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THEATRE GOSSIP #511: The Ides of January

Dimming the lights for the bajillion and one shows that closed on January 15th.

As the spotlights dim and the sets are struck, the shows all close, but are Groff and Radcliffe's zippers opening?

Will our ears survive a Groban-led SWEENEY TODD?

Here Lies Love but will Audiences Also Attend?

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by Anonymousreply 605January 29, 2023 8:03 PM

Continued from thread #510

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by Anonymousreply 1January 17, 2023 2:54 AM

And yes, I know....you hate the title more than life itself!

by Anonymousreply 2January 17, 2023 2:55 AM

So when will the Tony committee meet? I’m curious about the Into the Woods cast placements

by Anonymousreply 3January 17, 2023 3:24 AM

The cast replacements aren't at all eligible. Only those actors in the opening night playbill. Dems the rules...

by Anonymousreply 4January 17, 2023 3:57 AM

Rules were made to be broken

by Anonymousreply 5January 17, 2023 4:30 AM

I hope Sara Bareilles will be remembered come nominating time.

by Anonymousreply 6January 17, 2023 5:01 AM

Fuck rules!

LINE!

by Anonymousreply 7January 17, 2023 5:10 AM

There's no way the Larry Kert situation will repeat itself this year.

by Anonymousreply 8January 17, 2023 5:12 AM

Wanna bet?

by Anonymousreply 9January 17, 2023 5:14 AM

I think Lea will be invited to perform on the Tonys, but, no, I don't think she'll be deemed eligible for a competitive Tony.

by Anonymousreply 10January 17, 2023 6:27 AM

Who said it will be a competitive Tony?

by Anonymousreply 11January 17, 2023 7:07 AM

I’d actually like to know if Groban’s zipper is opening, too.

by Anonymousreply 12January 17, 2023 9:36 AM

Yeah I think Lea will win Liza’s 1974 Tony, which was awarded for “adding luster” to the season.

by Anonymousreply 13January 17, 2023 11:50 AM

Hey! I won a Tony for adding luster!

by Anonymousreply 14January 17, 2023 12:27 PM

Maybe more men going full frontal naked would sell more tickets.

by Anonymousreply 15January 17, 2023 1:04 PM

It would certainly add luster r15.

by Anonymousreply 16January 17, 2023 1:15 PM

I'm hearing from reliable sources that the special Tony awarded to Lea will be a surprise gift to her after she performs "I'm the Greatest Star" on the show. Shhhhh......don't tell her.

by Anonymousreply 17January 17, 2023 1:40 PM

What happened in the last thread to close it before 600?

by Anonymousreply 18January 17, 2023 1:50 PM

R18, it got to 600. Why would you say otherwise without checking?

by Anonymousreply 19January 17, 2023 1:53 PM

It was at 600.

by Anonymousreply 20January 17, 2023 1:53 PM

Sometimes you need to refresh. It will say thread closed without displaying the entire list.

by Anonymousreply 21January 17, 2023 4:15 PM

r19 don’t be a dick. Thanks.

by Anonymousreply 22January 17, 2023 4:16 PM

Moving on.....

by Anonymousreply 23January 17, 2023 5:08 PM

New show at the Geffen with Lauren Patten and Damon Daunno. Why is Trip Cullman co-directing with a woman (or with anyone, for that matter)? Are white men that verboten in theater now that they have to attach some sort of minority other than gay in order to satisfy the twitter mob?

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by Anonymousreply 24January 17, 2023 5:26 PM

How does all this co-directing actually work? Or co-writers being forced on writers? Paradise Square worked out well.

by Anonymousreply 25January 17, 2023 5:38 PM

And if they wanted a woman to direct a show about lesbian characters, why not just hire a woman who can direct? It's not like there aren't any out there.

by Anonymousreply 26January 17, 2023 5:51 PM

Lauren Patton unfairly took on all the trans anger toward JAGGED. Good for her for doing another new musical.

by Anonymousreply 27January 17, 2023 5:52 PM

Aren't Patton and Sarnak partners?

by Anonymousreply 28January 17, 2023 5:53 PM

Honest question-Do you think anyone is thinking of creating The White Lotus musical for Broadway right now?

