Houdini

[jo]

An article on Stephen Schwartz, whose career continues to be on a high on Broadway ( Wicked, Pippin) -- the last two paragraphs offer further confirmation about the progress on HOUDINI --

www.hispanicbusiness.com/2013/7/6/wicked_puts_tunesmith_back_on_top.htm

Schwartz is "almost halfway" through penning the music and lyrics for his next Broadway show, "Houdini," based on the life of the legendary escape artist, with Tony-winning box office idol Hugh Jackman in the title role. The key ingredients suggest a project as sure-fire as "Wicked" -- but there has been a recent snag in the show's development. Aaron Sorkin ("A Few Good Men," "The Farnsworth Invention"), who was to write his first musical book for the Jackman vehicle, dropped out because he was too busy writing his new series, "The Newsroom," as well as multiple film projects. Schwartz says a new book writer has been signed, but he's not allowed to announce who it is.

"I'm not too concerned about people's expectations or anything else," Schwartz says. "That can be paralyzing. For me, it's just about getting the work done. The goal is to have both the book and score completed by the end of the year because there's going to be a New York reading with Hugh. We've got to do everything by certain deadlines with this show because Hugh's availability is on such a strict schedule."

Jo

[jo]

e

This is taken from a WOLVERINE-related interview by Moviefone ( posted in full on the thread on Wolverine Publicity), where the reporter asks Hugh about definite future plans --

And everyone always wants to know what's next, what you're doing next.
Well, weirdly, I'm in a position where I'm not signed on to anything. I am doing a workshop for a new Broadway musical called "Houdini," about Harry Houdini, so I'll be doing the final workshop for that in the fall, and if that goes well, some time next year, I'll probably do that.

HJ seems to be referring to a fall (maybe late fall) 2013 workshop. He calls it the "final" workshop, but this seems to clash with the post above this one (quoting Schwartz that his deadline is to complete the writing by end of the year) --

Schwartz says. "That can be paralyzing. For me, it's just about getting the work done. The goal is to have both the book and score completed by the end of the year because there's going to be a New York reading with Hugh. We've got to do everything by certain deadlines with this show because Hugh's availability is on such a strict schedule

unless HJ means that this includes any re-writing arising from the results of the workshops ?

And is he also looking at a spring (or fall?) 2014 opening on Broadway, although there seems some consensus about the advantage of a springtime opening?

Jack O'Brien's timetable is a year later than what Hugh has in mind. What Hugh is saying seems to be the more practicable, if related to his combined film/stage career, where scheduling between the two career trajectories is of utmost importance. I wonder which one is really intended? Although I was initially surprised that Hugh would commit to a theatre engagement ( for a longish time) that could only start in early 2015. I thought that might be a little too distant for his tight schedule.

Hmm...hope HJ clarifies where things stand. Maybe he did let the creative team and the director know that he can continue to commit to the project only within his scheduling terms.

I have also wondered why Stephen Schwartz continues to have other commitments for the rest of 2013 ( concerts, etc), when writing the score for this project seems a critical creative path for him.

I am somewhat confused, to be honest!


Jo

[mamaleh]

"IF that goes well"; "I'll PROBABLY do that"; "I'm NOT SIGNED ON OFFICIALLY to anything"--could it be that his commitment is less than rock solid since Aaron Sorkin's departure? Hmmmm, this bears watching.

Ellen

[jo]

Ellen,

I have been thinking the same thing. Maybe it is partly the Sorkin departure...and maybe because the pace of the creative team's output is not well within what Hugh has committed as to his schedule. He cannot wait for the show development to prosper at its own pace, disregarding the implications on Hugh's other commitments.

Could it also be that he is not happy with the results he has seen so far...although he could have begged off earlier if this is the case?

Jo

[lucky]

Jul 23, 2013 10:01:00 GMT -5 jo said:

so I'll be doing the final workshop for that in the fall, and if that goes well, some time next year, I'll probably do that.

I don´t see the inconsistency to what Jack and Hugh said, if the Workshop goes well, he will probably (and hopefully) lead Houdini the next fall off Broadway and then open on Broadway spring 2015, like O´Brien told us. I think earlier is not possible.

but this seems to clash with the post above this one (quoting Schwartz that his deadline is to complete the writing by end of the year)

It also doesn´t clash with anything Schwartz said, cause he also told us that there is a workshop at the end of the year, OK fall isn´t precisely the end of the year, but it´s not so far away.

[jo]

Based on what Jack O'Brien has said in the interview, the workshops in the fall was referring to fall of 2014. Schwartz is saying that he is committed to complete the musical score within this year because Hugh is doing the reading/workshop at year-end. Presumably, after the workshop/reading, there will be some re-writes ( as expected when a new musical is being developed)...and probably followed by auditions, casting, and long rehearsals before the intended out-of-town tryouts in the fall of 2014 happens. Hence O'Brien said that spring 2015 is the likely opening of the show on Broadway.

