Shows beaten down in the Broadway bloodbath have begun looking across the Atlantic for safety. Last year saw a shocking fifteen Broadway shows post extremely early closing notices. Even those hailed as theatrical triumphs failed to survive, including the immensely popular musicals Spring Awakening and Legally Blonde. Spring Awakening swept the board at the prestigious Tony Awards in 2007 and even won a Grammy for its Broadway cast recording. However, despite its heaps of acclaim and international following, it announced early closure in November and the curtain fell for the last time in January this year.
Legally Blonde was also an instant smash when it opened in April 2007. Its popularity with America’s teenagers was so widespread, the auditions to find a replacement for leading lady Laura Bell Bundy were broadcast on MTV. In October last year, Legally Blonde unexpectedly posted its notices and closed its only two weeks later. The winner of the MTV talent search had only been playing the role of Elle Woods for three months. Plans for a London transfer were immediately shelved.
Meanwhile, London’s biggest shows were enjoying a blockbuster year, with both We Will Rock You and Wicked breaking West End ticket sales records in December. It seems that Broadway producers are seeing the sense in putting on shows where, even during economic tough times, people are still willing to spend money on live entertainment. Spring Awakening arrived in London earlier this year and played an ecstatically received, sold out season at the Lyric Hammersmith before transferring to the Novello this week. Possibly inspired by Spring Awakening’s success, the case for a London production of Legally Blonde was reopened. Performances will now begin at the Savoy Theatre on 5 December this year. Hopefully both will get the decent innings in London that they deserved in New York.
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