FUN HOME coming to Broadway?- Page 2

[Kad]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:17am

Fun Home could get the Pulitzer- but I am unsure where that awards body stands on adapted material presently.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:23am

Keep in mind NATASHA PIERRE still has aspirations for Broadway. That is still its producers' goal. Unfortunately, Broadway is still the almost necessary benchmark for the long term profitability of a show- (especially in terms of future licensing) and frankly until something drastic like The American theatre Wing making large Off Broadway musicals worthy of Tony consideration- that is not likely not going to change.

I would be shocked if FUN HOME didn't transfer. To Broadway.



Updated On: 10/23/13 at 11:23 AM

[dreaming]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:27am

M. Butterfly, Clybourne Park is to an extent, South Pacific is based on a book. They all won Pulitzers. It's not common, but I think the special nature of this musical-it's very groundbreaking-may help its case.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:27am

'Has Broadway been changed by the presence of shows like Caroline or Change, or Grey Gardens? Would the latter have become popular regionally if it wasn't on Broadway? That's really hard to say.'

In my own opinion, I don't think it's hard to say. No. Those shows wouldn't have the regional lives they've had without the Broadway brand. I'm sure others would disagree. But the only two options for this show are to end the run at the Public or move to Broadway. No one is going to move it for an off-Broadway commercial run. No one.

If I'm wrong, I will be happy to say so. But, in the current state of theater in NY, there is only one place for a show like this to go...Broadway.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:42am

The Public has also been burned in a very big way with its failed transfers of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (again, which ran to great acclaim and success at the Newman), Caroline or Change (same), and the London transfer of Hair. It doesn't help that Riedel seems to have it out for Oskar Eustis, either.

They are a lot more cautious than they were- hence why a transfer of Here Lies Love is proceeding slowly (if at all at this point- something has already fallen through with that once).

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:48am

Kad, I would argue that The Public isn't any less cautious when it comes to transfers- it's the investors they usually depend on for money to finance them who are. As Reidel has discussed, Oskar wanted to move INTO THE WOODS, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, and HERE LIES LOVE as of late, and all of those fell through or stalled because of issues with money and real estate, not because The Public backed off.

I agree with the sentiment that FUN HOME (while a stunning accomplishment) isn't an ideal candidate for a transfer for a million reasons. That said, while I too think it's almost a certainty one will be attempted, I don't think the theater availability exists to make it happen this season, particularly in an appropriately intimate house.

Updated On: 10/23/13 at 11:48 AM

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 4:12pm

Seeing the show this weekend, so I can’t speak as to how it would translate to a bigger space, but, selfishly, I would love for it to make the move to a Broadway house. Even if, financially, the show didn’t do well on Broadway, having the Broadway label on it is bound to put it in more people’s consciousness (particularly if it garners similar reviews and earns some Tony nominations/awards, which it seems would be quite likely).

Most of all, though, I think it’s important to have a musical with these themes and a central character who is a lesbian to be on Broadway. It won’t appeal to tourists, no, and may not even get many from the young generation to come. But, as far as I can recall, there has never been a musical on Broadway with a lesbian as the central character (correct me if I am wrong on that) and, personally, it’s important to me for a character like this to be showcased. It’s not going to be popular at first (likely not for years and years), but, why not start with a show that is almost universally praised?

(Obviously, there are many other factors to this – including whether or not the show would lose anything by being in a bigger house – and I don’t want any show to lose money, but the selfish side of me would be so fulfilled to this story told on Broadway.)

[indytallguy]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 6:26pm

Does anyone here have firsthand knowledge as to how much a show having been on Broadway really matters to regional theaters if they decide to do a production? Here in Indianapolis, our various theatres have certain topics and styles of production that they produce. I don't think it matters much to them whether or not a show has been on Broadway, so long as it has played somewhere in NYC to good reviews.

A small theatre (about 200 mainstage seats) in my downtown neighborhood just closed a successful production of Vanya and has Tribes and Cock as part of the shows this season. Last year they had Clybourne Park and 4000 Miles on tap. I think they chose those shows because they fit their mission and have had a good trial run in NYC.

Updated On: 10/23/13 at 06:26 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 10/23/13 at 11:18pm

Broadway certainly is a plus, but other things matter- size, cost, accessibility, mission of the theatre, cast. Shows like Tribes or 4000 Miles are seeing wide regional play because they're simple to put on, critically acclaimed, and fairly easy to cast.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 10:08pm

I wouldn't call Tribes easy to cast. You have to have a deaf central character, and actors who are familiar with sign language. It's just a good play. I think that's the reason.

I think, if they're smart, they'll wait until April and open it on Broadway. Let it run for two months and build some award season momentum. I think once it starts picking up awards, it will be able to sustain a run. The only problem is if it's momentum is stopped by the "big" musicals opening this season.

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 10/24/13 at 11:10pm

What (if anything) is booked into the Booth post-Menagerie?

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 1:49am

Fun Home is perfection right where it is. How would a move improve it?

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 2:46am

this would be great for the booth.

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 2:28pm

A move would "improve" the grosses.

If FUN HOME is destined to be a hit it will someday play theaters much much much bigger than the Booth.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 2:55pm

If FUN HOME is destined to be a hit it will someday play theaters much much much bigger than the Booth.

Huh?

[Plum]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 3:23pm

As Reidel has discussed, Oskar wanted to move INTO THE WOODS, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, and HERE LIES LOVE as of late

I can't speak to the latter, but Into the Woods a) already had a recent revival, b) wasn't exactly a great production, while Love's Labours Lost was okay but not great. Fun Home sounds like a whole different story.

That said, I'm being totally self-centered here: I don't care where it's playing so long as it sticks around long enough for me to trek to NYC to see it. I wasn't quite quick enough to watch it last fall, and now I'm over 200 miles from the city and it's killing me thinking I won't get the chance.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 3:24pm

Children of Eden is one of the few shows that I can think that has prospered on a large scale without a Broadway "endorsement". It has Stephen Schwartz as a selling-point.

Great Comet ought to come to London- it would be lapped up and there are plenty of great sites that could accommodate it. It would be huge on the South Bank where the Udderbelly has parked itself in the past (near London Eye).

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 3:31pm

Children of Eden is also a completely tame family show and can be done at churches.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/25/13 at 3:34pm

While I agree with others that this show doesn't need to move to Broadway, I would say it's better suited than some other shows that have moved in recent years. I could definitely see it working in any mid-sized house.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 10/26/13 at 7:51am

I think it could move to Broadway. Intimate musicals have a place there. But I think it's a show that could be so much better than it is, no matter where it's future is. I am glad it's gotten good reviews but I hope it doesn't impede the creative team from continuing to try to improve it, because it could be a truly great work.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 9:46am

any updates on transfer chatter?

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 9:58am

Doesn't look like it's happening at this point.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 10:11am

If a show with the reviews that FUN HOME has today 'shouldn't' be on Broadway, then Broadway should cease to exist.

This.

I think realistically it might struggle to find an audience long, long term, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be there.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 12/6/13 at 11:51am

I finally saw the show (and LOVED it), but I simply do not understand why people refuse to believe this could work on Broadway. It really could. ONCE is by far a more intimate show, and if that could work on Broadway, so could this. The set for this show is pretty decent sized, and the music is also very "big" sounding, so I truly feel it could work. Fingers crossed, hoping for a transfer!

[WSStory]

Posted: 2/23/14 at 10:41am

Any news on a transfer?