The Ideal Tenant for Circle in the Square

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 5:42pm

PREFACE

You probably want to know why I even bothered penning this, don't you? I know, I know... Next to Normal's the perfect fit, right? That's what the masses who have ventured to 2ST believe, anyhow. More power to Mr. Kitt and Mr. Yorkley if something comes of their piece at a later date. I adore the cast - and yes, I am openly biased. As I sit here writing this, I'm rather hesitatnt to put it up so early in the game. Continue to tweak, prod, move around, etc. We haven't seen the last of the pop-infused/Generation Z tuner. Well, in all instances, I would kinda-sorta agree to a Broadway transe (if only just to remain in the majority).

However, after thinking about this, the long and short of it all, the 'debut' of the 'would-be-hit' GLORY DAYS, which is apparently going to 'cause a a lot of buzz' upon its arrival, I wholeheartedly feel that the IDEAL tenant for Circle in the Square would be a B'way staging for Ricky Ian Gordon's Dream True.

For those of you out there reading this post, I want to clarify a few things. Let us begin with the story...

The show underwent various changes over the course of several years; with a developmental production staged at Duke University, a workshop at the Vineyard Theatre, a full production later produced at the Vineyard and a 2004 concert. The cast assembled on the recording is from the different incarnations, and what a cast!

This is where I wish it could be brought to Broadway - with this bunch. Who wouldn't want to see the likes of Brian d’Arcy James play opposite Jason Danieley as the older versions of the 'young dreamers' (played by Harrison Chad and William Ullrich). The aforementioned talents along with Jessica Molaskey, Victoria Clark, Kelli O’Hara, Jeff McCarthy. On the recording alone, they are as good as you might expect them to be. I know many of those talents are being put to good use right now with O'Hara at the Beaumont, Molansky at Stuidio 54, Danieley at the Hirschfeld, McCarthy returning to the Ambassador, et all. I really just wantd to toss it out there.

The run in 1999 at the Vineyard garnered 'a rather mixed bag' of reviews. The score, in mention is a score that obviously deserves repeated hearings. It is a difficult show, admittedly; the action spans 40 years and — seemingly — almost as many different subjects and styles.

Dream True is divided between pastoral Wyoming and the great metropolis. Mr. Gordon shares credit with director-librettist-lyricist Tina Landau (of Floyd Collins fame). I feel that with the talent assembled for the cast recording from so many moons ago and the creativity that surges through the veins of Mr. Gordon, it deserves a run on Broadway - so the masses can cling to this beautiful story of two childhood friends who lose one another - and lovingly find each other just the same - in their dreams...

Best,
- Mike



Updated On: 3/14/08 at 05:42 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 5:51pm

Actually I have heard very few people say Circle is the "ideal" venue for N2N. The show would have to be radically redesigned to work on a thrust stage. It needs a proscenium stage.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:04pm

It sounds to me like GLORY DAYS, a show 10 people seem to have heard of, will not have the buzz Paul Wontorek expects. An 85-minute musical in the AltarBoyz mold charging prices upwards of $100?

It's not like the show got incredible reviews at the Signature. This isn't a show which was crying for a Broadway production, if you ask me.

That said, I haven't heard of the Ricky Ian Gordon show you mention. And I think Next to Normal should take the Helen Hayes.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:05pm

Yankee, that's my thought for N2N.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:19pm

That Ricky Ian Gordon show sounds interesting, but has anyone worked on it since 2004? I also agree with yankeefan and jordangirl that N2N makes no sense logistically for Circle in the Square. The Hayes would be a much better fit, but I think the producers of Xanadu are determined to hold on to at least the Tony nominations.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:24pm

I'm not *saying* that it would be 'ideal' for N2N to move into the Circle -- I was just plainly referring to how that was 'the buzz' from more than a few N2N fanatics. I feel that the Hayes would be a beautiful fit for the piece ... If and when it ever makes it to Broadway.

I realize I should've let-up on some of the N2N references, and more-so focused on the .... "heavily-anticipaed" GLORY DAYS.
Updated On: 3/14/08 at 06:24 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:43pm

Well, the thing is according to cast members, they've already been told a transfer wouldn't happen this season, so it would fit timeline-wise for the Hayes even if it's held onto until the Tony Nominations.

I don't know anything else for sure, so this is purely speculation on my part. But the fact that they've started making changes says to me it's a little more definite than probable it's going somewhere...maybe sooner than later but still "not this season". Maybe they (TPTB) already know some details but are being quiet about it until a notice is posted wherever it's going. (As opposed to staking claim to a theatre before the current tenant posts notice.)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:48pm

^^I agree. The show is quite obviously going to have a life somewhere, in some production after this one. They wouldn't be eliminating and replacing entire musical numbers the second to last week of the run if it weren't. I'm wondering if they'll go directly to Broadway, or out of town first. Also, if the Brian D'Arcy James Shrek rumors are true, they'll have to recast that role at some point (paging Greg Edelmann!!).

The Helen Hayes would be a nice house for that show. So would the Nederlander, come to think of it, now that that will be available soon...

I'm hoping for some announcement from the stage at the end of the final performance about the future plans for this show....
Updated On: 3/14/08 at 06:48 PM

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:51pm

Technically speaking "next season" starts May 8th, so the Hayes (assuming Xanadu doesn't do too well at the Tonys) or the Nederlander would become free at an opportune time.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:51pm

Adamgreer ~ You and me both. I'm so excited ~ and sad ~ for Sunday But I really doubt this is the end. The changes have me questioning if the out of town plans thing has been scrapped as well.

