West Side Story???

[DonnyJacksonLD]

Posted: 6/21/21 at 3:40pm

Was hoping to bring a group of students to see this production before the lockdown, and had heard it was going to come back from multiple performers, but now it's silence. Has anyone heard what the holdup is, now that the other Ruden shows have found a replacement? I feel like a closing would have been announced by now, but who knows? Thoughts?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/21/21 at 4:32pm

Until an official notice, we don't know for sure, but a number of people have said they "heard" it was returning.  We won't know, until we know. I, too, wish they'd announce already....and I'm really hoping they re-open for Columbus Day weekend, as that's when I'll be in the city!

 

 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/21/21 at 4:53pm

I'm waiting with baited breath for an announcement. I saw it three times in previews, and really want to see it again. Next to Company, WSS is the show I am most excited to see again when Broadway is back.

[George in DC]

Posted: 6/21/21 at 9:57pm

I so hope this comes back.

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/21/21 at 11:04pm

Cast members don't know anything either.

[saxpower]

Posted: 6/22/21 at 10:09am

blaxx said: "Cast members don't know anything either."

That doesn't sound good. Admittedly I'm using logic rather than any knowledge about how the reopening of shows is being figured out but it would seem they'd at least reach out to the cast to (a) see who's still available, (b) figure out what roles they need to re-cast and (c) let cast members know what's going on so they don't take other commitments. 

The odd thing is, according to Playbill Vault, it was selling at 100% of capacity, so it would seem worthwhile to re-open- and you'd think they'd want to well ahead of the Spielberg movie coming out (12/10).  I know its two very different takes on the story, but  probably better to avoid the competition and potential confusion. 

 

[OhBoy17]

Posted: 6/22/21 at 11:05am

My very uninformed thoughts: I would think that while the show was selling out pre-pandemic and reportedly had a solid advance, most of that probably had to be refunded. And with the Rudin fiasco, it may be harder finding a new producer to come aboard, especially since they'd have to raise money for a show that had polarizing reviews and the controversy over Ramasar. That's a lot of risk exposure for fundraising. Mockingbird and Mormon were already well-established hits, so finding a new producer was probably easier. Perhaps WSS is eligible for some of the Save Our Stages funds to cover costs of reopening - although I've been reading that almost nobody has actually received those funds yet. I feel for the company who is still in limbo, and all of the people working at the Broadway whose jobs are still hanging in the balance. Perhaps the producers feel it's better not to make any kind of announcements or speculation, rather than dangle the carrot in front of their company and then have to yank it away. The truly sucky part of "business" in "show business".

[saxpower]

Posted: 6/22/21 at 12:19pm

I had forgotten Rudin was involved.   That may well be part of the delay.   At the risk of injecting politics into this , the staging of Gee Officer Krupke could also make some investors nervous. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 6/22/21 at 2:15pm

OhBoy17 said: "My very uninformed thoughts: I would think that while the show was selling out pre-pandemic and reportedly had a solid advance, most of that probably had to be refunded. And with the Rudin fiasco, it may be harder finding a new producer to come aboard, especially since they'd have to raise money for a show that had polarizing reviews . That's a lot of risk exposure for fundraising. Mockingbird and Mormon were already well-established hits, so finding a new producer was probably easier. Perhaps WSS is eligible for some of the Save Our Stages funds to cover costs of reopening - although I've been reading that almost nobody has actually received those funds yet.I feel for the company who is still in limbo, and all of the people working at the Broadway whose jobs are still hanging in the balance. Perhaps the producers feel it's better not to make any kind of announcements or speculation, rather than dangle the carrot in front of their company and then have to yank it away. The truly sucky part of "business" in "show business"."

Rudin's producing partners were Barry Diller and David Geffen -- so I doubt money is the issue.  Between the 2 of them they could re-open the show with the loose change in between their sofa cushions.

 

Posted: 6/22/21 at 4:41pm

OhBoy17 said: "And with the Rudin fiasco, it may be harder finding a new producer to come aboard, especially since they'd have to raise money for a show that had polarizing reviews and the controversy over Ramasar."

