Clive Barnes today muses over what is definitely coming, what might be coming, and what most definitely is not coming to Broadway from across the pond in the West End.

In the “definite” category, we begin with Billy Elliot the Musical. As reported here before, the Elton John/Lee Hall tuner is scheduled to see the lights of Broadway in just a few days. Also on the schedule is the campy send up of the Alfred Hitchcock classic The 39 Steps (pictured) set to begin previews in December. Although there is no set date, the internet has been abuzz with the news that Daniel Radcliffe will strip reprise his well received role in Equus sometime late next year.

In the “maybe” category are Dirty Dancing and David Storey’s In Celebration. The former is scheduled for an American tour, although there are no definite plans for it to land on the Great White Way. The latter is a family drama currently running at the Duke of York’s theatre, starring Orlando Bloom. Having received good reviews, the show is could be a candidate for a Broadway transfer, but nothing definite has been set.

The biggest (literally) transfer question is seen in the epic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings. The original staging in Toronto was left a bloodied mess by critics. It seems to be faring better in London, but given the recent quick demises of such behemoths as The Pirate Queen and Coram Boy, it would be a gigantic risk to bring Bilbo and company over.

So until we have more answers, we know we can look forward to the dancing son of a miner, spy-evading train-top chases and a look into the mind of a boy with an Equine love/hate complex.

1 Comment to “From West End to Broadway?”

1. Steve On Broadway (SOB) — September 12, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
   

   And now we’re left wondering whether Michael Grandage’s wonderful “Guys And Dolls” will be coming after all.

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