Girl From The North Country - Broadway- Page 2

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 1:22pm

I loved the score and the book, but I didn't love the cast at The Public. The show felt de-energized in comparison to the London production. I did like Mare Winningham, but Shirley Henderson and Sheila Atim were definitely missed. It is VERY depressing and I could see that word of mouth being a problem. It's one of the shows that you hear people say "It's great but it's soooo depressing."

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 1:25pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Man, I hope Kudisch comes with the show."

Kudisch is also attached to Flamingo Kid which is also eyeing a transfer this season.  He has a bigger role in Flamingo Kid but North Country is probably more high profile.  So I'm not sure what he'll end up with.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 1:33pm

I don't understand the complaints about the Belasco being too big for this show. It's Broadway's 12th-smallest theatre, and it's very tough to make a budget work for a musical when you're dealing with under 1,000 seats. The 2nd balcony adds some grandness, and the pricing can't be as high for the balc, but the Belasco is still a perfectly fine theatre for this musical.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 1:51pm

I think it would totally work for this show. You still feel close to the show even in the balcony.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 2:23pm

Kudisch tweeted out a link about the transfer so I’m guessing he’s still involved. <3

[qafgenius122]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 3:36pm

I saw the Free First Preview at the Public knowing nothing of the show (minus some London buzz) and having not known a single Bob Dylan song (I ended up being familiar with a few after, but never knowing they were Bob Dylan songs)

I absolutely loved the show, and could not wait for a Bway transfer announcement. I loved the cast, and I need Mare Winningham, Colton Ryan, Sidney James Harcourt, & Marc Kudish to transfer with this no matter what! 

I also hope this means we get an Original Broadway Cast Recording, because while I adore the London album, I'm sure I'll be obsessed with a Way cast album, if the Public cast is any indication. This upcoming season just got much more exciting for me.

Side note, I am a fan of the new artwork, per the show's website.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 4:13pm

So excited this is coming to Toronto for a pre-Broadway engagement! 

[GVS2]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 5:18pm

Broadway will be fortunate to have a show like Girl from the North Country grace the Belasco. I stumbled upon this show while visiting London in August of 2017 while it was at The Old Vic. Having now seen it on the West End and at the Public, it will be interesting to see who will join the cast and what changes might be made.

In November, I shared some thoughts about the importance of a show like Girl from the North Country on my blog. I invite you to read the post if you wish.  Girl from the North Country Blog Post

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 6:01pm

I caught this at The Public last year and pretty much fell in love with it. This a very special show, and I am so glad it is coming to Broadway.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/18/19 at 6:57pm

GVS2 said: "Broadway will be fortunate to have a show like Girl from the North Country grace the Belasco. I stumbled upon this show while visiting London in August of 2017 while it was at The Old Vic. Having now seen it on the West End and at the Public, it will be interesting to see who will join the cast and what changes might be made.

In November, I shared some thoughts about the importance of a show like Girl from the North Country on my blog. I invite you to read the post if you wish.Girl from the North Country Blog Post"

I loved your blog! I’m curious, as someone who saw all incarnations of the show, which performers you would like to see do it on Broadway and if you think any changes should be made.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 3:17am

SomethingPeculiar said: "I don't understand the complaints about the Belasco being too big for this show. It's Broadway's12th-smallest theatre, and it's very tough to make a budget work for a musical when you're dealing with under 1,000 seats. The 2nd balcony adds some grandness, and the pricing can't be as high for the balc, but the Belascois still a perfectly fine theatre for this musical."

Where are those complaints you mention?  I can't seem to find them in this thread.

Saw the show at the Public and am happy to hear that the Belasco is the Broadway theatre of choice.  Hope to get front row balcony seat[s] for my spring/summer NYC visit next year.

[Square Peg2]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 4:15am

I for one will be praying that this news is the first step towards a cast album preserving Todd Almond's incredible vocals!

[magictodo123]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:39am

I don’t know....I really liked some of the performers in this at The Public (SJH for one), but it’s dark tone and the issues people have with its sensitive subject matter make me wonder about the longevity of this.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 8:57am

It makes me sad that they will be forced to market this as a Bob Dylan jukebox musical, which will enivitably leave people disappointed when they come and see a play with music.

I loved the show, but I love it as an introspective mood piece with music. I don’t love it as a piece of traditional musical theatre. But that’s what people will be expecting, which will probably be this show’s downfall. 

