Glory Days Yet To Come This Broadway Season?
Glory Days Yet To Come This Broadway Season?Word is that the Washington DC-area Signature Theatre is "aiming" for its first-ever transfer to Broadway.
Earlier this year, Signature's artistic director and founder Eric Schaeffer helmed Glory Days, a little musical by real-life buds Nick Blamiere and James Gardiner about four friends' experience one year beyond high school.
Now, barely a month after its one-month world premiere Signature engagement concluded, Glory Days could be resurrected for a Broadway berth at the Circle in the Square just in time for the final days of the 2007-08 Theatrical Season and possible contention in the Tonys.
Clearly proud of the young talent behind the show, Schaeffer affectionately wrote this about the musical:
Broadway is overcrowded with movie and book adaptations, with barely an original musical in sight. I am proud of Signature's commitment and support of new works and young writers. Too often in today's world of theater, few are given the chance — or the encouragement -- to find their own voices. I am proud to have encouraged and inspired the talent you will be witnessing.So now in a season originally hamstrung by disappointing big musicals, it turns out that with Xanadu, Passing Strange, In The Heights and now Glory Days, this is quickly becoming the year of the little musical with oversized hearts. And for three out of four to be completely original, suddenly creativity is alive and well and welcome once more.
So tonight, enjoy these fresh, new voices as we keep original theater alive. I could not be more proud of the exciting work that has been produced on the Signature stages this season.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Broadway, Eric Schaeffer, First Word On New Show, Glory Days, Musical, Transfer, Washington DC
posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, March 19, 2008
4 Comments:
My friend was telling me about this last night. Apparently one of the book writers is in CRY BABY. Funny how creative endeavors tend to sometimes explode all at once for some theatre artisans.
Of course, when she told me it was about 4 high schoolers reuniting after 1 year, I aid: "Great, another show for zygotic actors! Ya know what, I'm gonna write a show for us older actors."
Her response? "That would be FOLLIES!" :)
Alicia, Thanks for giving me a great laugh this morning.
Of course, if all these young skulls can bring something new to the theatre, along with their peers, I'm all for it.
And Andrew C. Call who was terrific in Glory Days is also in the ensemble of Cry Baby.
I'm still shocked at the news, since I assumed MAYBE it will get a chance Off-Broadway, and while I still think a little re-working needs to be done, I REALLY enjoyed it and it'll be nice to see more people get to experience this little gem.
Still, I'm wondering if it's a bit too small in scope for the bigger Broadway stage. Part of what was great was the intimacy of seeing Glory Days in a small space where you felt like you were quietly joining the guys on that night.
Vance, At least you can take heart that it's being aimed for the Circle in the Square, which with its thrust stage is arguably the best Broadway theatre for intimate experiences.
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