American Idiot to the Nederlander ?
Broadway Beach Cleared for Green Day Invasion?
BROADWAY MAGAZINE - For those who saw the new revival of Brighton Beach Memoirs, it came as more than a little surprise that the production is closing after only 1 week. Excellent performances, solid direction, and a Broadway friendly script combined with positive reviews suggested a decent chance for success. Unfortunately, the production closes tonight 1 week after opening night. That means the Nederlander Theatre, former Broadway home of RENT, will be open soon…and with the San Francisco buzz at peak levels for the new Green Day musical American Idiot…odds seem strong that the Green Day show will soon occupy the space.
As a Green Day community member pointed out, Ira Pittelman, one of the producers of The Neil Simon Plays (Brighton Beach and Broadway Bound) is also a lead producer of American Idiot
The sudden Brighton Beach Memoirs closing, while convenient for American Idiot, could also undeservedly taint the legacy of Neil Simon and director David Cromer (who is already slated to stage Picnic on Broadway next season).
Green Day’s American Idiot is a juggernaut to be sure and has already made even the idea of U2’s Spider-Man feel quaint. The larger question is can Green Day out revolutionize the real revolutionary Fela Kuti? With the Broadway opening of Fela! approaching, the Kuti musical may end up being the real Broadway revolutionary this season. If AI does land at the Nederlander, would a perceived take-out of Mr. Simon’s plays haunt the show with Broadway’s old guard? What do you think?
Source.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE - For those who saw the new revival of Brighton Beach Memoirs, it came as more than a little surprise that the production is closing after only 1 week. Excellent performances, solid direction, and a Broadway friendly script combined with positive reviews suggested a decent chance for success. Unfortunately, the production closes tonight 1 week after opening night. That means the Nederlander Theatre, former Broadway home of RENT, will be open soon…and with the San Francisco buzz at peak levels for the new Green Day musical American Idiot…odds seem strong that the Green Day show will soon occupy the space.
As a Green Day community member pointed out, Ira Pittelman, one of the producers of The Neil Simon Plays (Brighton Beach and Broadway Bound) is also a lead producer of American Idiot
The sudden Brighton Beach Memoirs closing, while convenient for American Idiot, could also undeservedly taint the legacy of Neil Simon and director David Cromer (who is already slated to stage Picnic on Broadway next season).
Green Day’s American Idiot is a juggernaut to be sure and has already made even the idea of U2’s Spider-Man feel quaint. The larger question is can Green Day out revolutionize the real revolutionary Fela Kuti? With the Broadway opening of Fela! approaching, the Kuti musical may end up being the real Broadway revolutionary this season. If AI does land at the Nederlander, would a perceived take-out of Mr. Simon’s plays haunt the show with Broadway’s old guard? What do you think?
Source.