Chavkin-helmed MOBY DICK by Malloy, 1776, SIX slated for ART next season

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 1:23pm

https://www2.bostonglobe.com/arts/theater/dance/2019/04/24/musical-version-moby-dick-production-slated-for-american-repertory-theater/J3zXaPJNNCO1IsgRRInirM/story.html?fbclid=IwAR271Z1i6dOqkEIjhCX0wgVykn25KcaBRDwXCBHvSsi7l4m5IYSprdV1goE

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 1:33pm

Isn't Malloy's Moby Dick like 6 Acts or something? I mean I trust he will pull it off, but it's not a small task

[DCS]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 1:45pm

Based on the credits for SIX, I am guessing this will be the same as the Chicago production, but will they do some recasting?  Is this one more stop as it heads for NYC?

[Boston Friend]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 2:05pm

I saw Six in London and thought it was great. It’s a refreshing addition to the ART season.

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 2:50pm

I'm really excited for this season, especially after the last 2 or 3 which have been kind of underwhelming.  It's great to see a focus on musicals, especially since 3 of these (Six, Moby Dick and 1776) seem to be eyeing a NYC or Broadway run.  For me I am most intrigued by Paulus' 1776.  One outlet reported that it "will focus on the race-driven contradictions underpinning the Declaration of Independence."  I am not sold on this concept but I have been a huge fan of Paulus' revivals in the past (Pippin and Porgy and Bess) so this one should be interesting.

Updated On: 4/24/19 at 02:50 PM

[bdn223]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 3:41pm

I am really hoping this second American run of Six is to perfect the show for an American audience and not to try to make the show bigger so it fits in a Broadway theater. I love the cast recording and think it sounds really fun, but I just can't imagine myself paying $169 for a 75 minute production. Based on the size of the Loeb Drama Center at ART, I would guess if it is Broadway bound they are targeting the Booth or Golden. I could easily see Six become the next Fantasticks, Nunesense, or the original production of Little Shop of Horrors, if it stays off Broadway. If they really want a Broadway run for awards attention, I would hope they might pull a 39 Steps and open at non-profit for a limited Broadway run before transferring to New World Stages for an open ended run.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 4:11pm

I’ve been saying that SIX wouldn’t work on broadway being only 75 minutes long, but HILLARY & CLINTON seems to be doing well with that exact same run time.

[schubox]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 4:23pm

DoTheDood said: "Isn't Malloy's Moby Dick like 6 Acts or something? I mean I trust he will pull it off, but it's not a small task"

I asked him in March and he said it was around 3.5 hours 

[schubox]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 4:29pm

I’m really excited for this. I know it will end up in NYC but I might head up to Boston to see it

[RippedMan]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 6:15pm

I mean “Gary” and “Hilary and Clinton” are both pretty short. Granted they have “names.” This could easily play the Booth. I mean we had a one-Woman show play the Beaumont, so size is relative. And this show probably doesn’t need a $165 ticket to keep it going. But I think it’s a great show.

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 6:22pm

SIX was fabulous in London, but while I understand the fear of bloating it, IMO the show could easily add a song or two to flesh out the experience of the queens - provided, of course, that they are well conceived and carefully placed- I would hope the writers will use the Chicago and ART productions to try some new things. They can always revert back to the London production if they don’t work.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 6:41pm

If Six don't sort themselves out in London they may as well pack it up.

The show is suffering badly in understudy hell atm.

They really need to get the director back in to whip them into shape.

This is one show that really cannot have a loose wheel or it sends the whole applecart falling.

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 8:00pm

Impossible2 said: "The show is suffering badlyin understudy hell atm."

 Noticed this as well. Being that they allow and encourage folks to film the encore number, lots of uploads to YT. I can't recall the last time I spotted a new upload that had the whole cast. And last week, all three understudies were on AND they had to call in one of the ORIGINAL workshop actresses to fill in. Only 2 of the 6 actual actresses were on. Nothing against the understudies in fact at least one of them I think is better than some of the full time queens, but unless a major sickness hit them all at once, having to call in a favor to an actress that has not been in the show since it's demo recording days is a yikes. 

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 4/24/19 at 8:04pm

I've heard from someone on the production team [someone I talk to pretty regularly] for SIX that they have no plans to bring it to NYC at the moment.

This was about 2 months ago though, and he never mentioned it coming to ART so who knows.. **shrug**

[Impossible2]

Posted: 4/25/19 at 7:08am

Scarlet Leigh said: "Impossible2 said: "The show is suffering badlyin understudy hell atm."

Noticed this as well. Being that they allow and encourage folks to film the encore number, lots of uploads to YT. I can't recall the last time I spotted a new upload that had the whole cast. And last week, all three understudies were on AND they had to call in one of the ORIGINAL workshop actresses to fill in. Only 2 of the 6 actual actresses were on. Nothing against the understudies in fact at least one of them I think is better than some of the full time queens, but unless a major sickness hit them all at once, having to call in a favor to an actress that has not been in the show since it's demo recording days is a yikes."

I have seen the show 5 times and only one of those had the full cast. It has been running what 3 months, there is no need for any of the cast members needing major breaks just yet.

