A Christmas Carol B’Way

[SouthernCakes]

Looks like we may be getting A Christmas Carol on Broadway this fall/winter. Directed by Warchus and using instruments.

http://www.playbill.com/job/a-christmas-carol-nyc-epa-082019/0000016c-67e8-d29b-a37e-e7ed201d0000

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

This production has played the Old Vic the past 2 seasons, featuring Rhys Ifans as Scrooge. It's returning to the Old Vic again this year, but with Paterson Joseph as Scrooge.

Going by pics and seating map of the U.K. production, they configured a proscenium space to be almost in-the-round. I wonder if they're hoping OK! will close, or if they'll try to do what A View From The Bridge did with onstage seating? A Great Comet/Hal Prince Candide-style renovation of the theatre seems way to expensive for an 8-week run.

Worth noting, Rhys Ifans means NOTHING to U.S. audiences, so maybe there's a star lined up to play the role here?

[DoTheDood]

Did anyone see the last two productions when it was on the West End? It seems to have gotten good reviews

[scripps]

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Worth noting, Rhys Ifans means NOTHING to U.S. audiences, so maybe there's a star lined up to play the role here?"

 

Excuse me! Excuse me! I quite enjoyed Rhys Ifans as Adrian in Little Nicky, ok?

 

[CATSNYrevival]

I got excited because I assumed the Alan Menken Christmas Carol was coming back to New York! Ah well.

[BroadwayGuy12]

The thread title also had me excited that this was the Menken version!

I believe someone said on here a few weeks back that a Christmas show was supposed to be coming into the Lyceum, so I'm guessing that's where this ends up.

[little_sally]

scripps said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Worth noting, Rhys Ifans means NOTHING to U.S. audiences, so maybe there's a star lined up to play the role here?"



Excuse me! Excuse me! Iquite enjoyed Rhys Ifans as Adrian in Little Nicky, ok?

"

I mean, he was also the villain in the first Andrew Garfield Spiderman movie. 

[Dolly80]

This is going to the Lyceum

[Dollypop]

When I directed A CHRISTMAS CAROL about 25 years ago, I read about a dozen versions of it. None of them were terribly good. Even the production I did was rather lackluster.

I did like the Stroman version, though.

[Dolly80]

This production is wonderful. You’ll forgive Jack Thorne for King Kong after seeing this. It’s incredibly beautiful and moving - so many people were in tears at the end when I saw it. The carols are performed by the cast using hand bells and it sounds gorgeous

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

little_sally said: "I mean, he was also the villain in the first Andrew Garfield Spiderman movie."


Like I said......... he doesn't mean anything :)

[Dolly80]

Pointless conversation- Rhys Ifans is NOT doing Broadway anyway.

[DramaTeach]

Dolly, you clearly have some knowledge about this production. Wanna share who WILL be coming to Broadway?

[ukpuppetboy]

Dollypop said: "When I directed A CHRISTMAS CAROL about 25 years ago, I read about a dozen versions of it. None of them were terribly good. Even the production I did was rather lackluster.."

This is a beautifully adapted (and staged) version. I saw Stephen Tompkinson in the most recent production at the Old Vic and he, like the whole cast, were excellent. The stage extended into the main house using catwalks that bisected the seating - which extended around the back of the proscenium stage (which I’m sure they could recreate in New York). As far as festive shows go I can’t recommend it strongly enough.  

 

[SouthernCakes]

Wow looks very cool!

[Dolly80]

As far as I know an offer has gone out but no one is cast yet

[ChairinMain]

Damn, I'd absolutely see this. But also was hoping the Jefferson Mayes one-man version would make its' way to New York this season...That was hands down the best Christmas Carol I've ever seen.

[JBroadway]

Officially announced for the Lyceum - Campbell Scott to star

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Campbell-Scott-Will-Lead-A-CHRISTMAS-CAROL-on-Broadway-20190813

Excited to see this for mainly for Warchus. Nothing against Campbell Scott, but I was hoping for a bigger star. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Campbell Scott means less than Rhys Ifans, but obviously he'll be working for cheap. Make the show the star, and then maybe it returns (or tours) each season with a new Scrooge, like the old MSG production. The hard thing with casting is every bankable British actor and their brother has already played Scrooge.

A cute connection, too, since his father (George C) played Scrooge in a film in the 80s!

[bwayphreak234]

I wonder what the staging and design will be like in the Lyceum...

[SouthernCakes]

It seems a bad house for that particular design but I’m excited

[Dolly80]

The old Vic staging is not being completely recreated .. it’s being restaged for New York