The Music Man : Show Development and Promotion

[jo]

Jun 22, 2021 17:04:38 GMT -5 jo said:

This could be out-of-the-box thinking...

but ...

As the song goes --

"Could it be?? Yes, it could!"

Jo

[jo]

The official statement from the Producers --

Messrs. Diller and Geffen stated, "We are beyond glad that The Music Man is finally able to again offer tickets to the public - the wait has been too long. We are also beyond glad that Kate Horton has agreed to join us as Executive Producer - her experience and her sheer zest for great work will be invaluable as she supervises all aspects of our production."

Ms. Horton commented, "As Broadway's heart begins beating again, it is a privilege to be invited by Barry Diller and David Geffen to join such remarkable, celebrated talent in Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, Jerry Zaks, Warren Carlyle and Santo Loquasto in bringing this beautiful musical to the Winter Garden Theatre. The Music Man is a joyous love-letter to the United States and a celebration of what we can achieve when we come together. We will ensure our team enjoy the right conditions for creating their most brilliant work and sharing it with the widest possible audience."

[jo]

A very negative piece from the LA Times - saying that The Music Man should not be celebrated at all!

[jo]

[jo]

For once, the BWW board are generally reacting negatively to the LA Times article. I enjoyed reading all the responses. Hope the LA Times eventually realize that their article will only encourage more people to see The Music Man!

www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.php?thread=1125358


My own response --

jo
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Broadway Legend
joined:5/15/03
The Music Man’ is the wrong Broadway revival for this crucial moment
#15
Posted: 6/23/21 at 4:25am

It seems that for some attending the show is also a time to celebrate coming out of the miseries of the pandemic. It is family-oriented, so what? But it is also a good slice of cultural behavior in the past, no matter that it is a fictional view of small town America and the characters are less than pure. To enjoy it with one's family or friends highlight that people feel that sharing such a show strengthens the family ties. I was smiling when I read that a grandmother bought tickets for Grandma/Mom/Granddaughter Day! Either they are all fans of Jackman or they simply want a day out enjoying the feminine company.

Back to the post-pandemic mood -- heady...and this is probably why people are buying tickets not only to The Music Man...but to other shows as well.

The LATimes - what an irony! Isn't LA (where Hollywood resides) the land of "con-man-ity"? Where they spin tales of all kinds? Aren't all actors actually con men

[jo]

Could this be true??

Although before reading this, I noticed a seeming trend on the show tickets availability.

I checked a few dates ( because I wanted to pick up another pair of tickets) as well as get a feel of how the show is doing monthly ...and noticed that in the seating availability chart, the most expensive blocks seem practically sold out ( Center Orch - maybe up to 12 rows...and aisle seats for Left and Right Orchestra) and I had wondered why. I thought there couldn't be that many crazy Jackman fans ( moi, included) or Broadway diehards or family going on travel vacations who want an excellent time! Then it dawned on me ( even before I read the above article) that the many seats were seemingly bought by a central group of secondary market sellers waiting for the wealthier domestic and overseas tourists to pick them up ( usually through hotel concierges). These secondary sellers( like Stubhub, VividSeats, etc) seem to be all selling from a central inventory. Well, that is free enterprise for you

PS: I started noticing this trend when I was getting tickets for TheMan.TheMusic.TheShow at Madison Square Garden.

Jo

[jo]

More casting news --

http://instagram.com/p/CQb3m19gcE6

http://instagram.com/p/B7J0Q27geSk

[jo]

More casting news --

And for the young man she falls for -- another dancer-actor, Gino Cosculluela

http://instagram.com/p/CQblXGXshdh

http://instagram.com/p/COlDdaHsE1p

He thanks Warren Carlyle -- it seems there will be a lot more dancing in this show (as these young leads are dancers).

[jo]

http://instagram.com/p/CQGhdZoDui2

[jo]

Warren Carlyle is having the time of his life

He is going to change TMM into a dancefest?

Hugh is practicing his tapdancing skills ( more than 5.1 million views on his Instagram post in slightly more than 24 hours -- people must like to see him dance )

Sutton needs no rehearsals (she is going to be doing Anything Goes in London - good enough rehearsal for TMM)

Crow&Cosculluela ( as the Mayor's daughter & Tommy) -- accomplished dancers although from slightly different disciplines

Shuler needs to up his skills as his main moments will be Shipoopi.

I am exhausted just thinking about all the energies to be expended


Jo

[jo]

shuler hensley

liked your reply

I saw you in Oklahoma! in London...2 decades-or-so later, I will see both of you & HughJackman once again
WarrenCarlyle completes your trio

[jo]

For those who have not seen a stage version or the original movie version, here's an alert if you have TCM --

Highland Guy
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The Music Man’ is the wrong Broadway revival for this crucial moment
#53

Posted: 6/25/21 at 2:46pm
On this year's Fourth of July, TCM will show the beloved American classic The Music Man; followed by Yankee Doodle Dandy, and then 1776. Can't think of a better way to enjoy Independence Day.

