But is his hotness APPROPRIATE?
Doesn't seem to be a new thread so.....voila!
by Anonymous | reply 311 | June 28, 2024 11:53 AM |
Old thread:
Offsite Link
by Anonymous | reply 1 | June 22, 2024 1:41 PM |
Thank you for the new thread, OP!
What's next for DL Fave Corey Stoll? Anyone know?
by Anonymous | reply 2 | June 22, 2024 1:48 PM |
Re Tina Benko from the last thread, she went on for the first time back in January with script in hand. The previous understudy left and Tina had just joined the company and had little to no rehearsal. I'm glad she got to go on again before the show closes. She's a fantastic actress and I have no doubt she was great.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | June 22, 2024 1:54 PM |
And we're here!
And it's still Too Darn Hot!
by Anonymous | reply 4 | June 22, 2024 2:33 PM |
"Too Darn Hot" performed with wild, all-out, frenetic dancing by the company of the show within a show in the alley behind the theater during intermission may get the audience cheering, but it makes ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE as something those people would be doing during their precious break offstage -- especially not if the weather is so exceptionally hot, which is the whole point of the song. The original conception of the number makes far more sense.
by Anonymous | reply 5 | June 22, 2024 2:39 PM |
R3 - good to know. Well, I guess this was a her first 'proper' performance. Like I said, if I'd walked in off the street without any previous knowledge of the casting and had not seen any notices, I would never have known I was seeing an understudy/standby go on for the first time. I can see why she's hired. What a pro, what a talent.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | June 22, 2024 4:32 PM |
Somebody in the other thread alluded to a weight gain Steph Block…am I missing something? I saw the pics of Kiss Me Kate and I don’t know that she is any heavier than she’s ever been.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | June 22, 2024 4:48 PM |
Cole Porter didn't really get fully integrated musicals in the 1940s so some of the numbers in KMK are throwbacks to the older style of star turns and show stoppers that aren't necessarily related to making the whole show move forward.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | June 22, 2024 5:06 PM |
Carrie: The Musical has finally been produced in The Netherlands.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | June 22, 2024 5:16 PM |
True, R8. But I still think "Too Darn Hot" makes a lot more sense in the original context as compared to what that number has morphed into.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | June 22, 2024 5:18 PM |
Everybody knows it works best as a tap number!
by Anonymous | reply 11 | June 22, 2024 5:29 PM |
[quote]Cole Porter didn't really get fully integrated musicals in the 1940s
And yet he did, as early as 1935, with “Jubilee,” his show with Moss Hart.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | June 22, 2024 5:50 PM |
Michael Berresse WAs stunningly sexy in "Too Darn Hot" in the Marin Mazzie/Brian stokes Mitchell KMK.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | June 22, 2024 6:00 PM |
[quote]Michael Berresse WAs stunningly sexy in "Too Darn Hot" in the Marin Mazzie/Brian stokes Mitchell KMK.
Oh really, r13?
by Anonymous | reply 14 | June 22, 2024 6:15 PM |
WHET Kathleen Marshall who choreographed Berresse's Too Darn Hot?
by Anonymous | reply 15 | June 22, 2024 7:03 PM |
Berresse didn't do Too Darn Hot, r15. See r14.
by Anonymous | reply 16 | June 22, 2024 7:07 PM |
Every time I see Too Darn Hot, I always think, If it's so darn hot why are you dancing? And why do you keep dancing? And dancing some more? Go sit in the shade! (Mind you, I can appreciate TDH as a dance number and showcase for the chorus and choreographer, but the number makes no sense. And, yes, I know musicals do not always make sense, but still)
by Anonymous | reply 17 | June 22, 2024 7:23 PM |
[quote]but the number makes no sense
But Turkey Lurkey and Shipoopi do?
by Anonymous | reply 18 | June 22, 2024 7:26 PM |
Exactly, R17. But that's NOT how the number was performed originally, as was pointed out earlier in this thread. If directors of revivals of the show wanted to make "Too Darn Hot" into a show stopping number for the entire dance ensemble, they could easily have presented it as a number in the show within the show. But I guess none of them were smart enough for that.
by Anonymous | reply 19 | June 22, 2024 7:30 PM |
[quote]they could easily have presented it as a number in the show within the show
What does it have to do with Taming of the Shrew, r19?
by Anonymous | reply 20 | June 22, 2024 7:33 PM |
R20, not all of the songs in the show within the show are closely wedded to the plot of TAMING OF THE SHREW.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | June 22, 2024 7:51 PM |
[quote]not all of the songs in the show within the show are closely wedded to the plot of TAMING OF THE SHREW.
Which ones, r21?
by Anonymous | reply 22 | June 22, 2024 8:07 PM |
I'll jump in and sing Tina Benko's praises as well. She was a marvelous Titania in Julie Taymor's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Theatre for a New Audience and was also excellent in Eureka Day. I was disappointed that she wasn't announced for the Broadway cast. She was also a spot-on Melania Trump-like Calpurnia, complete with accent, in the god-awful Julius Caesar that the Public did in Central Park.
by Anonymous | reply 23 | June 22, 2024 8:25 PM |
How now, Calpurnia?
by Anonymous | reply 24 | June 22, 2024 8:33 PM |
Whatever happened to keeping musical numbers in the context of the show?
In the show, Paul is Bill’s valet. He’s out in the theater alley taking a break. These chorus hoofers are also getting a breath of fresh air. Half of them should be standing around smoking cigarettes and gossiping.
Paul shows them a different way of dancing. Rather than their ballet training, Paul shows them how to dance jazz, which is isolating head, arms, legs. Jazz is more sultry and relies more on individuality. So any “Broadway style” dancing should not show up in this song.
by Anonymous | reply 25 | June 22, 2024 9:40 PM |
What a direct explanation. Thank you.
by Anonymous | reply 26 | June 22, 2024 9:42 PM |
"From This Moment On" wasn't added to KMK until the movie version, but I think it's permanent now.
Proof of how prudish things were in the '50s - in the film version of "Too Darn Hot," they had to change "according to the Kinsey report," to "according to the latest report."
But they were able to keep "a-dick-a-dick-a-dick ..."
by Anonymous | reply 27 | June 22, 2024 9:50 PM |
[quote] What's next for DL Fave Corey Stoll? Anyone know?
Sitting on my face, I hope.
by Anonymous | reply 28 | June 22, 2024 9:55 PM |
Carrie the Musical's time has come. There are more school and amateur productions of that show than there are of many, many other much more successful titles. 58 productions coming up listed on the Concord Theatricals map. At this point in the game, does that still go back to the original investors? Has it recouped decades later, as Sweeney Todd finally did with its movie sale?
by Anonymous | reply 29 | June 22, 2024 9:59 PM |
R28 you must have a really round, fat face…
by Anonymous | reply 30 | June 22, 2024 10:00 PM |
r30 Like a Campbell's Soup kid, bitch.
by Anonymous | reply 31 | June 22, 2024 10:02 PM |
Corey Stoll is dreamy. BDF for days.
by Anonymous | reply 32 | June 22, 2024 10:15 PM |
Apparently, Corey has a micropenis...
But I'd still do him!
by Anonymous | reply 33 | June 22, 2024 10:25 PM |
I think Corey Stoll is a great actor, but I found him completely miscast in Appropriate. First off, who would believe he was named Beauregard or even Beau? Or that he was raised by a Southern racist? Or that he'd be stupid enough to think that his brother's girlfriend was a Native American? And that he'd call her an Indian? Supposedly, the character went to Yale (now that I'd believe of Corey Stoll).
But then, I found the whole play highly overrated.
by Anonymous | reply 34 | June 22, 2024 10:26 PM |
Si, si. As written his character was too dumb to be realistic. And he didn’t elide anything beyond the bad text.
by Anonymous | reply 35 | June 22, 2024 10:28 PM |
Let's not forget this scene. So much to take in with Corey as the bottom and Andrew Rannells as the TOP!
by Anonymous | reply 36 | June 22, 2024 10:34 PM |
What is that from and why don't I know ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ the answer?
by Anonymous | reply 37 | June 22, 2024 10:54 PM |
You can’t stand the truth!
by Anonymous | reply 38 | June 22, 2024 11:06 PM |
R34 : Too true, his character seems perfectly intelligent and above the fray in act I of “Appropriate,” but by act II he’s s spluttering moron who abruptly has a crying jag on his wife’s shoulder. All the characters in the play are two-dimensional types rather than real people. They playwright has no idea who these people are or why they are the way they are, they simply act out all the time.
“From This Moment On” is not in the Bartlett Sher revival of “Kiss Me Kate,” which is rife with double entendre and sexual shenanigans in the plot and song lyrics. This passed for sophistication in 1948, and now it seems naively vulgar because it’s so un-PC. There is a song “I Am Ashamed,” sung by Lilli, which I assume is original, but which I don’t remember being in the two latest Broadway versions I’ve seen.
One wag I spoke to in London thinks the production is not strong enough to transfer and will mere tour the UK. But maybe good reviews and/or business will make a difference, but maybe not, especially after a recent weak revival at the Roundabout was a disappointment,
By the way, a producer type I spoke to recently said knowledgeably that “Guys and Dolls” will never transfer to NY because all the movers and managers on the stage floor who move the public around the action are essentially poorly paid interns who are rotated frequently, whereas in NY they would have to be professionals, professionally trained and paid union wages. And then there ‘s the cost of insurance in case there’s a f*ck -up and an audience member trips or is otherwise injured. This would be so expensive that even if it was a hit, recouping the budget would be virtually impossible because of the high overhead.
by Anonymous | reply 39 | June 22, 2024 11:13 PM |
[quote]There is a song “I Am Ashamed,” sung by Lilli, which I assume is original, but which I don’t remember being in the two latest Broadway versions I’ve seen.
