Extra! Extra!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Disney have announced that it's production of 'Newsies' is now no longer on a limited run. The show will now run indefinitely.
In just five weeks it has taken nearly $8M and is hotly tipped Tony success.

New bookings are now open until Jan 2013.

[Mark_E]

I really hope we get this in London. If it wins the Tony I see no reason it couldn't open on a limited three month run here.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Like has been said before, UK audiences have no association with Newsies and this part of American history. Its not a know thing in the UK. OK yes it maybe a Tony winning musical but still....

[Musical-Matt]

when ever i mention the disney film to anyone or the musical they look at me blankly!!!

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Exactly!

[Musical-Matt]

seeing as we never had newsies in this country i think this show is not viable. like i said not even I knew the film before the musical and since then i have gone back and watched it. a very prominant point in american history but not one i think the brits would grasp.

[Phantom of London]

Good shows have a habit of coming over to the West End, however there are a few exceptions, one of these is 'Aida' also done by Disney.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

It wasnt that good!

[Jonwo]

Disney will do the US National tour first before attempting to bring the show over to other countries, the film not being well known is going to make it a harder sell compared to their previous shows, even Aida has name recognition due to the opera.

[Phantom of London]

I don't subscribe to this prognostication that because it is not well known here, the show will fail, if the book, score and marketing is good it will stand a reasonable chance.

Gaston Leroux book of The Phantom of the Opera wasn't well known.
Victor Hugo's book of Les Miserable wasn't well known and The Four Seasons weren't massive here too, but Jersey Boys is holding its own.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

'The Phantom Of The Opera' and 'Les Miserables' are both classics of literature and have been well known and read in the UK for decades long before they were downgraded to musicals!!!.

The Four Seasons have been huge in the UK for decades also, maybe your just a little too young to recognize their past fame and fortune.

[Musical-Matt]

i agree with mama on this point. i have read a lot of classic books that have been adapted into musicals and all of them classic pieces of literature. also even I know the four seasons had a big career over her!! my mum saw them when she was pregnant with me! she met frankie!!!

[Jonwo]

Phantom's not a good example because the show had Andrew Lloyd Webber behind it and he was on a hot streak after Cats, Song and Dance and Starlight Express. Plus with Phantom, a lot of films had been made based on the book and also another stage musical by Ken Hill.

Would Hairspray count, the film is more a cult classic but the stage musical and the 2007 film was very well received in the UK and was very successful although it probably helped Michael Ball was in it as Edna,

[TBFL]

Aida on stage is a complete snoozefest..... decent enough score, but appalling book.

[Phantom of London]

How many people who have seen The Phantom Of The Opera and Les Miserables would of read the original book?

The four Seasons were big, but not massive, musicals have been made on bands/singers considered to be massive and they have flopped.

[Jonwo]

If Disney plan to bring Newsies beyond North America, they should rerelease the film on DVD/Blu-Ray as there isn't a Region 2 version.

Even though I think it's a hard sell to UK audiences, I would love to see come over. Disney haven't had a new West End production since Mary Poppins in 2004!

[Musical-Matt]

Sorry POL I disagree on this one

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Listening to the cast recording, this is yet another wonderful Menken score.
Classy, old school Broadway.
Thrilling.

[Jonwo]

I agree it's a great score, my favourite songs are The World will Know and Seize the Day. I do hope this show transfers to London but I'm not keeping my hopes up.

[loliveve]

I don't think you really have to be familiar with the movie... "Newsies" was a flop at the box office in America, and most people aren't familiar with the movie, and their first exposure to the music is via the musical. Although it's based on an "American" true story, I think the underlying story of child labor rights is easily transferred to the West End.

[Nickhutson]

Nah - the movie is popular in the US; it's sold hugely well on the VHS market and then DVD. It certainly had its fans. Alas - that's not the case here.

The show will never come here.

[ClapYo'Hands]

I think that's a bit premature isn't it? ^^

[loliveve]

There is a fanbase, but I think it took several years for the film to develop into its cult status. I don't think it has the status of a "popular movie" considering many aren't familiar with the film the lead actor basically pretends it never happened and doesn't want to be associated with it.