Would Jesse Eisenberg be a big enough name for a Parade Revival?

It was eight years ago now but the Social Network made 224 million USD and he has had a steady movie career since so year- if he can sing - why not.

Updated On: 9/18/18 at 07:02 PM

I doubt he’d sell it. I’m not even sure Jake Gyllenhall could sell it, but he’d probably be their best chance at profitability.

Updated On: 9/18/18 at 08:13 PM

none of these names sell the show. I don't know of a name that does (and who can do the work).

I can't imagine he would be better than Gyllenhaal would be (who I want to do this/anything), but even he would need to be paired with a female star (at least a star in the theatre world).

*double post*

Updated On: 9/19/18 at 10:20 AM

I have not seen Parade, nor have I actually ever listened to the score. Other than the ensemble Now You See Me, Eisenberg hasn't had a hit since Social Network. I think he would probably be excellent, assuming he can carry the score, but don't see him selling tickets in advance; maybe if it and he get mega-great-reviews, his presence will then help to sell tickets.

Of course, there are other questions that impact the possible answers: (1) non-profit or for-profit production, with limited or open-ended engagement? Scaled down production or Harold Prince scale? is there really any female box office attraction who would take the non-leading role, unless it was limited engagement and she wanted to show her chops?

I think Jake G would sell tickets, as already proven; maybe he could open it on a limited engagement, non-profit basis; and, if really successful, maybe Eisenberg would be a good replacement if there were indications that an extension without Jake G might be viable. Re an open-ended, for profit, I think it will need a star on the magnitude of Jake G. Not sure I can think of one who has the talent, the voice, is the right age, and has the star power to sell tickets in advance.

Of course, as proven, Daniel Radcliffe sells a lot of tickets, but he can't guarantee a hit. If he can sing the score AND the show and he get excellent reviews, he would then help to sell a lot more tickets.

IMO.

Jarethan said: "I have not seen Parade, nor have I actually ever listened to the score."

What makes you think Eisenberg (or any of these people) would be good for the role, then?

Thinking more, I actually wonder if Eisenberg is likeable enough to pull it off (box office aside). It's such tricky, dark material, and the show really only works if the audience believes that Leo is innocent. In 2018, it's especially tough.

If anything, it feels like a show for 2nd Stage. I imagine LCT is still a little scarred from the experience of the original, and it doesn't seem commercial enough for the other Broadway non-profits.

Updated On: 9/19/18 at 10:55 AM

Euan Morton was incredible as Leo Frank at Ford's Theatre in 2011. He looked very much like Leo Frank, and I'd love for him to tackle the role again.

Parade + Jake ≠ Sunday + Jake

Sunday is a show a lot of people like/love and don't mind sitting through (again). Not that they "had to see" but wanted to see it with the extra inducement of Jake. It is also a familiar show with a familiar and beloved composer.

Parade on the other hand is a show many people do not want to sit through even once and certainly not more. (how do you even go about pitching it to the general public?) The question is if Jake is a strong enough inducement for that. And to close the loop, it is not a familiar show and does not have a familiar and beloved composer. In fact it has a composer who has proven incapable of attracting a general audience even for very easy to swallow shows.