Tell me about it. Can't say I'm even in the least bit excited. But the powers that be down here seem to have a certain 'formula' that they stick to with their seasons as of late: bring in a kiddy show(Annie), a previous show (Mamma Mia), a movie musical musical (Dirty Dancing), a couple of classics (Chicago, Annie), a recent Tony winner (Once), and a 'big blockbuster' (Phantom). Usually the kiddy show is one of the Disney tours, so I guess that's why I was hoping so hard for Newsies. Disney shows always do well in New Orleans-the upcoming week-long run of Beauty and the Beast is sold out.
It was supposed to be the first national tour of the 2012 broadway revival produced by troika. However, it seems that the revivals producing and creative team have pulled out, and troika has went ahead and registered their own production. This new tour will be non-equity and will have direction by Martin Charnen and choreography by Liza Genaro. It will be a recreation of the original broadway production.
It is in all the recent casting notices, and the description that troika has provided. There is nothing wrong with sending a classic on the road, but I don't get the point if it's not going to be the most recent staging. The national tour of Annie just played every market from 2005-2010. I won't be surprised if several presenters are opting out of this one.
So not that we were really expecting it, considering there was never an announcement, but it seems like Matilda is definitely not touring this season. Not really a shock, but I haven't seen any dates for them and none of the big cities have it on there lists right now. My guess is that depending on how it does on Bway this year, they may not ever tour. But if they do well and the hype is still there, then maybe they will do it. I just honestly don't think they can.
I think Matilda is similar to Billy Elliot in that it does well on Broadway, but a tour would be a tough sell. Billy Elliot struggled in a lot of big cities even though it did very well on Broadway. Matilda would be very hard to tour though. It has not even launched a UK tour yet.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
^ Wow really? I would've thought that it'd sell very well in the UK. If it hasn't even toured there, I doubt it will tour here. It's sad, but probably true.
Disagree with Matilda wouldn't do well on the road and would be quote easy to tour.
It isn't uncommon for UK tours to happen at a much later date, for the record Billy Elliot hasn't toured yet in the Uk and The Lion King and Wicked are just doing their first tour.
I disagree with you about it being easy to tour. I think the main problem is the kids. Can they tour that many kids at once? Might be a stupid question but I can't see it happening. Although, if Annie can tour this year I don't really see why Matilda can't.
I read somewhere, NY Times I think, that the problem with Matilda touring was logistics and cast size. People associated with the show said they might do a tour later once they get those issues sorted out. I guess the large cast of children makes touring it harder (additional staff needed like child wranglers and tutors) and the fact that ticket prices for touring shows are lower and travel costs for a large cast and staff are high.
There was an article that stated that the producers are actually mapping out the right Tour map. Finding the right venues and working with the right local presenters. I am sure they will only tour one coast at a time.
While I'm not a fan of The Pantages in LA (it's just too darn big) and have only seen a small handful of quality shows there (Hair, The Producers, Wicked) excited that NEWSIES is finally touring and coming to LA
"I know the Broadway production had some rough going when the Trunchbull replacement debacle happened and there was talk of it not staying open. Don't think that's still a problem."
Huh? Bierko got injured and they had someone else do the role. It did not impact ticket sales in the slightest. Why would they have closed? It wasn't THAT big of a debacle.
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Annie October 7-19, 2014 Phantom November 19-30, 2014 Lion King Jan 7-Feb. 1, 2015 Mowtown Feb. 24-March 8, 2015 Pippin March 31-April 12, 2015 Anything Goes May 5-17, 2015