WAR PAINT on Broadway

[brian1973]

I agree. She'd have to be pretty terrible in the role to NOT win it. Which won't happen. 

[10086sunset]

brian1973 said: "I agree. She'd have to be pretty terrible in the role to NOT win it. Which won't happen. 

 

"

^ This...

She'll also get it for the amount of money she's generated...

[qolbinau]

Shut up and take my money. 

 

I heard they were going to either cut Pink from the show or give it to Lupone because she is jealous. 

 

:p. 

[Valentina3]

You "heard" it? Great. More conjecture after discussing rumors for almost 4 months. I hope they don't cut Pink or the ending. The ending was a great release to an otherwise "is this even going anywhere" show.

 

I could use a different/softer accent for Patti. She was unintelligible to me for better part of the 1st Act.

[KnewItWhenIWasInFron]

broadwayboy223 said: "I'm so so thrilled. I loved this show in Chicago! Wonder if Donna decided not to do it. There was that rumor she going to do it on Broadway 

 

"

"Before we get to Broadway, let's make sure to get rid of the two-time Tony-winner who was spectacular in the show and replace with her a talented, lesser name who has indicated she's currently not up for Broadway. Wait? The talented, lesser name isn't available? Oh, OK. Maybe the talented two-time Tony-winner who created the role is an OK substitute."

Trying to figure out any part of this line of reasoning that makes sense.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

 

[gypsy101]

IS Donna Murphy a "lesser name"? she also has two Tonys.

[Theater_Nerd]

10086sunset said: She'll also get it for the amount of money she's generated...

 

That's really insulting. Tony Awards are not doled out to performers for the amount of money they've generated.

 

[broadwayboy223]

qolbinau said: "Shut up and take my money. 

 

I heard they were going to either cut Pink from the show or give it to Lupone because she is jealous. 

 

:p. 

 

"

Please tell me it's not true. Pink wouldn't work for Patti's character at all! It's one of the best songs in the show. And Patti has a good act 2 song with Forever Beautiful anyway.  I can't imagine this rumor is true 

[ljay889]

I'm pretty sure qolbinau was poking fun at the ridiculous rumors prior to this announcement, aka the Donna Murphy rumor.

[Call_me_jorge]

Valentina3 said: "You "heard" it? Great. More conjecture after discussing rumors for almost 4 months. I hope they don't cut Pink or the ending. The ending was a great release to an otherwise "is this even going anywhere" show.

 

I could use a different/softer accent for Patti. She was unintelligible to me for better part of the 1st Act.

 

"

I could see this being a "wicked" situation. When it was Kristen and Stephanie in the first reading/workshop the role of elphaba was quite different and Glinda was more of the out right lead, then idina came in and they bulked up the role and made her a lead role. So I'm guessing the Donna Murphy Elizabeth Arden was probably complimenting patti's Helena, then Christine was added and they probably wrote pink for her. So her Arden is contrasting parttis Helena. Now Patti is seeing Christine is getting a lot of acclaim, because of "pink" so now she might have a little bit of jealousy. I don't the producers would want a jealous lead, especially Patti lupone. But maybe I'm wrong and Patti is thrilled for Christine.

[Valentina3]

Please don't add explanation to give legitimacy to what hopefully was a joke, Jorge. Patti is a professional. So is Christine. Let's trust that writers will know what's best for their show.

[Bettyboy72]

Saw it in Chicago twice and really liked it. I was hoping a non-profit would pick it up. This will be a tough sell on Broadway. Even with these ladies, sales will drop after initial demand from fans and gays. Gypsy had trouble selling after the initial rush and Grey Gardens had trouble too. Both of those shows were critical smashes. I hope they make some impactful changes. This show won't be cheap to run. 

[jayinchelsea]

A dull, third-rate show with a mediocre score, and two divas in search of a musical. And this is coming to Broadway? Lupone and Ebersole were great, but cannot sell enough tickets in an extended run unless this show is extensively rewritten, especially the songs. Hope I'm wrong, and that it turns out great, but my trip to Chicago to see this was a waste of time and money.

[BroadwayGuy12]

Between THE GREAT COMET, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, and now WAR PAINT, this is shaping up to be the most exciting season for new musicals we've had in a while.

[CindersGolightly]

Bettyboy72 said: "Even with these ladies, sales will drop after initial demand from fans and gays."

I've never laughed so hard at something so genuinely true.

[gypsy101]

Jorge, in whose mind could Glinda be the lead of Wicked? the title automatically disqualifies her.

[gleek4114]

I'm fairly certain he's mistaken. Elphaba was always the lead, and Glinda got bulked up to be somewhat of her equal when Kristin joined.

[BroadwayConcierge]

gleek4114 got it right.

[gypsy101]

okay glad i wasn't going insane for a moment

[CATSNYrevival]

It may have been wiser to do this at Lincoln Center as a limited run, but bravo to the producers for taking a chance.

[JaglinSays]

It was the highest-grossing show in the history of the Goodman Theater in Chicago. And the New York producers are incredibly deep-pocketed (Wicked)--and they obviously think it will sell.  Doing it at Lincoln Center would be really dumb.

[CATSNYrevival]

I'm just not sure it has the commercial appeal but I'd love to be proven wrong. I love Patti. Whatever happens it will be an epic cast album.

[qolbinau]

I was obviously joking re: 'Pink'. I would bet Ebersole would quit sooner than letting someone pry it out of her unvaccinated hands. 

So stoked the show is coming! 

[somechrysanthemumtea]

I wonder how the show will try to maximize their Tony wins. Maybe one of the ladies will be petitioned into Supporting? I think it may have a chance at Best Musical if they have made changes (how substancial these are will have to be seen). Costumes for Catherine Zuber seems like a shoo-in. 

 

Mainly just excited for the (hopefully) inevitable cast recording. To hear Ebersole's Pink on recording is what I can't wait for!

[Mister Matt]

It was the highest-grossing show in the history of the Goodman Theater in Chicago.

I'm not surprised considering the tickets were the highest priced in Goodman history as well, which makes mention of the grosses nothing more than a sensational marketing ploy.  The real evidence would be in the net income (if any).  It's clear that a lot of money went into the design and God knows what the star salaries were.  The current production of Wonderful Town is so vastly superior to War Paint, it only served to move the latter even further from my memory.

I didn't get the impression that what I saw would cause any great buzz or enthusiasm that translates to a potential hit other than possibly for the leading ladies.  Once the musical theatre enthusiasts have flooded the initial few weeks, I'm not sure even critical raves would be enough to keep the show afloat.  It's not as if the show was this big smash hit in Chicago everyone was talking about.  It would be great if they do a massive amount of work to re-write and re-stage the show into a more compelling piece of theatre, and I'd love to see that happen and wish the show success, but based on what I saw, the show has a very steep uphill climb on the backs of the two leading women (only one of whom delivered the only song that seemed memorable enough to reference in connection with the show).