Pippin to Open at the Music Box in March

[dramamama611]

Does ANYONE understand what Phantom was trying to say?

A show that makes back its investment is a success. One that closes before it can do so, and therefore, loses money is a turkey.

[HoldThatThought]

trentsketch - Hopefully they'll do something along those lines.

Namo - yes, that would be radical if everyone could not pre-judge a show and go have a good time! Works for me, and I'm hoping to see it again before the 20th.

dramamama - The tagline is the same from the A.R.T. banner. And I think Phantom meant "gage." (just my guess)

AEA - thanks for the explanation. That makes sense that they would want to recoup as quickly as possible. They could always move the show to a smaller place after that if they wanted to keep it running.

qolbinau - yes, she does play the Ben Vereen role (aka - Lead Player), and from what I've heard/read it has been done before, but not often.

Namo - lolz on your response!

qolbinau - lolz to Namo's response, and I've only ever seen that phrase on gaming forums!

[PlayItAgain]

all I want is a subway ad with the logo and the tagline "Join Us".

[Phantom of London]

'A show that makes back its investment is a success. One that closes before it can do so, and therefore, loses money is a turkey.'

Only for the producers as a theatre attendee and a fan, it doesn't trouble me if a show doesn't make its money back.

Going on your premise, which I understand and respect, but then most Stephen Sondheim musicals could be considered as 'turkeys'.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

The ones that didn't recoup are certainly considered flops.

[little_sally]

Well, I'm pretty excited.

[Briaansmith]

Pippin has a costume designer from 'O' and cirque from 7 digots both well respected people.

[When I get low...]

SPOILER REQUEST

FindingNamo: "The rave in the Boston Globe is *loaded* with spoilers..."

Except it doesn't give away Andrea Martin's surprise in "No Time at All". I won't see this production, so what is the surprise?

[dramamama611]

Since you won't be seeing the production (I'm guessing because it doesn't interest you) then why would you care about the suprise?


(But if you really want to know, I'll send it to you in a pm.)

[ACL2006]

anyone else think the Music Box is the wrong theater for this show??

[When I get low...]

dramamama611: "Since you won't be seeing the production (I'm guessing because it doesn't interest you) then why would you care about the suprise?"

I won't be seeing it because I have no plans on visiting the east and because I'm neither interested in this show nor a fan of Schwartz. I am a fan of Andrea Martin and am interested in knowing how she impresses in the part.

I'd still like to know the surprise, so if you don't care to post it and would prefer to PM me, that'd be nice.

[steven22]

Any idea who the understudies are? As of now at least at ART?

[dramamama611]

Yes...give me a minute to get my program....

[dramamama611]

Understudies (at ART)

for Pippin -- Erik Altemus (who plays Lewis)
for Lewis -- Colin Cunliffe (player)
for Charles -- Andrew Fitch (player)
for Fastrada -- Bethany Moore (player)
for Leading Player -- Stephanie Pope (Player)
for Catherine -- Molly Tynes (player)
Male Swing -- Brad Musgrove

No understudy listed for Berthe, no female swing listed

[dramamama611]

double post

[steven22]

dramamama611, thank you!

[dramamama611]

Happy to oblige.

[trentsketch]

ACL2006, when was the last time The Music Box was the right theater for a show? I honestly can't remember.

[PlayItAgain]

^ one man, two guvnors

[PalJoey]

Pippin will sell.

[trentsketch]

You're right. I forgot that played the Music Box. I always think Amour and In My Life when I think Music Box.

[frontrowcentre2]

Those who only know the OBCR of PIPPIN are excitede for this revival.

I have seen PIPPIN on stage twice...first, a high school production that was a great deal of fun and later the Toronto production Mirvish presented (which, if my memory is correct originated at the Papermill Playhouse (?) and was touted as being headed for Broadway.) This later production proved to my satisfaction what I had long suspected: that the book of PIPPIN doesn't hold together, and the cast album is so good because the songs have little to do with what happens on stage. The show as written is an empty bag of tricks and was saved by Fosse's dazzling staging. Fosse even managed to make the show's none-event finale work, but as a joke on the audience: HA! You thought this was all leading somewhere!

The record album made it sound big and dramatic and a little sad. Listeners never realized that the last lines "It never was there" refer not to Pippin's search for meaning but to the show itself.

The original production ran for so long due to a serious lack of competition: The 1960s blockbusters HELLO DOLLY and FIDDLER had closed and the first 1970's blockbuster - A CHORUS LINE would not arrive until PIPPIN was into its 4th year. (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, RAISIN and THE WIZ took the top Tony honours in 1973, 74 and 75, and Broadway was littered with flops: OVER HERE!, IRENE, GOODTIME CHARLEY, MACK AND MABEL, DUDE, MOTHER EARTH, VIA GALACTICA...) The street was mess and even a minor show like PIPPIN could eek out a financially viable run. But the Imperial Theatre was seldom in SRO status. (For the final 3 months PIPPIN moved to the Minskoff, getting by on "twofers" and TKTS/Hit Show Club discounts.)

[HoldThatThought]

In case you missed it, there are a some interesting videos from today's BWW article about the Pippin revival. One notable one is Raul Esparza singing Simple Joys. Another one is the full version of the 1982 video, but it skips like crazy.
BWW link

[CATSNYrevival]

Pippin will sell. All they need to do is put this picture on the marquee.

[vikingstuff]

Am I going to have to buy tickets on Monday if I want to go in the first week of previews?

[qolbinau]

No