The Secret Life of Bees to London

[MidnightUrl]

Posted: 8/1/20 at 8:45pm

Susan Birkenhead pretty emphatically said during a Atlantic Theater Zoom event that The Secret Life of Bees was going to continue and that they would be going to 'London'. Wondering if this is West End or somewhere else to start?  Good for them, they deserve to keep going and eventually end up on Broadway.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/1/20 at 9:53pm

If she said specifically “to London”, I’d imagine a West End production, as opposed to a theatre company outside of the city. That’s very exciting though because I missed it here and definitely won’t pass up the chance to see it in the UK!

[VotePeron]

Posted: 8/1/20 at 10:44pm

Yeah, I’ve been hearing London since it closed off-Broadway last year. I think a Riedel piece confirmed that rumor last fall? I was imagining it would go to the National or Old Vic, but I guess it could do a solo commercial run, though that doesn’t seem financially smart for a show still in progress.

All that aside, I thought this show was pure magic at Atlantic last summer and I can’t wait to see it again.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 8/1/20 at 11:04pm

One of my fav new scores! And LaChanze mentioned London a while back so hopefully that’s true! I’m curious about the design as it felt custom fit for that space so wonder how that would change. I’d think they’d want to do it at a non-profit though?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/1/20 at 11:13pm

From everything I’ve seen about the show, it would appear to be a perfect fit for The Old Vic. Was any sort of timeline mentioned?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/2/20 at 7:07am

I adored this at the Atlantic Theatre Company, and would love to see this have a future life.

[ManInChair3]

Posted: 8/2/20 at 8:50am

It is/was the Almeida, but who knows if it will still happen post-COVID.

Updated On: 8/2/20 at 08:50 AM

[MidnightUrl]

Posted: 8/2/20 at 9:21am

ManInChair3 said: "It is/was the Almeida, but who knows if it will still happen post-COVID."

Yep.

 

Just want it to happen.

[Owen22]

Posted: 8/2/20 at 10:35am

I would actually guess more YOUNG Vic.  Maybe even the Almeida. Definitely not a commercial West End production.

 

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 8/2/20 at 3:29pm

Jordan Catalano said: "If she said specifically “to London”, I’d imagine a West End production, as opposed to a theatre company outside of the city. That’s very exciting though because I missed it here and definitely won’t pass up the chance to see it in the UK!"

If we’re allowed into the UK. 

[steven22]

Posted: 8/2/20 at 6:25pm

I’d love to catch this again. I really enjoyed it at The Atlantic 

[MidnightUrl]

Posted: 3/27/21 at 6:44pm

A friend saw Sue Monk Kidd on a book tour video the other day and she said The Secret Life of Bees was going to London to the Almeida Theater. I think it was 2022.  

[Owen22]

Posted: 3/28/21 at 8:34pm

It will be at The Almeida.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/28/21 at 8:40pm

Good news! I'm glad the long-standing rumors of a London production are starting to take shape. I loved this show at the Atlantic, and happy to see it getting a future life. And the Almeida seems like a good fit. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/28/21 at 9:46pm

I thought I heard a revival of “Spring Awakening” is going into that theatre this Fall so I guess “Bees” will follow that one.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 3/28/21 at 10:24pm

That venue looks like a good fit! I loved the show downtime and urged everyone to see it. One of my favorite new scores! The main young teen couple was so great! I wonder if she’s aged out of the part now. And curious what changes they’ve made.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/28/21 at 11:05pm

SouthernCakes said: "That venue looks like a good fit! I loved the show downtime and urged everyone to see it. One of my favorite new scores! The main young teen couple was so great! I wonder if she’s aged out of the part now. And curious what changes they’ve made. "

Apart from her age, with everything going on this production would surely consist of a London- based cast. 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 3/29/21 at 9:41pm

You think? LaChanze sounds like she’s transferring over? I loved the casting. I can see maybe exchanging the ensemble but the sisters seemed to have such a great bond. But it’s been - what - 2 years? So I’m sure people have moved on. Curious to see the changes. I saw first preview so I’m sure it changed more since I’ve seen it. Just hope they delete it redo the “secret life of bees” song.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/30/21 at 7:37am

I loved this at the Atlantic. I am very happy to see the show will have a future.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 3/30/21 at 10:25am

SouthernCakes said: "You think? LaChanze sounds like she’s transferring over? I loved the casting. I can see maybe exchanging the ensemble but the sisters seemed to have such a great bond. But it’s been - what - 2 years? So I’m sure people have moved on. Curious to see the changes. I saw first preview so I’m sure it changed more since I’ve seen it. Just hope they delete it redo the “secret life of bees” song."

Saycon Sengbloh booked the reboot of The Wonder Years recently, so I am wondering how that would affect any potential of coming back to Bees, unless it were during a hiatus if The Wonder Years gets a second season. https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-wonder-years-saycon-sengbloh-cast-abc-reboot-pilot-1234706213/

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 3/30/21 at 11:15am

Good for her! No offense to West End actors but I think they’ll be hard pressed to find voices like the original cast.

[Owen22]

Posted: 3/30/21 at 11:31pm

SouthernCakes said: "Good for her! No offense to West End actors but I think they’ll be hard pressed to find voices like the original cast."

Well...the Brits did somehow manage to find Cynthia Erivo for us...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/30/21 at 11:49pm

Beverly Knight is doing “The Drifters Girl” the end of this year. Not sure how long that’s running for but if you want West End talent it doesn’t get any better than her.

Updated On: 3/30/21 at 11:49 PM

[Zion24]

Posted: 3/31/21 at 12:24am

Awesome for Saycon and her career, much deserved, but i selfishly feel this is a waste of her incredible vocal talent/warmth. Long overdue to bring down a Broadway house in a show worthy of her talent.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 3/31/21 at 1:05am

JDonaghy4 said: "Awesome for Saycon and her career, much deserved, but i selfishly feel this is a waste of her incredible vocal talent/warmth. Long overdue to bring down a Broadway house in a show worthy of her talent."

 

I mostly agree, but I would also note that she's an incredibly skilled actor on top of all that, and has delivered some excellent performances in plays as well, including on Broadway - perhaps most notably with her Tony-nominated performance in Eclipsed. I would say she brought down the house in that show, but in a different way (and no offense toward the great Jayne Houdshell, but I think Sengbloh should have won that Tony!)