Why is FINIAN'S extending & moving to the Neil Simon?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:01pm

ALW just became the angel of angels to the FINAN'S RAINBOW fans, apparently agreeing to SPLIT the cost on the transfer with the FR producers so as to have a tenant at the theatre until LOVE NEVER DIES opens in November.

The orchestra will be reduced and a few cast members let go, but it will essentially be the same show as is currently playing. There will be a 2 or 3 week gap in performances to accommodate the transfer.

You heard it here.

P

P.S. I think this is an incredibly foolish move, but look for it to become official soon, that is unless the deal falls through at the eleventh hour (which seems unlikely).

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:04pm

Since I don't know, who (or what) is ALW?

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:06pm

Andrew Lloyd Webber!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:06pm

ALW = Andrew Lloyd Weber

So now what happens if FINIAN'S suddenly sells out completely every night after the transfer, by some miracle?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:06pm

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:08pm

i'll believe it when I see it. And wouldn't it of been cheaper for ALW to simply give Ragtime a couple dollars to keep them open instead??

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:15pm

It seems to me like it could have something to do with ALW being a huge fan of the score for FR. I remember reading that he always aspires to write a score with as many "hit tunes" as FR, or at least did back in the heady 70s/TR days.

I wonder if Cheyenne may be a possible Raoul for LOVE NEVER DIES? Doubtful, but who knows...

P

P.S. For the painfully uninformed: TR- Tim Rice

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:17pm

"So now what happens if FINIAN'S suddenly sells out completely every night after the transfer, by some miracle?"

They take the Hilton when Spidey falls through, fail there, move back to the St James after American Idiot closes, and then fade away there.

In all seriousness, I'm thrilled to see this production still alive! (Or somewhat...)

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:19pm

oh.

I'm very ignorant about the business of Broadway, but doesn't it make a difference to move from a Jujamcyn house (the St. James) to a Nederlander house (the Neil Simon)?

[follies85]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:20pm

So, by doing this would ALW essentially be "holding" the theatre until Love Never Dies starts production?

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:23pm

Saw the show Tuesday nite and talked to a few cast members after. The cast only found out that day that a transfer was becoming extremely possible, but no one mentioned the Neil Simon.

Pgenre where did you hear the information that they were in fact moving to the Neil SImon? Im not doubting you at all because I know the transfer is true, and the Neil Simon makes sense as the theatre they would move to, I'm just curious.

Updated On: 1/8/10 at 09:23 PM

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:28pm

Technically, LOVE NEVER DIES started production 6 months ago when the sets and "effects" were installed in the theatre at which it is playing in the West End and Ramin has been involved in rehearsals since then. Full cast rehearsals began on Monday.

The Broadway production of LND will be a facsimile of the London production with, at least, the two London leads (Ramin and Sierra). Not sure about casting for the Australian production that is scheduled to open in 2011, but that, too, will be a replica of the West End production unless the show is heavily altered for Broadway.

ETA matineeidol: Just because ALW has offered to do this does not mean the FR producers have officially agreed to do so yet as this seems to be a dicey proposition for what has proven to be a financial flop.

P
Updated On: 1/7/10 at 09:28 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:30pm

"Pgenre where did you hear the information that they were in fact moving to the Neil SImon? "

- I'm not saying this is where Pgenre got his information from, but this has been on ATC all day.

[BwayBoundJoe]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:30pm

As excited as this "Sounds," I'll believe it when I see proof.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:31pm

I thought [title of show] was going to come to the Neil Simon just in time for the 2009 Tonys?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:33pm

ljay, I did not get the info from ATC or datalounge, but from someone who works in ALW's office, but I'd definitely take this info with a grain of salt until we hear something from the FR producers...

P

[bway boy]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:43pm

I love finian's, but why on earth would they transfer when their box offices grosses have been fair at best.

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:43pm

Im all for a transfer, I love the show personally, but if theyre going to move shouldnt it be to a substantially smaller theatre? Isnt that the issue now; the St James is just too big?

The Neil Simon only has about 200 lesser seats than the St James, but i suppose theyre only choosing the Neil Simon because of ALW financial help right?

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:49pm

I definitely think they'd like a smaller theatre, but they don't really have many options. I'd be happy but a little confused if this is true; as much as I adore this show, it's not making money. Even location-wise it'd be a strange move. The St. James is in a very good spot, I think.

Updated On: 1/7/10 at 09:49 PM

[Schuyler]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:49pm

I don't know how this can be true, people at the Neil Simon know nothing about this. It really does not make any sense to finance a transfer for such a short run at another theater.

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:54pm

givesmevoice- i couldnt agree more i was actually just thinking about the Neil Simons location. Walking around the theatre district these past few days I thought that as well...the Neil Simon just seems kinda out of the way

[Yero my Hero]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:55pm

But it's across the street from JERSEY BOYS, which gets a lot of traffic.

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:56pm

All this kvetching! This is wonderful news--if it's true.

[TimesSquareRegular]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:57pm

Walking around the theatre district these past few days I thought that as well...the Neil Simon just seems kinda out of the way


Oh ..... I guess that would explain why Jersey Boys across the street has had such a struggle at the box office.

[matineeidol2013]

Posted: 1/7/10 at 9:59pm

very true didnt even consider that