I understand the need to let new girls 'have a go' and for the most part the 2 understudies are very good (one is fantastic as you mentioned), but their 'swing' who I have now seen 3 times in 3 different roles, is average at best. I saw her as Aragon last night and she was just not good (though she was fine as Howard and Seymour the other times I saw her). Vocally she REALLY struggled and that threw off her dancing and she's the 'dance captain'. She looked totally defeated by the end of her song, frankly they all did.

The understudies/swing don't even have proper character costumes when they are on ffs!

I am hoping now awards season is over their promo schedule calms down a bit, they can get back to doing their actual jobs and not being Mac models and handing out statues.

It is a VERY tough show and must be a nightmare to train people up for, as they are all onstage for pretty much 75 mins straight. I can see their dilemma, but if this thing is gonna truly break out and be huge, they need to get their acts together and start hiring and training a few more people and make sure they are up to the task before throwing them into the lions den.

There is no point building your 'brand' when your bread and butter - the actual show, is suffering and letting down the people who are paying to see it.

I am not blaming any of the girls at all, they all work their guts out on that stage, it just all screams REALLY bad management!

Updated On: 4/25/19 at 07:08 AM

[Marlothom]

Posted: 4/25/19 at 12:52pm

I have tickets for mid-May in Chicago and the ticket price was around $60; the stated run time is 75 minutes so I can't imagine they are working any major retooling during this run. 

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 4/25/19 at 11:07pm

Marlothom said: "I have tickets for mid-May in Chicago and the ticket price was around $60; the stated run time is 75 minutes so I can't imagine they are working any major retooling during this run."

Chicago I feel is their testing of the waters for an American audience. American audiences look for and expect different things then UK audiences. I feel like Chicago will for the most part just be a carbon copy of the current West End show then from their they will make ACTUAL changes to the show for/at ART. And then the ART production will go to Canada for final tweaking thought likely like with Come From Away will have announced it's going to Broadway after ART and before Citdel. I don't know if I can see the Chicago cast all moving with it though the whole path to Broadway. Even looking at the West End production, only 2 of the ORIGINAL 6 queens went from conception to West End opening night with the show.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/25/19 at 11:35pm

Hamilfan2 said: "...For me I am most intrigued by Paulus' 1776. One outlet reported that it "will focus on the race-driven contradictions underpinning the Declaration of Independence." I am not sold on this concept...."

Um, that's basically what 1776 is about. It's hardly some strange directorial concept imposed on the show by Diane Paulus.

[hamiltonstradition]

Posted: 4/26/19 at 9:50am

Regarding SIX, they run on a 9 show/wk schedule, so each of the main cast gets a show off (and the alternate each has 2 guaranteed shows per week). They spread it out each week so in theory, each cast member would get a different day off. 

[Impossible2]

Posted: 4/26/19 at 10:01am

hamiltonstradition said: "Regarding SIX, they run on a 9 show/wk schedule, so each of the main cast gets a show off (and the alternate each has 2 guaranteed shows per week). They spread it out each week so in theory, each cast member would get a different day off."

All good in theory, but that is just not happening.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/26/19 at 10:26am

GavestonPS said: "Hamilfan2 said: "...For me I am most intrigued by Paulus' 1776. One outlet reported that it "will focus on the race-driven contradictions underpinning the Declaration of Independence." I am not sold on this concept...."

Um, that's basically what 1776is about. It's hardly some strange directorial concept imposed on the show by Diane Paulus."

I would assume that means this will be a diverse cast, which also is hardly a groundbreaking concept for the show. 

[Valentina3]

Posted: 4/26/19 at 10:44am

Of late, I have really preferred at least John & Abigail Adams gender flipped. It makes for a very powerful "remember the ladies, John" moment. An african-american Jefferson on the other hand doesn't always work, it can come off very in-your-face and hokey - unless the director and performer are able to be restrained about that portrayal. It really works in Hamilton, since intent of the author was to have a non-white actor play the part. 1776 authors had no such intent.

PS - I have a dream cast for Ben Wishaw as Jefferson. I know he'd not normally fit Jefferson, but in the context of this show - the frame of insecure mind Jefferson is, the role would be right up Wishaw's alley.

[hamiltonstradition]

Posted: 4/26/19 at 11:42am

Impossible2 said: "hamiltonstradition said: "Regarding SIX, they run on a 9 show/wk schedule, so each of the main cast gets a show off (and the alternate each has 2 guaranteed shows per week). They spread it out each week so in theory, each cast member would get a different day off."

All good in theory, but that is just not happening."

2 of them had sinus infections this past week, a 3rd pulled her shoulder and was not allowed to perform. Natalie May Paris had an ear infection but managed to perform most shows.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 4/26/19 at 12:25pm

hamiltonstradition said: "Impossible2 said: "hamiltonstradition said: "Regarding SIX, they run on a 9 show/wk schedule, so each of the main cast gets a show off (and the alternate each has 2 guaranteed shows per week). They spread it out each week so in theory, each cast member would get a different day off."

All good in theory, but that is just not happening."

2 of them had sinus infections this past week, a 3rd pulled her shoulder and was not allowed to perform. Natalie May Paris had an ear infection but managed to perform most shows."

Ah ok that explains it then. Apart from Alexia they all seemed off the other night it was very worrying.