What Hugh has said is that --

I am doing a workshop for a new Broadway musical called "Houdini," about Harry Houdini, so I'll be doing the final workshop for that in the fall, and if that goes well, some time next year, I'll probably do that.

where he says the "final" workshop will be in the fall ( presumably 2013, referring to the reading for this year).

And if --

and if that goes well, some time next year, I'll probably do that

that sounds like he is talking of an optimistic opening date of presumably spring of 2014! It also does not leave much room for rewriting and tryouts! My own guess is that he is not staying for a whole year run and will therefore want to open the show officially before the TONYs ( June 2014).

Unless the reporter completely misquoted/misunderstood him on the dates!


Jo

[lucky]

I don´t get all that, so you think that it is possible that Houdini might start Spring 2014? I would be certainly happy but I think it´s much too less time, if the score is barely ready at the end of this year.

[jo]

He means it!!

broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=542014

The video itself is choppy -- but BWW has transcribed that part:

While promoting his new film 'Wolverine' in a red carpet interview yesterday, Hugh Jackman spoke with Elvis Duran and The Morning Show about his upcoming Broadway musical, Houdini. "We got a final workshop at the end of this year," said the Tony winner, "if all goes well, next year we'll bring it to Broadway."

His reference to a "final workshop at the end of this year " is intriguing! I wonder - did he give his creative team an ultimatum - that he can hold off his schedule only for so long

Is he referring to spring 2014 ( before the TONYs) as a possible opening of the show?

Or...could he be referring instead to the 2014/2015 season as "next year"?

But crossing my fingers that all goes well!!


Jo

[lucky]

OK, if we assume that it will open next year on Broadway, then there still has to be an out of town try out. The best time to open a new show on Broadway is March, April, to be eligable for the Tonys right? When then would be the out of town try out? January? I´m thrilled.

[jo]

They may forego doing an out-of-town tryout, if he really is referring to spring 2014 as possible opening of the show. If the final workshops yield excellent results, they may proceed to auditions and casting and then longish rehearsals ( maybe 2 months or so for rehearsals). I wonder if they already have some people in mind re the casting? Maybe Hugh is learning the book and musical score, as work-in-progress? Maybe he has also been learning some of the Houdini magic tricks by this time? Maybe David Rockwell already has a firm idea of the production design? Maybe Jack O'Brien is already conceptualizing his staging vision for this show?

Oops - I forgot, they also need to find a theatre! Although I would not be surprised if the Shubert Organization has already pencilled in their probable opening date

Then previews, before official opening of the show?

But it will probably be very tough to keep to that schedule!


I am of course guessing - LOL! Maybe certain things have been happening that we are not aware of?




Jo

[lucky]

I wonder too who they will cast or what characters there will be at all. I know Sorkin intended there to be 3 spiritulists, then surely Bess Houdini and who else?

[carouselkathy]

Look what I found on Playbill.com: www.playbill.com/news/article/180414-Houdini-Musical-Starring-Hugh-Jackman-May-Materialize-on-Broadway-in-2014

[jo]

From the Playbill article --

A representative for the production could not confirm immediate Broadway plans, but stated that a fall workshop will allow the creative team to determine the potential for a 2014 Broadway arrival.

It looks like the creative and producers teams are hedging

I wonder if Hugh is looking at the results of the workshop as a way out, if nothing concrete about a spring 2014 opening can be indicated from the reading? There could be many project possibilities that are awaiting him and committing himself till 2015 if nothing is assured may not be something he may want to do. He has been attached to the project since A STEADY RAIN ( 2009).

Is he sort of forcing the issue?


Jo

[klenotka]

I hope if it happens, they will announce it officially as soon as possible so people outside the US (and NY) can start preparations. I have never seen Hugh live on stage (or ever) so this would probably be "it". However, if it should happen *this* spring, I would probably have to borrow money from my parents

(Damn, no bringing his one man show to London anytime soon )

[jo]

Variety speculates about the ripples that the Jackman hints about HOUDINI could be bringing to the Broadway community <shudder! shudder!>

variety.com/2013/legit/news/hugh-jackman-stirs-speculation-for-broadway-houdini-1200567741/

Hugh Jackman Stirs Speculation for Broadway ‘Houdini’

July 24, 2013 | 03:08PM PT
On red carpets for 'The Wolverine,' actor suggests 2014 bow for the potential stage heavyweight

Gordon Cox
Legit Editor@GCoxVariety


Hugh Jackman has been touting his upcoming Broadway tuner “Houdini” from “The Wolverine” red carpets, and even if definite plans are far from finalized, the possible 2014 bow mentioned by the thesp could shake up the Rialto landscape with a new heavyweight contender.

The only certainty right now for “Houdini,” produced by Scott Sanders (“The Color Purple”) and David Rockwell, is the industry reading planned for the fall. Decisions about the title’s future timeline will likely be made after that.

But as Jackman has said while making the press rounds for “The Wolverine,” if the “Houdini” reading and its industry reception are encouraging, the show could end up on the Main Stem as soon as next year. That’s the kind of news that makes legiters’ ears prick up — because “Houdini” looks poised to be one of those musicals that will make other brewing tuners want to get out of the way.

