The Royal Family of Broadway: a new William Finn musical to premiere at Barrington Stage Company in 2018

[GeorgeandDot]

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/189918/spelling-bee-creators-william-finn-rachel-sheinkin-to-debut-new-musical-with-barrington-stage-in-2018/

I haven't heard much else about this, but I heard rumors that they were resurrecting this project.  I guess it isn't dead after all.

[newintown]

"New?"

[GeorgeandDot]

Well it's the first time that the show will be performed on stage so..... yes.  New.

[newintown]

Actually, it's been "performed" several times in readings and workshops on stages and in rooms over the last 20 years or so. This is its first production open to general audiences. If that's the definition of "new," then ... OK.

[Call_me_jorge]

newintown said: "Actually, it's been "performed" several times in readings and workshops on stages and in rooms over the last 20 yearsor so. This is itsfirst production open to general audiences. If that's the definitionof "new," then ... OK."

Wouldn’t that mean it’s been through development hell?

[Kad]

I'm surprised it's being staged at all. 20 years of false starts is hardly reassuring.

[newintown]

"Wouldn’t that mean it’s been through development hell?"

I think a stronger word is necessary.

I really like the show, and have seen two readings - one with Stritch, who was terrific and had a real showstopper. I'm happy that's it's going forward (although I don't personally think Rando is the right director). I just wonder about calling a two-decade-old project "new." But there's no reason they shouldn't.

I've always heard that the problem was Kaufman's daughter, a harridan who wouldn't release the rights unless the musical slavishly followed the play. She's now 92, and maybe too feeble to object anymore.

[GeorgeandDot]

I actually saw a reading too, but I would still call it a "new" musical.  It's the first time that it will be performed as a musical with full sets and costumes in front of an audience.  To many, this might be completely new news to them.  It wasn't for you so congratulations.

I don't understand why this turned into a whole debate.  It really wasn't necessary.

[newintown]

Six short posts is a "debate?"

[HennySlay]

Any rumors as to who might be in this? 

[GeorgeandDot]

I know that Carolee Carmello and Penny Fuller recently did a rehearsal with Finn for it.

[gypsy101]

newintown said: "Actually, it's been "performed" several times in readings and workshops on stages and in rooms over the last 20 yearsor so. This is itsfirst production open to general audiences. If that's the definitionof "new," then ... OK."

kind of like when The Visit was a “new” musical despite half of the writing team having been dead for over a decade

[Alex Kulak2]

I could have sworn I saw something saying Rachel Sheinkin died.