Will Jelly Transfer at NY Times review

[BETTY22]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 3:41pm

WOW!!!!!! 

I hope there is a place on Broadway for shows like this. I LOVED IT..........This director and choreographer both on fire....congrats 

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 3:49pm

if there ever was a review justifying a transfer, Jesse Green's was it. Sounds like it would give Cabaret and to a lesser degree Spamalot a run for its money. Wonder if it can fit into the Booth or Lyceum in time.

[Kad]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 3:51pm

Transfer rumors seem to pop up after every well-received Encores production, and it certainly does seem like Encores itself is eager for another successful transfer. I guess we’ll wait and see.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 3:56pm

Should just end up transferring as a limited run of 3 or 4 months.

[Bwayornoway]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 4:03pm

The Pasadena Playhouse is doing Jelly's Last Jam end of May/June.  I was hearing that the Encores production was going to transfer to that theater first... not sure if that's completely true or the case, but seems possible to go West, find a bway theater and open in the Fall back in NYC.  Just thoughts...

[KarenValentine'sheadband]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 4:31pm

I would love it if it did! 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 4:31pm

"The Pasadena Playhouse is doing Jelly's Last Jam end of May/June.  I was hearing that the Encores production was going to transfer to that theater first"

That production has a completely different creative team. I can't imagine what you're hearing has ever been true.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 4:48pm

I wonder whether its timing is wrong.  We are already discussing how glutted the rest of the season is, and I have also recently read on this board that the show isn’t selling that well in Encores.  I guess a big question is whether there are investors who will go in knowing that they are even more unlikely than usual to get their money back.

[quizking101]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 5:15pm

Jarethan said: "I wonder whether its timing is wrong. We are already discussing how glutted the rest of the season is, and I have also recently read on this board that the show isn’t selling that well in Encores. I guess a big question is whether there are investors who will go in knowing that they are even more unlikely than usual to get their money back."

It’s also trying to fill a theatre with 2257 seats - that’s larger than the largest theatre on Broadway by 324 seats (the Gershwin)

Now subtract 1000 seats and see if it would be a feasible sell. Granted, a transfer this season would be a remarkably stupid move since it’s already filled to the hilt and will definitely get lost in the shuffle.

[BroadwayBaby6]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 5:29pm

KJisgroovy said: ""The Pasadena Playhouse is doing Jelly's Last Jam end of May/June. I was hearing that the Encores production was going to transfer to that theater first"

That production has a completely different creative team. I can't imagine what you're hearing has ever been true."

The Pasadena Playhouse production will have a different creative team (Kent Gash is directing). It will also have the reduced cast size and reduced orchestrations which have been used in the show's regional productions. Kent Gash has directed the show at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta to great acclaim. Daryl Archibald (MD for Some Like It Hot on Broadway) will be the MD and he is fantastic.

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 5:44pm

quizking101 said: "Jarethan said: "I wonder whether its timing is wrong. We are already discussing how glutted the rest of the season is, and I have also recently read on this board that the show isn’t selling that well in Encores. I guess a big question is whether there are investors who will go in knowing that they are even more unlikely than usual to get their money back."

It’s also trying to fill a theatre with 2257 seats - that’s larger than the largest theatre on Broadway by 324 seats (the Gershwin)

Now subtract 1000 seats and see if it would be a feasible sell. Granted, a transfer this season would be a remarkably stupid move since it’s already filled to the hilt and will definitely get lost in the shuffle."

It is a busy season, but in terms of musical REVIVALS... its competition would be Cabaret, basically, no? If they can open in April and win the Tony in June, it could do OK for a few months... just a thought. Havent seen it, know nothing but that the Lyceum is sitting empty.

[rbfost]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 5:49pm

Don’t forget about Merrily, friends! It’s been open for a long time, but still technically this season!

Just got my tickets for Jelly’s closing performance, can’t wait to see it!

[Jarethan]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 5:53pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "quizking101 said: "Jarethan said: "I wonder whether its timing is wrong. We are already discussing how glutted the rest of the season is, and I have also recently read on this board that the show isn’t selling that well in Encores. I guess a big question is whether there are investors who will go in knowing that they are even more unlikely than usual to get their money back."