Can you imagine casting it?

by Anonymousreply 29January 17, 2023 6:07 PM

It doesn't seem to lend itself to a play/musical structure.

by Anonymousreply 30January 17, 2023 6:18 PM

R22, a dick is as a dick does. For example, the dick who complained that the last thread was closed before it reached 600, when it actually did reach 600, as the dick in question could have discovered by quickly and easily checking.

by Anonymousreply 31January 17, 2023 6:26 PM

your response is the sign of a small one.

by Anonymousreply 32January 17, 2023 6:41 PM

SLIH making a cast recording. Those producers are going for it. Maybe they'll get a major star to come in, just like Funny Girl.

by Anonymousreply 33January 17, 2023 7:04 PM

I'd be excited to see Damon Daunno in anything. He was the one ray of sunshine in that Oklahoma revival.

by Anonymousreply 34January 17, 2023 7:14 PM

Damon Daunno had so much charm and talent in that OKLAHOMA!, I'm kind of amazed that insane director Daniel Fish cast him.

by Anonymousreply 35January 17, 2023 7:23 PM

Is Fish still working on his "most unhappy (non) Fellas"?

by Anonymousreply 36January 17, 2023 7:54 PM

BIG Funny Girl announcement coming tomorrow. Will Lea be touring? Will someone big be stepping in during her vacation next month? IS BEANIE COMING BACK IN THE MORE APPROPRIATE ROLE OF MRS STRAKOSH?????????

by Anonymousreply 37January 17, 2023 7:58 PM

Darren Chris is playing Fanny during her vacation

by Anonymousreply 38January 17, 2023 8:34 PM

Our new Fanny!

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by Anonymousreply 39January 17, 2023 8:35 PM

[quote]Darren Chris

Oh, dear.

by Anonymousreply 40January 17, 2023 8:35 PM

Is Damon Daunno gay or Derek Klena, Ramin Karimloo, Jeremy Jordan straight?

by Anonymousreply 41January 17, 2023 9:01 PM

They're all straight, r41.

by Anonymousreply 42January 17, 2023 9:02 PM

I was not a fan of Daunno’s yodel-singing.

by Anonymousreply 43January 17, 2023 9:21 PM

Continuing from the last thread...God! I love Dee Hoty and wish she did more Broadway. Some if it is her unmistakably tasteful heady mix and register switching when she's singing a song that 3/4 of the leading ladies on Broadway would just screlt at you and be done with it.

She was fascinating in Mamma Mia! because she's such an intelligent actor, and there's hardly a stupider adult character in the entire modern musical theatre canon than Donna Sheridan. Many of the ladies in that role on Broadway just talked the dialogue expeditiously with a general emotional wash and bursts of intense feeling, but DH had clearly endeavored to map out a progression of behavior and let us see Donna going through something.

Does she do plays very often? One would think the not for profits would have plenty of work for her.

by Anonymousreply 44January 17, 2023 9:21 PM

I pray it's Pia Zadora as the new Fanny!!

by Anonymousreply 45January 17, 2023 9:22 PM

.....

by Anonymousreply 46January 17, 2023 9:23 PM

I know multiple shows closed and people rushed to see them, but overall the grosses were mostly up last week.

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by Anonymousreply 47January 17, 2023 9:32 PM

Phantom selling out because it's closing?

by Anonymousreply 48January 17, 2023 9:44 PM

Dee

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by Anonymousreply 49January 17, 2023 9:52 PM

Damn that Damon is straight. I swear where are the gay musical men?

by Anonymousreply 50January 17, 2023 10:01 PM

Dee's leaving Texas, ya'll.

