Gerry to debut soon on Broadway?

[elenoire]

A few months ago, there was a tweet about Gerry doing a reading of Neil Labute play at his home in New York.

Today we have some more info, very interesting from the L'Uomo Vogue interview.
www.vogue.it/en/uomo-vogue/cover-story/2013/01/gerard-butler-cover
Quote from the article

"Our time is almost up and Butler is getting a little antsy: he is going to have to do a reading in an hour and wants to be perfectly focused. Tonight he will read a new play by Neil LaBute, and tomorrow he will interpret his role in front of the author himself. He confesses that he hopes to debut soon on Broadway. Indeed, he hails from the theatre: his first job was in Steven Berkoff’s “Coriolanus”, a great director who helped him immensely. Butler also loves the cinema, but there is nothing like the thrill of actually being on stage. It’s just like playing soccer, he says. You run onto the field and you can go anywhere, which means that maybe you screw up one time but succeed the next. Right now, scoring goals is all he thinks about."

We don't know if he still is attached to this project, but it's worth opening a thread


More about the play "Reasons to Be Pretty", scheduled for May 2013...

www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/neil-labute-direct-reasons-be-396121

Debuting in May, the world premiere is a companion piece to the playwright's Tony-nominated 2008 drama, "Reasons to Be Pretty."


NEW YORK -- Slapping what sounds like an ironic title on the work of one of America's most famously acidic contemporary playwrights, Neil LaBute will direct the world-premiere production of his new play, Reasons to Be Happy.

The MCC Theater Off Broadway production is scheduled to begin previews on May 16 for a June 23 opening at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. LaBute is currently Playwright-in-Residence at MCC, and has a fruitful relationship with the company dating back ten years.

His new play picks up three years down the line with the same quartet of characters from his critically lauded 2008 drama, Reasons to Be Pretty. Directed by Terry Kinney, that production transferred from the Lortel to Broadway and was nominated for three Tony Awards. It starred Thomas Sadoski, Marin Ireland, Steven Pasquale and Piper Perabo.

No casting has been announced for LaBute's companion piece, which explores the conflicting agendas and exploding emotions as Steph and Greg attempt a fresh start after their contentious breakup. That path is complicated by their tangled relationships with Steph's best friend Carly and her jealous ex-husband Kent.

The LaBute premiere replaces the previously announced production of John Pollono's Small Engine Repair in the MCC season. Slated to star Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead), that production has been delayed due to cast members' film schedule conflicts.

A screen adaptation of LaBute's play Some Girl(s) is currently in post-production, starring Adam Brody, Kristen Bell, Jennifer Morrison, Zoe Kazan and Emily Watson.

[Deleted]

I love the idea of Gerry doing a stage play right now. I think this would be a perfect break from filming and hopefully it will position him for some new dramatic movie roles.

I hope he gets the chance, but who knows maybe some HOT new movie project will turn up before he makes the decision to do a play. Crossing my fingers that he gets either a role in this play or a great new movie role. Hope we hear something soon.

[jhawk]

I don't see him not getting it, he is such a good actor and right now it would be great for him. I can see it succeeding and it becoming a movie with G starring in the movie as well as the play. I am so excited. I really hope he will do it and I think he is ready for that change. I hope he finds plenty of movie projects, but I hope he leaves room for this play. It would be so good for him. Yeah Gerry. I love this. Do it!!!!

[craven]

Keeping everything crossed would love to see you on Broadway, Mr. Butler. I feel trips to NYC in my future.

[Deleted]

Jan 9, 2013 21:40:41 GMT -5 ebronte said:

When would it open? This coming September! I hope this rumor is true!

According to that article this "production is scheduled to begin previews on May 16 for a June 23 opening at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. "

The average time of rehearsals for a play is over a span of 3 months so I think they would announce the cast by the end of February and rehearsals would start soon after to get ready for that preview on May 16th.

[Lily]

Gerard on Broadway !!!! This is the best news I've read in months!!!!!

[buckeyefan76]

I am so glad it was HIM that read for it! This would be so awesome.
It will cleanse his palate from movies. It will draw on his emotions and structure him. I think it will be challenging in a good way. He is always all over the place and this will make him focus his energies into making the back row feel his intensity.

[catty]

I love the idea of Gerry going back to the theatre, something to nourish his soul and get back to what started it all for him.

Wish it was the West End...

[kissthegirl]

Incredible news!!!!!!!

I would LOVE to see him do a play. I would be there in a heartbeat. I am really excited, and I hope this comes to pass. Great opportunity to stretch himself, to be seen differently, to be taken seriously, and to open up a whole new set of options.

Please, please, please, let him get this role!!!

[beacon1]

Hmmmm. Gerry on Broadway. It's been years since he's done stage work. I wonder if he needs to take some classes first. Stage Acting is a different animal. There are no re-takes. It's there. It's what it is. Whatever you said/did is right there.

