First Date, however, will benefit from its Broadway run, particularly if, say, Zachary Levi picks up a Tony nomination, as that will definitely help sell it to regional theatres and other countries around the world - which will have been the point of the Broadway engagement in the first place.
It's difficult to know ANYTHING about Holler If Ya Hear Me (although I like the billboard ads - moody artwork!) so who knows whether it'll be a work of genius or otherwise. I suspect, however, that there is more to be said about it while we know nothing than there would be if the rehearsal process had the endless documentation of everything else in the world.
It really seems like we have to wait and see. Yes the Palace is huge but PRISCILLA played there and that was a mess of a show - granted it didn't recoup but it did run a while. As far as this show - how do we know at this point that there isn't some major scenic or staging element that is going to set this apart from a cheap Jersey Boys type jukebox musical? Not to mention, Tupac wrote very profound poetry that is still relevant to how our cities treat black and Hispanic men. Also - what no one else has pointed out is that Tupac's mother is one of the lead producers --- undoubtedly this will play a role in financial decisions and such.
"...how do we know at this point that there isn't some major scenic or staging element that is going to set this apart from a cheap Jersey Boys type jukebox musical?"
The design for the show can be seen on the workshop videos the producers were sending around to raise funding and secure a theater over the past several years. The designer left the show recently. I think that may be a clue to the answer to your question. We will have to see I guess.
They did update the website, as well, with a full list of the creative team.
They also noted the following: "The seating in the orchestra level of the Palace Theatre has been reconfigured to create a more intimate experience for the audience. The stage has been brought closer to the audience and the seating will now be stadium seating, making every seat prime viewing."
so maybe the theater will only seat 1,400 now. It really looks like they took out half the orchestra.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
and remember, nobody knew anything about The Book of Mormon before it arrived. Maybe we have the next Book of Mormon here??
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
I wish ALL theaters had stadium seating. Nothing worse than paying $100+ for an orchestra seat and then have your view blocked by someone in front of you.
This is why the Mezz at the Minskoff are my favorite seats! Now if only Lion King would exit.... Lol.
Wait. So the orchestra doesn't continue under the mezz? That new seating chart says the mezz begins above row J but that's the last row shown. My mind is truly boggled.
and remember, nobody knew anything about The Book of Mormon before it arrived. Maybe we have the next Book of Mormon here??
HAHAHAHAHA! No.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
That's so NOT true that no one knew about Book Of Mormon before it came. The fact that it was based off of South Park was enough to draw a crowd. What's the draw here???
I saw a video of the workshop of Holler. It is incredible. Poetic, emotional and beautiful. It's edgy but very accessible. Think contemporary West aside Story. It's not what I imagined at all. I think this will be the surprise of the season. Too bad they're not opening in time for the Tonys.
Thanks TimesSquared. Actually it is exactly what I imagined it might be. And I think you might be right that it will be the surprise of the season. Can the video of the workshop you saw be seen anywhere?
"That's so NOT true that no one knew about Book Of Mormon before it came. The fact that it was based off of South Park was enough to draw a crowd."
I'm not confident enough in my own expertise to compare the marketing strategies of "Holler" vs. "Book of Mormon", but I suspect there are nearly as many people who respect and follow the work of Tupac Shakur as there are that of Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
The two groups may not have a lot of overlap, and it might be that members of one group have a hard time imagining that the other group exists--but they do.
You think, what do you want?
You think, make a decision...