[jo]

If you haven't bought tickets yet...or are planning to get more --

this feature gives many tips on the seating at The Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway.


seatplan.com/new-york/winter-garden-theatre/orchestra/

[jo]

On related news --

David Geffen, one of two remaining lead producers of The Music Man ( the other is Barry Diller) has just made a $ 150 million donation to the Yale School of Drama, ensuring tuition-free education at the drama school. The school has now been renamed after Mr. Geffen.

news.yale.edu/2021/06/30/gift-david-geffen-yales-drama-school-goes-tuition-free?utm_source=YaleToday&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=YT_Yale%20Today%20Alum%20no%20Parents_6-30-2021


Recently, the Symphony Hall at Lincoln Center has been renamed after him, presumably also after a large financial grant to the institution. From another news source -- "Entertainment industry tycoon David Geffen had previously given $150 million to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, $100 million to Lincoln Center, and $100 million to the Museum of Modern Art."

His fellow Music Man lead producer Barry Diller has donated $250 million for Manhattan's newest tourist attraction called LITTLE ISLAND, including a commitment to maintain it for a number of years.

With these two lead producers ( also referred to as angel producers, or in general angel investors for their commitment to provide seed money to new projects), it would seem that the financial stability needed for The Music Man is assured. They can also provide their business acumen ( both are recognized billionaire businessmen) to the production. They have also reaffirmed their commitment to remain as producers for The Lehman Trilogy, To Kill A Mockingbird. Both were Rudin co-producers for Hello, Dolly!

Jo

[jo]

Jun 23, 2021 2:25:14 GMT -5 jo said:

A very negative piece from the LA Times - saying that The Music Man should not be celebrated at all!

This is one of the best responses to the LA Times negative attitude on the revival of The Music Man --

From BWW --

Mark Waltz
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Understudy
joined:5/7/18
The Music Man’ is the wrong Broadway revival for this crucial moment
#66

Posted: 7/1/21 at 8:32am

I consider "The Music Man" up there with "Guys and Dolls" and "Hello Dolly!" to be practically perfect shows that give me that goofy smile the minute the music starts that often brings me to tears of complete joy. All three shows are fantasias on life that should just be enjoyed for the color, the music, eccentric characters (who somehow change during the course of the show) and in the case of Sky Masterson, Harold Hill and Horace Van Degelder either atone or begin to see life from a different angle.

Mrs. Paroo is probably the only character in River City who doesn't need alterations (she's the Molly Goldberg of Iowa) but everyone else either loosens up, gets rid of preconceived notions of others or goes through some sort of spiritual alteration. Maybe not realistic as far as real life and history is concerned, but a joy to spend two and a half hours with. I'm not going to waste my time reading the Ebenezer bag humbug Debbie Downer article, but it is obvious that fans of the theater see her diatribe for what it is. Let's cheer more classic shows like this bringing joy back among the modern take on Capra-corn. I'm still coming down from the joy of the 2000 revival I saw in August of 2001 (fortunately with Rebecca Luker) and I know that the spirit of that revival (which helped me through 9/11 with the cast album) will be with me when I see it in March of next year.

[jo]

Sutton in her pre-Music Man show ( called ANYTHING GOES, on limited engagement till Oct 17) ) in London. She is the perfect replacement for the original lead (Megan Mullaly) -- what a wonderful gift to London when she agreed to come in and reprise her TONY-winning role.




When she returns to NYC to start rehearsals for THE MUSIC MAN, she doesn't need to do any furthering limbering exercises


I have a feeling we are going to see a very different Marian the Librarian on Broadway...and I am excited for it.


Jo

[jo]

I cannot understand why some parts of the world have become so divisive that a creative art is now the subject of political views

[jo]

Jul 9, 2021 14:45:43 GMT -5 jo said:

Barry Diller ( who I did not know had a history in filmmaking as studio boss - including CEO/Chairman at Paramount and FOX, mentoring other execs who became film moguls themselves) expresses his opinions of movies made for streaming --


deadline.com/2021/07/barry-diller-streamer-movies-sun-valley-allen-1234789032/#comments


Btw, now it makes sense that he can take over as the guiding lead producer ( including not just the show's financial stability but also overseeing, at his level, the creative and production aspects) of The Music Man after Rudin's departure.


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Diller

Maybe that was why Hugh's statement about "rebuilding the production" after the departure of Scott Rudin were not just brave words but one of a vote of confidence that the team of lead producers/executive producer who will oversee day-to-day/creatives and cast can give us a memorable and spectacular revival of The Music Man?


Jo

[jo]

In relation to news that West Side Story has been granted subsidy funds to reopen, there is also some mention of The Music Man ( although not as a recipient of a subsidy) --

broadwayjournal.com/west-side-story-hangmen-get-sba-funds-to-reopen-hamilton-secures-50-million/

‘WEST SIDE STORY,’ ‘HANGMEN’ GET SBA FUNDS TO RESUME PERFORMANCES; ‘HAMILTON’ SECURES $50 MILLION
July 12, 2021 by Philip Boroff

Ivo van Hove’s video-heavy revival of West Side Story, which was originally produced by Scott Rudin and opened a month before Broadway was shuttered, has scored a $10 million Small Business Administration grant to reopen.