I worry that his accent may do him in if he can't curb it down to be understandable at all times. Listen to his monologue on SNL. He was difficult to understand at points to those who aren't used to listening to him. And, yes, he was nervous but he'd be nervous on Broadway, too.

And, it is 8 shows a week. 6 days with two of them 2-show days. It is a really repetitive "grind". He seems to be a bit ADD and I wonder if the regimen would be uncomfortable for him.

I'm in no-way a Broadway maven but I've been to shows AND I've heard screen actors talk about the work when they take a shot at the stage. Julia Robert did a limited-run of "Three Days of Rain" a few years ago. She presented at the Tony's that season and she shared her profound professional respect for what she termed "ridiculously talented actors" who do Broadway under all the pressure of live performances multiple times week after week.

I think Gerry could do it if it were a limited run (which seems probable with a LeBute play), but it would take a lot of prep work and a lot of commitment (including abandoing any MG/party-boy-in NYC silliness.) This is real, hard, repetitive, live work. Your feedback is instantaneous and the critics do not mince words. After been panned recently ofr his film work, he needs to be prepared for what could be dismissed as "stunt casting" by a director and utter disdain from critics. The truth is, some actors do not translate well to stage. They just don't...and vice versa.

I've seen Amanda Peete and Katie Holmes on stage...it was not a pretty sight. Whereas I've also enjoyed Tony Roberts, Jill Clayburgh, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, and Patrick Wilson (Raoul from the POTO movie musical) in straight plays and they were breath-taking to watch. Those actors all do film, television and stage work with ease.

Sorry. I love Gerry but I worry that he's not in a place right now to do a top-notch performance on Broadway. Ya gotta have your head on straight and in the game. And, right now, his head does not appear to be anywhere near the game, professionally.

My two cents.

[galena]

When i've heard that Gerry would like to come back to stage i've been very happy...now,could you explicate me what kind of drama This mr Labute writes? maybe i misunderstand it,but,it seems a kind of drama like the rom com Gerry uses to do on movie.....

[kissthegirl]

Beacon...

Maybe this gig is just what the doctor ordered. A challenge for him to overcome, an outlet for his obsessive work ethic, a chance to get back to his roots, the opportunity to really find his acting chops and re-establish a disciplined routine.

I'm sure he has already considered the demands a stage role would make, and has decided he is up to the challenge. Perhaps he is even enjoying the idea of working his tail off, with the ADVANTAGE of having immediate feedback from a live audience, from which he could draw tremendous energy and enjoyment of the work.

Having seen Hugh Jackman in Boy from Oz, both in pre-opening and near-end performances, it was fantastic to see the growth in his stage presence and his skills. I think this is something Mr B could really benefit from, and he could find some new passion for performing.

If he were to take on an extended run, I might think differently. But a limited run of 3 months would, IMO, be a fantastic way for him to showcase a talent which I believe is under-rated by film critics.

And a few standing ovations from the crowd wouldn't hurt either. : )

[beacon1]

kissthegirl,

I totally agree that this would be a marvelous, humbling, exhilarating, craft-honing opportunity. A dramatic boot camp of sorts that could shake some skills out of Gerry that he's let get rusty or, perhaps, never really tapped into.

And, that immediate response to his performance would be a great barometer for him. Patrick Wilson has said that it's a real thrill to work with a live audience. Working with the audience and winning them over night after night. Patrick, however, did Region, Off-Broadway, and Broadway before he did his real "film" debut in HBO's "Angels in America". Since launching a successful film career he has returned twice to do "straight plays" on Broadway. And, he's always on the hunt for limited-run stage work to do between family obligations and film work.

I think that balance of stage and film work really helps an actor. I'm amazed when I see Patrick on film and in person that he can tailor his work so perfectly to the appropriate medium. (Can you tell I'm a fan of his?)

[Dianne]

This is exciting. Don't know if I'm make it to New York or not, it's doubtful but who knows, could take a road trip... anyway this is exciting and I think New York would be good for Gerry. He hasn't stayed in that beautiful loft of his for an extended period in a long time. Great news!

[am]

I think a play would be an excellent change for Gerry. He would probably be a little of out his element which would be good for him since he likes a challenge. It would also get him away from all the Hollywood BS for awhile and give him a new perspective for his craft. Gerry did not go to drama school, and I'm not saying you have to but I think the stage would be a good learning experience for him.

Don't know if anyone has seen the Oscar nominations...Audrey's girl, Jessica Chastain has a nomination for best actress in Zero Dark Thirty..and I believe she is on Broadway now. Also Bradley Cooper has a nomination for Silver Linings Playbook and I believe that he has done theater. I just think Gerry on Broadway may give some directors and producers a new respect for his talent.