The Ramasar controversy should, in theory, be in the rear-view mirror since the lawsuit against him was tossed and the original victim is currently being counter-sued for multiple instances of domestic violence. A lot of the appeal of protesting on her behalf is gone.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/22/21 at 8:00pm

At the time they closed the production was struggling with its newbie cast rising to the occasion of the grueling production. Plentiful injuries, lots of call outs and swings going on regularly. It’s possible they either want to close and possibly get an insurance payout (if eligible) or recast with seasoned vets who can do 8 shows a week.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 6/23/21 at 6:47pm

I think that the Amar situation was not that well known beyond those who had been following it closely. So I don’t think that caused any loss of funds.

I think that main issue was, as others stated were due to it being such a polarized show. It’s one of those shows that you either like it or don’t. I mean it’s a hell of a take on a classic work. But, it’s not for everyone.

[BJR]

Posted: 6/24/21 at 7:39am

A lot of these reasons are simply projections of folks' issues or reservations about the production.

In the end, if the advance sales were good and they think they can get them back to where they were, it'll re-open.

It seems the Rudin shows are taking longer to announce, for obvious reasons. So, it may not mean anything, since a blockbuster like Book of Mormon announced only a week ago. Or, it does. But it won't be because of that small controversy, absences, or divisiveness of the production on this board. It'll just be money.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 6/24/21 at 3:06pm

blaxx said: "Cast members don't know anything either."

 

As of 10 days ago this was not accurate.  Maybe things have changed since I spoke with a castmember, though.

 

[DonnyJacksonLD]

Posted: 6/25/21 at 6:08am

I'm assuming you can't divulge much, but did it sound like good or bad news?

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 6/25/21 at 7:29am

DonnyJacksonLD said: "I'm assuming you can't divulge much, but did it sound like good or bad news?"

At that time, they were expecting to be performing sometime in November.

[edmundog2]

Posted: 6/25/21 at 8:20am

I figured they were returning because they were in the Fallon thing.

[FatedDarling]

Posted: 6/27/21 at 11:04am

I’ve been told mid-November projected dates and am assuming that’s still accurate until hearing otherwise. No idea why this show is taking so much longer to announce than others but I’m not worried about it returning. There are a number of moving pieces here, like the very high number of cast members (and their youth, yes) and technical aspects like the rain system. The rumble may need to be reworked without the rain depending on COVID protocols.

[DonnyJacksonLD]

Posted: 7/5/21 at 6:02am

I can’t imagine their youth had anything to do with the discussions. They’re all grown so it’s really irrelevant. Not sure what you’re referring to there. As far as adjusting or censoring the show for Covid, if night clubs and bars are open with no limitation then I think the scene in the rain wouldn’t be an issue.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/5/21 at 9:25pm

"If night clubs and bars are open with no limitation then I think the scene in the rain wouldn’t be an issue."

I'm trying hard to figure out your point here. Do nightclubs and bars perform in theatrical rainfalls?

[HogansHero]

Posted: 7/5/21 at 10:42pm

The scene in the rain is not an issue because everyone will be vaccinated. (And in any event, wouldn't the rain actually strip away any virus that happened to be floating through?)

[DonnyJacksonLD]

Posted: 7/5/21 at 11:13pm

My point is that close proximity and being indoors is the concern, not rain. And since those things are allowed to be running, this is a non-issue. And yes, to answer your question, some clubs do involve rain or foam falling from the ceiling.

[cliffordbradshaw2]

Posted: 7/13/21 at 2:01am

http://broadwayjournal.com/west-side-story-hangmen-get-sba-funds-to-reopen-hamilton-secures-50-million/

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 7/13/21 at 3:56am

Wait Hangman might be coming back/.

[DonnyJacksonLD]

Posted: 7/13/21 at 1:03pm

GREAT NEWS. Wish Virginia Woolf had been saved.