That's not entirely true. Hugh didn't create the role in Australia and the original star Todd McKenney was only passed over for the Broadway production when Hugh, by then a name performer in the U.S., became available.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
The original Chicago didn't last without Gwen and Chita. Although I thought that production was infinitely better with their replacements, Ann Reinking and Lenora Nemitz, and the changes from the tour that were put in for them. No one agrees with me.
It ran one week shy of a year. Seeing how a year to 18 months is about average for a revival, there is no shame in this - it was a success.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
"The producers" were so dependent on lane and Broderick that they brought them back.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
"It ran one week shy of a year. Seeing how a year to 18 months is about average for a revival, there is no shame in this - it was a success."
How to Succeed? It ran from March 2011 to May 2012. A year and two months.
It's funny, because back then Darren Criss sold out the houses and Nick Jonas couldn't keep the show afloat. Nowadays, just three years later, Criss is struggling to fill a (smaller) house at Hedwig (with a different demographic, of course) and I think Nick Jonas would pack 'em in considering his recent rebirth in the pop music scene.
The revival of A Little Night Music starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Landsburry was doing incredibly well at the box office (setting house records) until they left the show and were replaced by Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. Even though many thought that the replacement cast was at least equal to if not superior to the original cast, sales plummeted and the show did not sustain much of a run with the new cast.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
I think there is a difference from an evergreen show that gets revived (ala How to Succeed; A little night music, etc ) as opposed to a show that in and of itself probably wouldn't justify a BW run without the star mounting. Sure some stars can goose a show, but it doesn't mean the show can't do well on it's own. "How to Succeed" was successful in 3 mountings on BW so far with 3 stars (Robert Morse, Matthew Broderick, Daniel Radcliffe).
A revival can falter, but there are reasons such as the score, the book, etc that can make it work even without star power. It's not like Showboat falls into this category even if it flopped next time it was on BW.
Something like "Coco" from all accounts (the Tony number on Youtube is howlingly bad) was just a star vehicle to see Ms. Hepburn and has rarely,if ever, been revived anywhere.
"when I’m on stage I see the abyss and have to overcome it by telling myself it’s only a play." - Helen Mirren