I didn't see JOB but I must say OH MARY! transfer surprises me. Not because it hasn't been a massive hit, but because Broadway audiences are a bit more conservative in their taste.
But I also felt there was no way The Lortel was the end of the road for the play. Whether it be regional runs, such as LA, or a Netflix filming, it was destined for more life.
From my understanding, both Cole and Conrad are very much invested in the continuation of this play and are hoping for more. Conrad even told me that he “is with this show as long as it will take me”.
I know the murmurs of a transfer began when the reviews were a smash and a friend in the know said Kevin McCollum was already trying to pull the strings for one of the vacant small theatre since Akimbo, MSAQ, and ABN were going to free up their theatres.
My concern is that I was really hoping for the Booth (because the marketing would be GENIUS and writes itself), but with the announcement of the LuPone/Farrow play, that severely limits its summer run potential (no more than 8-10 weeks if they jump RIGHT over after Akimbo closes)
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OH MARY moving makes sense (and I have heard it's all but a done deal)
JOB feels like something that would die a quick death commercially (even though it recouped off-Bway), because Broadway plays DO still rely so heavily on star power, and Peter Friedman & Sydney Lemmon (Jack's granddaughter, fun fact!!) are not money stars. Could be great for a nonprofit but 2/4 of those have already announced their seasons.
quizking101 said: "From my understanding, both Cole and Conrad are very much invested in the continuation of this play and are hoping for more. Conrad even told me that he “is with this show as long as it will take me”.
I know the murmurs of a transfer began when the reviews were a smash and a friend in the know said Kevin McCollum was already trying to pull the strings for one of the vacant small theatre sinceAkimbo, MSAQ, and ABN were going to free up their theatres.
My concern is that I was really hoping for the Booth (because the marketing would be GENIUS and writes itself), but with the announcement of the LuPone/Farrow play, that severely limits its summer run potential (no more than 8-10 weeks if they jump RIGHT over after Akimbo closes)"
Plus Conrad Ricamora is cast in NY City Center Encores production of TITANIC for 2 weeks in June. I guess it's possible to have it in the Booth in July?
A friend is a co-producer on the transfer of OH, MARY! and earlier this week I was told that the plan is for a 12 week run starting in June. I had assumed (and didn't ask to confirm) it would go into the Booth, but that timeline doesn't seem to work with THE ROOMMATE getting announced this morning. I'd guess the Lyceum now, but Studio 54 could also be a possibility?
frogs_fan85 said: "A friend is a co-producer on the transfer of OH, MARY! and earlier this week I was told that the plan is for a 12 week run starting in June. I had assumed (and didn't ask to confirm)it would go into the Booth, butthat timeline doesn't seem to work with THE ROOMMATE getting announced this morning. I'd guess the Lyceum now, but Studio 54 could also be apossibility?"
City Center's TITANIC ends June 23rd so I guess if OH MARY transfers, it can start Pride week on Tuesday June 25th? If it's an 8-week run, it fits the timeline for the Booth but if it's 12 weeks, then it's probably at another theater. Or perhaps it would start earlier? Kimberly Akimbo ends April 28th so they can probably have OH MARY start previews by late May and do a 12-week stint until mid-August. In that case, the understudy would perform as Mary's Husband for 2 weeks since Conrad Ricamora would be out since he's also cast in TITANIC.
quizking101 said: "This show would DIE in the Lyceum. That balcony is a crime"
Stage is very high too. There is nothing intimate about that theatre. Title of Show was dooomed in that space.
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With the Lyceum vs the Booth, we're talking about a difference of about 150 seats (922 seats vs 766). Broadway's 4th-smallest vs. its 7th-smallest.
Not every show can play the Booth, nor are most producers willing to hold a show until they can play a specific theatre (because theatre owners don't operate that way, and that's a great way for a show to never make it to Broadway).
Plenty of shows throughout history have done well at the Lyceum. If the genuine demand is there, there should be no problem filling 900 a night vs 700 a night. Some people are also talking about this play like it's some little micro-show...it's got multiple characters, a proper set, and performances that can be pitched up a bit to fill a larger room. They will lose nothing and gain lots from a transfer if the play is good enough (which I think it is) and if the transfer is mounted properly.
Ermengarde is right that Oh, Mary doesn't need an intimate house, exactly. It's not a quiet drama where being close to the actors really helps build the atmosphere or anything. It is a very broad comedy. It will benefit from having a smaller house to fill, to keep demand up and because I'm not sure how it'll play with a broader audience.
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I'm sorry, but Oh, Mary is not a Broadway show. That isn't a bad thing nor does it mean it's not great. But trying to sell that as a commercial run in a Broadway house is insane. And the show will 100% lose its charm in a house bigger than 250 seats. Teeth, Here We Are, All the Devils are Here--all phenomenal Off Broadway shows over the past year that are also completely wrong for a Broadway house. We need to get over this stigma of "everything good has to play Broadway".
I thought Merrily We Roll Along was perfect when it was staged off-broadway at NYTW. Very intimate show and no bad seat in the house. Did it translate well to the Hudson? Yes in terms of ticket sales and good for them! I've seen Merrily from balcony, mezz, and orch at the Hudson and nothing compared to watching it in NYTW.
As for OH MARY, there is demand. Whichever theater it takes, I think it will do fine if it's a limited engagement. If the show opens early June, they can stunt cast the role of Mary's husband with an A-list celeb like Neil Patrick Harris while Conrad Ricamora is doing TITANIC at city center.
Yeah, a bit worried about Job's ability to sell well as a two-hander without major stars, as incredible as Lemmon and Friedman are in this. I really liked it at the Connelly and would love to see it find wider success, though it could be an uphill battle. It's a good sign that they had enough momentum and positive reviews/WOM from the fall to drive a successful return engagement, but I hope they don't wait too long and allow whatever buzz they have to fizzle. I wonder when next season they're thinking of bringing it in.
Broadway Flash said: "I think teeth would work on broadway. Sweeney Todd is a small musical but people do it up for Broadway. Probably works better off broadway."