Public to Stage 'Bounce' Next Year with Doyle Directing?

Bounce, the Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman musical about American resilience, may have some life in it yet.  According to The New York Post's Michael Riedel, Bounce may soon be resurfacing in New York.

He writes: "Sources say the Public Theater wants to mount a full-scale production at its flagship theater on Lafayette Street next spring, with an eye to moving it to Broadway if the critics are kind. The production is likely to be staged by John Doyle, who directed the acclaimed revivals of Sondheim's Company, which won the Tony this week, and last season's Sweeney Todd." If Doyle takes on the job, he will dispense with the acclaimed actor/orchestra method that he has drawn upon for Sweeney Todd and Company.  The Public staging would most likely take place early next year.

Bounce, since its 1999 Sam Mendes-directed workshop (when it was known as Wise Guys), has been beset with obstacles on its way to New York. Riedel writes that "(bookwriter) Weidman recently told friends that he and Sondheim believe they've finally solved the show's problems, and that Bounce deserves a New York production."  The two have reportedly been meeting in Sondheim's Turtle Bay townhouse to work on show revisions, and a private reading of their latest draft was staged at the Public last year.

Bounce is set during the 1920s and concerns the troubled relationship between the enterprising Mizner Brothers, Wilson and Addison - whose adventures bring them to the Yukon for a gold rush, as well as to Florida during the state's land boom.  After its 1999 workshop, with Nathan Lane as Addison and Victor Garber as Wilson, a 2003 out-of-town tryout - starring Richard Kind, Howard McGillin and Michele Pawk - played Chicago and D.C.  The musical's mostly negative reviews blocked its planned course to Broadway. 

Bounce, which features music and lyrics by Sondheim (Company, Follies, Sunday in the Park with George) and a book by Weidman (Contact, Anything Goes revival), features a score that includes "Gold," "What's Your Rush," "Talent," "Addison City," and the title song.  A cast album was recorded by Nonesuch.  Sondheim, widely considered the world's greatest living musical theatre writer, and Weidman previously collaborated on the acclaimed musicals Pacific Overtures and Assassins.