You weren't paying attention, r39.
by Anonymous | reply 40 | June 22, 2024 11:26 PM |
Tina Benko on for Sarah Paulson again today - both matinee and evening.
by Anonymous | reply 41 | June 22, 2024 11:43 PM |
I was, R40, but that was so long ago . . .
by Anonymous | reply 42 | June 22, 2024 11:45 PM |
[quote]And then there ‘s the cost of insurance in case there’s a f*ck -up and an audience member trips or is otherwise injured.
Or an octogenarian actor falls off the stage and onto an audience member.
by Anonymous | reply 43 | June 23, 2024 12:46 AM |
whor*s!
by Anonymous | reply 44 | June 23, 2024 12:52 AM |
Whoops, wrong thread.
by Anonymous | reply 45 | June 23, 2024 12:52 AM |
whor*s are always welcome here.
by Anonymous | reply 46 | June 23, 2024 1:31 AM |
[quote]Too true, his character seems perfectly intelligent and above the fray in act I of “Appropriate,” but by act II he’s s spluttering moron who abruptly has a crying jag on his wife’s shoulder. All the characters in the play are two-dimensional types rather than real people. They playwright has no idea who these people are or why they are the way they are, they simply act out all the time.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Many people found APPROPRIATE entertaining because they like to watch members of an extended family screaming at and treating each other horribly on stage, but when you actually examine the text of the play, it's really not well written.
by Anonymous | reply 47 | June 23, 2024 1:57 AM |
It's so darn hot, I feel the need for 20 fans a-turnin' ...
by Anonymous | reply 48 | June 23, 2024 1:58 AM |
I’ve always picture a Too Darn Hot where they keep starting dance moves with twosomes and threesomes that peter out and melt into sexy slinking Fosse-like minimal moves because, well, it’s so darn hot. Or the lead dancer keeps being perky, and all the other dancers are too tired, but end up in a sort of bacchanal.
by Anonymous | reply 49 | June 23, 2024 2:36 AM |
Wasn't there some version of KMK, maybe even the original Broadway production, in which Too Darn Hot was sung by a Big Black Lady playing the Wardrobe Mistress?
by Anonymous | reply 50 | June 23, 2024 3:03 AM |
Hattie gets Another Openin', r50
by Anonymous | reply 51 | June 23, 2024 3:12 AM |
Oh, you're right, r51, that the number I was thinking of. Thanks.
by Anonymous | reply 52 | June 23, 2024 3:30 AM |
Maybe Sarah’s got the Covid? Holland Taylor posted today that it’s everywhere again and imploring others to wear masks on the subway and at the theater.
by Anonymous | reply 53 | June 23, 2024 3:40 AM |
Saw Merrily finally tonight. Yes, Lindsay was in. All (well earned) jokes about her attendance aside, she was very good, as were Groff and, especially, Radcliffe. I was kind of expecting Radcliffe to be good-not-great -- being propped up a bit by the true musical theatre pros -- but he was fabulous. Getting that impish, sardonic quality of Charlie down perfectly. The show itself is... fine.
by Anonymous | reply 54 | June 23, 2024 5:12 AM |
The original Paul, who introduced Too Darn Hot, was Lorenzo Fuller, a notable young black singer-dancer who was also one of Cole Porter’s f*ck buddies.
by Anonymous | reply 55 | June 23, 2024 5:40 AM |
About KMM. I might see it this week, but Fred looks like her Grandfather, not her lover.
by Anonymous | reply 56 | June 23, 2024 7:57 AM |
Colorblind casting opens the door for a richer and more reflective portrayal of the human experience on Broadway stages. It allows directors to prioritize talent and focus on the essence of a character, rather than limiting themselves to actors of a specific race. This approach celebrates the universality of human emotions and stories, showcasing how individuals from diverse backgrounds can connect and navigate similar struggles and triumphs. Imagine a King Lear played by a Latina actress – her portrayal wouldn't diminish the core themes of the play, but rather offer a fresh perspective on familial bonds and the weight of power. Colorblind casting fosters a more inclusive theatre scene, not just for audiences, but for actors as well. It allows actors of color the opportunity to breathe life into a wider range of roles, shattering stereotypes and expanding their artistic horizons. This ultimately benefits the art form itself, by fostering a more nuanced and representative portrayal of the world we live in.
by Anonymous | reply 57 | June 23, 2024 8:01 AM |
Thanks R48, always a pleasure to hear the songs from whor*house. How I wish we could get a great revival of that show…NOT directed by Rob Ashford!
by Anonymous | reply 58 | June 23, 2024 8:48 AM |
I wonder if Jeff (Newsies) Calhoun has tried to get a whor*house revival going? He was an Aggie in the original production, and I think also assisted Tommy Tune on it.
by Anonymous | reply 59 | June 23, 2024 1:44 PM |
R47: Sarah didn’t deserve to win for that one-note, screaming performance.
by Anonymous | reply 60 | June 23, 2024 1:48 PM |
Just comparing Paulson's performance to that of Amy Morton as a similarly angry, frustrated screaming adult daughter in August; Osage County, she came up very short. I truly don't get the praise. Or the Tony Award.
by Anonymous | reply 61 | June 23, 2024 2:22 PM |
We won’t see a whor*house revival in our lifetime. The “woke” will shut it down.
Best case scenario, an off-Broadway all male production with a drag queen playing Miss Mona.
by Anonymous | reply 62 | June 23, 2024 2:38 PM |
We saw TITANIC on Friday night.
What a great score - tuneful, bouncy and hum-able; I think snobs who like atonal crap like DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES hate that about TITANIC. And no power ballads.
What a been a better score since TITANIC? I'll wait.
by Anonymous | reply 63 | June 23, 2024 2:40 PM |
[quote]We saw TITANIC on Friday night. What a great score - tuneful, bouncy and hum-able
I know that’s what I look for in any ocean liner disaster musical I see.
by Anonymous | reply 64 | June 23, 2024 2:54 PM |
R57, was that written by ChatGPT? It didn’t sound human generated.
by Anonymous | reply 65 | June 23, 2024 3:03 PM |
R62. I may be able to squeeze Miss Mona into my schedule!
by Anonymous | reply 66 | June 23, 2024 3:10 PM |
I'd love to see it, Jinkx.
by Anonymous | reply 67 | June 23, 2024 3:12 PM |
[quote]Imagine a King Lear played by a Latina actress – her portrayal wouldn't diminish the core themes of the play, but rather offer a fresh perspective on familial bonds and the weight of power.
That's your perspective, R57. Others, including August Wilson, would say it's a far greater contribution to the theater to write and produce NEW plays and musicals about people of color (and strong women, and trans people, etc.), rather than rejiggering old shows that were never intended to be cast that way and don't make any sense when they are -- for example, the current "South Pacific" at Paper Mill Playhouse, with a black performer in the role of Lt. Cable.
by Anonymous | reply 68 | June 23, 2024 3:38 PM |
R59, Jeff Calhoun is also in the whor*HOUSE movie.
by Anonymous | reply 69 | June 23, 2024 3:40 PM |
[quote] the current "South Pacific" at Paper Mill Playhouse, with a black performer in the role of Lt. Cable.
Goodspeed, not Paper Mill.
by Anonymous | reply 73 | June 23, 2024 4:13 PM |
Rob Ashford is busy in Chicago f*cking up Jason Robert Brown's musical of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil".
by Anonymous | reply 74 | June 23, 2024 4:40 PM |
Thanks, R73. Dumb mistake on my part.
by Anonymous | reply 75 | June 23, 2024 4:49 PM |
[quote]Rob Ashford is busy in Chicago f*cking up Jason Robert Brown's musical of "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil".
Damn! I didn't realize he's directing that show. What a bright red flag that is.
I'm very surprised that anyone would hand him any new musical to direct, as opposed to a revival. Some of his revivals did well at the box office (because of start casting or whatever), even if his work on them was piss poor.
by Anonymous | reply 76 | June 23, 2024 4:53 PM |
What exactly is the story of Rob Ashford and Charlie Williams?
by Anonymous | reply 77 | June 23, 2024 5:04 PM |
R68 the two possibilities are not mutually exclusive—both work.
by Anonymous | reply 78 | June 23, 2024 5:10 PM |
[quote]That's your perspective, [R57]. Others, including August Wilson, would say it's a far greater contribution to the theater to write and produce NEW plays and musicals about people of color (and strong women, and trans people, etc.), rather than rejiggering old shows that were never intended to be cast that way and don't make any sense when they are.
R68 Not to mention that colorblind casting is NOT one-size-fits-all.
Just because it works for some shows like INTO THE WOODS, which takes place in a magical fairyland where anything goes, does not mean it will work in plays set in a specific time and place like MY FAIR LADY (1913 London) or CAROUSEL (1870s Maine).
