Show History

History

Inspiration


Road Show tells the story of real-life brothers, Addison and Wilson Mizner, as they adventures across America from the beginning of the 20th century during the Alaskan Gold rush to the Florida real estate boom in the 1920s.

Productions


Road Show premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop from October through November 1999 under the title Wise Guys. It was directed by Sam Mendes and starred Nathan Lane and Victor Garber as brothers Addison Mizner and Wilson Mizner.

In 2003, a substantially rewritten version, retitled Bounce,  opened on June 20, 2003 at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The production was directed by Harold Prince, with choreography by Michael Arnold, set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Miguel Angel Huidor, and lighting design by Howell Binkley.

A new production of the musical, this time titled Road Show, rewritten without an intermission, opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theatre's Newman Theater in previews on October 28, 2008. Road Show officially opened on November 18, and closed December 28, 2008. John Doyle was the director and designer.

Road Showthen went to London, where it began previews at the Menier Chocolate Factory on June 24, 2011, and opened on July 6. It closed on September 18. John Doyle again directed the production.

The US regional premier opened at Stages Repertory Theater in Houston, Texas on May 22, 2013, directed by Kenn McLaughlin.

Road Show came back to Chicago in 2014, where it played at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. It opened on March 13 and starred Andrew Rothenberg as Wilson and Michael Aaron Lidner as Addison.

Cultural Influence

  • An original cast recording of the 2003 version (then titled Bounce) was released on May 4, 2004 by Nonesuch Records.
  • An original cast recording of the 2008 Public Theater production was made by PS Classics and Nonesuch Records, and was released on June 30, 2009.
  • Authors Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman are known for creating on challenging, outside-the-box musicals like Road Show. There previous collaborations include Assassins and Pacific Overtures.

Trivia

  • Authors Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman moved through 3 titles before finally landing on the fourth, Road Show. The previous titles were Bounce, Wise Guys and GOLD!
  • The 2003 Goodman Theatre production starred Richard Kind (Addison Mizner), Howard McGillin (Wilson Mizner), Jane Powell (Mama Mizner), Herndon Lackey (Papa Mizner/Businessman/Englishman/Plantation Owner/Armstrong/Real Estate Owner), Gavin Creel (Hollis Bessemer), and Michele Pawk (Nellie).
  • The 2008 Public Theater cast featured Michael Cerveris and Alexander Gemignani playing brothers Wilson and Addison Mizner respectively, Alma Cuervo as Mama, Claybourne Elder as Hollis, and William Parry as Papa.