Rialto Chatter: Is DUMBO the Next Disney Musical Headed to Broadway?March 3, 2010There may soon be a new Disney neighbor on the Great White Way, Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning. According to his report, Disney Theatricals has begun making plans to bring 'Dumbo' to the stage, the classic children's story about a baby elephant born with oversized ears that allow him to fly, making him the target of ridicule amongst his peers.
Rialto Chatter: Classic Stage's VENUS IN FUR Headed to Broadway?March 2, 2010The New York Times is reporting that the Classic Stage Company's critically-acclaimed production of VENUS IN FUR, a new play by David Ives and directed by Walter Bobbie, may be headed to the Great White Way. Featuring Nina Arianda and Wes Bentley, the production has received two extension off-Broadway and will now run through Sunday, March 28. VENUS IN FUR has now become the longest-running production in CSC's 42 year history.
Rialto Chatter: Weisslers to Take THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS to Bway?February 26, 2010THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, the highly anticipated new Kander and Ebb musical now in previews at the Vineyard Theatre, may be preparing itself for a Broadway transfer as early as this season, pending the availability of a theater. Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that heavy-hitting producers Fran and Barry Weissler have invested $400,000 into THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, and writes that 'If the reviews are strong, they'll move it to a small Broadway house, very possibly before this year's Tony cutoff date, should a theater become available.'
RIALTO CHATTER: Lea Michele to Return to Broadway?February 22, 2010The New York Post is reporting Lea Michele may be returning to Broadway in a role specifically crafted for the GLEE actress. The musical, entitled Speargrove Presents, surrounds a Texas high school attempting to put on a production of Rent, and their fight in order to get the show produced.
RIALTO CHATTER: The Edge Says SPIDER-MAN a GoFebruary 19, 2010According to U2's The Edge, SPIDER-MAN is poised for a fall 2010 opening, as has been speculated. 411.com reports that a productive creative meeting with all of the principles took place yesterday, February 18, and that new lead producer Michael Cohl is rapidly getting funds in place.
RIALTO CHATTER: Diana DeGarmo & Ace Young to Join New HAIR Cast on Broadway?February 8, 2010As HAIR readies for its Broadway makeover and London premiere, rumors are beginning to swirl as to which current cast members will be settling in across the pond and which new faces will be gracing the Broadway production. The newest reports out suggest that American Idol alumni Ace Young (season 5's seventh runner up) and Diana DeGarmo (season 3 runner up) are among the new picks for the Broadway replacement cast. No official announcement has been made by the production, although it is expected that casting announcements for London and New York are imminent, as the new Broadway performers go into rehearsal in the coming weeks.
Neil Patrick Harris Headed Back to Broadway in BARNUM?February 5, 2010According to Popeater.com, Neil Patrick Harris may be heading from the small screen back to the Great White Way to star as P.T. Barnum in the musical BARNUM, about the famed showman. According to the site, Harris is the first and only choice for the role.
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT to Open on Broadway March 6, 2011?February 4, 2010According to an equity casting notice, the West End hit, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, will open on Broadway at a house to be announced on March 6, 2011. According to the same notice, the production will first play the Prince of Wales Theater in Toronto, with previews beginning October 12, 2010.
RIALTO CHATTER: NEXT TO NORMAL Part of Broadway San Diego's Season; Show to TourJanuary 31, 2010According to a new season announcement from Broadway/San Diego, a National tour of the Broadway sensation 'Next To Normal' is headed to the Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego for a limited engagement run from January 18 to 23, 2011. The announcement from Broadway/San Diego reads, 'And don't miss NEXT TO NORMAL; a thrilling emotional powerhouse about a loving family trying to take care of themselves and each other; the acclaimed, groundbreaking musical "that pushes Broadway in new directions" (Rolling Stone)."
RIALTO CHATTER: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE in Extension Talks?January 26, 2010According to a report from the New York Times, the Broadway revival of A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE may extend past it's closing date of April 4. A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is housed at the Cort theater, which is scheduled to house the revival of August Wilson's FENCES starting April 14, which would mean BRIDGE would most likely have to transfer theatres to stay open. Executives involved in BRIDGE said moving would be costly, as would trying to arrange for FENCES to move, as most Broadway houses are booked for the spring as of now.
Rialto Chatter: Steve Martin's 'Leap of Faith' Boadway-Bound by Ashford?January 20, 2010Michael Riedel reveals this morning that a likely Broadway-bound musical adaptation of Leap of Faith (based off of the 1992 film starring Steve Martin) had an industry reading last week starring Raul Esparza as the preacher, Sutton Foster, and Kendra Kassebaum. The musical workshop, featuring a score by Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermain composer Alan Menken and lryics by Glenn Slater, had Promises, Promises director/choreographer Rob Ashford at the helm. Janus Cercone, who authored the original screenplay also penned the musical book.
RIALTO CHATTER: Cumming Confirms: More Delays for SPIDER-MAN January 11, 2010Broadway vet Alan Cumming, who is set to star as the Green Goblin in Broadway's upcoming SPIDER-MAN: Turn off the Dark, told the New York Times on Saturday that the show will indeeed experience further delays. Though the show's official website claims that previews are set to begin on February 25, Cumming tells the Times at a TimesTalk event this weekend (as part of the paper's annual Arts & Leisure Weekend), 'No one's going to be there that day. We're just waiting.'