Even today Maine is around 95% white.
by Anonymous | reply 79 | June 23, 2024 5:40 PM |
Wow, r79 genuinely suggesting minorities shouldn't even be allowed to be cast in certain shows.
by Anonymous | reply 80 | June 23, 2024 5:43 PM |
R79 can go f*ck himself six ways to Sunday
by Anonymous | reply 81 | June 23, 2024 5:52 PM |
Kitara Ravache IS Miss Mona.
by Anonymous | reply 82 | June 23, 2024 6:07 PM |
R39- De La Guarda had people pushing the crowd around and I believe they did well. Off Broadway at that.
by Anonymous | reply 83 | June 23, 2024 6:18 PM |
That was well managed. No pushing
by Anonymous | reply 84 | June 23, 2024 6:20 PM |
Erm, black people can still hate Asians or Polynesians. Haven’t you ever seen Do The Right Thing? Being black doesn’t mean you can’t be racist or hom*ophobic or transphobic. Minorities are actually quite bad at synthesising their own experience into empathy for others. There is, in fact, a country made up of almost entirely immigrants…who currently hate immigrants. Most just like two or three generations removed from the immigrant experience.
by Anonymous | reply 85 | June 23, 2024 6:36 PM |
I also heard that G&D won't transfer from London, but for a different reason—that there isn't a space on Broadway that can be reconfigured for this production. Of course, the reasons cited above could also be true. My info came from a friend who was told by Frank Loesser's daughter.
by Anonymous | reply 86 | June 23, 2024 6:36 PM |
The Bridge Theatre is a great space for that staging, in every way. And moving it to a Broadway theatre, in Times Square, could make it seem really kitschy.
by Anonymous | reply 87 | June 23, 2024 6:39 PM |
R78, both work in your opinion, but not in my opinion or that of August Wilson.
by Anonymous | reply 88 | June 23, 2024 7:13 PM |
But that wasn’t the entirety of Wilson’s view, was it? No, it wasn’t.
by Anonymous | reply 89 | June 23, 2024 7:15 PM |
[quote]Erm, black people can still hate Asians or Polynesians. Haven’t you ever seen Do The Right Thing? Being black doesn’t mean you can’t be racist or hom*ophobic or transphobic.
Yes, BUT Lt. Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC is supposed to be from a rich Philadelphia mainline family, plus he's a marine officer as part of the racially segregated armed forces that existed during World War II. The character makes zero sense if he's not a lily white, upper class, blue-blood American. He even has a song about that, "My Girl Back Home," which was cut from the original production of SP but restored for the movie and for some recent stage revivals.
So, although what you wrote in your post is very true as far as it goes, it's completely beside the point of my post.
by Anonymous | reply 90 | June 23, 2024 7:21 PM |
[quote]the current "South Pacific" at Paper Mill Playhouse, with a black performer in the role of Lt. Cable.
And this still manages to shock you? Do you ever actually go to the theater?
by Anonymous | reply 91 | June 23, 2024 7:35 PM |
R81, considering that this particular piece of casting (actually at Goodspeed, not Paper Mill, my mistake) makes less than zero sense for that character in a story that's largely about racism......yes, it still shocks me. As it would shock you if you had any sensitivity as to what SOUTH PACIFIC is all about.
by Anonymous | reply 92 | June 23, 2024 7:43 PM |
R57 It's not colorblind unless white people can be cast in black roles.
by Anonymous | reply 93 | June 23, 2024 7:59 PM |
And I really don't want to see Show Boat with a black Magnolia and a white Joe.
by Anonymous | reply 94 | June 23, 2024 8:00 PM |
[quote]yes, it still shocks me. As it would shock you if you had any sensitivity as to what SOUTH PACIFIC is all about.
So you're both racist and dumb? Got it.
by Anonymous | reply 95 | June 23, 2024 8:06 PM |
R95, if you're so much smarter than I am, please explain to me as if a were an idiot how the character of Lt. Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC makes any sense whatsoever when played by a black performer. And please be sure that includes an explanation of how such casting works with the major plot point that Cable gives up the native girl he loves because there's no way he could ever marry her and take her back to his white bread, mainline family in Philadelphia.
by Anonymous | reply 96 | June 23, 2024 8:29 PM |
R90 rehashing old threads…drop it we know the argument…
by Anonymous | reply 97 | June 23, 2024 9:06 PM |
Will nothing shut you two up? Go get a room already.
by Anonymous | reply 98 | June 23, 2024 10:24 PM |
Overheard in Times Square: “You know what I saw last night? A new play about Nancy Pelosi. It’s got Holland Taylor in it. Very good, only 90 minutes. It’s at the Mitze Gaynor Theater.”
by Anonymous | reply 99 | June 23, 2024 10:34 PM |
Yes, R99. It’s called “N/A” and the characters are Nancy Pelosi and AOC.
by Anonymous | reply 100 | June 24, 2024 12:41 AM |
At the Gaynor!
by Anonymous | reply 101 | June 24, 2024 1:42 AM |
Sarah Brightman has not performed in SB for the past two weeks. I guess she read her reviews.
by Anonymous | reply 102 | June 24, 2024 1:47 AM |
[quote]Sarah Brightman has not performed in SB for the past two weeks.
What? Really, r102?
by Anonymous | reply 103 | June 24, 2024 1:59 AM |
R103 Her alternate mentioned on instagram that she just finished 15 Norma's in a row.
by Anonymous | reply 104 | June 24, 2024 2:03 AM |
Well, there's obviously a story there...so where is it?
by Anonymous | reply 105 | June 24, 2024 2:07 AM |
[quote]It’s called “N/A” and the characters are Nancy Pelosi and AOC.
Where does Mitzi Gaynor fit in?
by Anonymous | reply 106 | June 24, 2024 2:43 AM |
This just got uploaded. It’s the cut title song from Enchanted. James Marsden is adorable and Adele Dazeem, well, here’s further proof why she was far more effective as a voice artist for Disney and not on camera talent.
by Anonymous | reply 107 | June 24, 2024 2:58 AM |
I honestly feel a little bad for Sarah Brightman. She's had a massively successful post-Phantom concert / recording career that I don't think anyone could have predicted. Perhaps if ALW were a kinder man, he would have diplomatically convinced her not to take this on -- knowing her obvious limitations as an actress and singer.
by Anonymous | reply 108 | June 24, 2024 3:01 AM |
N/A was fine. I wasn’t bored but I doubt I’ll remember it in 6 months.
I was worried that Holland Taylor was going to forget her lines though. 82 years old and all that dialogue in a 2 person play. She was great though. Very arthritic hands.
Saw the Welkin as well. Strange play but Sandra Oh was great.
by Anonymous | reply 109 | June 24, 2024 3:32 AM |
Another rave for TITANIC. I gave up my membership (primo orchestra seats) a few years back when Lear took over, but have recently bought singles for everything but MATTRESS. I'm a Sutton-phobe.) Jelly was great and TITANIC was up there with the best. Gather some of the most phenomenal theatre voices the world, hire an enormous, splendid orchestra, and stage the whole thing with taste, economy, and intelligence, and you have a superb evening. Should be recorded.
by Anonymous | reply 110 | June 24, 2024 2:56 PM |
Signature Theatre in Arlington VA did a pretty interestingly staged Titanic in 2016. Eric Schaeffer has/had many issues as a director beyond the harassment issues that brought him down, but that production had a fantastic physical production. Especially when the ship sank. It went to Korea, but Broadway plans seemed stalled even before the allegations against Schaeffer.
by Anonymous | reply 111 | June 24, 2024 3:15 PM |
I’ve been listening to the OBC recording of Titanic since seeing the Encores production. It’s actually quite a beautiful score.
by Anonymous | reply 112 | June 24, 2024 3:22 PM |
R110, I agree with you about the musical excellence of the Encores! TITANIC, but didn't you find that some of the acting was quite poor? I'm thinking particularly of Chuck Cooper -- I did not understand what he was trying to do with that characterization -- but also Brandon Uranowitz and some of the others.
by Anonymous | reply 113 | June 24, 2024 4:04 PM |
I want to see a production of Titanic where the stage remains stationary and the audience seats move.
by Anonymous | reply 114 | June 24, 2024 4:07 PM |
I felt for Uranowitz. It's such a two dimensional role. You get so tired of him halfway through the first act. I thought Cooper did as good a job as anyone could with the Captain. Brought a lot more to it than was there. And I know I'm in the minority, but I find Still a bore, no matter who is singing it. No offence to the great Kuhn and Zien.
by Anonymous | reply 115 | June 24, 2024 4:13 PM |
Agreed about the role of Ismay. I thought what Cooper brought to the Captain was absolutely not what that role should be, and I usually love his performances.
by Anonymous | reply 116 | June 24, 2024 4:23 PM |
I love Brandon Uranowitz. He was exceptional in LEOPOLDSTADT.
by Anonymous | reply 117 | June 24, 2024 4:27 PM |
Who remembers this crazy TITANIC in water at the Serenbe Playhouse before it collapsed and went out of business?
by Anonymous | reply 118 | June 24, 2024 4:57 PM |
I think the quibbles about Uranowitz and Cooper were just that . . . quibbles. I didn't think it was perfection, and Cooper's miscasting wasn't ruinous. But seeing him hug his children at the curtain call a(t least last night) made it all better. The telegraph scene for one, with Karmiloo and Alex Joseph Grayson was exquisite..
