Willy Wonka Question

[SarahNYC2]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:04am

Sadly I no longer live in NYC-but visit for big chunks of time. I will be in NYC for 3 weeks for the summer. My daughter really wants to see it. I am not a huge  fan of the story but I am a Christian Borle fan. I am hesitant to buy tickets because with my luck that would be the day CB would be sick/on vacation. I know on these boards there are some very savvy Broadway people. Anyway to hedge my bets that at least the date I pick won't be when he's on vacation. 

I am seeing if I can make it for when it's in previews since my thinking is he'd be less likely to go on vacation.

And yes I know if i got to the theater and he wasn't in it that day I could ask for a refund but my daughter doesn't really care, nor will the friends who will go with us so any help is appreciated since I plan to shell out for the best seats.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:14am

If you are going in the summer you will miss the previews. Just make sure you get tickets for an evening show.

[binau]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:18am

Do we know if they are rewriting the show?

[SarahNYC2]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:21am

Thanks-yes I know I'll miss previews. I am trying to see if I could work my schedule to come for a few days when in preview but the summer is easier for me, and a sure thing. Why the evenings, is he less likely to call out? 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:42am

qolbinau said: "Do we know if they are rewriting the show?"

Yes, they are...
http://www.playbill.com/article/secrets-of-broadways-the-front-page-and-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 8:56am

I don't think lead actors are going to have much "vacation time" scheduled a few months into the run when they are lead characters. WW is just opening towards the end of April - I would think that if vacation time would be scheduled, it would later in the summer or early fall at the earliest.

That said, it's live theater and there is never any guarantee..for actual shows or for previews. Leads have been known to take a couple of shows off during previews if they are not feeling well or are having vocal issues..just recently both Jessie Mueller and Laura Benanti both took preview days off for illness, vocal rest, etc for Waitress & She Loves Me. (I'm sure there are others, I just happen to remember about this two).

I just think you have to come when you can and hope for the best - and possibly order tickets later rather than earlier when any planned absences might be more likely to be noted.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 9:18am

A slight side-step observation but would like to have seen Mr Borle offering those 2 tickets wearing his costume[if ready] from or similar in WW.

Even a back view with him looking over his shoulder so as NOT to reveal all and holding 2 tickets high-of course out of each to most.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 11:10am

Just so you know... you are not entitled to a refund if Christian Borle is out unless his name is above the title. Which i don't believe it is. 

[mikey2573]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 11:57am

So, that "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"  teaser certainly made one think that the Broadway version might be more similar to the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".  The license plate says "Candy Man" which is one of the songs from the film, and the whistle you hear at the end is....well, do I even need to say?  Plus, director O'Brien referred to the character being more like the Gene Wilder character from that film.  If they go more with the Wilder film they are more likely to have a hit here in the states.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 12:10pm

Since this thread exists, I've been wondering:

To what extent can we consider this production a transfer of the West End production? With these rewrites, and several new members of the creative team, will this be a whole new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Taking a quick look at the creative credits, it seems they have a new Director, Choreographer, lighting, sound and puppet designers. But the same costume/set designer, and the same orchestrator. It just seems like such a bizarre in-between state between being a West End transfer and being a separate incarnation of the material. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 12:13pm

I suppose it also depends on your definition of SUMMER.

 

He's highly unlikely to schedule vacation until after the Tonys.....but then it could be anything; although Kathy is right it is more likely to be in the fall or winter.  No way to tell now.    Right now, he's the ONLY reason I'm likely to see it, so I'm definitely waiting.  

 

But to reiterate: you aren't likely to get a refund if Borle's name isn't above the title.

 

[SarahNYC2]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 9:11pm

I'm surprised his name wouldn't be. Who else is in it that's worth seeing? And requesting a refund wouldn't be possible. I'd be going with friends and our kids, and I am the only one who cares whether CB is playing Wonka. The rest just want to see the show because they love the story. So to them it wouldn't matter.

 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 9:42pm

SarahNYC2 said: "I'm surprised his name wouldn't be. Who else is in it that's worth seeing? And requesting a refund wouldn't be possible. I'd be going with friends and our kids, and I am the only one who cares whether CB is playing Wonka. The rest just want to see the show because they love the story. So to them it wouldn't matter.

 

 

"

Jackie Hoffman is supposedly playing Ms. Tevee. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 9/18/16 at 10:24pm

SarahNYC2 said: "I'm surprised his name wouldn't be. Who else is in it that's worth seeing? And requesting a refund wouldn't be possible. I'd be going with friends and our kids, and I am the only one who cares whether CB is playing Wonka. The rest just want to see the show because they love the story. So to them it wouldn't matter.

 

 

"

It's not a matter of "worth seeing," it's a matter of if the producers have a big enough name or worthy-performance on their hands where they are confident enough in offering refunds if their star is out. 