No Broadway production is ever a guaranteed powerhouse, but “Houdini” comes close. Jackman is one of Broadway’s top draws at the box office, driving stellar sales for his 2003-04 stint in “The Boy From Oz” before topping himself in limited runs of “A Steady Rain,” the 2009 play in which he co-starred with Daniel Craig, and in 2011 outing “Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway.”

The “Houdini” score, meanwhile, comes from Stephen Schwartz, whose most recent tuner was the global smash “Wicked.” Schwartz also has a handful of legit faves in his back catalog including “Pippin,” currently playing the Main Stem in a Tony-winning revival that has shaped up into a formidable commercial player.

That kind of B.O. pedigree makes “Houdini,” to be directed by legit regular Jack O’Brien (“Hairspray,” the upcoming “Macbeth” starring Ethan Hawke), look like one of those titles that other producers expect will use up all of a Broadway season’s oxygen at the box office.

On the other hand, if the most recent Rialto season has made anything clear, it’s that sometimes there’s room on the Street for more than one or two big hits a season. No fewer than five shows that opened in spring 2013 — “Kinky Boots,” “Motown,” “Matilda,” “Cinderella” and “Pippin” — have consistently topped the $1 million mark in recent weeks.

In any case, the Broadway timeline for “Houdini” is still entirely up in the air, at least for now. The project doesn’t even have a book writer definitively attached, following the January departure of Aaron Sorkin.

Still, off-the-cuff talk such as Jackman’s will nonetheless send ripples through the legit community, especially among those producers backing titles that could, depending on the timing, find themselves in competition with the star’s next Broadway magic act

*Competition for investors interest
*Competition for the box office
*Competition for ticket pricing ( acceptable to the public)
*Competition for the likes of Ben Brantley's affection, et al!
*Competition for most media attention!
*Competition for artistic recogntion (TONYs, including Best Musical and Best Actor, etc)
*Competition for the largest stagedoor crowds - LOL!


Btw, a book writer ( David Ives, a respected one in the community) was mentioned as having joined the creative team by Jack O'Brien in that recent interview!

As for me -- "Save, Save, and more Save!" is the order of the day ...I am even more sure that I live on the wrong side of Planet Earth *sigh*



Jo

[mamaleh]

Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter in the continuing saga of HOUDINI: IF/WHEN/WHERE?



Ellen

[foxie]

Is surely exciting can't wait!

[apetricc12]

It will be interesting to see what happens. Hopefully it will appear on Broadway in 2014.

Annette P

[jo]

It looks like things may be moving

I shared a link to the Roeper review of The Wolverine ( on the Official Reviews thread for The Wolverine) -- but, unwittingly, I actually ignored an important tiny video clip on the upper left hand corner. LOL!

southtownstar.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/21506945-421/roeper-hugh-jackman-keeps-action-intense-in-the-wolverine.html

Here, Hugh says that the tryout town will be Chicago, presumably after the final workshops. He also says " Houdini is still on track...and at the moment, looking good!" ... I wonder how far along they have gone on the other aspects of the production ( auditions and casting, production design, staging concept, etc)? I wonder if a Broadway theatre ( presumably a Shubert theatre ??) is now being scouted around, too?

Jo

[lucky]

Cool, so if in this fall the final workshop is supposed to be, that could mean that they start off Broadway this winter? Or rather spring?

regarding the cast, someone asked that on Stephen Schwartz facebook page and that was the answer (not from Stephen personally):

"It is too early to know when they will begin auditioning for Houdini - they are still writing it. Thanks again for your interest."

I´m really confused, how is it possible that they will begin their out of town try out anytime soon if they not even have their cast? Maybe the out of town try out in autumn next year, as O´Brien mentioned, is more realistic.

[jo]

I am guessing, but it seems to me that Hugh himself is now driving the pace of the project!


Jo

[mamaleh]

If they were looking at a spring 2015 opening, that would mean tryouts in Chicago during the dregs of winter? Yucchh. Not the best time of year to visit the Windy(windier and full of snow) in winter) City.

Ellen

[jo]

Spring of 2015, Ellen?

If that is the case, why would they do tryouts in deep winter if they can do it earlier in the fall of 2014?


Jo

[mamaleh]

Jul 27, 2013 8:36:41 GMT -5 jo said:

Spring of 2015, Ellen?

If that is the case, why would they do tryouts in deep winter if they can do it earlier in the fall of 2014?


Jo

My fingers know not where and what they type.

Ellen

[lucky]

If they really wanna open Houdini spring 2014 on Broadway, the off Broadway try-out would indeed be this winter, or they would open the show on Broadway in summer 2014 after a spring 2014 try out, but I think a summer 2014 debut is unlikely because the Tonys are just over.

I wonder which month in this fall the last workshop will be. (if it is the last workshop at all, but Hugh said it is the final one) And for how long does usually such a workshop last?