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by Anonymousreply 51January 17, 2023 10:03 PM

Can’t she do the Allison Janney roles in musicalizations of, I dunno, I, Tonya? Or maybe the Jean Smart roles in musicalizations of, I dunno, Babylon?

by Anonymousreply 52January 17, 2023 10:05 PM

I saw Dee Hoty play Eleanor of Aquitaine in a regional production of The Lion in Winter and she was pretty awful. But then, the entire production was....and yet it was directed by nepo baby Tyne Rafaeli who is now a leading director with LCT and directing their next show at the Newhouse.

by Anonymousreply 53January 17, 2023 10:23 PM

Funny Girl still grossing over 2 mil a week. Damn.

by Anonymousreply 54January 17, 2023 10:29 PM

[Quote] Phantom selling out because it's closing?

Yes

by Anonymousreply 55January 17, 2023 10:40 PM

So many Broadway shows under $850,000 which these days is like Poverty Row.

by Anonymousreply 56January 17, 2023 11:05 PM

A large percentage of the shows whose grosses went up last week were the ones that were closing.

by Anonymousreply 57January 18, 2023 1:58 AM

Who the hell is still going to see CHICAGO?

by Anonymousreply 58January 18, 2023 2:10 AM

Saw Kimberly Akimbo tonight. Incredibly lovely show. Everyone’s voices sounded fantastic and the orchestra was sold out (couldn’t see the balcony). The audience seemed completely engaged - during the serious parts in the second act you could hear a pin drop. Bonnie Milligan actually made me laugh out loud - the writing plus her delivery were genuinely funny. The music wasn’t very memorable but the cast made up for it.

Worth venturing into the hell of Times Square to see, which feels rare at this point.

by Anonymousreply 59January 18, 2023 2:32 AM

[quote] Who the hell is still going to see CHICAGO?

Whoever wanted to see Jinkx Monsoon as Mama Morton, I suppose.

by Anonymousreply 60January 18, 2023 3:35 AM

It’ll be interesting to see if Jinkx can bring the show to life for the next couple of months.

by Anonymousreply 61January 18, 2023 3:42 AM

/////

by Anonymousreply 62January 18, 2023 3:43 AM

Not much up on TDF, especially for January. Hee Haw and SLIH, and that's about it for b'way.

by Anonymousreply 63January 18, 2023 2:45 PM

[quote][R18], it got to 600. Why would you say otherwise without checking?

Fwiw, r19, DL did not refresh for me between Monday afternoon and just now. I refreshed, signed in and out again. Nothing. I'm a subscriber, so I could post. This morning, all of yesterday's posts suddenly appeared.

So, the same thing happened to me.

by Anonymousreply 64January 18, 2023 3:32 PM

Here's Jinx' first curtain call. The audience is going wild for the whole thing and it just looks ridiculous. That show is a broken down whore that needs to be put out of its misery.

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by Anonymousreply 65January 18, 2023 5:21 PM

gotta hand it to Charlotte d'A. She's been doing that show on and off for decades, and her curtain call still looks like she's genuinely excited and engaged.

by Anonymousreply 66January 18, 2023 7:30 PM

Agree. I can't imagine Charlotte doesn't give it her all every time. I saw her play Roxie in 2000 and she was amazing and I would guess if I saw her tonight she'd be just as good.

by Anonymousreply 67January 18, 2023 7:34 PM

Charlotte had everything ...but star quality.

by Anonymousreply 68January 18, 2023 7:35 PM

Chicago is absolutely fool proof. You could put almost anyone in those roles (and the producers have) and it's still a great show. Plus, it's cheap to run.

by Anonymousreply 69January 18, 2023 7:36 PM

[quote] Charlotte had everything ...but star quality.

Ain't that a bitch!

by Anonymousreply 70January 18, 2023 7:38 PM

Hold my beer.

by Anonymousreply 71January 18, 2023 7:56 PM

Gladly Dierdre!

by Anonymousreply 72January 18, 2023 8:12 PM

[quote] You could put almost anyone in those roles (and the producers have) and it's still a great show.

