New Sondheim Musical Finally Opening This Fall, Directed by John Doyle

Playbill is reporting that casting notices have appeared for Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s looonnnng-delayed musical Bounce, which is now scheduled to open at the Public Theater in October. The musical, about turn-of-the-century confidence men the Mizner brothers, has a checkered development history; Sondheim started working on it in 1996, and since then it’s gone through two workshops, a legal battle with Scott Rudin, a roadblock from Roger Berlind, several different leading men, two different directors (Sam Mendes and Hal Prince), three titles (previously, Wise Guys and Gold!), and a modestly received premiere at the Goodman in Chicago. Nonetheless, a new Sondheim show in New York is always worth cheering about, especially when directed by the new king of Sondheim, John Doyle, whose revivals of Sweeney Todd and Company set the bar pretty high. We’re officially excited!

Sondheim and Weidman’s Bounce Will Bow at Public Theater This Fall [Playbill]