Some Shows Must Go On? From Timothee Chalamet to Eden Espinosa, Who Can We Still Be Ready to See On Stage in a Post-Pandemic Theater World?
As the theater world continues to shake off the dust of the shut down, we are slowly but surely finding out the fate of shows that were put on hold for the past few years.
Today alone we have good news, and we have bad news. (Which do you want first?)
Let's start off with the bad news: The Old Vic Theatre's production of 4000 Miles - set to be led by mega-stars Timothee Chalamet and Eileen Atkins - as been officially canceled.
This production was originally set to begin performances in London on April 6th of 2020; the show was then postponed to open its curtains in the Summer of this year.. And unfortunately, as of today, it has been called off completely.
The production of Amy Herzog's play would have been Chalamet's London stage debut.
Timothee Chalamet- "Dune" UK Special Screening - Red Carpet Arrivals
Disappointed audience members are being alerted to the cancellation as we speak. The official statement, which was sent out to many, seems to cite scheduling conflicts with the cast as a primary reason for the ultimate cancelation of the show. It stated plainly:
"Following its postponement due to the pandemic, and despite an enormous amount of effort from all involved, we have now sadly and reluctantly concluded that we are unable to reschedule the show at a time possible for everyone involved...It's been a long journey to get to this point and despite two years of trying hard to make it work, it has proved impossible. We're sorry not to have better news, and we want to thank you for your continued patience and understanding."
The delays and ultimate cancellation likely had something to do with the filming of the Chalemet-led movie Wonka, which has been pushed back several times due to Covid-19-relatied complications.
While it is sad to see some shows go without ever getting to opening night, others have come back ready and raring to go after the closure.
(Yes, now it is time for the good news)
The new musical Lempika is finally set to make its long-awaited appearance on the La Jolla Playhouse stage. The musical, chronicling the facinating life of the artist Tamara de Lempicka.
The musical had its world premiere back at Williamstown Theater Festival in the year 2018. It was set to make its way to La Jolla Playhouse in 2020; naturally, pandemic complications got in the way.
Eden Espinoza, the stage veteran who was the original Elphaba standby in the Broadway production of Wicked and originated the role of Lempika at the premiere, will travel with the show to the playhouse alongside Rachel Chavkin, the show's original director.
The show will begin previews on June 14th, and officially open on June 25th.
La Jolla Playhouse, similarly to the Old Vic Theatre, sent out a statement regarding the pandemic and the upcoming show. This statement, however, contained more uplifting contents.
"After a long pandemic pause, it is an honor to mount this stunning new musical at the Playhouse. Lempicka tells the story of a woman who defiantly sets her own course amid the political turmoil and cultural repression of 1920s Europe, and I cannot wait to see this stellar company share her fascinating journey on our stage."
We are glad to know that theater is back up and running after this prolongued ghost-lit time we have been facing.