A person familiar with the production said it will imminently announce when it will resume, along with who will oversee it. Following multiple reports alleging that Rudin abused his staff, the producer has said that he’s stepping back from the entertainment business. There’d been industry speculation that the musical, which was capitalized at $16 million and received mixed reviews, would not return.



The federal program to revive live entertainment has given producers more options after a devastating 16 months. Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen, which said a week after Broadway went dark that it would not open, received $3.5 million, according to SBA data posted online.

The dark comedy, which was capitalized at $4.75 million and co-produced by the Atlantic Theatre Co., had played just 13 previews at the Golden Theatre when producers pulled the plug. Spokesmen for the play didn’t respond to emails late Monday about plans to return.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program is intended to be a lifeline for the decimated live performance industry, “for entities that are currently operating or intend to resume full operations,” the SBA said in a primer in April 2021. In seeking awards, applicants must complete a “certification of need” and the SBA suggests the following language: “If it receives a grant, [name of entity] intends to reopen on [date] or sooner, as conditions and restrictions permit.”

Demonstrating need is easier for some than others. Last month, the SBA disclosed that the Broadway production and two tours of Hamilton were awarded a total of $30 million. On Monday, two other Hamilton tours got $10 million each, for a total of $50 million for the acclaimed blockbuster.

Originally produced by Rudin, Aaron Sorkin’s To Kill a Mockingbird, a top-grossing play, got a $10 million grant. It’s scheduled to resume performances on Oct. 5, with Jeff Daniels returning as Atticus Finch.

A new revival of The Music Man, previously led by Rudin and starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, is scheduled to begin previews on Dec. 20. Rudin’s partners, Barry Diller and David Geffen, hired a British theater leader, Kate Horton, to be its executive producer. (Diller and Geffen are also lead producers of West Side Story. ) The Book of Mormon, Rudin’s biggest Broadway hit, is slated to return to Broadway on Nov. 5, with Anne Garefino as the sole lead producer.

The SBA hasn’t disclosed funds for Music Man or Book of Mormon. The agency said it’s awarded $5 billion of Shuttered Venue grants to-date and made decisions on 86 percent of the applications it’s received.

Harry Potter, Moulin Rouge!, the Tina Turner Musical and Jagged Little Pill are among the Broadway productions that received $10 million awards.

[jo]

Apropos to the above -- there has been an article from The Washington Post saying that most shows are not finding too much of a financial success at the box office so far. Can't reproduce the full article due to subscription wall.

From a BWW post --

www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/broadway-comeback-new-york-recovery-covid/2021/07/09/d369adce-d506-11eb-ae54-515e2f63d37d_story.html

Sixth paragraph in article...not very uplifting!

"After an initial box-office boom, insiders say, ticket sales for many shows have leveled off, and Broadway producers need about 90 percent of all seats to be sold to make money. Confided one longtime producer: “I think what’s going to happen is a lot of shows will open, and there just won’t be audience to fill them.” Part of the problem is that international tourists, who make up about one-third of the Broadway audience, are not expected back soon."

[jo]

Have they been rehearsing this pose since 2014

http://instagram.com/p/COsMfKxjmzu

Keep swiping

[jo]

[jo]

From the movie -- can't wait to see it performed on stage

[jo]

Jul 16, 2021 3:46:35 GMT -5 jo said:

[jo]

Hugh's appearance on the Colbert show provided publicity for both REMINISCENCE & THE MUSIC MAN --

Jul 16, 2021 9:53:22 GMT -5 jo said:

Interesting about the choice of clip and Hugh's reference on Bannister's obsessive search for the woman he loved in REMINISCENCE!

Hugh's character seemed pummeled in the action scenes -- all he had to go through to find Mae!

In the Black List winning script ( w/c may have been modified), Nick is even supposed to have lost one of his teeth
He was going to suffer physically as he went into the harsh Miami "underworld" ( LOL - where the modern word meaning of "underworld" makes me think of the Greek mythology's Hades underworld -- again the inspiration from the story of Orpheus and Eurydice -- Orpheus's quest for his lost love). I am beginning to think that screenwriter/director Lisa Joy really took that mythical storyline to heart!

How many would have appreciated that? The clip shown was about the action thriller aspect -- maybe even suggested by WarnerBros to attract audiences ( less emphasis on the sci-fi...and Hugh adding the emphasis on the obsessive love in the interview)!

Btw, Black Widow with ScarJo in another action tentpole has been setting summer box office records -- and WarnerBros had the wisdom to have the Reminiscence trailer placed in those screenings!

But his appearance in Colbert's show seems more slanted towards The Music Man! The show deserves it! And in effect this is the first public performance of Hugh shown tap-dancing and doing the RockIsland overture -- actually pre-empting any other show in being hailed publicly ( thru TV) as the return of Broadway

JO