Let's try it with Beanie.

by Anonymousreply 73January 18, 2023 8:14 PM

Feinstein IS Roxie

Porkalob IS Velma

Chicago IS Closing

by Anonymousreply 74January 18, 2023 8:28 PM

Michael's a bit long in the tooth, r74.

by Anonymousreply 75January 18, 2023 8:45 PM

[quote]The audience is going wild for the whole thing and it just looks ridiculous. That show is a broken down whore that needs to be put out of its misery.

Why? Why do you wish it ill? I'm certainly not going to be seeing it again but it's still selling tickets, pleasing audiences and providing work for actors who were without for a year and a half due to covid. Good for the Weisslers for still running it.

by Anonymousreply 76January 18, 2023 8:57 PM

Saw Charlotte as Sweet Charity. Danced it beautifully. Sang and acted the role just fine. Then saw Christina Applegate. Couldn't dance it (the broken ankle had pretty much healed by then), sang and acted the role just fine. The difference between the two? Applegate had 'it' and you couldn't take your eyes off her. Charlotte worked hard but she really does lack that special quality. But Chicago has been very good to her. Brownstone in Harlem, country house and two daughters in college. Thanks to Fran and Barry.

by Anonymousreply 77January 18, 2023 10:49 PM

Could they please cast me as Amos?

by Anonymousreply 78January 18, 2023 11:02 PM

Could they please cast me as Amos?

by Anonymousreply 79January 18, 2023 11:02 PM

Have you auditioned for Amos, C-list?

by Anonymousreply 80January 18, 2023 11:27 PM

You'd be a fabulous Amos. Have your people call the Weisslers.

by Anonymousreply 81January 19, 2023 1:17 AM

I like pussy.

by Anonymousreply 82January 19, 2023 1:24 AM

I totally get the Charlotte d'A comments -- perhaps she never had "it" in everything she did. That said, I thought she was marvelous in the Chicago Tour when I first saw her -- gosh -- a quarter century ago?? I saw her doing Roxie again many years later and she was just as strong. I also thought she was a total delight in the Pippin revival. When she has the right role, that fits her comedic and dance talents, she can be very good.

by Anonymousreply 83January 19, 2023 1:37 AM

R77, exactly! I too saw Applegate and thought her star quality is what carried the performance.

It’s just so hard to define but some people just have it

by Anonymousreply 84January 19, 2023 1:38 AM

I recall Charlotte in the A Chorus Line revival.

Great dancer. Completely forgettable.

by Anonymousreply 85January 19, 2023 1:38 AM

I’ve had the same reaction to Charlotte.I saw her repeatedly in CHICAGO earlier in the run. She’s good, she’s solid but unmemorable. Honestly felt the same way with her in PIPPIN, although in that, I did find her miscast. Or maybe she just didn’t do anything with the role. I went to the very first preview.I cannot tell you one thing about that performance but I knew Andrea Martin was going to win a Tony.

Also saw Applegate before she broke the ankle in Chicago. You really felt like she wanted to be there and do this thing, but beyond that she was just so goddamn charming and lit up the stage.I actually felt sorry that she was in such a lackluster production.

by Anonymousreply 86January 19, 2023 2:25 AM

Did anyone see Erika Jayne in her aborted run in Chicago?

by Anonymousreply 87January 19, 2023 2:32 AM

[quote] Why? Why do you wish it ill? I'm certainly not going to be seeing it again but it's still selling tickets, pleasing audiences and providing work for actors who were without for a year and a half due to covid. Good for the Weisslers for still running it.

I don't wish it ill, it's just time to go. The thing has been the Broadway version of Menopause the Musical for close to 20 years.

by Anonymousreply 88January 19, 2023 2:34 AM

I saw Chicago last year with Pamela Sue Anderson, a gag gift that I felt obligated to oblige.

It was dreadful, and not because of PSA. She was trying hard. The rest of the cast: not so much.

