Finding Neverland in delays

[AnythingGoes23]

Its expected the show will delay until Autumn 2013 at the earliest now.

[AddisonMizner]

Why is this? Are they doing extensive re-writes or is it because of theatre availability?

[DeNada]

Surely that's going to count out Rosalie Craig? She's Tweeted that Light Princess got the green light recently, so if she's still attached to that and it's opening in 2013 I would have thought she'd be committed to it.

I guess the Weinsteins could throw money at her agent, but it depends on how much she wants to do the show.

[Princeton Returns]

I thought they were heading to the Savoy, but maybe they want a bigger theatre.

Julian had been hinting in tweets that a future was assured so maybe something has changed

It also wouldnt surprise me if they want to replace Rosalie with a bigger name (e.g. Gwyneth) who would be more likely to commit to a West End run and not the out of town try out.

[lotiloti]

It certainly needs major rewrites. I also think they need a director, with a little more imagination.

[Scripps2]

I was emailed a survey asking me to mark everything (lyrics, music, sets, choreography etc) on a scale from 1 to 10, which seemed a bit desperate - like asking the audience to substitute for any lack of vision on the part of the creative team.

[ClapYo'Hands]

That does sound really odd!

[sparepart973]

If it means they intend to do major re-writes, then the delay will probably just be in favor of the new production.

It needs a lot of work. Emotionally I found it very unsatisfying. Visually it was pretty good but I thought the final scene with the flying was unnecessary and just too commercial and sensational.

[vassey]

A survey for an out of town tryout isn't a new thing. A few months after the Stratford run of Matilda, I recieved a huge survey requesting my opinion on EVERYTHING, cast, script, music, individual songs, logo....

[Scarywarhol]

Frankel/Korie's Grey Gardens made enormous changes on the way to Broadway; they're one songwriting team that is obviously willing to sacrifice what doesn't work to make a great whole. We ended up with the most intelligent score written for an American musical in a very, very long time.

[AddisonMizner]

Harvey Weinstein in Talks to Bring FINDING NEVERLAND to Broadway in 2013-14


The new musical FINDING NEVERLAND just premiered in Leicester on September 22, and according to the New York Times, lead producer Harvey Weinstein is looking to bring the show to Broadway in the 2013-14 season.

Weinstein told NYT: “Everyone pretty much concurred that it’s Act I that needs fixing, the first 20 minutes especially, as we figure out the best ways to introduce the characters, set up their relationships.” He continued: “I wanted to take a new risk artistically. The Leicester run was a humbling experience for me, and a good one, because now we know what to fix and are excited to have the chance.”


Read the full article here (makes for interesting reading):

http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/theater/another-multiplex-multitasker.html?_r=2&


Originally reported:

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Harvey-Weinstein-in-Talks-to-Bring-FINDING-NEVERLAND-to-Broadway-in-2013-14-20121101

[AddisonMizner]

I found this statement interesting in the NY Times article:


"Mr. Weinstein said. He also blamed himself for cutting a character, played by Dustin Hoffman in the movie, who provided bursts of humor.

“That character gave the production levity, so restoring him is one of the first things we’ll try,” Mr. Weinstein said."


I have not seen the original film, so do not know to which character he is referring, but it seems the creative team are going all-out to make changes, which can only be a good thing surely?

[Phantom of London]

Its a strange one alright! Are the lead producers out with the collection bowl to get those elusive chequies.

It is very strange why The London Palladium knocked this back and took on temporary runs of Scrooge and A Chorus Line instead, The Shaftsbury seems to of knocked this one into the long grass also, preferring to take on a temporary run of 'Burn The Floor', also the show was linked to the much smaller Savoy a few weeks back, but they seem not to want to go near this with a barge pole.

This is definitely the mega-musical no one wants.

[AnythingGoes23]

The theatres would take it, but the production isn't ready to commit. After pulling wisely out of the Palladium deal themselves back in September, they chose to open and wait. Since that period theatres have been snapped up by producers simply putting ink to paper and money to banks to confirm theatres.

The only chance Finding Neverland has of coming is still The Savoy or if another show shutters early, the only real chance being The Bodyguard which is highly unlikely during its first booking period. Until then, it's the Autumn which too is looking slim pickings theatre wise.

An outsider said they are gagging for the Victoria Palace for Autumn next year...

[Jonwo]

Victoria Palace? Guessing Billy Elliot is looking to close sometime next year. Can't see the Adelphi being free either. The Savoys looking like the only option, is Cabaret going to extend if FN doesn't secure the Savoy?

[Phantom of London]

I was at Cabaret Thursday evening and was surprised to see the stalls sold out.

[AnythingGoes23]

Upper Circle is frequently closed and those patrons ushered into stalls to fill