It’s also trying to fill a theatre with 2257 seats - that’s larger than the largest theatre on Broadway by 324 seats (the Gershwin)

Now subtract 1000 seats and see if it would be a feasible sell. Granted, a transfer this season would be a remarkably stupid move since it’s already filled to the hilt and will definitely get lost in the shuffle."

It is a busy season, but in terms of musical REVIVALS... its competition would be Cabaret, basically, no? If they can open in April and win the Tony in June, it could do OK for a few months... just a thought. Havent seen it, know nothing but that the Lyceum is sitting empty."

Have you forgotten about Merrily We Roll Along, the biggest hit of the season to date?  Just the history of that show, coupled with the great production it has been given, would lead me to conclude that it will be pretty hard to beat, even with yet another production of Cabaret in competition.  

To the person who commented on the size of City Center, I have been under the impression that some of the Encores productions play to pretty full houses.  If I am wrong, then correct me.  If i am right, I can't help thinking that there is not as much interest in JLJ as some of the other shows and transferring it in a season that has too many musicals opening in a very short timeframe may not be the smartest thing to do.

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 8:45pm

Transferring for a limited engagement as soon as possible would probably be the best chance for success on broadway.  People will have forgotten all about it by fall.  Lyceum would probably work. 

[jakethesnake]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 9:35pm

You all are crazy.  I loved the show but there is no way this show can or will transfer before the Tony deadline this season.  First, it is not feasible. This isn’t like transferring a small cast show like Appropriate.  They would need to raise a huge amount of money in a very short time, negotiate with a cast of 20+ actors (assuming they are all even available), hire additional covers, staff up, etc.  And all this to become the 15th show to open in April???  And be lost in the glut of openings?   I would be thrilled if this show has a life on Broadway.  But THIS season?   No.   

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 9:42pm

The Broadhurst for the Summer?

[Bobster159]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 10:12pm

Rave reviews do not always a transfer make. It's not selling well even for this short run, there are acres of unsold tickets for the next week of performances. That may change, but it seems unlikely at this point. It's still available on TDF, and they'd have pulled that already if they were seeing demand. Enjoy this for what it is while you can.

[Skip23]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 10:47pm

I hope this doesn’t transfer. It won’t have a very long life. It was an OK production, but that second act is a disaster and there’s not much star power in the cast, which I think you need for a Broadway transfer. Loved the choreography, though. 

[RUkiddingme]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 11:03pm

Doesn't every Encores show hope to transfer?

Doesn't every show period hope to transfer?

 

[Robbie2]

Posted: 2/23/24 at 11:51pm

A friend of ours shared that he just got back and loved it - cast was fire but hated Porter and that Nicholas Christopher is sensational! Also, said Barry & Fran were there!

Seeing it some point next week.

Updated On: 2/23/24 at 11:51 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/24/24 at 12:05am

ACL2006 said: "The Broadhurst for the Summer?"

 

That was my thought also. 

 

[WindyNewYorker]

Posted: 2/24/24 at 12:11am

Light in the piazza with Ruthie Ann Miles deserves to get a Broadway transfer…

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 2/24/24 at 12:51am

DEAR WORLD deserves a transfer.  That was the best thing encores ever did. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 2/29/24 at 3:28pm

Bobster159 said: "Rave reviews do not always a transfer make. It's not selling well even for this short run, there are acres of unsold tickets for the next week of performances. That may change, but it seems unlikely at this point. It's still available on TDF, and they'd have pulled that already if they were seeing demand. Enjoy this for what it is while you can."

I think the Times review might have saved the second week of the show. Performances have been filling up. I know they implemented a couple of discounts but nice to see the show having the audience that it now seems to have.

‘I also have a question. Has anyone ever sat in the front row of the pit? Curious if I might have made a mistake but the seating was really non existent for the whole orchestra level. I should also preface to say I was also at the show last night as well.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/29/24 at 4:44pm

FYI:

Billy Porter has just announced on social that sadly his mother passed away. I assume he will be out of JELLY for the rest of the run (or at least for tonight) to take time to grieve and do all that comes along with the death of a loved one.

Updated On: 2/29/24 at 04:44 PM