Just my prediction. Even if it gets terrible reviews, it will still run for at least a year.
The 2 leads, cast by America, will be contracted for 1 year. Should they not extend, for some reason, there is no more allure to the show. How quickly does it close after that?
I'm not sure the Sandy/Danny will necessarily be contracted for one year. They could only be contracted 6 or even 3 months. I think Connie Fischer, winner of the SOUND OF MUSIC BBC contest has a six month contract.
They could just bring the show back year after year...picking a new Sandy and Danny. It'll never die.
Or they could just invade other shows...how long before "Wicked: You're Gonna Be Popular"?
"If there is going to be a restoration fee, there should also be a Renaissance fee, a Middle Ages fee and a Dark Ages fee. Someone must have men in the back room making up names, euphemisms for profit."
(Emanuel Azenberg)
MB - I saw in an interview NBC has online with Marshall and Ian that the actors - and I use that term as loosely as humanly possible - will be contracted for a year, hence my title. My bad for not putting it in my initial post.
Well, I have no doubt that NBC will keep the actors under contract for a year - I don't necessarily think that means they will be performing the roles on Broadway for a year. I'm sure the producers have some kind of "out" clause since there is always the possibility America will vote two people in who, how should we say this nicely - don't have the stamina to do 8 shows a week for a very long time.
This whole idea must be keeping Marshall and Ian from sleeping. Marshall's got her very good reputation on the line, Ian's got his backers $10 mil. He did the same thing with Sound of Music, but he must be wondering that it could have been luck of the draw. Still, like in most cases, everyone's given a second chance....but with the stakes this high? I wonder what Riedel's take will be.
The semi-recent revival of Grease ran for quite some time didn't it? I could be totally off, but I know it got 2 cast recordings (thanks Brooke....). Who's to say if they cast names after America's Danny and Sandy leave that the show will automatically drop in sales and close?
The reason Tommy Tune's Grease ran so long was exactly that - every famous approaching-their-thirties actress was cast as Rizzo - they played up the "Rizzo as the lead" aspect. In fact, Rizzo's got more stage time than Sandy in the original stage version, I believe.
The gimmick of this production is the whole "America's casting the leads" deal. If America's choices can't sustain an 8-show week, the gimmick is gone and it's another run-of-the-mill revival of Grease. Updated On: 1/4/07 at 10:29 PM
We can also focus on the positive: it could bring a lot of business and attention to Broadway in general, not only to this production. In fact, it is possible that this could create more Broadway-awareness than we want to admit. I think it is a very positive thing that out of any reality show idea that a producer can get out his behind, it is Broadway's turn. A huge hit with this show could become a lot more and better things for future productions than we can think of.
And of course they were going with one of the most famous and accesible musicals of all times. No one was really hoping they would do a reality show on primetime TV about choosing the leads in a revival of A Little Night Music amongst your favorite musical theatre divas belting against each other, right???
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
Let's at least hope the panel of judges can spot those with the stamina to do an 8-show week. Perhaps they'll have the sense to narrow down the final pack down that way so viewers have a stronger pool to vote from. Perhaps.
"If there is going to be a restoration fee, there should also be a Renaissance fee, a Middle Ages fee and a Dark Ages fee. Someone must have men in the back room making up names, euphemisms for profit."
(Emanuel Azenberg)
I love how on BWWorld.com anyone with a different opinion is labeled stupid. Some people may love Grease. It doesn't mean their them stupid, It means they like it. Simple as that.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
I think it is a very positive thing that out of any reality show idea that a producer can get out his behind, it is Broadway's turn.
It's not positive. It's desperate. They've sh!t on everyone else's parade, and now we're all they have left.
Let's at least hope the panel of judges can spot those with the stamina to do an 8-show week.
Let's not. Let's hope that the whole concept blows up in their faces due to incompetent actors chosen from a TV show.
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)