PS. I agree that "Still" is a mediocre song.
by Anonymous | reply 119 | June 24, 2024 5:29 PM |
Did anyone know (of) this guy? I went to school with him and had no idea he’d left corporate America to become a Broadway producer. I also didn’t know he was gay if in fact, he was.
by Anonymous | reply 120 | June 24, 2024 8:59 PM |
That Signature Theatre production of TITANIC that R111 mentioned was terrific. I thought that the set worked much better than Broadway.
by Anonymous | reply 121 | June 24, 2024 10:17 PM |
[quote]I’ve been listening to the OBC recording of Titanic since seeing the Encores production. It’s actually quite a beautiful score.
I know that it won the Tony as best musical and ran for two years, but I've always thought that "Titanic" was a vastly underrated show. Much of the score is gorgeous. As he did with "1776," Peter Stone wrote a book that managed to hold your interest despite its foregone conclusion.
by Anonymous | reply 122 | June 24, 2024 10:23 PM |
The original Titanic production, though it did ok at the box office and won Best Musical, really suffered from poor production values and a chaotic preview period. Some of it is referenced in David Loud’s excellent memoir, Facing the Music, because he was music directing Steel Pier (also in previews) across the street. Both shows suffered from not having an out of town tryout.
Strangely, Titanic retained the feel of a failure even though it ran two years and had a national tour. But much of the material is incredibly thrilling.
by Anonymous | reply 123 | June 24, 2024 10:48 PM |
Has Lindsey had her baby yet? I assume she will be out of the show until it closes.
by Anonymous | reply 124 | June 24, 2024 11:12 PM |
I largely agree with you about the TITANIC score, R122, but not about the book. In his day, Peter Stone was one of the greatest musical theater book writers and screenwriters of all time, but the work his did in the final stretch of his life and career was......not the best. And that definitely includes TITANIC and his rewrite of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.
by Anonymous | reply 125 | June 24, 2024 11:54 PM |
[quote]Strangely, Titanic retained the feel of a failure even though it ran two years and had a national tour.
Well, that's very much a matter of opinion, isn't it? Whereas I would say that, obviously, STEEL PIER definitely retained the feeling of a failure.
by Anonymous | reply 126 | June 25, 2024 12:50 AM |
[quote]Has Lindsey had her baby yet? I assume she will be out of the show until it closes. h
Oh, yes, let's PLEASE get back to the topic of how many performances Lindsay is missing. I can't get enough of it!
by Anonymous | reply 127 | June 25, 2024 1:59 AM |
R127, if you don't think a leading performer in a Broadway show having more than 70 unscheduled absences during the course of a seven-month run (so far) isn't worthy of continued discussion, what would YOU like to focus on that you consider more important?
by Anonymous | reply 128 | June 25, 2024 2:55 AM |
It has gotten nothing but continued discussion, R128. And then some. And it's become tiresome.
by Anonymous | reply 129 | June 25, 2024 3:15 AM |
I'm with you, r129.
by Anonymous | reply 130 | June 25, 2024 3:52 AM |
[quote]It has gotten nothing but continued discussion, [R128]. And then some. And it's become tiresome.
But the reason R124 brought up the subject again is that they realize Mendez is now in the advanced stages of pregnancy, so they're naturally wondering if she's going to be out of the show through the closing. A very natural and reasonable question, not just rehashing of her many absences thus far.
So, R129 you and your friend at R130 can just please shut up.
by Anonymous | reply 131 | June 25, 2024 4:21 AM |
[quote]they're naturally wondering
[quote]A very natural and reasonable question
Naturally.
by Anonymous | reply 132 | June 25, 2024 5:04 AM |
Look, you can discuss whether Mendez will be out of the show due to her impending pregnancy until the cows come home, but... how do you expect anyone here to give you any kind of answer? The producers have never been transparent about her schedule in advance, so why would they start now with only a handful of remaining performances?
Mendez is WONDERFUL in the show, by the way, but you're unlikely to see a major production of Merrily again in many of our lifetimes, so if you're itching to see it (and can afford to), just go!
by Anonymous | reply 133 | June 25, 2024 5:55 AM |
[quote]I want to see a production of Titanic where the stage remains stationary and the audience seats move.
Wasn't that the original London production of Cats?
by Anonymous | reply 134 | June 25, 2024 6:00 AM |
R134. I sat in the section of seats that revolved at Cats and it was a trip! I remember signs posted in the theatre that said something like 'No one will be seated while the audience is in motion.'.
by Anonymous | reply 135 | June 25, 2024 12:28 PM |
[quote]Look, you can discuss whether Mendez will be out of the show due to her impending pregnancy until the cows come home, but... how do you expect anyone here to give you any kind of answer? The producers have never been transparent about her schedule in advance, so why would they start now with only a handful of remaining performances?
You're absolutely right that the producers have never been transparent about her schedule and her absences, but it's not crazy to think that they might possibly begin to be more communicative (or, rather, to stop lying) about all of that now that Mendez is in a more advanced stage of pregnancy and the show is closing in a few weeks. Also, now that the Tony awards are over and Mendez did not win. True that it's very unlikely anyone here would be able to give an answer on that, but it's possible that someone might have inside information, and anyway, posters here often ask questions that can't be definitively answered.
by Anonymous | reply 136 | June 25, 2024 3:09 PM |
I told you all Lindsay Mendez would never win. Lots of naysayers.
by Anonymous | reply 137 | June 25, 2024 5:24 PM |
Some might say you were the naysayer, r137.
by Anonymous | reply 138 | June 25, 2024 5:25 PM |
I was right, R138. You can call me whatever you want.
by Anonymous | reply 139 | June 25, 2024 5:36 PM |
How about the MERRILY producers spend their energy hiring a really talented understudy/standby for Mendez - someone who comes closer to matching Mendez's TONY-nomination-worthy performance - than the mediocre understudy they now have? Given that Mendez will be missing a lot of performances because of her pregnancy, I'm sure some A/B-list performers would be willing to step in knowing that they would be on for many performances in a TONY-winning musical.
by Anonymous | reply 140 | June 25, 2024 5:46 PM |
[quote]I was right, [R138]. You can call me whatever you want.
Believe me, r139...we do.
by Anonymous | reply 141 | June 25, 2024 5:52 PM |
r140
If the producers weren't worried about that before, I doubt they are with less than 2 weeks left
by Anonymous | reply 142 | June 25, 2024 6:28 PM |
R140. Call me!
by Anonymous | reply 143 | June 25, 2024 6:28 PM |
Sadly, R142 has hit the nail on the head.
by Anonymous | reply 144 | June 25, 2024 6:29 PM |
I know she's already quite large but she's not due until the Fall, October I think. Women can work in their second trimester without calling out.
by Anonymous | reply 145 | June 25, 2024 6:44 PM |
Can't someone just start a Lindsay Mendez thread? Or is there nothing else to discuss?
by Anonymous | reply 146 | June 25, 2024 7:00 PM |
Other women, R145. This one apparently couldn't, or wouldn't, keep to her work schedule even at the beginning of her first trimester.
by Anonymous | reply 147 | June 25, 2024 7:01 PM |
Lindsey being out just means Jon and Dan can have more f*ck sessions before or after the show.
by Anonymous | reply 148 | June 25, 2024 7:03 PM |
Why would that be the case, r148?
Did she usually observe?
by Anonymous | reply 149 | June 25, 2024 7:17 PM |
[quote]Can't someone just start a Lindsay Mendez thread? Or is there nothing else to discuss?
Oh, let's *do* discuss Beanie or Sara Porkalob.
by Anonymous | reply 150 | June 25, 2024 7:20 PM |
Really happy that “Stereophonic” has a big advance sale and grossed over a million last week.
Astonishing that “The Great Gatsby” is making $1.3 mil. I guess Jeremy Jordan is a Broadway star. Where did his following come from? I remember liking him in “Smash,” but that was ages ago. If it didn’t have a $35 million set to pay off (per Patti Lupone in her Australian TV interview) it would probably make it’s money back and be a hit. What will this do to the rival version, which must have expected a fast close?
by Anonymous | reply 152 | June 25, 2024 7:47 PM |
[quote]Lindsey being out just means Jon and Dan can have more f*ck sessions before or after the show.
It's Lindsay with an A, not Lindsey with an E . . .
by Anonymous | reply 153 | June 25, 2024 7:57 PM |
[quote] What will this do to the rival version, which must have expected a fast close?
Jordan Roth can save his $$$ for more couture dresses.
by Anonymous | reply 154 | June 25, 2024 8:08 PM |
[quote]Astonishing that “The Great Gatsby” is making $1.3 mil. I guess Jeremy Jordan is a Broadway star. Where did his following come from? I remember liking him in “Smash,” but that was ages ago.
I have the same question, and I'm equally astonished as you are at this lousy show's success. The design elements are wonderful (they should be, for all that money), but most of the casting of the leads is way off, and the score is from hunger.
by Anonymous | reply 155 | June 25, 2024 8:23 PM |
The stage door line was super long the 2 nights I walked past it to my hotel... It surprised me as well
by Anonymous | reply 156 | June 25, 2024 8:26 PM |
I imagine most of the success of The Great Gatsby is it's a familiar romantic title that people (think they) know and there's the promise of extravagant and sumptuous sets and costumes, so buyers think they're getting their money's worth. The reliability factor when tickets are expensive.
I really don't think Jeremy has much to do with it. I'd bet when he takes a vacation it won't affect the box office.
