Book of Mormon, Dear Evan Hansen intl premieres
Good morning (or afternoon) world!
We’re back with our bi-weekly newsletter! As a reminder, in pulling the latest global theatre headlines for you, I try to balance what I think a predominantly Western commercial theatre readership might value: what titles are successful, where, by who, and why? Some of the how, the nuts and bolts of licensing and/or producing, I dip into in asides mixed in with the news. Natalie-isms, if you will. Now buckle up, there’s a lot to cover.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
“The Book of Mormon” chooses Spain as first international licensed production — The first time the show will be produced outside the Broadway production, what looks like a replica license + the cast was recently announced on Instagram.
“Jagged Little Pill” chooses Iceland as first international licensed production to premiere February 2024 — With my friends at the City Theatre of Reykjavík!! Who’s coming with me?
“Dear Evan Hansen” chooses Korea as first international licensed production to premiere in March 2024 — most likely a replica production, casting is now underway.
The wildly popular return of “Hadestown” Korea being remounted in 2024
Now casting for Korean premiere of Disney’s “Aladdin” — Listen… I know you have questions and US-colored glasses about race and casting plans, but I would urge a deeper dive into the history of the local theatre scene (Dreamgirls and Aida and the currently running Memphis (!!) included) and what Western authors and licensors agree is acceptable for their title before looking to blame or police a locality. Is your work represented by a licensor who’s willing to have and plan for these nuanced, difficult discussions?
EUROPE
“The Phantom of the Opera” enjoys a healthy plethora of local and English language *replica* productions and global tours, including an Italian premiere now running starring Broadway and West End’s Ramin Karimloo, an upcoming Viennese return, and a now running Korean production
“The Spongebob Musical” UK Tour — included Drag Race UK star Divina de Campo as Plankton. Simply an inspired choice.
Disney Theatrical’s “Hercules” to make its German premiere in 2024.
New footage released of Staatstheater Kassel’s licensed “Next to Normal” which recently closed in Germany.
Producer Deep Bridge announced a return of the Flemish language “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in February next year in Antwerp. The show has a robust international licensing life and can also be seen currently in the Netherlands.
ASIA-PACIFIC
In a completely unique move, “Six” recently made its Korean premiere with an English UK cast followed by a Korean local language cast — Presented locally by IM Culture with original producers Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes, and George Stiles (the absence of Kevin McCollum’s name marks this as an offshoot of the original West End mothership, not the Broadway entity). But why they would choose this casting model in a flourishing local musical economy is a bizarre flex of time, money, and resources essentially running dual productions… An English-speaking sit-down is usually reserved as a stop for English-speaking international tours, so perhaps this was a tour test run? Regardless, an exciting, bold experiment in maximizing two different language audiences.
“Moulin Rouge” now playing in Japan hot off the heels of recent Korean production (replicas)
“Come From Away” to make Japanese premiere in 2024 and Korean premiere in November 2023.
MIDDLE EAST
“Matilda” international tour to play Dubai Opera House this October. The UAE has become a popular new stop for mid-size, English-language international tours including “West Side Story” and “Shrek.” (Abu Dhabi's larger Etihad Arena presents larger fare like “The Lion King” and “Hamilton” booked through Australia’s Michael Cassel.)
LATIN AMERICA
Happy 45th anniversary to the Mexican premiere of “No, No, Nanette” — Do not ask me about my one college credit requirement to stage manage a production of this where the director added his own song and scene to “fix” Act Two. My little legal licensing heart can’t take it.
“Come From Away” Argentinean production to premiere in Madrid in 2024 — We love cross-border production exchange and new non-US/UK/Australia production pipelines, we love to see it!!
BONUS: CANADA!
What I’m Reading: Myself!
I covered the Tony Awards and the impact of the WGA strike for Japan's "Stage Natalie" (no relation to myself, just a great name). The article is translated in Japanese which you can read here.
What I’m Listening To: The second-ever non-replica licensed production of “Wicked” (after the one I saw in Hamburg 2022) now playing in Brazil
Spotlight Show: Gutenberg The Musical
I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy, but why on earth the musical would have a coincidental Korean revival at the same time of a Broadway revival is just odd. I had no idea anyone even did this show abroad, but just goes to show you never know where your work will land and resonate!
Have a show or idea you want to expand abroad? Consider working with Natalie at Broadway DNA, just reply to this email and let’s chat!