ONCE, NEWSIES & TOXIC AVENGER Considering Broadway for Spring 2012; BIG FISH Delayed

With Broadway's fall offerings celebrating their opening nights, attention has turned to what shows are slated to open for the 2012 spring season. It hasn't yet been set as a particularly full season for new musicals, but as the New York Times reports, that could easily change by the time the spring rolls around.

NEWSIES is one prospect to take its bows in time for Tony Awards eligibility. The show, which had its premiere in September at Paper Mill Playhouse, has received interest from both the Nederlander Organization and Jujamcyn Theaters for a possible limited run through September 2012. Thomas Schumacher, the president of Disney Theatrical, told the paper that Disney doesn't intend to wait very long to bring NEWSIES to Broadway: "It’s only natural that we want to try to bring this show to Broadway now, when its message is so timely."

The musical is based on the 1899 true story of a courageous group of scrappy newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they rally forces to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. NEWSIES features a book by Harvey Fierstein, lyrics by Jack Feldman and music by Alan Menken. Based on the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli.

Another possibility is THE TOXIC AVENGER. "It’s the sort of season where we can be a dark-horse show, sneak in at the last minute and get a Tony nomination," Joe DiPietro, the lyricist and writer behind the TOXIC AVENGER musical adaptation, said. "That would be a big help selling tickets and licensing the show around the country." The show, based on the 1985 classic cult film from Troma Studios, has announced plans for a Houston run in early 2012 that they hope will lead to Broadway.

ONCE, which has yet to even begin performances at the New York Theatre Workshop, already has bigger stages in mind as well. ONCE begins previews Tuesday, November 15 and opens Tuesday, December 6. It's based on the film of the same name, written and directed by John Carney. It was made for $150,000; shot in 17 days; and grossed $20M worldwide, becoming a critically acclaimed international smash.

One show that likely won't be opening for the spring is BIG FISH. Actor Michael C. Hall currently has a full schedule shooting Showtime's 'Dexter', and the production team hopes to have him involved with the project; the show is now aiming for a 2013 opening night.

Unfortunately, not all of the shows vying for Broadway will make it in time for the 2012 Tonys as theatres fill up. With just 40 theatres to go around, even shows that announced a Broadway opening are feeling the pressure. NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT announced in June that they would open on Broadway, but has yet to find a home.

Announcements have yet to be made for these contenders, but a Broadway opening is certainly something that the shows are looking toward - if they can get it.