And I think that other Gatsby would be wise to wait a few years before coming to Broadway, no matter how good it might be.
by Anonymous | reply 157 | June 25, 2024 10:48 PM |
‘The Who’s Tommy’ Sets Broadway Closing Date:
by Anonymous | reply 158 | June 26, 2024 12:49 AM |
Wait. Why is Patti LuPone the source on production costs of Gatsby?
by Anonymous | reply 159 | June 26, 2024 1:03 AM |
I'm no fan of TOMMY, haven't seen it. But can't imagine why it didn't catch on when so much dreck continues to run.
by Anonymous | reply 160 | June 26, 2024 1:37 AM |
[quote]I imagine most of the success of The Great Gatsby is it's a familiar romantic title that people (think they) know and there's the promise of extravagant and sumptuous sets and costumes, so buyers think they're getting their money's worth. The reliability factor when tickets are expensive. I really don't think Jeremy has much to do with it. I'd bet when he takes a vacation it won't affect the box office.
I agree with your first point, and I think that's a very astute analysis. I would also add that the mass audience just doesn't have good enough taste in music and lyrics to realize who horrible the GATSBY score is. But I don't agree with you about Jordan, we'll have to wait and see what happens when he takes a vacation.
by Anonymous | reply 161 | June 26, 2024 4:26 AM |
Lots of people never miss a Scott Fitzgerald musical.
by Anonymous | reply 163 | June 26, 2024 11:50 AM |
[quote]Wait. Why is Patti LuPone the source on production costs of Gatsby?
Is this your first day on Earth? Patti LuPone has never been shy about giving her opinion on anything, whether stated opinion makes sense or not.
by Anonymous | reply 164 | June 26, 2024 12:50 PM |
What happened to the 2019 revival of Kiss Me, Kate? Was it is limited run or was it that bad that it only ran a few months?
by Anonymous | reply 165 | June 26, 2024 12:59 PM |
[quote]What happened to the 2019 revival of Kiss Me, Kate?
First, it was a Roundabout production. The only decent shows they produce are the imports that have been successful elsewhere.
Roundabout’s model is to hire name actors and put them in roles they are not suited to.
Hence, Kelli O’Hara as Lilli in Kiss Me Kate. She was wrong for the role. Think Kristin Chenoweth as Evita level of wrongness.
by Anonymous | reply 166 | June 26, 2024 1:36 PM |
I'm spacing on his last name but Will Whoever as Fred opposite Kelli was just as unsuitable for the material as she was. And directed By Scott Ellis.....need I say more?
by Anonymous | reply 167 | June 26, 2024 1:54 PM |
That would be Will Chase. Formerly the love of Deb Messing.
by Anonymous | reply 168 | June 26, 2024 2:01 PM |
It was Will Chase. She got a Tony nom, he didn’t. I saw his understudy, who was a good singer and handsome but also too young to know how to make the role work.
It certainly wasn’t the worst thing Roundabout has done, and I thought Kelli was fine, but it was mostly just a pleasant evening.
by Anonymous | reply 169 | June 26, 2024 2:02 PM |
I see that near the end, Richard Kind acted opposite John Pankow as the two gangsters. I'll bet that was fun.
by Anonymous | reply 170 | June 26, 2024 2:22 PM |
So I loved the production of CATS downtown at the Perelman Arts Center. The drag ball concept is inspired, and I especially enjoyed when the well-muscled cat stripped down to his jockstrap and walked the runway. I wonder what famously prudish T.S. Eliot would have thought of that! I just read Jesse Green's grudging sort-of-rave for the production, and I was stumped by the last sentences in his review: "But as happens occasionally, the right idea can transform the wrong material. If "Cats: The Jellicle Ball" has managed a Grizabella turn, reincarnating itself in fabulousness, do not expect an 18-year run or, pardon me, copycat productions. It's a lightning strike: not now and forever but now and once."
WTF does that mean? With the popularity of drag and public knowledge of drag balls due to shows like Pose, I could see this production being staged all over the world. It definitely will give Cats a new life. I guess Green thought he was being clever trashing the Cats tagline of "now and forever," but he just comes off like an asshole.
by Anonymous | reply 171 | June 26, 2024 2:55 PM |
The whole drag thing has peaked hasn't it?
by Anonymous | reply 172 | June 26, 2024 3:13 PM |
I’m surprised Andrew Lloyd Webber approved the drag ball concept. But then again, he’s like Sondheim and let’s his material be u$ed in the mo$t unde$irable way$.
by Anonymous | reply 173 | June 26, 2024 3:25 PM |
Seems like drag queens have better things to do. Plus, aren’t they all actors? So it’s twice-removed; no cats, no drag queens.
Also, the longevity of the original productions was about sex for furries. Drag queens don’t hold the same appeal, at least for furries.
by Anonymous | reply 174 | June 26, 2024 3:53 PM |
Do anyone Find out if Sarah brightman really missed two weeks of performances in Sunset?
by Anonymous | reply 175 | June 26, 2024 4:06 PM |
^^^and Kelli wasn't the only one miscast in that awful KMK. Will Chase was also all wrong for the male lead. And the whole thing was badly directed.
P.S. It has always been pretty easy for Roundabout to save face when they produce a show, because virtually all of their productions are announced as "limited runs," even when a hard end date isn't given. So if the show is a hit, they can extend and convert to a production contract, and if the show is not a hit, they can just close at the end of the "limited run." But when a show is so bad and does so poorly at the box office that they barely make it through the limited run, then they're embarrassed -- for example, BYE BYE BIRDIE and THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE.
by Anonymous | reply 176 | June 26, 2024 4:14 PM |
R175. Her alternate posted on Instagram that she just finished playing 12 Norma's in a row and she's on, again, this week (so far).
by Anonymous | reply 177 | June 26, 2024 4:16 PM |
R177
Wonder what’s going on or is she taking notes from Lindsay?
by Anonymous | reply 178 | June 26, 2024 4:22 PM |
Serious question, does someone like LM get paid when she calls out? Do they get sick days?
by Anonymous | reply 179 | June 26, 2024 4:23 PM |
With that voice of hers, she should to a remake of LucyMAME.
by Anonymous | reply 181 | June 26, 2024 4:27 PM |
r175 In the thread about the production, someone linked to the article (paywalled so Archive link) which confirms it, with producers claiming she is recovering from a torn calf muscle. Also says no announcement is made until right before the curtain rises.
Other posters in that thread said other cast members have also skipped performances.
by Anonymous | reply 182 | June 26, 2024 4:32 PM |
R180. Since Hunter Foster is directing, will Jen Cody play Desiree or Charlotte?
by Anonymous | reply 183 | June 26, 2024 4:45 PM |
can you imagine the back and forth between Sarah and management?
" I don't care if we have Max von Mayerling push you around in a f*cking wheelchair Sarah, ....you're going on tonight .......we're not losing any more money on this turkey..."
by Anonymous | reply 184 | June 26, 2024 4:47 PM |
Well, she ain't playing Anne.
by Anonymous | reply 185 | June 26, 2024 4:48 PM |
[quote]In the thread about the production, someone linked to the article (paywalled so Archive link) which confirms it, with producers claiming she is recovering from a torn calf muscle.
Sounds like the "broken foot" that felled Tommy Tune during BUSKER ALLEY and led to the closing of that show out of town.
by Anonymous | reply 186 | June 26, 2024 4:51 PM |
R183
I assumed sally struthers would play Madame armfeldt
by Anonymous | reply 187 | June 26, 2024 4:54 PM |
Back off Sally, you bitch.
by Anonymous | reply 188 | June 26, 2024 4:57 PM |
If Sally Struthers was playing Madame Armfeldt, then it would make perfect sense to cast Cuddles Cody as Desiree.
by Anonymous | reply 189 | June 26, 2024 5:05 PM |
I can't imagine any KMK production that is more than just a pleasant evening. Love the score, bored by the show.
by Anonymous | reply 190 | June 26, 2024 5:06 PM |
Jennifer Holliday's I'm Still Here. She's more restrained than usual but the tempo is way too slow. I know she has her cadre of fanatics but I think this is horrible.
by Anonymous | reply 191 | June 26, 2024 5:09 PM |
That Night Music is presumably the one that was in New Jersey. Kate Baldwin and her husband as Desiree/Fredrik, Michele Pawk and John Dossett’s son as Henrik. No liebesleiders.
by Anonymous | reply 192 | June 26, 2024 5:15 PM |
[quote] No liebesleiders.
Then why bother?
by Anonymous | reply 193 | June 26, 2024 5:16 PM |
I thought that was a thrilling take on I’m Still Here, managing to make feel personal and fresh without significantly changing the music. Far better than Baranski or Burnett. Yes, she is far from perfect on the lyrics and the backphrasing screws up some of the jokes, but that is a star turn from beginning to end. Sondheim would have loved it.
by Anonymous | reply 194 | June 26, 2024 5:34 PM |
R194 because of the tempo Sondheim would have hated it.
by Anonymous | reply 195 | June 26, 2024 5:35 PM |
He didn’t seem to mind when Elaine Stritch turned Liaisons into a 7 minute song.
by Anonymous | reply 196 | June 26, 2024 5:37 PM |
[quote]Sounds like the "broken foot" that felled Tommy Tune during BUSKER ALLEY and led to the closing of that show out of town.
Let’s roll out some gossip from that show.
Tommy’s understudy was a f*ck buddy of his, so he wasn’t entirely prepared. So at one performance, Tommy hobbled out on crutches and sang and acted while the understudy danced. 😂
But that show was a mess and they kept messing with it, scrapping scenes, writing new scenes. The title was changed three times!
by Anonymous | reply 197 | June 26, 2024 5:38 PM |
[quote] That would be Will Chase. Formerly the love of Deb Messing.