Having seen the revival several times when it opened in 1996, I was embarrassed by the state of this production. If this is the only Broadway show a tourist goes to see, it's not leaving a good impression.

I love Jinkx Monsoon and would love to see her in her Broadway debut, but I can't go back. That lame horse of a show needs to be put out of its misery.

by Anonymousreply 89January 19, 2023 2:53 AM

I’m with Patti LuPone, there really should be term limits on Broadway musicals.

by Anonymousreply 90January 19, 2023 2:54 AM

…and DL posters.

by Anonymousreply 91January 19, 2023 3:01 AM

...and regrets.

by Anonymousreply 92January 19, 2023 3:05 AM

When Miss d'Amboise was announced for Gwen Verdon's star-making turn in the Encores! CAN-CAN, a friend quipped, "She can't be. Then who's the understudy?"

by Anonymousreply 93January 19, 2023 3:19 AM

That Can-Can would have been far more likely to transfer, as Wonderful Town did, had they not miscast two of the principals so badly. She was a void, generating no heat (albeit doing the steps correctly, one cannot fault her technique) in the role that made Verdon a star. And then there was Michael Nouri, who didn't really know the material. He got the prisspot part right, but couldn't do the necessary fire underneath to match LuPone, who was definitive and unforgettable and rightly won raves. And it either needed to reconstruct the Kidd choreography or find someone to deliver a modern equivalent. More sex and naughty Paree.

by Anonymousreply 94January 19, 2023 3:55 AM

I forgot about Can Can. And obviously Charlotte being in it. Another unmemorable turn. I thought Patti was good but I didn’t see anything about that production that would have warranted a transfer.

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by Anonymousreply 95January 19, 2023 4:54 AM

What was the big Funny Girl announcement?

by Anonymousreply 96January 19, 2023 5:56 AM

R59 I saw Kimberly Akimbo today and very much agree with your sentiments. A very sweet show with a wonderful cast that knows how to make the most of the material. Victoria Clark and Bonnie Milligan are excellent (Bonnie is truly funny in her role), and I thought the male love interest also did a spectacular job at making his character weird but endearing and making the romance believable. One other thing I noticed and enjoyed was how Clark's older singing style contrasted with all the younger very "new musical theatre style" vocals of the rest of the cast and how that enhanced the show thematically.

Re: Damon Daunno, I would go see him in nearly anything and am excited he'll potentially have a new show coming to Broadway, but I can't lie, I was hoping he would end up coming back to be Orpheus in Hadestown for at least a short run. as I much prefer him to Reeve in the role.

by Anonymousreply 97January 19, 2023 7:23 AM

For the life of me I don't get the Kimberly Akimbo hype. The jokes aren't funny and the songs are forgettable. I couldn't figure out whether it was supposed to be a dark comedy or a sweet kid/family friendly show.

by Anonymousreply 98January 19, 2023 8:31 AM

[quote]What was the big Funny Girl announcement?

Beanie is planning a triumphant return to the role of Fanny?

by Anonymousreply 99January 19, 2023 8:43 AM

The big Funny Girl announcement was legit a CD signing. It was ho-him even by Broadwayworld.com standards

by Anonymousreply 100January 19, 2023 10:11 AM

Being adequate and lacking charisma hasn't hurt my career!

by Anonymousreply 101January 19, 2023 12:02 PM

r96 just a CD signing event

by Anonymousreply 102January 19, 2023 12:16 PM

[Quote] I saw Chicago last year with Pamela Sue Anderson, a gag gift that I felt obligated to oblige.

You mean just Pamela Anderson right?

by Anonymousreply 103January 19, 2023 12:17 PM

R98 I thought parts (mostly Bonnie Milligan) of Kimberly Akimbo were laugh outloud funny and I rarely find theater funny. I agree it’s a strange show and that’s why I liked it. Such a weird concept. Parts were quite sad and parts were very sweet and then you had Bonnie offering to give the high school kid a handjob for $20. The teenage chorus of theater nerds all pining for each other was cute. And I loved the end - got teary. It helped that I’m a Victoria Clark fan. Love her voice.

