Working headed to Broadway from remodeled Chicago Theater

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:25pm

The Drury Lane gets a new look, a new name and a new Broadway Bound production:

"Broadway in Chicago announced Tuesday that it has rebranded the Drury Lane Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., as the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. ...

The first marquee attraction at the Broadway Playhouse will be a new production of the 1970 Studs Terkel musical "Working," featuring additional material penned by Lin Manuel Miranda ("In the Heights"). "Wicked" producer David Stone is involved in that show, which is slated for the spring of 2011.

If that show suceeds in Chicago, a Broadway transfer is the aim."

Theater Loop Updated On: 4/6/10 at 12:25 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:27pm

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

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:27pm

Wow, Lin has been getting some great gigs!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:31pm

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

[newintown]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:34pm

Does anyone else find all these "headed to Broadway!" announcements a bit vexing? (Yank, Hedwig, Working..)

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

It feels like an inundation of hyperbolic/hysterical marketing talk sometimes...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:50pm

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

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

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:52pm

And I think it would have been a hit, if he'd cast a "Name."

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:54pm

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.)

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 1:15pm

They've work-shopped it a couple times in the last couple years. I'd think those problems are an easy fix.

[lulu10]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 3:57pm

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.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 4:46pm

That theatre could use this much-needed push for publicity. I just hope Broadway in Chicago come up with a marquee/signage that can be seen from the street. Ever since it was converted from the movie theatre, it was like they were trying to hide their productions from passers-by. You could only see it from a very limited angle if you happened to be walking south on Michigan from the Hancock building. More shows in that space deserved as healthy a run as Spelling Bee.

[purtynpynk]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 6:18pm

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.

[pc1145N2]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 1:23am

Wait....what's this about Sutton Foster??

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 3:15am

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

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:44am

Paul, Sutton Foster=Broadway Legend? Really? Come on. Maybe in 10 or 20 years.

"If this show succeeds, Broadway is the aim" could be said of ANY show. Hell, I used to say that when I was doing plays in my garage when I was a kid!

Lulu, that area HAS a theatrical venue, it is called Lookingglass Theatre.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 10:34am

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.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 10:51am

The James Taylor songs are particularly strong- "Millwork" is a showstopper.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 2:34pm

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.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 4:55pm

This still moves me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1wpibKwqJY

The late, magnificently talented Lynne Thigpen singing "If I Coulda Been"

Updated On: 4/7/10 at 04:55 PM

[lulu10]

Posted: 4/7/10 at 6:42pm

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.