Working headed to Broadway from remodeled Chicago Theater

You forgot to metion that Sutton Foster will be there this Fall. Followed by Traces... All before Working..

Sorry Star. It was a lot to fit in- I figured I'd leave some surprises for the link clickers.

Even Corky St. Clair once announced that "Red, White, & Blaine" was headed for Broadway.

I believe he said it was headed for "Broad-WAY".

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I love Working...but it's very dated as written. Have they updated it any? I mean, even the new song for the grocery store cashier is dated. (You no longer have to push a pedal to make the conveyer belt go...and haven't for a good decade.)

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I heard that Lin Manuel Miranda is working on it as well -- he is a welcome addition to the creative team, in my opinion. I'm looking forward to seeing what BIC will do with this theatre. The area is desperately in need of a theatrical venue, and I think they're going to give the theatre the marketing boost that it needs.

I agree! I'm glad to hear that they're going to makes some changes at this theater. I saw "Spelling Bee" there, and I thought it was nice, but needed a little work. I agree about the sign though. If I hadn't actually gone to see the show there, I honestly don' think I would have even known there was a theater there, and I worked at the Watertower for over a year. I think that says a lot.

Here's my BWW coverage of the press conference.

https://chicago.broadwayworld.com/article/Sutton_Foster_Inaugurates_New_Bway_Playhouse_with_WORKING_for_2011_20100406

Working's main problem is that the show covers mostly blue collar type jobs (truck driver, factory worker, cleaning lady, waitress). And there are only one or two decent songs.

The people that can afford a Broadway ticket these days don't want a musical based on blue collar jobs with mediocre songs.

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Millwork, Housewife, If I Could've Been, It's an Art, and the I Keep Movin' are probably the best numbers in the show.

If they get a couple of big name actors, I could see this selling for 6 months or so.

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Don't get me wrong, I love Lookingglass. (even interned there for a bit) The problem is their season usually consists of 3-4 shows that have fairly limited runs. Their space is great, but it seats about 300 people at most. I think the area will benefit from a commercial venue like the Playhouse -- more people will be able to attend the theatre, and there will be a greater variety of shows available to residents/tourists.

As for signage -- I really do hope they find a way to get a better marquee. I know that the city has some tricky ordinances in place to prevent large signage (esp. in that area), but they need something. That's what killed Drury Lane -- tourists didn't know it was there.