And father of the abortion bloat baby.
by Anonymous | reply 198 | June 26, 2024 5:39 PM |
r191 agree
by Anonymous | reply 199 | June 26, 2024 5:40 PM |
[quote]He didn’t seem to mind when Elaine Stritch turned Liaisons into a 7 minute song.
He let Stritch replace because she kept calling him ten times a day and begging for work. Think about it, there were five other actresses that were more suitable for that role.
by Anonymous | reply 200 | June 26, 2024 5:41 PM |
[quote]Jennifer Holliday's I'm Still Here. She's more restrained than usual but the tempo is way too slow. I know she has her cadre of fanatics but I think this is horrible.
Christ, that was bad. I’m Still Here isn’t a bump and grind song. Was this her audition for one of the strippers in Audra Gypsy?
And who orchestrated that? The piano is too intrusive with those runs.
Should be more like I’m Still Here But Barely. But there will always be dizzy queens that wildly applaud poor performances like fraus at a kindergarten dance recital.
by Anonymous | reply 201 | June 26, 2024 5:53 PM |
R201
I was there and did not understand the rapturous applause… I thought it was mediocre at best … way too slow
by Anonymous | reply 202 | June 26, 2024 5:55 PM |
I'm Still Here and I'm Not Goin'!
by Anonymous | reply 203 | June 26, 2024 5:57 PM |
Jennifer stepped in when Miss Lake Dardanelle had a scheduling issue.
by Anonymous | reply 204 | June 26, 2024 6:03 PM |
R201 Holy sh*t, that's it. Jennifer replaces Audra in Gypsy and then her fans will opine that her Rose's Turn is the greatest ever. Dl'ers can stop talking about Lindsay missing performances and refocus on Jennifer and we can remind everyone how bad her attendance was in Dreamgirls.
by Anonymous | reply 205 | June 26, 2024 6:05 PM |
"Yes, she is far from perfect on the lyrics and the backphrasing screws up some of the jokes, but that is a star turn from beginning to end. Sondheim would have loved it."
Not getting the lyrics right and screwing up his jokes would make Sondheim furious.
by Anonymous | reply 207 | June 26, 2024 6:12 PM |
Considering that performers from Yvonne de Carlo to Elaine Stritch have repeatedly screwed up the lyrics, he’ll have to get over it. It’s the magic of live performance. Besides, he always loved and forgave stars excerpt for Patti LuPone.
by Anonymous | reply 208 | June 26, 2024 6:20 PM |
I loved it. I think Sondheim would’ve loved to hear this sung with such vocal authority.
She screws up the lyric at the end doesn’t she? When she repeats the “black sable” line? But I loved it. For what I’m sure was an under-rehearsed concert performance, she delivered a moment. Plus, she was like 21 when she did Dreamgirls and has faced a lot of professional challenges and she is one of the most gracious and strongest allies we have - and she’s STILL HERE. And in great voice. Good for her.
by Anonymous | reply 209 | June 26, 2024 7:14 PM |
The pace is so wrong. The whole point of the song is that even through all the hellish events of the last few years, it's sung with that devil-may-care sway.
Turning it into a church dirge is not anything positive. Though the queeny stans will undoubtedly declare that JH "ate and left no crumbs."
by Anonymous | reply 210 | June 26, 2024 7:18 PM |
Let's get back to the OBC of Follies. Why did Sondheim allow Alexis Smith's Phyllis to pronounce Chagall as shi-GAL?
by Anonymous | reply 211 | June 26, 2024 7:42 PM |
Sondheim probably didn’t notice because he was so disconsolate about the cuts that had to made to all the other songs to fit them on one album. Maybe Hal Prince’s worst mistake ever, awarding the Follies album to Capitol Records without requiring that it be a double album.
by Anonymous | reply 212 | June 26, 2024 7:46 PM |
They seem to be selling tix to the upcoming GYPSY on Christmas Day. Aren't theaters usually dark on Christmas? I'm surprised family gal Audra would perform then.
by Anonymous | reply 213 | June 26, 2024 7:53 PM |
R210, that hasn’t been true since Burnett’s concert performance in the mid-‘80s.
The whole point of the song is the power of a woman to persevere over decades of challenges through reinvention and choices made to benefit her own self-preservation. It’s about longevity not tempo.
Yours is a very superficial reading of the song, the performer and the performance.
by Anonymous | reply 214 | June 26, 2024 7:53 PM |
R214 Your post defies logic, context and any history of the song.
Burnett's performance may have been a few beats slower, but it wasn't the slumbering tempo of Holliday's version.
by Anonymous | reply 215 | June 26, 2024 8:14 PM |
This was done in a concert performance, where a number of songs were rendered with questionable choices: Beth Leavel's over-the-top Could I Leave You, Adriane Lenox's much-too-young Broadway Baby, A Lucy&Jessie without dancing, etc. Holiday's take was pure theatrics—out of place in a full production, but a tour de force here, and a real crowd-pleaser. If they were looking for verisimilitude,, why have such a gigantic backup chorus ?
by Anonymous | reply 216 | June 26, 2024 8:25 PM |
It honestly didn’t feel as slow in person. It was one of the highlights of the night and the crowd was really with her all the way through.
Agreed that Christine Ebersole was exceptional perhaps giving one of the definitive renditions of “In Buddy’s Eyes.”
by Anonymous | reply 217 | June 26, 2024 8:26 PM |
I still have PTSD from Carol Burnett's version of "I'm Still Here."
by Anonymous | reply 218 | June 26, 2024 8:29 PM |
[quote]It honestly didn’t feel as slow in person.
It didn't feel slow to you, but it sure felt ludicrously slow to some of us. I would say that includes Holliday herself, who was definitely pushing ahead of the tempo in certain sections. I got the idea that she belatedly realized the tempo had been set way too slow, but by that point it was too late for her to do anything about it without stopping and starting over.
by Anonymous | reply 219 | June 26, 2024 8:32 PM |
Christian Borle To Play Jim Bakker In Broadway’s ‘Tammy Faye’ Musical, Replacing Andrew Rannells:
by Anonymous | reply 220 | June 26, 2024 9:17 PM |
[quote]I still have PTSD from Carol Burnett's version of "I'm Still Here."
What? You didn't like her comic bump on "I've gotten through Herbert and J. Edgar Hoo-woo-ver?"
Rumor has it that they wanted Carol for Hattie/Broadway Baby. She said it was "I'm Still Here" or nothing. So the wussies gave in and let her mess it up. It was a terrible decision, because this concert version was the first staging in NYC since the original, so there was a massive expectation that it would show off the score and draw interest in a Broadway revival. But because of Carol Burnett, we did not see a revival until the new millennium.
by Anonymous | reply 221 | June 26, 2024 9:22 PM |
I still want to know what terrible thing happened to Carol in Bev Or Lee Hills.
by Anonymous | reply 222 | June 26, 2024 9:29 PM |
"But because of Carol Burnett, we did not see a revival until the new millennium."
Oh, R221 -- you can't be serious. The '85 concert -- love it or hate it or anything in between -- was rapturously received both as a live event and as an album. It may well have played a role in the 1987 London revision's happening.
by Anonymous | reply 223 | June 26, 2024 9:37 PM |
[quote] It may well have played a role in the 1987 London revision's happening.
Which did not spark any interest in a Broadway revival.
by Anonymous | reply 224 | June 26, 2024 9:40 PM |
And what is the reasoning that Carol Burnett was responsible for stopping producers from bankrolling a show that costs a fortune, is difficult to pull off, and almost always loses money? Her single song was responsible for that?
by Anonymous | reply 225 | June 26, 2024 9:45 PM |
[quote]And what is the reasoning that Carol Burnett was responsible for stopping producers from bankrolling a show that costs a fortune, is difficult to pull off, and almost always loses money? Her single song was responsible for that?
When Carol did that comic "Hoo-woo-ver" bump, you could hear the Widow Goldman say: "Jesus! Let's ice this turkey until we can find a generation that can sing it."
by Anonymous | reply 226 | June 26, 2024 9:48 PM |
R221 is trying to be the gossip girl of his ward and talking complete nonsense. Within two years of the concert there was a fully-staged, no expense spared West End production from Cameron MacIntosh that was a financial disaster. That, more than anything, put the stake in the heart of a Broadway revival for about 25 years. When the whole USP of your show is “it costs a fortune and has never made money” you’re not exactly going to have investors lining up.
And also the whole point of the concert recording was to do justice to a score that had been poorly recorded and horribly edited. It was for posterity and to give life to a landmark show that had been poorly preserved and documented.
Lindsay Mendez must be so glad we’re talking about Follies again.
by Anonymous | reply 227 | June 26, 2024 9:50 PM |
Mostly true, R227, except of course that the first Broadway revival came "only" 14 years after the London FOLLIES opened. (Cue the usual Datalounge idiocy about Blythe Danner's performance, which in fact was mostly glorious.)
by Anonymous | reply 228 | June 26, 2024 9:54 PM |
Oh but the Paper Mill production wasn’t…expensive, was it?
by Anonymous | reply 229 | June 26, 2024 10:00 PM |
I've long been a Carol in Follies naysayer, but somewhere there is a recorded interview with SS in which he praises her lavishly and indicates he was a longtime fan. So I suspect he gave his happy approval to her appearance.
by Anonymous | reply 230 | June 26, 2024 10:20 PM |
[quote]Christian Borle To Play Jim Bakker In Broadway’s ‘Tammy Faye’ Musical, Replacing Andrew Rannells:
Kitara Ravache IS Jessica Hahn!
by Anonymous | reply 231 | June 26, 2024 10:35 PM |
At least Carol didn't do her Tarzan yell.
by Anonymous | reply 232 | June 26, 2024 10:35 PM |
[quote](Cue the usual Datalounge idiocy about Blythe Danner's performance, which in fact was mostly glorious.)