Updated On: 6/19/19 at 08:57 AM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 9:12am

I am fairly certain that the producers of this show, most of whom already produced it in the West End, understand that this is a challenging musical and it isn't likely to run for years on Broadway. But its a prestige piece, will be very well received critically, nominated for a slew of Tony Awards and I'm sure they are also looking at that as compensation. Producing the show is also a way of building a brand -- it will be a musical that will also be performed frequently on the regional circuit.  There are other considerations here besides turning this into a huge box office hit on Broadway.  And since when should we feel bad about producers taking a risk by offering audiences quality material?

[lt03302]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 1:12pm

Does anyone know for sure if the Toronto run this fall is a pre-broadway engagement or an unrelated production? I've seen mixed answers and no official announcement either way

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 1:21pm

The timing of the Toronto engagement (September 28-November 4) coincides pretty perfectly with a New York transfer in February. So I'm guessing this is a pre-Broadway try out.

[JudyDenmark]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 2:23pm

I had such mixed feelings about this at the Public, so am looking forward to giving it another try. LOVED the music, and I listen to the London recording all the time (Dylan + new vocal arrangements = happy Judy), but I think the book went over my head because I mostly had no idea what was going on. It opened a few days after I saw it, so the reviews helped clarify a few things, but I still think I need to do some digging before going back.

I did think the whole Public cast was great, esp Mare Winningham & Luba Mason, but there's something about Sheila Atim's performance of Tight Connection to My Heart (thank you YouTube) that is just so uniquely mesmerizing... I'd love to see that live. Though I know she's doing the Game of Thrones prequel which I'm sure has a massive production schedule, so I'm guessing that Broadway is unlikely. 

[Jmuep2]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:14pm

Forgive me if I'm repeating something that's been said on here, but Harcourt posted on Instagram that he will not be available to make the transfer to Broadway. 

[Fetus]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:23pm

I still find myself thinking about Mare Winningham's performance in this, she was truly captivating and I hope she transfers (though I wouldn't object to Shirley Henderson who got equal praise in the original production). There was a lot that could be improve on from The Public, but overall I thought this was thought-provoking and I intend to see it again on Broadway.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:24pm

Jmuep2 said: "Forgive me if I'm repeating something that's been said on here, but Harcourt posted on Instagram that he will not be available to make the transfer to Broadway."

 

Sorry to hear that. I thought he and Winningham gave the strongest performances.

Still, it would be great if they could get Arinze Kene, who played the role in the London. He is a great talent. I know he’s in Death of a Salesman now, but that wouldn’t conflict with this, would it? 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/19/19 at 5:54pm

I think that the Winningham/Henderson role could be stunt cast. It's a great role with two of the best songs in the show. There are quite a few phenomenal big names that could play the role and sell tickets. I don't think this will sell on Bob Dylan's name alone, especially when people realize that it's basically a very dark drama with songs.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 6/20/19 at 9:35am

I think you mean star cast (unless you are imagining one of the Kardashians taking the part) but yes, some of the A list names I'd love to see do it (who likely never would):

Kate Winslet, Gwenyth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, Renee Zelwegger and of course, the always mentioned Toni Collette.

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 6/21/19 at 3:04am

QueenAlice said: "I am fairly certain that the producers of this show, most of whom already produced it in the West End, understand that this is a challengingmusical and it isn't likely to run for years on Broadway. But its a prestige piece, will be very well received critically, nominated for a slew of Tony Awards and I'm sure they are also looking at thatas compensation. Producing the show is also a way of building a brand -- it will be a musical that will also be performed frequently on the regional circuit. There are other considerations here besides turning this into a huge box office hit on Broadway. And since when should we feel bad about producers taking a risk by offering audiences quality material?"

I agree with you 100% and upon seeing the Public production began to wish that a future San Francisco bay area staging be mounted by American Conservatory Theatre or Berkeley Rep (the most ideal of the two theatre spaces).  The Rep has done very well by American Idiot, Amelie and Ain't Too Proud in recent years ... with the former and the latter being very warmly received. Though not the typical jukebox musical, Dylan's name will certainly sell tickets in these parts.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 6/21/19 at 9:04pm

SomethingPeculiar said: "I don't understand the complaints about the Belasco being too big for this show. It's Broadway's12th-smallest theatre, and it's very tough to make a budget work for a musical when you're dealing with under 1,000 seats. The 2nd balcony adds some grandness, and the pricing can't be as high for the balc, but the Belascois still a perfectly fine theatre for this musical."