back to next spring and summer, with regard to this one show I wouldn't in the least be surprised to see The Music Man similarly postponed till spring at the earliest, and very possibly moved to next fall. In which case, with their sets and costumes right where they left them in early March, Beetlejuice might not only be able to stay right where they are after all, but actually have the Shuberts providing -incentive- to keep them open, so as not to have one of their prime musical houses empty for a full year. Strange times.
Hugh Jackman was recently interviewed ( mid-March) by People.com at the Montblanc Event, of which he is a brand ambassador. From the People.com article --
"Describing that he is currently in “early rehearsals,” Jackman says, “Sutton Foster and myself have just been in a room for the last two or three weeks just sort of learning the dance and singing and reading the script and getting started on it.”
Sutton Foster was also recently interviewed by Paul Wontorek and echoed a similar update.
*She says they did about 2 1/2 week of sort-of-a-workshop -- *They did some singing and dancing, etc, with director Jerry Zaks and choreographer Warren Carlyle. *She also said that she thinks there is room for rethinking the role of Marian ( which Paul described as a bit more passive).
Cindy Adams also got an update from Warren Carlyle on what they have been doing to prepare for the show.
"Carlyle, who just did Jackman’s Madison Square Garden revue: “Our opening’s fortunately not now, so we’re not panicking because we’re scheduled for October.
“We’re just prepping as much as we can. Working the computer, working the phone, planning out whatever we can manage to rehearse. What else can you do?” "
Hugh completed production filming of the romantic sci-fi thriller co-starring Rebecca Ferguson ( T.Newton has a support role) in the third week of January, as scheduled. It is called REMINISCENCE with a Black List script written by Lisa Joy-Nolan who is also directing the movie. She is connected with the TV series Westworld with husband Jonathan Nolan who is coproducing the film his wife and with Michael de Luca.. The movie is now in post-production ( per IMDB).
The other day, his Australian best mate, Gus Worland, shared online about an advocacy they are both pushing, As they are regularly in touch, he also mentioned that Hugh said he expects to be busy in about 3-4 months ( July-August, which are the planned rehearsal dates for The Music Man) and would have to be learning his lines and musical numbers.
I can't recall where I read it, but Hugh has also said that he has nothing planned between now and The Music Man, in terms of other projects. His new movie BAD EDUCATION premiered at the Toronto Festival last year and received wide praise but its film distribution rights were bought by HBO at a record festival price and will be shown as part of their original programming this month. REMINISCENCE will be a Warner Bros project supposed to be released in 2020 but given the current situation may be pushed to next year?
Of course nobody knows how and when the health crisis will resolve, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, it looks like the creative and lead acting teams are prepping for the show as best as they can given the current situation.
As expected, Company is doing everything to weather the storm."
I don't think they have a chance of returning. The article was a "tug on your heart strings woe is me" PR piece. Once a week rehearsals on ZOOM? Please, that just keeps the people in contact with one another but for the long haul, not even a band aid.
Matt Doyle just did an instagram live and explained that a lot is going into saving this production, although he can't get too specific. He thinks shows will be return in around 3-5 months. He said they "all extended their contracts" meaning their contracts are currently suspended, and the missed weeks will be added to their contracts when performances resume.
You can currently view a replay of his live on instagram.
I didn’t see any press release about this, but Plaza Suite which was originally scheduled to close July 12, just extended through August 8. Hoping this means we will be seeing this production this summer, even for a brief run
Matt Doyle just did an instagram live and explained that a lot isgoing into saving this production, although he can't get too specific. He thinks shows will be return in around 3-5 months. He said they "all extendedtheir contracts" meaning their contracts are currently suspended, and the missed weeks will be added to their contracts when performances resume.
You can currently view a replay of his live on instagram."
He also apparently loves everyone and is moonlighting on Cameo to pay for groceries.
kennedy_rose said: "He also apparently loves everyone and is moonlighting on Cameo to pay for groceries.
Something's not adding up."
All Broadway's union employees received their final checks last week (covering the previous week of cancelled performancs). There will be no more pay for these workers until performances resume. He's got to do something to make money.
Fosse76 said: "kennedy_rose said: "He also apparently loves everyone and is moonlighting on Cameo to pay for groceries.
Something's not adding up."
All Broadway's union employees received their final checks last week (covering the previous week of cancelled performances). There will be no more pay for these workers until performances resume. He's got todo something to make money."
He'll get unemployment 504 + 600. 1104. That's a tidy sum for all of us right now.