Not on the night *I* saw her, r228.
by Anonymous | reply 233 | June 26, 2024 10:39 PM |
Tammy Faye Baker needs to be played by a woman of color!!
by Anonymous | reply 234 | June 26, 2024 11:04 PM |
MARY!
by Anonymous | reply 235 | June 26, 2024 11:07 PM |
ETHEL!
by Anonymous | reply 236 | June 26, 2024 11:08 PM |
Carol Burnett was indeed miscast in FOLLIES, but so were several of the other leads and supporting players.
P.S. Another version of the "I'm Still Here" story I've heard is that the song was originally earmarked for Stritch until those involved realized she simply could not sing the high notes at the end of the song in a way that would have been remotely acceptable to the audience. And yes, I know she did the song years later in concert, which proved my point.
by Anonymous | reply 237 | June 26, 2024 11:14 PM |
I wonder if Samuel D. Hunter's Little Bear Ridge Road will head to Braodway this season? Hunter is due for his Bway debut.
by Anonymous | reply 238 | June 26, 2024 11:18 PM |
Wow, the Chicago Reader review is a rave.
by Anonymous | reply 239 | June 26, 2024 11:24 PM |
The transfer of THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA to Broadway will include most of the original London cast. I'm really glad because I reluctantly saw the production on the West End (at the recommendation of a Broadway company manager who was visiting), and it was terrific. For those who don't know, it's a story about a Mama Rose-type character trying to get her daughters into show business. At one point, she's forced to make a Sophie's Choice decision that surprises and upsets the audience. The play takes place over 20+ years, and the outstanding actress Laura Donnelly plays both the hardened mother and her grown daughter. Donnelly is married to the author of the play, Jez Butterworth.
And, no, it does not take place in California.
by Anonymous | reply 240 | June 27, 2024 1:01 AM |
THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA
I want to see this before Meryl Streep ruins the movie version.
by Anonymous | reply 241 | June 27, 2024 1:05 AM |
Adam Lambert rumored to replace Eddie Redmayne in Cabaret.
by Anonymous | reply 242 | June 27, 2024 1:39 AM |
Well, I saw The Hills of California in the West End and thought it was highly mediocre. The play and the production, with a very wanting female lead (in both her roles), even if the playwright wrote it for her. I'll be very curious to see how it's all received on Broadway.
by Anonymous | reply 243 | June 27, 2024 1:50 AM |
Has Andrew Rannells fired his agent yet? Not necessarily a fan, but could he have been more perfect casting for smarmy Jim Bakker?
What could that recasting of Jim mean, do you think? Neither name sells tickets.
by Anonymous | reply 244 | June 27, 2024 1:52 AM |
Christ, can we please have a moratorium on Samuel D. Hunter?
by Anonymous | reply 245 | June 27, 2024 2:00 AM |
Though most have probably forgotten R159’s question I will answer it. Patti LuPone was interviewed by an Australian morning show in preparation for her concert appearance in Sydney, and in the course of the conversation mentioned that she was a Tony voter this year, and that after attending a performance of “The Great Gatsby,” she went out with a cast member who evidently told her how expensive the set was and LuPone talked about how idiotic it was to spend that kind of money on a set.
Whether she exaggerated the amount, who knows? Whether $25 or $35 million it’s too much for a f*cking set.
by Anonymous | reply 246 | June 27, 2024 2:47 AM |
Hunter's Broadway debut should have been for Case for the Existence of God.
by Anonymous | reply 247 | June 27, 2024 3:02 AM |
I suspect Rannells’ agent got out over their skies in terms of negotiation? Rannells did do the Almeida production which couldn’t have paid much and for which he was Olivier-nominated so maybe he rightly expected a better pay day for the B’way production? You say he doesn’t sell tickets but his show with Josh Gad had a good run and that was definitely sold on their names. Plus he is perfect casting as a musical Jim Bakker, it could even be said he makes a very unsavoury character palatable.
It’s not like it was going to have a long run anyway and he was the only name, aside from Elton John, associated with it.
by Anonymous | reply 248 | June 27, 2024 3:53 AM |
At least now we know Borle won't be Audra's Herbie.
by Anonymous | reply 249 | June 27, 2024 4:23 AM |
r246 Well given the entire capitalisation was $25 million, the set alone clearly didn't cost that much. Cue shock at the idea that actors don't understand the business aspect of their own industry.
by Anonymous | reply 250 | June 27, 2024 7:34 AM |
The 2024 Jimmy Awards on youtube
stream ends june 27
by Anonymous | reply 251 | June 27, 2024 11:19 AM |
[quote]Well given the entire capitalisation was $25 million, the set alone clearly didn't cost that much. Cue shock at the idea that actors don't understand the business aspect of their own industry.
The cost of the GATSBY set that I had heard was $13 million, which of course is still beyond insane.
by Anonymous | reply 252 | June 27, 2024 1:02 PM |
R248, when R244 wrote "What could that recasting of Jim mean, do you think? Neither name sells tickets," I assumed he was referring to Borle and the woman who's playing Tammy Faye, not to Borle and Rannells.
by Anonymous | reply 253 | June 27, 2024 1:05 PM |
All roads lead back to Follies…
This is quite a lovely short film about a German production (not to be confused with the one a few years ago which was set in Dresden following reunification). It’s been in rep in Wiesbaden since October and closes tonight. It stars the fabulous Pia Douwes as Sally and yes, a Black gal (Andrea Baker) as Stella.
by Anonymous | reply 254 | June 27, 2024 2:23 PM |
‘Boop! The Betty Boop Musical’ Sets 2025 Broadway Opening:
by Anonymous | reply 255 | June 27, 2024 2:49 PM |
I wonder if there is drama between Andrew and Christian. They were close friends during Falsettos…but I can’t imagine Andrew being happy that Christian took the role after they producers wouldn’t pay him what he wanted
by Anonymous | reply 256 | June 27, 2024 3:20 PM |
R256. I hope Christian at least sent him a note!
by Anonymous | reply 257 | June 27, 2024 3:23 PM |
[quote] I can’t imagine Andrew being happy that Christian took the role after they producers wouldn’t pay him what he wanted
Why? No one said Borle got what Rannells asked for. Should Rannells expect the production to close because he wasn't paid what he felt he deserved?
by Anonymous | reply 258 | June 27, 2024 3:37 PM |
Why would Rannells mind that Borle accepted a role for less money than he would? Perhaps Borle needs the money more than Rannells does.
by Anonymous | reply 259 | June 27, 2024 3:48 PM |
Borle is not a good choice for Jim Bakker.
by Anonymous | reply 260 | June 27, 2024 3:54 PM |
Evan Cabnet Named Artistic Director Of Broadway’s Second Stage, Taking Over For Departing Founder Carole Rothman:
by Anonymous | reply 261 | June 27, 2024 4:13 PM |
Corey Cott, yes.
Corey Stoll, no thank you.
by Anonymous | reply 262 | June 27, 2024 4:38 PM |
R258, Is this another Audrey vs. Julie?
by Anonymous | reply 263 | June 27, 2024 4:40 PM |
Borle not a good choice for anything.
by Anonymous | reply 264 | June 27, 2024 4:57 PM |
Many people, including Kevin Kline, feel that Christian Borle is a great musical theater comic actor. You're entitled to your opinion, R264, but you might want to consider that maybe you have no taste and no sense of humor.
by Anonymous | reply 265 | June 27, 2024 5:11 PM |
Whatever else he's done, I saw Borle in both Little Me and Me and My Girl at dress rehearsal at Encores, and with not a whole lot of rehearsals, he was brilliant both times.
by Anonymous | reply 266 | June 27, 2024 5:14 PM |
[quote]I can’t imagine Andrew being happy that Christian took the role after they producers wouldn’t pay him what he wanted
I nominate this statement as one of the stupidest ever posted on DL. Are there any other nominees, or should we just give R256 the prize?