The Brian/Shrek rumors have me a little worried, but we'll see what happens. Also Aaron...he's done the most recent staged reading for Catch Me If You Can and Tuesday I heard him talking to someone about rehearsals for Saved starting April 8. Could make things interesting cast-wise.

eta: The Nederlander is the other one that's occurred to me would be a potential good fit.

Updated On: 3/14/08 at 06:51 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:54pm

"Technically speaking "next season" starts May 8th, so the Hayes (assuming Xanadu doesn't do too well at the Tonys) or the Nederlander would become free at an opportune time."

I can't imagine them wanting to run during a Tony season whose deadline they missed. If it were to open without a tryout, I wouldn't expect to see it until the fall.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:56pm

Oh I agree a summer opening would make little sense, I was just making a point about the dates.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 6:57pm

Well, if Xanadu holds out until the noms and they did go directly in after a closing, it would still probably be after the Tonys with getting one set in and the other out and doing techs there and all that.

If it were to take the Nederlander, a fall timeline would be more likely depending on how long it takes to get that theatre back in shape.

And oh how some kind of announcement at the end of Sunday's show would soften the sadness. *crosses fingers* It doesn't have to be a theatre site...just a "We know we're coming in. Details to come soon." kind of thing.

Updated On: 3/14/08 at 06:57 PM

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 7:05pm

Why such negativity about Glory Days? Since when is an original musical by two young writers unwelcome on Broadway? The show actually received mostly excellent reviews in Washington, including the Washington Post and Variety. Peter Marks, in the Post, is a tough nut, and even while suggesting a few improvements, clearly gave his endorsement to Glory Days.

I've read the DC reviews, and listened to the podcast that was posted in another thread and found the authors to be well-spoken and enthusiastic, with a clear love of the musical theatre genre, with none of that distancing thing that other "pop" writers like to do when they write for the theatre.

I don't get the hostility. At. All.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 7:10pm

There's only one person being remotely "hostile" in this thread.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 7:17pm

I don't mean just on this thread. The original BWW thread about the Broadway.com item about Glory Days possibly taking the Circle in the Square had all sorts of outrage and indignation directed at this show. By contrast, I'm happy the season has one more musical in it - and another one that is original, by new writers, and not based on a popular movie. It's a development that should be welcomed, not snuffed out.

[germ83]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 7:52pm

I am right there with you smaxie...I only wish success to all up and coming artist

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 9:59pm

Ricky Ian Gordon's music makes me cream.

Seriously, that is some beautiful stuff.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 3/14/08 at 10:36pm

I agree, I agree - Hence, the reasoning behind even STARTING this thread. LoL In all seriousness, I'll MORE THAN LIKELY really enjoy GLORY DAYS ... like I do *everything* once I really find an appreciation for it. I'm an optimist at heart, but I'd LOVE for DREAM TRUE to have life on the boards.

[bestofbroadway]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 12:53am

I'm really late here but I am so excited to hear Glory Days is moving. I saw it in DC and loved it. YankeeFan007- it didn't get great reviews in DC?? According to who? While I only read Washington Post's review when it first came out (which was a rave) I was just looking at the writer's website which has lots of other press quotes.

Washington Post called it "fresh and vivacious...authentically latches onto the rhythms of late adolescence and plays them back to us as the music of wrenching transitions."

Broadwayworld.com said " Both young men are well on their way to creating their own brand of theatre." That sounds pretty exciting and worthwhile to me.

Well I'm thrilled for everyone involved in the production.
Glory Days Press Quotes

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 12:58am

The show would have to be radically redesigned to work on a thrust stage. It needs a proscenium stage.

The show doesn't need a proscenium. The physical production as it exists now is designed for a proscenium. Like you said, it would have to be redesigned for a thrust stage, but it's not like the show itself requires a proscenium.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 1:04am

Ok... To rephrase...for the show to really work as it does now with the three levels, the proscenium is extremely helpful. I like what I think they're trying to do with the three levels...especially now that Dan and Natalie are standing on the second level looking up at the ceiling towards the third level at the end of "I'm Alive". (Or maybe that was in there before and I just never noticed.0 It works on several levels with the layering of the set like that ~ levels I think have great potential to be lost in revisioning the set.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 2:31am

It works on several levels with the layering of the set like that ~ levels I think have great potential to be lost in revisioning the set.

That's a narrow-minded attitude. Innovation? Psh. The first way is the only way. Nevermind that when the show's rights are released, there are laws forbidding copy and paste set design; you're basically saying that no subsequent productions of the show could ever achieve the "potential" of the Second Stage version. What a supportive fan.

Personally, I think any theatre that makes it necessary to lose those wonky eyes from the set is a good thing.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 8:29am

I'm saying the multi-dimensional aspects of it, the multi-layered things stemming from the three-layered set would be lost on a single-level set IMHO. Not that it can't be done another way. I just personally like the relative simplicity of the set and think it does work in saying what they want to say, which would be much harder to convey on a single-level set.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 3/15/08 at 8:45am

Personally, as much as I do not support the musical NEXT TO NORMAL, I have thought from the beginning that if it were to transfer to Broadway and maintain a three level scaffolding set design, the perfect theatre for it would be the Cort.

Shows have always struggled in the Cort (plays especially) because of that high balcony, but with a three level scaffolding set, audience members sitting in that balcony could be afforded a remarkable view of what goes on in the show. I think it would be a smart fit for the Cort. And if the word of mouth on the show is positive, the oddball location wouldn't make a difference.