Breaking News: MARY POPPINS to Close on Broadway March 3, 2013; ALADDIN Next at the New Amsterdam Theater?

[Jonwo]

Mary Poppins closing doesn't surprise me as its numbers outside of holidays haven't been great, its had a fantastic run and a success for Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.

[darquegk]

If the show is roughly the same in structure as the past regionals, Aladdin won't need to be a big name or even a major veteran- the real "star" roles per se are Jafar, Genie and the Three Wise Guys.

[everythingtaboo]

I do find it hysterical that BWW would post something still technically unofficial as fact. Remember when they would delete threads before the closing was actually posted? I hope Thomas Schumacher does a big FU and extends it just a few more months.

[emida]

So excited about Aladdin!

The movie holds a special place in my heart and I hope they'll do something interesting with it! There's so much potential there and I hope it turns out great!

[broadwaydevil]

This sounds eerily reminiscent to when Disney closed their long-running major success, Beauty and the Beast at the Lunt, to make room for The Little Mermaid what would become a major flop.

I was never a fan of Mary Poppins but it's had a very good run and even in recent months the grosses have been softer but far from terrible. I just don't see the justification for closing, making major, potentially expensive renovations to the New Amsterdam, for another musical that hasn't had a tryout anywhere that's been universally loved.

[Kad]

"Remember when they would delete threads before the closing was actually posted?"

...and then post the same story as an article?

[Phantom of London]

I agree about Beauty and the Beast closing, to make way for the beleaguered The Little Mermaid, which just drowned in the Lunt.

Anyway aren't we due another Aida revival?

[Blockhead24]

Hmm https://twitter.com/nicolasdromard/status/288432701843836930

[ucjrdude902]

That doesn't mean anything. The cast might just not know yet.

[ClydeBarrow]

This article says March 3rd and Riedel is saying April 3rd. Not sure about all this.

[rosscoe(au)]

Dead horse, yes.

But Disney needed to bring Hunchback in first

[PitPro2004]

**yawn** They're swapping out an umbrella for a rug. Big deal.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

I highly doubt that this is true.


EDIT: I checked, and Theater Mania has it listed as an open run.

[Wildcard]

If Aladdin were to come to Broadway in its current state, I think it needs a smaller theater to succeed.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Wildcard, I agree 100%. Eugene O'Neill would be ideal, but seeing as though BOM sells out almost every week, there is no chance of that happening.

[frogs_fan85]

That's probably a typo on Reidel's part as April 3rd is a Wednesday.

[everythingtaboo]

"That doesn't mean anything. The cast might just not know yet."

The justification of deleting closing announcements thread used to be because sometimes people here knew before the cast was officially informed. I guess the sensitivity doesn't exist anymore.

PS Still not official, "Breaking News" indeed.

[Jonwo]

If Aladdin is going to be large scale then it's more than likely going to go into a large theatre. I imagine there will be another out of town tryout as I imagine the show won't be exactly the same as the Seattle run.

[TheatreKid3]

I highly doubt this is true. They had just announced Dromard was temporarily replacing Gavin Lee in his leave of absence to go back to London and do TOP HAT for a bit, with what sounded like Gavin having the intention to return to the production after a few months. I really don't think that Disney would make the BEAUTY mistake twice. POPPINS is still doing really well for them, and I personally think the New Amsterdam is too big for ALADDIN at this point (unless, as Jonwo said, Disney makes ALADDIN into a huge spectacle - which they should).

I also agree that HUNCHBACK should be here already.

[Jonwo]

If it were to close, I would have thought August would be more likely so that they can get the last few months of good sales, renovate the New Amsterdam between September-October then reopen with Aladdin in late October/early November.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

They've been making 1mil a week over the holidays, and not too much less normally. It would be stupid to close this for ALADDIN. It is a fun regional show, but I can't see it doing well on Broadway. If this is true, I agree with many others, this is BEAUTY all over again. Close a hit (or at least semi-hit) for a flop. I hope Disney isn't stupid enough to make this mistake twice. They will feel absolutely ridiculous.

[TheatreKid3]

From what I read, the rumor was that ALADDIN would open in the Spring of 2014. I think that is a good move for them to open closer to the peak in award season. But, I don't think it makes sense for the New Amsterdam to sit dark for almost a year. They should run POPPINS until early/late August and capitalize off the summer one last time - if they are truly going to close it. Then, renovate the theatre during the fall and winter, then open ALADDIN in April.

However, I think POPPINS still has a lot left in it and should remain open to avoid losing a major hit for a potential flop. At this point, I think it would be in Disney's best interest to try and put ALADDIN in another Nederlander house that is open. The Neil Simon is currently vacant, but it would have to sit empty for over a year unless they want to open earlier - and I don't see the Nederlander's going for that. Their best option would be to take the Lunt-Fontanne back, should MOTOWN tank, or maybe even the Marquis (but that is a similar situation to the Simon).

[ucjrdude902]

I like the Lunt idea.

[TheatreKid3]

I really do think it would be the best fit. But they may want the Amsterdam because the Mezz overhang is so far back, meaning they could fly the carpet over more people and at a greater distance from the stage.

[Jonwo]

Poppins could transfer to the Neil Simon or Marquis and they could one of the existing touring sets but I wonder if Disney has discussed this option with Cameron Mackintosh because it's his show too as well as the possibility of closing it.

[ACL2006]

I'll add and say, if anything, keep Poppins their until Labor Day. If Motown tanks, move it to the Lunt or to the Neil Simon if it remains vacant. Poppins still does good business, even during the slow seasons. Aladdin likely wouldn't be ready until Spring 2014 anyway.