is THE WIZ still coming to Broadway?

[brdwybound04]

Posted: 6/20/08 at 9:54pm

Haven't heard anything lately, but wondering if the producers are still planning out of town tryouts in San Francisco, Chicago, and Canada, and if it's still on track for spring 2009, this season? Any news would be appreciated.

~Ben

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 1:34am

The out-of-town tryout in SF was "postponed." Don't hold your breath.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 1:47am

This revival has been on the Broadway track since 2004. I *highly* doubt it's coming, at least not in the bastardization from LaJolla.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 2:17am

As posted here many times...

in March, THE WIZ author Bill Brown spoke at a book reading.

When asked if they were still going to take it to Broadway, he said the producers told him that they had "plans" to do a 3 city tryout (San Fran/Chicago/Toronto) this Fall.

It would all lead up to a Broadway bow in late 2008 or early 2009. I doubt that it's going to happen now, though.

He said they didn't originally transfer because they could not book a theatre they wanted, following the La Jolla run.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 2:44am

And yet the same writer, at a seperate event knew nothing of the sort.

[Jon]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 10:56am

Supposedly, the lead has been offered to Sayesha from American Idol.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 10:58am

Which can't be done because the last thing I knew Nikki M. James got first refusal rights, and she hasn't heard anything about it either. And, unfortunately, Des McAnuff and William F. Brown and the others involved probably don't have enough $$ for a settlement the way Andrew Lloyd Webber did.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:14am

I imagine Des McAnuff's street cred went out the door after FARNSWORTH.

I mean, could that have been a precipitating factor in the decline of the show?

Just thought I'd mention it...

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:38am

husk_charmer

I was there, sweetheart. He said exactly what I posted. That's what he knows.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:40am

TDH-
Then why would the same guy, in a letter, say something 100% different?

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:41am

Take it up with the writers. Not me.

I have it on video. I don't make this **** up.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:45am

Besides, if they were still trying, they wouldn't have unfrozen the rights.

And, there's been *nothing* about it news-wise. Other than it being "postponed" in SF, several well-connected friends in Chicago have also been informed that the project is on hold.

It may still be in the works, but I think it's going to be like the TV remake. Languish in creative hell for a few years before disappearing completely.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:47am

Well exactly.

He said this back in March. A lot can change, clearly.

I'm not really that surprised. It's just not meant for Broadway.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:51am

The piece, yes. That production, no.

LaJolla was good for a regional production, but the piece needs a better director than McAnuff.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 11:53am

The book changes that Des, NOT Bill, made were awful!!

One of my favorites is when the the gate guard asks the foursome "You smokin' crack??"

[canmark]

Posted: 6/21/08 at 2:50pm

Nikki M. James is presently starring in a Des McAnuff-directed Romeo & Juliet at the Stratford Festival. She's also supposed to replace Anika Noni Rose (who's off to film more episodes of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) opposite Christopher Plummer in Anthony and Cleopatra.

Haven't heard anything in Toronto about The Wiz coming here, although I would certainly welcome it.

http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/plays/romeo.cfm