I liked that it was something new (even though the play is old) - I’m so sick of the endless revivals and these jukebox musicals and Disney and Harry Potter and everything geared to tourists and families and these rowdy flyover crowds who act like animals.

But I can see how it wouldn’t appeal to everyone. The crowd on Tuesday was mostly older couples and they seemed to love it (saw a man with white hair earnestly exclaimed “now THAT was a great show!” to his wife after it was over).

I wonder how long it will stay open.

by Anonymousreply 104January 19, 2023 1:44 PM

R78-C-List-You're perfect for Amos, and your husband could play Mama Morton.

by Anonymousreply 105January 19, 2023 2:11 PM

Theoretically, I am the target audience for Kimberly Akimbo. I love new work, enjoyed most of Jeanine Tesoro’s shows, and prefer character focused stories.

But, both at the Atlantic and on Broadway, it left me cold. The kids seemed self consciously quirky in a very false way, with the exception of the straight girl. The family drama was overwrought, and the mother especially grated on me. From the opening number, the comedy was tired - joking repeatedly that a story is set in NJ is a very cheap laugh.

I hoped it would feel more balanced on Broadway, but it seemed like the same show with a few extra set pieces. Plus, I’m pretty sure my Covid three days later came from the coughing women seated behind me.

by Anonymousreply 106January 19, 2023 2:18 PM

On Broadway, the show feels slight…and small.

by Anonymousreply 107January 19, 2023 2:30 PM

I don’t think they found the necessary balance between really broad and sly or whimsical. People are excited about this director but I worry about her control of tone. The show needs to walk a tightrope of style and stumbles.

by Anonymousreply 108January 19, 2023 2:30 PM

Among other things, Kimberly Akimbo also needs wittier design elements than it's getting on Broadway. I had hoped there would be improvements after the Atlantic production but......no. It all just looks so dreary and cold.

Someone in a former thread mentioned the lack of wit in design on Broadway (wait....maybe that was me?) and this show is a classic example of it.

by Anonymousreply 109January 19, 2023 2:45 PM

I liked Kimberly Akimbo well enough, but I felt whiplash because what actually happens in the show is much darker than the directorial tone of the show. I think a defter director could have reconciled that, elevating the material in the process.

by Anonymousreply 110January 19, 2023 2:51 PM

Kimberly Akimbo, as a play, received a very sharp and quirky production at MTC, directed by David Petrarca. It had an unusual set design of a home, designed in outrageous plaid tones, and a very prominent clock on the wall that would spin out of control during the scene transitions - which has obvious implications for Kimberly's character. For all of the play's comedy and outrageousness, there was an element of mortality that hung over the whole evening. Good as Victoria Clark is, she's a little robust. The smaller, frailer Marylouise Burke broke your heart. There is a line that was in the play that didn't make it into the musical, and I don't know why. [SPOILER] When they are about to pull off the bank heist and Kimberly appears in old lady drag, Marylouise turned to the boyfriend character (who was played by John Gallagher Jr.) and said with devastating vulnerability, "It's just for a little while." It's one of those moments in the theatre that I won't forget, and I missed it so much in the musical.

by Anonymousreply 111January 19, 2023 3:14 PM

I think part of the big success of 'Chicago' is that it has been one of the rare musical productions which performs on Monday nights, when most theaters are dark. So if you're a tourist who just arrived on Sunday or Monday (like I have been many times in the past) and you want to go see a musical while you're there, this - and Phantom - were the only two options for many years. It's hard to lose when you have no competition one night out of the week.

(I don't know if Monday nights have changed in the past year once Broadway re-opened).