I saw one of the Cameo videos he did...he seemed distracted. How about doing these things for free if you want everyone to feel good...
kennedy_rose said: "Fosse76 said: "kennedy_rose said: "He also apparently loves everyone and is moonlighting on Cameo to pay for groceries.
Something's not adding up."
All Broadway's union employees received their final checks last week (covering the previous week of cancelled performances). There will be no more pay for these workers until performances resume. He's got todo something to make money."
He'll get unemployment 504 + 600. 1104. That's a tidy sum for all of us right now.
I saw one of the Cameo videos he did...he seemed distracted. How about doing these things for free if you want everyone to feel good..."
You obviously don't live in New York City if you think that amount of money is sufficient.
This is Matt Doyle. I wanted to address this because it was brought to my attention. I would normally never post on here. I believe in these message boards and believe that everyone’s entitled to any opinion and have their own space to voice that opinion. But, times are certainly strange, so I’d like to make a couple things clear.
I hope company comes back. Just like I hope as many shows possible come back this season. That’s all a lot of us have right now. Hope and positivity. I’m so sorry if that has felt insincere to you in any way. It’s a really hard time and a baffling one at that. No one knows anything and it changes daily. For every show. The league talks every hour, every single day. They want as many shows possible to survive. That’s their job. Producers of every single show will have to be very creative to help us through this crisis.
If doing Cameo keeps you relevant, boy I must have missed something! I have usually avoided the app finding it a touch... tacky? But now it’s been vital and quite useful. I’m sure you understand that most theater actors don’t exactly have...savings? Haha. Especially when they have been on minimum rehearsal pay and their show never opened.
Wanting any extra income shouldn’t offend anyone right now. I’m sorry it’s offended you in any way. Truly. I think misperceptions of any one else’s situation can create frustration and leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth right now.
As it’s been stated, actors will not be payed for this period of time after the small equity agreement. Helps as many shows possible survive. At this point, like so many other actors, I have not been able to apply for unemployment. I’m keeping my fingers crossed though! I, like most actors, am incorporated. It has been an issue in applying for all of us. Hopefully, the new stimulus package will allow me to apply. I have tried calling hundreds of times, daily. Still trying to get through! Maybe keep your fingers crossed for me? I’d like to get through this as unscathed as possible like the rest of the world. Perhaps do less cameos and private voice lessons. Not how I was thinking my March and April would go.
I’m sad to see that this conversation has become about any individual trying to figure out this scary time. I wish everyone on here well, whether or not that seems sincere is up to you. Please try to understand that everyone’s world has been flipped upside down. Overnight. Just like yours. This is hardly the year I had in mind. Thought I’d help clear up any misperceptions.
I really do wish you all the best. What a horrible time.
It is sad that you even have to come on here and explain yourself to the likes of a kennedy_rose. I wish you all the best during these trying times. :)
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
I wonder if Beetlejuice is still thinking of switching theaters? Just announce the current production is closing and eye to reopen next season?
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
These are certainly difficult times for everyone, and we hope that these message boards have provided people an opportunity to connect with others while everyone is dealing with so many scary situations "in the real world."
We want to thank Matt Doyle for speaking so eloquently about the difficulties that many, many people (not just performers) are dealing with right now. At this point, we firmly believe that anyone and everyone should be doing whatever they need to in order to stay safe and healthy, but also to make sure that they are secure financially in a world where almost nothing is guaranteed at this time.
We have removed posts from this thread that violated our rules, but think that the conversation about the real-life circumstances of performers are very valuable for our community. Even though we consider Broadway stars to be the biggest celebrities in our world, Matt's response shines a light on the realities of the day-to-day circumstances of being a theatre performer.
So, thank you again for that, Matt. And (as always) we encourage everyone to post with respect and compassion, as even on the best of days, we cannot possibly know the inner-workings of another individual's life, let alone while attempting to live through a nationwide pandemic.
So please, be kind to yourselves and those you interact with online and IRL, wash your hands, and please stay inside. And we are very happy that both Matt and Max seem to be on the road to a full recovery.
Thank you Matt and 'Moderator' - I agree 1000% that we're all going through hard times and doing what we need to go get through. I think I speak for many here, when I say I'm a big fan and can't wait to see you back on stage. I'm also going to go look for your cameo right now too as I have a friend who I think could use a pick me up from one of our mutual favorite stars we've been following since Spring Awakening. I believe we've seen ALL of your New York appearances together and have loved each.
Agree completely Matt! And whatever night COMPANY is back - we will be there amongst the many cheering you all on. We had tickets previously for this week.