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Post by shownut on Sept 9, 2022 8:34:21 GMT
This just in from Playbil: Elton John gave an update on his The Devil Wears Prada musical in a recent interview on BBC2, sharing that it's "not ready" to come to London's West End following the work's recent world premiere engagement in Chicago. "It’ll be ready in about another year. We can’t get our theatre anyways." www.playbill.com/article/elton-john-says-devil-wears-prada-musical-not-ready-for-west-endIt may have just been Elton getting confused in his dottage, but it totally makes sense that they might bring the show to the West End first (ala Sister Act which had two not-so-great tryouts in the US first) where reviewers/audiences tend to be less critical than Broadway and where they can hit the reset button. If they recast, I'll start a petition now to see Hadyn Gwynne as Miranda. Any takers? |
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Post by Mark on Sept 9, 2022 8:42:40 GMT
It would make perfect sense that London would be the next stop for this show (maybe via Manchester like Doubtfire/BTTF). Audiences here are much more forgiving, and it is the kind of show that London audiences seem to enjoy.
As for the theatre, the physical production I saw in Chicago was pretty large, I would imagine when talking about theatre availability they would want somewhere like the Adelphi or Shaftesbury.
Hadyn Gwynne.. yes can definitely see that. Jo Riding too.
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Post by shownut on Sept 9, 2022 8:52:34 GMT
I wonder, design-wise, how much they will retain. I can see them keeping the major set pieces given the fortunes they have spent but I think it is highly likely the costume design will see aa huge rehaul ...though the book, direction and elements of the score are the larger, more critical problems to address.
I guess that brings to mind the next big question of who remains on the creative team if Devil Wears Prada 2.0 is in the works? It was no secret that Jerry Mitchell was invited by producers to see the show in Chicago, but who knows if that was for show-doctoring purposes or if they are looking at a new director who knows their way around a musical?
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Post by david on Sept 9, 2022 8:54:28 GMT
The UK version - The Devil Wears Primark
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Post by mattnyc on Sept 9, 2022 10:40:14 GMT
The UK version - The Devil Wears Primark That’s already what it looks like. The show is an absolute mess that needs to just be quietly put away and forgotten about. |
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Post by shownut on Sept 9, 2022 12:13:37 GMT
"The show is an absolute mess that needs to just be quietly put away and forgotten about."
Well, it appears that isn't being "quietly put away and forgotten about"....and for that, many of us are grateful. Many a hit show had an abysmal out-of-town tryout but, with a creative team willing to do the necessary work, eventually became a winner. Dare I say, that is the purpose of a out-of-town tryout: see what works/what doesn't and then decide next steps.
I sincerely hope work on this show continues and I hope that London audiences are the first to see the eventual results.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 9, 2022 12:48:16 GMT
I saw this in Chicago and it’s just a hot mess in every department.
All creatives need to be fired and replaced.
Set was hideous
Costumes looked cheap and not at all fashion/high end.
Choreography witless
Music and Lyrics- utterly unmemorable
Beth Leaval- wasted. Miranda has no moment to shine. Also terribly served by a horrible wig and costumes.
Get rid of all of them. They had their chance- and they messed up badly.
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Post by mattnyc on Sept 9, 2022 14:11:14 GMT
Exactly. This isn’t a show that just needs some “doctoring”. Every single element needs to be thrown out and redone.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Sept 9, 2022 21:13:59 GMT
Exactly. This isn’t a show that just needs some “doctoring”. Every single element needs to be thrown out and redone. If any of the creative team had any sense- they would retreat gracefully from the show. |
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Post by Jon on Sept 9, 2022 21:18:43 GMT
I can't imagine Elton John being pushed out of a show, not worth the tantrums...
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Post by bobbievanhusen on Sept 10, 2022 4:47:05 GMT
One of the main reasons to come to the UK first, would be because it's cheaper to stage and produce stuff here, than it would be on Broadway.
I hear they are going to lean into the comedy much more, giving Miranda and Emily some much needed sass and wit. It's too big of a title for them to give it up after just 1 tryout.
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 14, 2023 14:36:42 GMT
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Post by shownut on Feb 14, 2023 14:49:47 GMT
I am glad that there is a possibility that this show might have a future life. Getting a director who knows the craft of musical comedy is a good start and lets hope they give it a proper overhaul (and a better cast). |
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 14, 2023 14:51:43 GMT
A new director is all well and good but that’s just adding a new coat of paint to a house that’s rotted out from the inside.
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Post by shownut on Feb 14, 2023 15:03:22 GMT
A new director is all well and good but that’s just adding a new coat of paint to a house that’s rotted out from the inside. I think they likely know the score/book/structure needed an overhaul as well but first you need a director who knows what changes to ask for and how to mould them into a better show. And the casting in Chicago left a bit to be desired. Beth Leavel deserved better material and Javier Munoz was spot-on (with a great act two number) but the rest....hmm....lots of room for improvement/recasting.....not to mention a better design that that godawful Paris set and those silly cherry trees. |
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Post by mattnyc on Feb 14, 2023 15:04:19 GMT
And maybe Jerry can get some actual FASHION into the show.
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Post by danb on Feb 14, 2023 16:12:51 GMT
And maybe Jerry can get some actual FASHION into the show. Get someone to flap a few dresses about in the background, or do a patter song with lots of designers names. Then we’d know that they were serious about fashion. 😬 |
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Post by mrbarnaby on Feb 14, 2023 17:28:32 GMT
The director that brought the world Pretty Woman on stage is going to save this show? Please. I can’t think of a director with less style and class. Big mistake. Huge.
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Post by shownut on Feb 14, 2023 17:35:30 GMT
The director that brought the world Pretty Woman on stage is going to save this show? Please. I can’t think of a director with less style and class. Big mistake. Huge. Mr Mitchell tried to put lipstick on a pig with PRETTY WOMAN. Not every director gets it right 100% of the time. Casey Nicholaw is among the best of the new but even he has had a failure or two. |
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Post by danb on Feb 14, 2023 17:37:40 GMT
Or maybe nobody should bother, and just leave it as an entertaining read and ok film.
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Post by WireHangers on Feb 14, 2023 17:43:03 GMT
I know we’ve all heard of the mess this show was in Chicago but I did get excited when I saw it was coming here. It’s definitely one I’ll make a trip to London to see. Overall, I do like Jerry Mitchell shows even if Pretty Woman was a misfire.
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Post by shownut on Feb 14, 2023 17:50:17 GMT
Or maybe nobody should bother, and just leave it as an entertaining read and ok film. If we did that with every show that had a disastrous out of town experience, we would be missing a fair amount of now well-known shows including HELLO DOLLY, FOLLIES and WEST SIDE STORY. If someone wants to fix it and add jobs to the industry I am all for it. |
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Post by theatremiss on Feb 22, 2023 19:44:16 GMT
Mitchell was in London on Monday so perhaps there’s a start of something brewing
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Post by mattnyc on Aug 24, 2023 16:45:33 GMT
Theatre Fan posted a gif of Miranda Priestly on Twitter. Could an announcement be coming?
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Post by mrbarnaby on Aug 24, 2023 16:52:19 GMT
Theatre Fan posted a gif of Miranda Priestly on Twitter. Could an announcement be coming? She’s been cast…..and I think it’s going to cause a lot of excitement |
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