Variety: "If there's a formula for producing a Broadway play that makes it into the black, 'A View From the Bridge' seems to be adhering to it.
Take a well-known title, add a buzz-drawing celeb name with about a dozen weeks to commit to a show's run and make some quick coin from a limited engagement. Recent proofs of the theorem include Jude Law + 'Hamlet,' Katie Holmes + 'All My Sons' and Angela Lansbury + 'Blithe Spirit.'"
2 comments:
This is a great example of how on-the-spot theatre can be. Plans can change so quickly when your production revolves around high-profile celebrities, directors, or even designers. I can't imagine what the rush was like when the producers first found out about the scheduling conflicts. The play will probably sell out every night though with Liev Schrieber and Scarlet Johannson in the lead roles. It's a fast-paced business sometimes, and the logistics of changing dates for rehearsal spaces, performance space, and crew scheduling must have been quite a headache. Not to mention the costume and scenic build being pushed up so far.
This year I have been surprised how Broadway seems to run on big names to sell tickets. Scarlet Johansson and Liev Schrieber are both great actors and I usually like seeing their work in movies. I just don't know how their talent will translate to a live performance. Even though they are such great actors I just do not agree with having big names sell tickets. Most people going to New York for vacation want to see a fun musical like Legally Blonde, not an Arthur Miller play. Are big names the only way that more serous theatre with dialogue will be on Broadway? It is just sad. I also agree with Chapel, it seems hard to believe that everything could be turned out so quickly.
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