Witness Uganda Future/NYC?

[pippinfan2]

Since at the ART, they've done some concerts as a cast. What do you think the future of the show is? Ny? Tour?

[gstrus2]

Any updates on whether it is coming to Broadway or Off-Broadway? They are appearing together as a cast at the Broadway's Uprising of Love Event with Patti LuPone and Sting in September, is that a sign it will have an NYC life?

[For2net]

I read an article that said that it is coming to Broadway in the Spring- but no official announcement yet that I know of ! The show is very powerful and can change the game up!
Did anyone see it when it was running at the A.R.T ?



http://mvgazette.com/news/2014/08/14/edgartown-broadway-vineyard-arts-project-paves-way?k=vg53f63b237f411

[FindingNamo]

Diane has a terrible track record with original musicals. "Johnny Baseball" anybody?

[For2net]

Now was that the poor writing or poor direction? Her Tonys are in fact piling up. #fact But I hear Witness Uganda had a sold out Run there. I was lucky to snag a ticket in the beginning - but I had friends who said there was only long lines for Standing room only when they'd tried to get tickets. The lady must be doing something right ? Or choosing better material.

[dreaming]

I wonder if this will be the new tenant at the Winter Garden.

[FindingNamo]

Fact. Her Tonys are for revivals. Fact. ART has a large subscriber base and a large student body (a small uni called Harvard) waiting to buy up leftover seats so shows will sell out.

Fact. She has had no success with original musicals.

[For2net]

You have a point there my friend. I guess what I was trying to say is .. Her work as a whole is becoming more credible. Hopefully Witness Uganda can display that. As far as the demographic of ticket sales.. I would agree that we both don't know who's buying the tickets- but i do know that not all shows sell out there.
DREAMING : I wonder if it is the Winter Garden?! So no other shows have been set for that theatre?

[dreaming]

Someone implied that Shakespeare in Love might be interested but the production isn't slated to come until next season (2015-16).

Another credible user said it was a PLAY coming, not a musical. If that's the case, then it's not Witness Uganda.

[downhillskier]

Witness Uganda was OUTSTANDING ! We saw it in February at ART. It got rave reviews and terriffic word of mouth, causing the sellout.
Fantastic story, music and talent. Very original. Huffington post said it deserves to go to Broadway. Only concern was would mainstream audiences want to see a show about starving orphans in Uganda? Hopefully the reviews and word of mouth ( as happened in Cambridge) will squash any questions about the subject matter. Terrific show, definitely see it if you have the opportunity, you will not be disappointed. This show deserves success!

from Theatermania http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/02-2014/witness-uganda-transforming-african-aid-work-into-_67417.html

"When Witness Uganda finally penetrated Paulus' radar, it was not as a piece referred by Stephen Schwartz, nor as a show coauthored by one of her long-lost actors, but as the winner of the 2012 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater. Its artistic value had been recognized by a jury of theatrical pioneers including Stephen Sondheim, John Guare, Sheldon Harnick, David Ives, Richard Maltby, Jr. Jeanine Tesori, and John Weidman — a group of artists who understand the challenge of jumping into uncharted theatrical waters — and won Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prizes for doing just that."

[dreaming]

You must be connected with the show somehow. I smell a shill

[downhillskier]

That's insulting ! I went to the ART for the first time last February due to the a friend's recommendation and the the local reviews. I had just returned from NYC and was craving some quality entertainment. Due to our enjoyment of Witness Uganda, I purchased a subscription for the first time. We have since seen The Tempest, the shape she makes and Finding Neverland. The last time I had been near the ART, was it's precursor, The Harvard Rep, where I saw Christopher Reeve in Three penny opera, since a high school friend was taking classes there.

[FindingNamo]

Believe you me, Diane's ART bears no connection to what the Harvard Rep and then the ART once was.

I recall the local reviews calling it the nice, serious Book of Mormon.

[For2net]

Downhillskier: I think the show does have some possible up hill battles as far as content - but hopefully the world will see the bigger picture- making a change or a difference in someone's else's life- at least that's what I got from it. I would add that some things should probably be re-worked for the broadway. But just the message and MUSIC (OMG) will crawl into theater-goers hearts! ART has been pumping out great work this year!
NEMO: "the nice Book of Mormon " hah that's funny - where'd you find that article ?

[FindingNamo]

Oh who can remember. It was one Boston area review or another.

"ART has been pumping out great work this year!"

I will agree that ART has definitely been pumping out work this year.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

FindingNamo, I don't believe anything you're saying is true until you write #fact after it.
I'm curious about this one. It sounded unique and interesting, hopefully Paulus can find a way to make it work for Broadway. I do love what she did with HAIR, but haven't seen PIPPIN.

[FindingNamo]

HAIR and Pippin were great in my opinion. And my opinion is #FACT.

[For2net]

Porgy!! Audra #fact ha