P.S. Although I've very much enjoyed Andrew Rannells in parts that he has been well suited for, I think he's extremely limited in range as far as that goes, so although I have no idea what the deal was for TAMMY FAYE, I think maybe he should have taken it.
by Anonymous | reply 267 | June 27, 2024 5:15 PM |
R267 would you be happy if you worked on a project for years and then the producers sh*t on you at the last minute, forcing you to walk away from a project that you put your time and energy in…only for a close friend to take role and the reap the rewards? (Press, fame, possible award win/nominaton)
I don’t think the statement was stupid. People are thin skinned and I’m sure this is awkward
by Anonymous | reply 268 | June 27, 2024 5:32 PM |
There is also the possibility that Borle got a better deal. The producers may have been more desperate after Rannells walked.
by Anonymous | reply 269 | June 27, 2024 5:49 PM |
[quote]R268, of course I understand Rannells' unhappiness, but obviously, someone was going to take over the role. Are you seriously suggesting that Borle shouldn't have done so because he and Rannells were friends? ' Also, I doubt you know enough details of this story to make the judgment that the producers "sh*t on" Rannells. Isn't it possible that his demands were out of line with his level of stardom?
by Anonymous | reply 270 | June 27, 2024 5:52 PM |
So sorry, that should have been:
[quote]Would you be happy if you worked on a project for years and then the producers sh*t on you at the last minute, forcing you to walk away from a project that you put your time and energy in…only for a close friend to take role and the reap the rewards? (Press, fame, possible award win/nominaton)
[R268], of course I understand Rannells' unhappiness, but obviously, someone was going to take over the role. Are you seriously suggesting that Borle shouldn't have done so because he and Rannells were friends? ' Also, I doubt you know enough details of this story to make the judgment that the producers "sh*t on" Rannells. Isn't it possible that his demands were out of line with his level of stardom?
by Anonymous | reply 271 | June 27, 2024 5:55 PM |
Could it be, that having performed the show in London, Rannells was unhappy with it there and also disappointed in rewrites and felt the show wasn't worth his time unless he got paid a lot? And was happy to walk away from it?
by Anonymous | reply 272 | June 27, 2024 5:58 PM |
It looks like they've revised the alternate schedule at Cabaret and Marty Lauter is getting more dates as the Emcee.
by Anonymous | reply 273 | June 27, 2024 6:01 PM |
Andrew Rannells has never received a dime for being the obscured figure in The Book of Mormon logo.
by Anonymous | reply 274 | June 27, 2024 6:46 PM |
R272, of course, that's one of several possible scenarios.
R274, are you sure that's him?
by Anonymous | reply 275 | June 27, 2024 7:00 PM |
R275, He has said it’s him in interviews. What can be seen of the face sure looks like him.
by Anonymous | reply 276 | June 27, 2024 7:12 PM |
It ain't zombie Dixie Dunbar.
by Anonymous | reply 277 | June 27, 2024 7:15 PM |
I think what can be seen of the face does not look like him. Also, to me, that image looks more like it's an illustration generated with a computer program rather than an actual photo. But if he has said it's him, I doubt he's lying.
by Anonymous | reply 278 | June 27, 2024 7:16 PM |
How can anyone look at that image and not see Andrew Rannells?
by Anonymous | reply 279 | June 27, 2024 7:18 PM |
[quote]Whether she exaggerated the amount, who knows? Whether $25 or $35 million it’s too much for a f*cking set.
"The Great Gatsby" started at Papermill. The set was great but they can't spend that much so maybe they redid it for Broadway and was the cost for two theatres.
by Anonymous | reply 280 | June 27, 2024 7:39 PM |
Is the other Gatsby rumored to come to NY? Does it need to?
by Anonymous | reply 281 | June 27, 2024 8:13 PM |
[quote]How can anyone look at that image and not see Andrew Rannells?
The only part of the image that would be remotely identifiable as Rannells is the part of the face which we can see -- the lower part -- and I don't think that part of his face (or almost anyone else's) is very distinctive. Of course, it COULD be him, but I still think the image looks more like an drawn illustration or something generated with a graphics program than an actual photo.
by Anonymous | reply 282 | June 27, 2024 8:45 PM |
The image at R274 is indeed Andrew. He was one of three actors who did the initial key art photography shoot for the show.
by Anonymous | reply 283 | June 27, 2024 8:57 PM |
Even at Paper Mill GATSBY had the financial backing of a Korean billionaire and a small fortune was spent on the set there so it could be quickly moved into the Broadway Theatre.
by Anonymous | reply 284 | June 27, 2024 9:31 PM |
Somebody needs to ask Miss Petty LuPone how much the set cost for Sunset Boulevard. That mansion didn’t rise and lower on a Poundland budget.
by Anonymous | reply 285 | June 27, 2024 10:42 PM |
Am I mentioned in David Loud's memoir?
by Anonymous | reply 286 | June 27, 2024 10:44 PM |
R285. I'd like to know how much it cost to repair her dressing room at SB after she destroyed it.
by Anonymous | reply 287 | June 27, 2024 10:45 PM |
[quote]I'd like to know how much it cost to repair her dressing room at SB after she destroyed it.
It took two bloody days to scrub “f*ck Glenn Close” off the wall. Where that cow got that much spray paint is a mystery.
by Anonymous | reply 288 | June 27, 2024 10:50 PM |
This is how I suspect Patti's dressing room looked like, except with G's pictures and movie posters. 😂
by Anonymous | reply 289 | June 27, 2024 10:58 PM |
For years, the Nederlander had the original cast of Rent painted on the door. It was long after the original cast had left. I always wondered if they got any payment for their likeness being used after they left the show.
by Anonymous | reply 291 | June 28, 2024 12:20 AM |
I really don't know why any of you would doubt it was Rannells in the MORMON ad. I mean, why wouldn't it be?
As to whether he gets royalties on it, I'd seriously doubt that, but I'm sure he was paid for a modeling session in costume before rehearsals even started.
by Anonymous | reply 292 | June 28, 2024 2:07 AM |
Was anyone at little night music? First thoughts?
by Anonymous | reply 293 | June 28, 2024 2:36 AM |
Next time Patti LuPone whines about how Glenn Close "never called her" after the SUNSET devastation, I'd love for the interviewer to ask her whether she called Carole Demas when she took over THE BAKER'S WIFE.
by Anonymous | reply 294 | June 28, 2024 3:09 AM |
[quote]but I'm sure he was paid for a modeling session in costume before rehearsals even started.
Yes, rr92, and signed all of the rights away at the time.
by Anonymous | reply 295 | June 28, 2024 3:12 AM |
r295, Rannells was in no position to even be offered those rights before MORMON opened. And if he had been a bigger expensive name, then they would have used a different actor as the model for the ad.
But knowing thirsty young actors I'm sure he was flattered just to be asked to pose back then.
by Anonymous | reply 296 | June 28, 2024 3:20 AM |
I know, r296, but he would have had to sign a form saying so.
by Anonymous | reply 297 | June 28, 2024 3:31 AM |
R95 wants to show how tolerant he is and would cast an asian performer as Nellie. Why do people who want to declare how non racist they are end up sounding so stupid?
by Anonymous | reply 298 | June 28, 2024 3:40 AM |
[quote]I really don't know why any of you would doubt it was Rannells in the MORMON ad. I mean, why wouldn't it be?
It wouldn't at all be strange or unusual if it wasn't him in that image, as models are frequently used for such purposes. And especially in this case, when half of the person's face was not included in the ad, including his eyes, there was all the more reason to think they didn't use someone from the show.
Do you think that was Marissa Jaret Winokur's face in the HAIRSPRAY ad image that was used for all those years? And remember the promo image that was used for ROCKY, the musical? That was a ridiculous example of using models rather than actors from the show.
by Anonymous | reply 299 | June 28, 2024 3:56 AM |
You appear to be an idiot, R299.
by Anonymous | reply 300 | June 28, 2024 4:02 AM |
Seriously? You couldn’t just look at it and tell it was Rannells?
by Anonymous | reply 301 | June 28, 2024 4:06 AM |
Cynthia Erivo and Ruthie Ann Miles stole the show. Jin Ha sang a gorgeous "Silly People". Shuler Hensley was a disaster. Ron Raines f*cked up the lyrics to "You Must Meet My Wife". Marsha Mason was doing "The Royal Family". The score was magnificent. The lighting sucked. The End.
by Anonymous | reply 302 | June 28, 2024 4:43 AM |
R298 is like a mad dog with a bone.
We get it. Nontraditional casting has ruined theater for all time. Now please shut up.
by Anonymous | reply 303 | June 28, 2024 4:44 AM |
“But the Asian faces…! They trigger my racism and I…and I can’t enjoy the theatre the way it was meant to be enjoyed. BY WHITE PEOPLE!!”
Narrator: Even though it’s all an illusion.
by Anonymous | reply 304 | June 28, 2024 5:12 AM |
[quote]Cynthia Erivo and Ruthie Ann Miles stole the show.
I’m surprised Cynthia agreed to play a maid. I guess a girl’s gotta eat. Maybe she’s worried Wicked will end her career like the Cats movie did to so many actors.
by Anonymous | reply 305 | June 28, 2024 5:40 AM |
R302 - Wait. "Silly People"? Why do I have no recollection of this song? Is it telling that you didn't even mention Susan Graham?
by Anonymous | reply 306 | June 28, 2024 5:41 AM |
Shuler Hensley? As what? Surely not Count Carl-Magnus.
by Anonymous | reply 307 | June 28, 2024 5:43 AM |
[quote]I really don't know why any of you would doubt it was Rannells in the MORMON ad. I mean, why wouldn't it be?
It's just one tedious f*ckwit. Anyone who's read this thread will be able to guess what other posts they're responsible for.
by Anonymous | reply 308 | June 28, 2024 6:34 AM |
This is dancer Neil Haskell from "You Think You Can Dance?" and later "Hamilton" in all the "Godspell" artwork and he wasn't in the show.
by Anonymous | reply 309 | June 28, 2024 11:07 AM |
[quote]Wait. "Silly People"? Why do I have no recollection of this song? Is it telling that you didn't even mention Susan Graham?
"Silly People" was cut from "A Little Night Music" before its Broadway opening.
by Anonymous | reply 310 | June 28, 2024 11:10 AM |
The whole Rannells on the poster thing was letigated years ago when it opened in the West End.
by Anonymous | reply 311 | June 28, 2024 11:53 AM |