West End to Broadway Transfers

[BritCrit]

One of the major stories at the Tony Awards this year was the dominance of British productions, with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the National Theatre production of Angels in America being the two big winners on the non-musical side of the awards. The Ferryman is heading to Broadway later this year, and looks like it could be another British success.

However, many of us pay more attention to musicals, and the West End has provided several high-profile new ones...

- Bat Out Of Hell (The Meatloaf Jukebox Musical)

-Everybody's Talking About Jamie (Based on a documentary about a young drag queen)

- Girl From the North Country (premiering Off-Broadway later this year, this won two Oliver Awards for its blend of 1930s Drama and Bob Dylan songs)

-Pinocchio (combines the 1940 classic with the original source material)

-Strictly Ballroom (an adaptation of the Baz Luhrman hit which adds a variety of iconic songs to the soundtrack)

-Tina (The Tina Turner Jukebox musical)

There are also three revivals of Broadway favorites created exclusively for the West End. Neither of these have returned to the Great White Way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they head there soon...

- Dreamgirls (directed by Broadway veteran Casey Nicholaw)

-Company (A gender flipped production with Bobbi played by Rosalie Craig)

-Follies (returns to Sondeim's original approach)

Have any of you seen these productions? Which ones do you think could succeed on Broadway?

[Call_me_jorge]

I think Hadestown will be likely.

[Lot666]

I'm dying for transfers of Bat out of Hell and Everybody's Talking about Jamie, and am interested in Tina as well.

[upinlights]

Hadestown is calling its West End showing a "pre Broadway engagement," so it will probably transfer sooner or later. 

I saw Jamie last week after listening to the soundtrack on repeat. John McCrea's Jamie is untouchable and Josie Walker was just fabulous, but the show itself could use a bit of retooling. A lot of slow moments back to back, or underdeveloped characters. That being said, once Kinky Boots closes, I think it could be a fun replacement! The score is fantastic and I loved the choreography. 

[Elegance101]

Bat Out Of Hell will be embarking on an American national tour starting this fall. I don’t know what’s been announced, but I wonder if the tour is a sort of out-of-town tryout and they’re hoping to end the tour on Broadway. I have no idea, but maybe Bat Out Of Hell could be coming.

[lilac3]

Company is a limited engagement which hasn't opened yet but I'm hoping to see it sometime in October

[Mark_E]

"Jamie" is a great show, I really do wonder if it could find success on Broadway. In London it is playing a fairly small venue (650 seats) and has a fairly big cast of 25 for a venue that size.

"Tina" is wonderful and I'm sure it will have great success on Broadway.

"Girl From the North Country" - I wasn't keen but it got great acclaim. It had a very successful limited run over here.

You don't want Strictly Ballroom - Trust Me!

[Dallas Theatre Fan]

I really liked Jamie when I saw it back in March. John McCrea and Josie Walker knocked it out of the park but, the transfer should happen after DEH starts to loose steam, the two shows will fight it out for the same audience.

Hadestown is going to have its tryout at the National Theater before coming to Broadway. I don't see the business sense behind this.  West End and Broadway audiences have different taste and if it is a smash hit on the West End will mean nothing to Broadway.  Remember Groundhog Day? A hit during its tryout in London but got lost on Broadway?

Strictly Ballroom needs to stay far away from 42nd Street and Broadway/

 

 

[VintageSnarker]

I have a morbid curiosity about Strictly Ballroom (would have seen it if my trip hadn't been so short) but based on the promo material, it looks like all the intimacy of the movie would be lost. Some things are better left alone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXN8G_ZzYmk

The only thing from that list that I want to see is Tina.

I don't count Hadestown because it was off-Broadway first.

[Lot666]

Elegance101 said: "Bat Out Of Hell will be embarking on an American national tour starting this fall. I don’t know what’s been announced, but I wonder if the tour is a sort of out-of-town tryout and they’re hoping to end the tour on Broadway. I have no idea, but maybe Bat Out Of Hell could be coming."

The only U.S. gig I've seen confirmation of is San Francisco; have you heard/seen more?

[Lot666]

Dallas Theatre Fan said: "I really liked Jamie when I saw it back in March. John McCrea and Josie Walker knocked it out of the park but, the transfer should happen after DEH starts to loose steam, the two shows will fight it out for the same audience."

I haven't seen Jamie, but I would think it more in line with Kinky Boots. Why do you feel that it would be in direct competition with Dear Evan Hansen?

[GeorgeandDot]

Hadestown will be coming over eventually from London, which I'm super excited about.

I also hope Company gets strong reviews and transfers. After Marianna Elliott's success with Angels, I could see them bringing it over, especially in such a weak year for Musical revivals.

[JVJ93]

I hope a lot of these transfers do, in fact, happen. I’d also throw in Network and All About Eve as potential future things to watch for. I have this feeling Company will come in during the 2019/2020 season and Patti will do that all female Gelngarry Glenn Ross in the spring of next year

[Andy51]

I saw The Jungle (about the Calais migrant camp) in the West End last week.  It recently transferred from the Young Vic.  It is brilliant and essential theatre..  I would love to see it eventually transfer to Broadway, though I doubt it will -- especially as it requires a major (and no doubt costly) transformation of a theatre to create its immersive quality.  But I could see it readily working for a short run at the Park Armory.  Fingers crossed.

For anyone interested in more info about the play:  https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-jungle-west-end

[ggersten]

BritCrit said: "One of the major stories at the Tony Awards this year was the dominance of British productions,with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the National Theatre production of Angels in America being the two big winners on the non-musical side of the awards. The Ferryman is heading to Broadway later this year, and looks like it could be another British success.

However, many of us pay more attention to musicals, and the West End has provided several high-profile new ones...

