Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/05
im just wondering b/c i just glanced at the results of the poll, and a few people voted saying DRS will/should become the longest running show on broadway. just asking, b/c ill admit i havent seen the show and i havent heard the music. im wondering whether or not it will still have the ability to run strong long after john, norbert, and sherie have left (or have they? i dont know.)
just wanted to know, im not trying to start any "is DRS in trouble?" threads.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/16/05
The only one who has left is John. Norbert will be in DRS until July. Sherie is leaving -- but only for a while. Then she'll be back.
It's a valid question. My gut feeling is that it may have at least a healthy, two- three year run. Its going to depend heavily on who succeeds Norbert and Jonathan Pyrce and whether they will be a draw.
Updated On: 2/5/06 at 02:18 AM
These days the word "last" might be a bit subjective on Broadway.
The show is playing to 80% capacity, which is not bad at all for the off-season. I think it will have a healthy run.
and you have to keep in mind that Norbert has not been in all the time this winter, so I think it is pritty healthy.
I think its still doing well and will probably be around for at least another year. If The Producers closes this year alot of the buisness from that show could deflect to DRS
I think it will last a very long time. It's got the costumes, sets, music, comedy - everything you could want in a show. someone previously posted that producers wasn't very tourist-oriented. I think ANYONE would love DRS. And I really want to see it again!
i dont think it will be one of the longest running, but it definitely has legs to have a healthy run. i wasnt expecting the comedy to be so varied from goofy to intelligent to bawdy - very well crafted piece of theatre.
DRS will not be the longest, that I can tell you.
It will survive for some time. I feel this way because the only "name" in the show was John and since he left, they haven't suffered.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I think it will- having seen it just recently the theater was pretty packed and with a lottery thats easy to win most days, I dont see why it couldnt stick around for awhile. If they know how to cast the roles of Lawrence and Freddy once Jonathan and Norbert leave and know how to publicize it. I dont see any reason it cant stay awhile.
Longest running as in Phantom, Cats or healthy run a' la Aida and shows like that? It's not going to run as long as a decade plus but it's going to do fine with or without Norbert and Sherie unless they cast really inappropriate actors down the line, which happens more often than not. It's a good show, plain and simple.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/05
ah, i see. thanks for the opinions everyone!
I think about another year and a half, based on the grosses.
I can see it running 970+ performances. It's an audience show. People love it and the love is damn well deserved.
ATTENTION TO ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE CASTING OF DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS: If you want your show to run after Norbert Leo Butz is gone, and continue to have an audience, get Jack Black to replace him as Freddy Benson!
And John O'Hurley as Lawrence!
And if you really want to pony up the dough and stunt cast, get Steve Martin as Lawrence. (stunt casting only in the respect that he was attached to the movie, and is a big name... he could more than handle the role, I'm sure.)
It will survive for some time. I feel this way because the only "name" in the show was John and since he left, they haven't suffered.
Jonathan Pryce is just as famous as John Lithgow. Joanna Gleason is no unknown, either.
I havn't seen it, but those who I've talked and have seen it, loved it to death and I hope it keeps going so I can see it myself!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
It's funny, bright, sweet, sly and a real crowd-pleazer, so it should have a healthy run!
Ive seen it 3 times and loved it more each time.
Jonathan Pryce is well known among theatre people, and perhaps to the British, but Americans will recognizing him vaguely as "that one guy in Pirates of the Carribean" or "That guy from the Lexus Commercials". I'm certainly a fan of his (I think he's a better *musical* actor... and Brazil is one o my favorites), but the average tourist is probably more familiar with Lithgow. "Oh, we like that show with the aliens..."
Norbert might be a minor draw from some of the TV appearances. Ms. Rene Scott, though talaented, is not a draw outside of theatre people, and frankly, many NY actresses could do her role as well or better.
I'd wager that, for morst tourists, Scoundrels is a shaky fourth on the list of things to see (unless you have kids, which bumps it off completely). However, I think it's nearly the best thing on Broadway, and has already had a respectable run, and I certainly hope for longer.
"Jonathan Pryce is just as famous as John Lithgow."
I don't think that's really true.
I had NO idea who Pryce was, and my family just went "sounds familiar." Many know Lithgow from the TV series (whether they liked it or not) "3rd Rock From The Sun" for which he won 3 Emmys as Best Leading Actor in A Comedy Series. When I was younger, I knew him as the voice in Shrek. And many remember him as Colin Hanks' father in "Orange County."
...and to non-theater people Joanna Gleason will just be a face that looks familiar from a couple of dish soap commercials. BUT, I can see DRS outlasting Spamalot, however long that runs.
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