194 posts
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Post by thebearofwestend on Feb 18, 2017 0:49:50 GMT
and who would like to see
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Post by infofreako on Feb 18, 2017 1:02:08 GMT
I would love to see it. Sadly not convinced it will make it over now
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Post by ali973 on Feb 18, 2017 7:49:29 GMT
Doubt it. American family (musical) drama doesn't seem to be a genre any producer is likely to take any chance with. Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home..
Unless it's a mega-musical or pure entertainment, I don't see these arthouse type musicals crossing over at all.
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Post by ali973 on Feb 18, 2017 7:50:40 GMT
*or dance spectacle..
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2017 10:10:15 GMT
It would do well as a Southwark Playhouse or Donmar Warehouse limited run I think!  |
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Post by Steffi on Feb 18, 2017 10:35:47 GMT
I doubt it will sadly. I absolutely adored it on Broadway but somehow can't see it working in London.
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Post by ali973 on Feb 18, 2017 11:46:43 GMT
I think what's clear here is that producers don't want to take a chance with contemporary white/middle class family American drama, because there isn't enough in your face universal themes that they think would connect with a foreign (British) audience. The only other "family drama" musical I can think of that has been imported was Caroline, Or Change. And that kind of show works because it really isn't simply about the family crises, but because it has an overarching element of the civil rights movement and period.
Otherwise..it's always been the pure entertainment musicals (Shrek, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), that actually did relatively better in the UK than Broadway, or star-lead Sonia Friedman type shows (Funny Girl, Dreamgirls), the don't mess with me I'm a giant mega-musical (Wicked), or the absolute international phenomenon type (Book of Mormon, Hamilton). Also keep in mind that in order for shows to transfer overseas, local producers must see signs of how the show did well in its original home, and shows like Next to Normal and Fun Home did either average, or just enough. This doesn't give its original producers enough capital to invest overseas, and doesn't have the track record to convince new producers overseas to take the risk.
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4,968 posts
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Post by Phantom of London on Feb 18, 2017 12:05:01 GMT
What would be in it for a producer to bring it here to London? Ultimately there is no money to be made in London, especially when you are also talking limited runs.
Next to Normal would definitely come over, there is queue of theatres that would love to put it on, but David Stone the lead producer and also the owner of Wicked, simply won't release the rights periods. What I think he eventually will do will in a few years time release the rights to somewhere like Menier and if it is well received transfer it to Broadway (ala Colout Purple), if that fails he then has a second shot in doing it in Ameican regional theatre and revive that instead.
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Feb 18, 2017 12:25:43 GMT
^ Next to Normal is now performed regularly in American regional theatre. There have been numerous productions since Broadway ended. It also made its way to Korea, Argentina (from what I recall the Argentinian version is a replica of the Broadway production), Germany and Switzerland. I think there were other international productions too.
But that's not to deter from what you've said about the rights not being released in the UK. I would think the owner of the rights is still making some money, but would think that the big bucks would only come from major productions in the main mega theatre hubs.
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Post by althea on Feb 18, 2017 13:34:10 GMT
Rumours were that The Young Vic were going to do it - but again - who's the transfer audience? Rights would be so expensive it doesn't seem like it would make commercial sense. Gutting because I would LOVE to see this done in London.
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4,955 posts
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Post by Someone in a tree on Feb 18, 2017 15:38:38 GMT
Unless it's a Sondheim new non commercial musicals are rubbish at crossing the pond and coming to London. I'm still waiting for Piazza, Normal and Visit
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Feb 18, 2017 18:07:04 GMT
Your wait should be over. Because it won't happen. All of these shows have pretty much passed "transfer potential". The Visit was a financial and critical flop. The only thing going on for it was its star, performing at 70, and Kander & Ebb's legacy. However, I would say there is potential for Piazza to be done all over again by a local producer and not a transfer, per se. I could see either Menier or Southwark pick it up. Wasn't there a production at Leicester Curve as well a while ago?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2017 18:43:50 GMT
Piazza was done at Leicester Curve, personally I didn't quite see what the fuss was about. enjoyable though.
I can see the menier, national or Donmar picking up Fun Home, Next to Normal or The Visit one day
Actually Sheffield or Chichester might pick up the Visit too
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Post by ali973 on Feb 18, 2017 18:50:00 GMT
TBH I would so rather a revival of Kiss of the Spiderwpman rather than The Visit. Am I crazy wanting Shakira to play Aurora/Spiderwoman?
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Post by musicman on Feb 19, 2017 16:02:08 GMT
Fun home has managed a transfer to Manila with Lea Salonga so you can only hope a UK producer will see the potential. In my opinion this has one of the best scores of recent years. Maybe one of the subsidised theatres could give it a limited run, its about time the national put on another musical.
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Post by distantcousin on Feb 19, 2017 16:13:20 GMT
Doubt it. American family (musical) drama doesn't seem to be a genre any producer is likely to take any chance with. Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen, Fun Home.. Unless it's a mega-musical or pure entertainment, I don't see these arthouse type musicals crossing over at all. And i don't think it should be assumed that every type of musical can translate from US to UK. Some things just don't work. Having said that I happened to catch Fun Home on it's US tour and loved it. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 16:17:09 GMT
What about If/Then? I'd love to see that one.
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Post by couldileaveyou on Feb 19, 2017 16:23:08 GMT
What about If/Then? I'd love to see that one. It could come only with Idina and now she's too busy pretending she's a pop star |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 16:55:07 GMT
I dont think Idina could sell this on her name alone 8 shows a week for a long run in London. It would need a big female star name to UK audiences
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3,057 posts
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Post by ali973 on Feb 19, 2017 17:45:01 GMT
It's way too "New York" to work in the UK I think. Again, it might be picked up by an independent non-West End producer. Maybe St. James/The New Palace but highly unlikely. It barely did too well in New York following the smash critical success of Next to Normal. Coming to the UK with a team that is completely unknown can't be a priority on any producers list.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 18:58:28 GMT
It's only challenge on Saturday mornings, ain't that enough for u?!?
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Post by paplazaroo on Feb 19, 2017 19:59:42 GMT
I'd also like to see Dear Evan Hanson come over here!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2017 20:09:28 GMT
Ever considered emigrating?
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Post by ali973 on Feb 20, 2017 5:30:31 GMT
I think of all the new Broadway shows that came out, the only one with half a chance to come here is Waitress. At this point I gave up on Hedwig.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2017 10:31:06 GMT
see I can't see Waitress catching on here, unless they get a name lead. I'm just not sure what the hook will be to attract audiences.
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