MY FAIR LADY Revival Back On For Next Spring?

[AEA AGMA SM]

There is no amount of vocal training that will ever make Emma Stone a soprano, let alone a soprano who could sing that score eight times a week.

[CindersGolightly]

Emma Stone in "Pygmalion" however is a stroke of genius.

[Broadwayhunk]

It's too bad freaks of nature like Julie Andrews don't come around too often.

[Call_me_jorge]

Broadwayhunk said: "It's too bad freaks of nature like Julie Andrews don't come around too often.

 

"

One day my voice teacher was telling me of an operation that could bring Julie Andrews singing voice back, but it would only work for 3 months and I added on that whatever show she would be in would recoup the money in two days. What they had her reprise the role with that operation??? I'd just die to hear her voice! 

[OlBlueEyes]

I would have said that Alex Jennings is an unknown to Australian audiences whereas Anna O'Byrne is rather a darling of the theatre community (of course, we had Love Never Dies in Melbourne for a lot longer than Sydney and also got to see her as a rather spray-tanned Maria in The Production Company's West Side Story so that may be affecting my opinion!). If the show comes to Melbourne I would be seeing it for her. It doesn't hurt that she is an absolute sweetheart!

They also have names in Eliza's father (played by Reg Livermore, who is very well known, particularly to the older audience) and Freddie (played by Mark Vincent who is one of the few successes of Australia's Got Talent and has an album out with Marina Prior so would be getting exposure with the target audience). 

I also don't recall any Australian production NOT being called 'strictly limited', so that really doesn't mean much. However, if it does decently it will at least do a season in Melbourne, provided the Regent is free (no other theatres are) and likely other cities. The only major musicals of recent years that I can think of that didn't were Once (due to theatre availability), Forum (due to Geoffrey Rush availability) and Addams Family (which flopped). All our shows have to tour/transfer (there's really no difference here!) to be successful.''

Thanks for the info, Stephie. I believe that I had it in my mind that British and Aussie culture were linked more than they are. Still a lot of miles between the two. Anna looks like a complete sweetheart, but I doubt I'll ever have the pleasure of meeting her. Do major Aussie productions usually head north after they've played everywhere in Australia? I did read that Anna was touring the UK with Guys and Dolls. This My Fair Lady looks like it will be a major event in your country.

Last Sunday I went into Manhattan to see Motown the Musical with a fairly large group. Sitting next to me at the pre-mingle and at the theater was one of your countrymen. Jonni. He had asked his employer if he could have a one year sabbatical to travel the world, and the employer agreed. We don't see a lot of that in the States. You're lucky if you get three weeks vacation after three years of employment.

 

 

 

 

[qolbinau]

I would say it is rare for an Australian production to tour internationally but there are some exceptions (indeed, the producer seems to be getting himself involved more on Broadway recently and was a producer of an Australian production of King and I that later transferred to Broadway around 1996). I'd also claim that most of the Australian cast (particularly the two leads) are not 'names' in the same way that CZJ, Bernadette Peters, Denzel Washington etc. are 'names'. The same way I would not say that Brian D'Arcy James; Marin Mazzie etc. are 'names' - respected theatre folk well known within certain circles only. I would predict that the show's success (and indeed it looks like it will be very financially successful) is because it is a very well known property itself; buzz from Julie Andrews' involvement; association/marketing/subscribers from Opera Australia. They could recast tomorrow and it would still do fine. 

[qolbinau]

Julie Andrews in rehearsal (from Anna's facebook page)

[qolbinau]

[Gorlois]

I wish there was a documentarian filming this rehearsal process.

[belrowley]

She looks incredible! I'd love to see this production.

[broadwayguy91]

Off topic, but Yesterday I dreamt of a revival of Camelot at the Vivian Beaumont with the original orchestrations , lavish costumes and sets .... Does anyone else hope for a revival of that too? I think only LCT and Bart Sher would do it justice 

 

 

 

 

[JIMG3]

At this point, I'm hoping for at least something to go into the Beaumont. Last week someone here posted that LCT would be making an announcement this week about its next tenant for Spring 2017. 

[lemiz3001]

Jordan's source is misinformed. No rights have been given from the Lerner and Lowe estates to anyone on Broadway, and the estates are waiting to see the Sydney revival before they give the rights to anyone else.

[VintageSnarker]

"She played Nellie for the last eight months of South Pacific, through the winter and the summer, and that show ran out for over 1000 performances. Someone must have liked her."

I didn't.

I don't get how people can blather on about diversity in other threads and then keep suggesting Laura Osnes and Sierra Boggess for all the ingenue parts when dreamcasting.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Oslo is taking the Beaumont in the spring. Sad this is a bust.

[JIMG3]

Oslo is taking the VB in the spring? According to whom? 

[JIMG3]

Pleased disregard my post. I just read the news. 

[Whateverjsays]

While I am dying to see Laura Benanti in this, and I know she's been wanting to do it for forever, I am really interested to see what Sierra Boggess could do with it. She far overdue for a Tony nomination 

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Does Adrienne Warren have a legit soprano voice to go with her crazy good belt? She has such a great presence onstage, and I think she could make a great Eliza if she could sing it!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

http://nypost.com/2016/09/08/were-getting-closer-to-a-colin-firth-my-fair-lady/

[broadwayboy223]

So If the estate approves the Julie Andrew's production does that mean the show will come with Kelli like it was rumored too? I haven't heard a pip about the London King and I

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Kelli already revealed in an interview that plans for a West End transfer of The King & I have been put on hold.
http://www.playbill.com/article/how-hard-work-and-dedication-paid-off-for-kelli-ohara

[ACL2006]

OSLO at the Beaumont was announced back in July. Opening April 13. So this myth is busted unless it plans to open next Fall.

[RippedMan]

Well, things can always change. Or, if they indeed partner with the Nederlanders, they could use one of their theaters. 

[Nefertiti]

Considering how both King and I and Fiddler on the Roof had to end their runs early, this will not do well on Broadway. The last time I saw My Fair Lady I ended feeling bored before Act 1 finished. The piece is dated.

[Valentina3]

^ King & I had, by all means, a long and healthy run for a revival. It was a critically acclaimed production. The content is problematic, and will always remain so without major cuts, but the approach made the product not "feel" dated at the very least. Unsuccessful shows don't announce long-running national tours either.

 

Fiddler is never going to be "dated". The core concepts explored in the show are very relatable, even today. The direction just didn't fit the show. I still see successful regional productions of the show. It might just have been too soon for this to come back after the 2004 revival but that's up for debate. It still enjoyed a good run - it would have run over a year when it closes on Dec 31st.