I haven't heard much about TKAM opening on June 1 as planned at the Belasco Theater. Is is still scheduled to open on time ? Is Greg Kinnear still with the project ?
It seems like a quick turn-around time for 'Girl' to close and move out, and TKAM to open on June 1.
EDSOSLO858 said: "Girl From the North Countryis currently scheduled to close on June 19, and from what I hear,Mockingbirdis not reopening on Broadway."
Oh no! I thought "Girl" was closing next weekend for some reason. I can't believe TKAM won't be reopening on B'way. I've was hoping to catch it this summer.
I seriously doubt it. I mean, there's not even group sales starting up, and it's almost the summer? Can't imagine it'll happen until at least the fall, but I doubt it'll return at all.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
I don’t think this is reopening, but I’m still surprised at how abruptly this closed. It had been doing so well and then seemingly fell apart over night. It’s always better in hindsight, but it would’ve worked out more if they had just made it a limited return engagement with Jeff Daniels/Celia Keenan Bolger.
Also, if you had told me when they announced its closing that Girl From the North Country would reopen and Mockingbird would never return, I definitely wouldn’t have believed it at the time (based on box office alone).
This is all such a strange situation. But being that beancounters are in charge now post-Rudin, it has always seemed surprising that they would try to move/reopen. Kinnear is not a money name (as I've been saying for 2.5 years now) and it's pretty hard to get a bona fide STAR willing to replace a performance as acclaimed as Jeff Daniels. They should have gone out on a high note in January.
bfreak said: "I don’t think this is reopening, but I’m still surprised at how abruptly this closed. It had been doing so well and then seemingly fell apart over night. It’s always better in hindsight, but it would’ve worked out more if they had just made it a limited return engagement with Jeff Daniels/Celia Keenan Bolger.
Also, if you had told me when they announced its closing that Girl From the North Country would reopen and Mockingbird would never return, I definitely wouldn’t have believed it at the time (based on box office alone)."
It's closing was abrupt because Kinnear was I'll and the box office was doling out refunds.
I think Kinnear played only one or two performances.
I don’t we should expect this to return, nor should we expect them to announce they aren’t returning.
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Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
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Richard Thomas might’ve been useful to the Broadway production in 2022. His profile and name recognition sell. Kinnear - not even a stage actor, and not a film star who can open a movie - seemed chosen in the pre pandemic climate when the play was star, too. I saw Christopher Invar the closing weekend on for Kinnear and he was superb by any yardstick. Mentioned only to support the idea that that play is a powerful night - future productions - with a actor, not necessarily a star presence.The proposed move seemed odd, and now only odder.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Auggie27 said: "Richard Thomas might’ve been useful to the Broadway production in 2022. His profile and name recognition sell. Kinnear - not even a stage actor, and not a film star who can open a movie - seemed chosen in the pre pandemic climate when the play was star, too."
No, Richard Thomas would not have been remotely useful to the Broadway production. Richard Thomas is not a star, and he doesn't "sell." Greg Kinnear isn't a major ticket-selling star either, but he's far more interesting than Richard Thomas (a reliable actor who is overexposed on the NY stage and hasn't had any kind of notable screen work in decades).
The problem is that there's a finite audience for plays. The play is now on tour, where the tourists can see it. And a lot of New Yorkers already saw Jeff Daniels (twice) and/or Ed Harris. Kinnear or Thomas or whoever is not going to be enough to bring mass audiences back a second or third time, and no MAJOR star (Tom Hanks, Adam Driver, Woody Harrelson, George Clooney, etc etc etc) would want to follow in Daniels' footsteps. Lord knows Rudin tried –– Ed Harris and Greg Kinnear are not first-choice replacement names. Let it close.
Thank you all for this information and discussion. Another question - does anyone know how Kinnear does at the end of this ? Do they end up paying him a good chunk of his contract or some other kind of 'settlement' ? I'm not a Kinnear fan, but I do feel bad for him (or any actor) put into this situation.
David10086 said: "Thank you all for this information and discussion. Another question - does anyone know how Kinnear does at the end of this ? Do they end up paying him a good chunk of his contract or some other kind of 'settlement' ? I'm not a Kinnear fan, but I do feel bad for him (or any actor) put into this situation."
If the show doesn't re-open, I'm guessing he won't get anything. Shows get cancelled all the time - I don't believe there is any financial compensation in those cases. (Of course, it's possible that there is clause about this in his contract.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
As most principal actors have, Kinnear has a pay-for-play contract so he gets paid for the full contract he agreed and signed for. Even if he’s fired, or the play closes early, he is still paid his full contract agreement. Principal actors will not sign any contract without that agreement.
BrodyFosse123 said: "As most principal actors have, Kinnear has a pay-for-play contract so he gets paid for the full contract he agreed and signed for. Even if he’s fired, or the play closes early, he is still paid his full contract agreement. Principal actors will not sign any contract without that agreement."
100% incorrect. Broadway performers (not even Hugh Jackman and Bette Midler) do NOT have "pay or play" deals. If the show closes early or doesn't open they get paid up to their contractual 2 weeks, as per the AEA Production Contract.. Please don't speak to things you know nothing about.
Oh, where oh where is Hogan? He'll put an end to this!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
jo said: "One of Hugh's degrees is in dramatic theatre ( not musical theatre)"
He has also proven himself as a dramatic actor professionally many times over, including a couple of dramas onstage. I don't think anyone is doubting his dramatic chops!
BrodyFosse123 said: "As most principal actors have, Kinnear has a pay-for-play contract so he gets paid for the full contract he agreed and signed for. Even if he’s fired, or the play closes early, he is still paid his full contract agreement. Principal actors will not sign any contract without that agreement."
I swear the first I've heard of pay-or-play contracts on Broadway is alleged the one Beanie has. I need more definitive proof that this is actually a common thing beyond film/TV.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Pay or play is very uncommon on Broadway –– especially since Kinnear's agents would have now renegotiated his contract with Barry Diller & Orin Wolf 2x. There might be some other type of "deal sweetener" or holding fee in there, but not a film-style pay-or-play (and even that is becoming rarer in movieworld these days).
Unless people are talking about Beanie getting paid even if she takes a sick/vacation day while the show is still running, which is quite different than the pay-or-play being discussed.
HOWEVER, even if they did have to pay out Kinnear $X sum if the show doesn't reopen, that is still a lot cheaper than reopening and then running at a loss.
everythingtaboo said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "As most principal actors have, Kinnear has a pay-for-play contract so he gets paid for the full contract he agreed and signed for. Even if he’s fired, or the play closes early, he is still paid his full contract agreement. Principal actors will not sign any contract without that agreement."
I swear the first I've heard of pay-or-play contracts on Broadway is alleged the one Beanie has. I need more definitive proof that this is actually a common thing beyond film/TV."