Christian Borle, as far as I'm concerned, would not warrant that financial risk. He's a talented guy, sure... but i'm not sure that the producers would put him above the title (unless he wins the Tony)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/19/16 at 5:21am

SarahNYC2 said: "I'm surprised his name wouldn't be. Who else is in it that's worth seeing? And requesting a refund wouldn't be possible. I'd be going with friends and our kids, and I am the only one who cares whether CB is playing Wonka. The rest just want to see the show because they love the story. So to them it wouldn't matter.

 

 

"

We'll, hopefully EVERYONE in it is "worth" seeing. 

And you are the one that brought up asking for a refund.

[brian1973]

Posted: 9/19/16 at 5:55am

 

A few friends of mine are involved in this and it's a NEW production. Not a transfer. You don't get a director of Jack OBriens calibrate merely restaging Sam Mendes' production for New York. It's been totally rewritten and a completely new design. New songs. It was never really considered a great success in London and this is the perfect opportunity to retool it and make it work, which they have and are doing, from what I've heard it's really quite exciting and may surprise a lot of people with what a fresh take it is on the story. And no- it's not being based on the Willy Wonka film, more the original book and new elements too.

JBroadway said: "Since this thread exists, I've been wondering:

To what extent can we consider this production a transfer of the West End production? With these rewrites, and several new members of the creative team, will this be a whole new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Taking a quick look at the creative credits, it seems they have a new Director, Choreographer, lighting, sound and puppet designers. But the same costume/set designer, and the same orchestrator. It just seems like such a bizarre in-between state between being a West End transfer and being a separate incarnation of the material. 

 

"

 

[JennH]

Posted: 9/19/16 at 10:39am

brian1973 said: " 

A few friends of mine are involved in this and it's a NEW production. Not a transfer. You don't get a director of Jack OBriens calibrate merely restaging Sam Mendes' production for New York. It's been totally rewritten and a completely new design. New songs. It was never really considered a great success in London and this is the perfectopportunity to retool it and make it work, which they have and are doing, from what I've heard it's really quite exciting and may surprise a lot of people with what a fresh take it is on the story. And no- it's not being based on the Willy Wonka film, more the original book and new elements too.

JBroadway said: "Since this thread exists, I've been wondering:

To what extent can we consider this production a transfer of the West End production? With these rewrites, and several new members of the creative team, will this be a whole new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Taking a quick look at the creative credits, it seems they have a new Director, Choreographer, lighting, sound and puppet designers. But the same costume/set designer, and the same orchestrator. It just seems like such a bizarre in-between state between being a West End transfer and being a separate incarnation of the material. 

 

"

 Oh wow, really? I knew it would be heavily rewritten and re directed and designed so yeah calling it a transfer in the purest form doesn't make sense. But new songs as well? It's still Shaiman and Whitman, I didn't think they'd write an entirely new score, but I guess they are...and I'm surprised it wasn't considered huge over in London, by the time it's closes it'll have ran for three and half years. However I didn't even know it existed until 6 months ago, so I suppose that's telling. 

It does seem a good chunk of film songs will be used, I mean Pure Imagination is synonymous with that movie and the story in general, you can't do ANY adaptation of this anymore without it without anyone wondering where that song is, and it has been confirmed that it and Candy Man will be used, and considering they used Oompa Loompa even as just a whistle in those video ads, I can't see it not being used. The only film song I possibly wouldn't miss is Cheer Up Charlie. 

 

I do wonder how going more book direction will work if they're going to use the film songs...I'd rather not have another Hunchback like identity crisis. I don't even mind WHICH direction O Brien will take as long as it's consistent.

 But overall I'm getting more excited about this every day! I literally almost didn't care when I heard about it, but somehow since seeing the ads, my anticipation is shooting through the roof for it, especially  since Borle was announced, that's the best casting idea I've seen a while, I can't think of anyone else offhand who'd do this as well as he could! If this doesn't get him his Leading actor Tony I'll be shocked. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/19/16 at 11:04am

GreasedLightning said: "SarahNYC2 said: "I'm surprised his name wouldn't be. Who else is in it that's worth seeing? And requesting a refund wouldn't be possible. I'd be going with friends and our kids, and I am the only one who cares whether CB is playing Wonka. The rest just want to see the show because they love the story. So to them it wouldn't matter.

 

 

"

It's not a matter of "worth seeing," it's a matter of if the producers have a big enough name or worthy-performance on their hands where they are confident enough in offering refunds if their star is out. 

Christian Borle, as far as I'm concerned, would not warrant that financial risk. He's a talented guy, sure... but i'm not sure that the producers would put him above the title (unless he wins the Tony)

 

"

 

That's not how it works. That's not how any of it works, to paraphrase an infamous car insurance commercial. Above-the-title billing has nothing to do with the Producer's "financial risk." It has everything to do with contract negotiations between a production and its star's management team. Some actors have enough leverage to demand above-the-title billing, which typically includes a small-to-modest weekly bonus and the ability for patrons to request refunds, while others simply don't. There have been instances in which producers will provide above-the-title billing to a performer on their own initiative but that's merely a formality to assist with marketing & promotions, and offers no "bump" or bonus to the actual performer (aside from more possible exposure).