Almost Famous

[valebal7]

Based on the good/great reviews of Almost Famous in San Diego, what are the odds that it will be on Broadway in the spring of 2020?  Is Mrs. Doubtfire still targeting the Sondheim Theatre in the spring of 2020 as well?  What about Becoming Nancy?

[cryan71]

Don't trust out of town reviews. Don't trust San Diego audience enthusiasm, they like everything.

Almost Famous problems lie in the original score which all felt like the B sides for next to normal. Technically perfectly written songs without hooks. I can't remember one song. It didn't fit in a show about the 1970s rockers. However, I do remember the jukebox songs even though most were segments.

The book is basically the movie on stage. Nothing new is added and the structure is the same. I think the Tiny Dancer scene is a very odd place to end Act 1. The scene right before seemed like a more natural act break point. Why come back after intermission if everything is resolved?

Great performances by a very strong cast.

[Wicked Fanatic]

Some comments about the Old Globe productions from an earlier thread.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1119076&dt=13

Could the original poster please change the title to Almost Famous at the Old Globe?  

[ModernMillie3]

It's interesting they changed their handle on IG to "almostfamousbwy" in the last week.  I definitely think that is the plan. 

[VernonGersch]

Making a special trip to San Diego to see this - those reviews are raves and this is one of my favorite films

[Sunnyore]

VernonGersch said: "Making a special trip to San Diego to see this - those reviews are raves and this is one of my favorite films"

Saw this last night and I thought it was great. If you liked the movie you'll probably love it. There were some audience members that shared how the musical reminded them of fond memories of an awesome decade. Some others have already seen it more than once. Thought the cast was really strong but I had a hard time not picturing Dr. Pomatter whenever Drew was on. I definitely want to see it again but I think I will wait for it to be on Broadway and see what changes they might make. 

[Robbie2]

My industry friends say that this is gonna be a BIG HIT....It will take the Marquis in March...Tootsie will finish up in January

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Robbie2 said: "My industry friends say that this is gonna be a BIG HIT....It will take the Sondheim"

And did your friend say where Mrs. Doubtfire is planning to go now? Or perhaps that will hold off a season. Could be good to have more time between Doubtfire and Tootsie.

[Robbie2]

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Robbie2 said: "My industry friends say that this is gonna be a BIG HIT....It will take the Sondheim"

And did your friend say where Mrs. Doubtfire is planning to go now? Or perhaps that will hold off a season. Could be good to have more time between Doubtfire and Tootsie."

 

Ooops ~ Corrected ...Doubtfire>Sondheim is what I heard and Almost Famous > Marquis...Tootsie will close up in January

[GreasedLightning]

Robbie2 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Robbie2 said: "My industry friends say that this is gonna be a BIG HIT....It will take the Sondheim"

And did your friend say where Mrs. Doubtfire is planning to go now? Or perhaps that will hold off a season. Could be good to have more time between Doubtfire and Tootsie."



Corrected ...Doubtfire>Sondheim is what I heard and Almost Famous > Marquis...Tootsie will close up in January"

 

I think it would be wise for the two to switch... Almost Famous to Sondheim and Doubtfire to Marquis. 

[Robbie2]

GreasedLightning said: "Robbie2 said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Robbie2 said: "My industry friends say that this is gonna be a BIG HIT....It will take the Sondheim"

And did your friend say where Mrs. Doubtfire is planning to go now? Or perhaps that will hold off a season. Could be good to have more time between Doubtfire and Tootsie."



Corrected ...Doubtfire>Sondheim is what I heard and Almost Famous > Marquis...Tootsie will close up in January"



I think it would be wise for the two to switch... Almost Famous to Sondheim and Doubtfire to Marquis."

 

Doubtfire's been rumored for the Sondheim for a while now so you never know...just sharing what I heard from friends

[VernonGersch]

Surprised there hasn't been a Broadway announcement yet if it in fact it was heading into The Marquis -- or any other theater for that matter

[GreasedLightning]

VernonGersch said: "Surprised there hasn't been a Broadway announcement yet if it in fact it was heading into The Marquis -- or any other theater for that matter"

Well, Tootsie hasn’t announced a closing date yet so it wouldn’t be right for them to announce if they were taking the Marquis. I think this small show is better suited for a smaller theater so I’m hoping that is not their choice, but it seems the Marquis is heavily rumored at this point. 

[SouthernCakes]

Seems like Tootise isn’t doing that poorly, so maybe the plan has changed?

[OuttaTowner]

Are there no other smaller houses available?
I’d think that producers would want to ride the wave of positive reviews and lock down the cast to get it in this coming spring if they possibly can.

[RippedMan]

Court maybe? Is it that small of a show? It has a large cast.

[Emmaloucbway]

If it isn’t already taken I think this could work well in the Lyceum!

[OuttaTowner]

The San Diego run ends on Sunday, so I suspect if they hope to keep the current cast intact, there would have to be a decision made about a move by now.

[mxfish1313]

I saw Almost Famous a couple weeks ago and, having just been to the Marquis for Tootsie two days ago, definitely agree that a smaller theater feels more fitting for it. They fill up the space wonderfully at The Globe, but I think the Marquis is way too roomy for the staging to be as effective.

[OuttaTowner]

Barring anything else closing, I think the following houses are free in the spring:

Barrymore (if Inheritance doesn’t extend)

Booth

Cort

Circle in the Square

Golden

Lyceum

Not sure which - if any - would be suitable (please Theater Gods not the Cort)...

[carolinaguy]

The Booth has Virginia Woolf.

[little_sally]

With The Inheritance closing on March 1, would there be enough time to load out and in before the season ends? 

[GreasedLightning]

little_sally said: "With The Inheritance closing on March 1, would there be enough time to load out and in before the season ends?"

With the cut-off date being 4/23/20, that gives Almost Famous just shy of 8 weeks to load in, tech, preview and open. It might be a little tight but the show is pretty simple in design and with its out-of-town in the books they may cut their preview period a bit shorter than usual. It could definitely happen.

The Inheritance could also close sooner than 3/1 depending on how they’re selling in the early new year and then it’s a no-brainer. I think the Barrymore would be perfect. 

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again - - move Virginia Woolf to the Golden and put Almost Famous into the Booth. It’ll fit like a glove. 

[MadsonMelo]

little_sally said: "With The Inheritance closing on March 1, would there be enough time to load out and in before the season ends?"

Are u about that date? I was hoping to catch Inheritance at final weeks of March, won't they extend til the Tonys?

[FactsAreFacts]

The Inheritance is an open-ended run. It is only currently on sale through March 1. It has every intention of releasing more tickets post opening.