- Bat Out Of Hell (The Meatloaf Jukebox Musical)  First, it is billed as Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell - Poor Meatloaf gets little credit.  Second, there is a US tour - so perhaps they are skipping Broadway.  Third - the show is bonkers, but a lot of fun.  I'm skeptical of a Broadway production.

-Everybody's Talking About Jamie (Based on a documentary about a young drag queen) Spouse saw this and thought it was very good.  The show was just broadcast to cinemas in the UK, so it's a matter of time before it is shown in the US.  Possible transfer.

- Girl From the North Country (premiering Off-Broadway later this year, this won two Oliver Awards for its blend of 1930s Drama and Bob Dylan songs) Possible transfer if Off-Broadway run is well received.  But, then, there was "The Times They Are A-Changin" which might scare off producers.

-Pinocchio (combines the 1940 classic with the original source material) Reviews in London were not encouraging.

-Strictly Ballroom (an adaptation of the Baz Luhrman hit which adds a variety of iconic songs to the soundtrack) We skipped seeing this in London based on reviews and message board postings.  Unlikely transfer.  Could go the Flashdance or Bodyguard tour route instead.

-Tina (The Tina Turner Jukebox musical)  This will definitely transfer - it is more Beautiful than Summer or Cher, but those two shows may give producers pause.

There are also three revivals of Broadway favorites created exclusively for the West End. Neither of these havereturned to the Great White Way, but I wouldn't be surprised if they head there soon...

- Dreamgirls (directed by Broadway veteran Casey Nicholaw)  If this transfer were going to happen, I think it would have been announced by now.  I think it is unlikely.

-Company (A gender flipped production with Bobbi played by Rosalie Craig)  Unlikely, although US audiences do need to see how marvelous a performer is Rosalie Craig.  I would love to see her in a transfer of The Light Princess.  

-Follies (returns to Sondeim's original approach)

Have any of you seen these productions? Which ones do you think could succeed on Broadway?"

 

[ggersten]

Lot666 said: "Elegance101 said: "Bat Out Of Hell will be embarking on an American national tour starting this fall. I don’t know what’s been announced, but I wonder if the tour is a sort of out-of-town tryout and they’re hoping to end the tour on Broadway. I have no idea, but maybe Bat Out Of Hell could be coming."

The only U.S. gig I've seen confirmation of is San Francisco; have you heard/seen more?"

Per Jim Steinman's blog:  US Tour Dates/Cities  (You have to scroll down a bit)

DETROIT, MICHIGANFox TheatreNovember 6 - 17, 2018

DENVER, COLORADODenver Center for the Performing ArtsFebruary 6 - 17, 2019

DES MOINES, IOWADes Moines Civic CenterFebruary 26 - March 3, 2019

ST LOUIS, MISSOURIThe Fabulous Fox TheaterMarch 5 - 10, 2019

WASHINGTON D.CThe National TheaterMay 7 - 26, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINABelk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterMay 28 - June 9, 2019

ST PAUL, MINNESOTAOrdway Music TheaterJune 12 - 23, 2019

DALLAS, TEXASWinspear Opera HouseJune 27 – July 7, 2019

[BWAY Baby2]

SawnEverybody's Talking About Jamie- and LOVED it- every second of it. I think it could be a big hit here. Not one boring moment- witty, warm hearted and very entertaining. 

Did not care for Girl From The North Country.

Would love to see Mary Stuart here. That was a great show.

My fave of all time from London- The Ferryman- what an excellent, suspenseful and edge of your seat play. I would see it again. Love a show that has a beginning, a middle, and end- that is completely comprehensible and makes a statement about human nature and life. Totally engrossing.

[Lot666]

ggersten said: "it is billed as Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell - Poor Meatloaf gets little credit."

That may be because Mr. Steinman wrote all of the music in the show, but not all of it is actually from the Meat Loaf album "Bat out of Hell".

[Lot666]

ggersten said: "Per Jim Steinman's blog: US Tour Dates/Cities (You have to scroll down a bit)

DETROIT, MICHIGANFox TheatreNovember 6 - 17, 2018

DENVER, COLORADODenver Center for the Performing ArtsFebruary 6 - 17, 2019

DES MOINES, IOWADes Moines Civic CenterFebruary 26 - March 3, 2019

ST LOUIS, MISSOURIThe Fabulous Fox TheaterMarch 5 - 10, 2019

WASHINGTON D.CThe National TheaterMay 7 - 26, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINABelk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts CenterMay 28 - June 9, 2019

ST PAUL, MINNESOTAOrdway Music TheaterJune 12 - 23, 2019

DALLAS, TEXASWinspear Opera HouseJune 27 – July 7, 2019"

Thank you for this!

[Solipsist234]

GeorgeandDot said: "Hadestown will be coming over eventually from London, which I'm super excited about.

I also hope Company gets strong reviews and transfers. After Marianna Elliott's success with Angels, I could see them bringing it over, especially in such a weak year for Musical revivals."

Umm, literally only one revival has been announced, and it's July. How is it a weak year for revivals when no other revivals (besides Kiss Me, Kate) have even been announced?

[billyelliotfan123]

What about “network” with Brian Cranston?

[Phantom of London]

If I managed Jamie, I would bring it to New York. In a 499 seat off Broadway house, that will build word of mouth and then you can access if there is a way to market for Broadway. If it doesn’t go too well, then you haven’t lost too much.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Agreed. I think Jamie would succeed somewhere like New World Stages or a run at Arena Stage before a transfer. 

[zainmax]

Re. Network, I wish!

[RippedMan]

Besides the cast size, it seems perfect for Second Stage - re: Jamie - but not sure if they can handle that large of a cast off-Broadway, and not sure they'd want to bring the musical directly to Broadway, unless they brought it in the Spring for like a "Limited" engagement type thing.