And yes, I saw Charlotte D. in "Chicago" when I first saw it on Broadway back in 2004. I remember her being very good and entertaining - but not much more than that. Not really an 'unforgettable performance'.

by Anonymousreply 112January 19, 2023 3:25 PM

Kimberly Akimbo was cute but I can't remember a single song. I sat close, in the orchestra, and still felt the theatre was too big for such an intimate show. The plot is weird--starts out okay and then gets zany, which is just strange.

by Anonymousreply 113January 19, 2023 3:25 PM

r111, your post on the original production is so spot-on. I think Marylouise Burke also just had a more "grotesque" if that's the right word for it, appearance as a teenager which gave the whole enterprise more depth and poignancy. Clark just looks too cute as a teenager.

by Anonymousreply 114January 19, 2023 4:09 PM

[quote] When they are about to pull off the bank heist and Kimberly appears in old lady drag, Marylouise turned to the boyfriend character (who was played by John Gallagher Jr.) and said with devastating vulnerability, "It's just for a little while." It's one of those moments in the theatre that I won't forget, and I missed it so much in the musical.

You are so right, R111. I love the musical, and the original play, but I also miss that moment from the play. When Marylouise Burke walked on stage for the first time in her grandmother outfit, the audience actually gasped. That is something I have only heard happen a few times in the theater. Seeing her dressed that way broke my heart. I didn’t feel that way in the same moment in the musical.

by Anonymousreply 115January 19, 2023 4:22 PM

Clark just looks like a groovy, retro hippie.

by Anonymousreply 116January 19, 2023 4:24 PM

[quote]For the life of me I don't get the Kimberly Akimbo hype. The jokes aren't funny and the songs are forgettable. I couldn't figure out whether it was supposed to be a dark comedy or a sweet kid/family friendly show.

It's fine if the show doesn't appeal to you, but you shouldn't make pronouncements like "the jokes aren't funny," as obviously many people disagree with you. And some of us think the shifting of tone within the show is one of the things that makes it so special.

R115, when I saw the musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO on Broadway, there were definitely gasps when Victoria Clark appeared in her old lady guise. I'm very surprised if that didn't happen when you attended. That said, I did miss the line that you and the other poster noted, and I also missed a line that came at the end of the play, I think it may even have been the final line: "Just keep driving."

by Anonymousreply 117January 19, 2023 4:53 PM

R103,

Yes! Thank you. LOL. You can tell I never watched Baywatch.

by Anonymousreply 118January 19, 2023 5:23 PM

Pamela Sue Anderson played Nancy Drew, r118.

by Anonymousreply 119January 19, 2023 5:58 PM

[quote] It's fine if the show doesn't appeal to you, but you shouldn't make pronouncements like "the jokes aren't funny," as obviously many people disagree with you. And some of us think the shifting of tone within the show is one of the things that makes it so special.

You're special.

by Anonymousreply 120January 19, 2023 6:19 PM

R120, that's the response of a five-year-old -- or maybe I'm giving you credit for too much maturity and intelligence.

by Anonymousreply 121January 19, 2023 6:31 PM

What's Sherie Rene up to?

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by Anonymousreply 122January 19, 2023 6:35 PM

Saw Take Me Out last night but wasn’t moved and actually a little bored. I thought the business agent was just too much new-found love of baseball baseball baseball.

I’m a fair-weather New York baseball fan (I only follow if they’re in the playoffs) and I go to one or two Yankee games a season (if I can get a free ticket) but the passion that baseball elicits escapes me, and last night failed to change my feeling.

That being said, Jesse Williams is remarkably well-hung and his second-act disclosure produced at least one gasp, and a couple of small giggles at the gasp, though not enough to derail the show.

by Anonymousreply 123January 19, 2023 7:55 PM

R113 - so many people are saying the same thing about the size of the theater they are in: way too big for that intimate production.

by Anonymousreply 124January 19, 2023 8:11 PM

Isn't it the smallest? (re r124 NOT r123)

by Anonymousreply 125January 19, 2023 8:20 PM

Helen Hayes is the smallest, and then the Friedman.

by Anonymousreply 126January 19, 2023 8:25 PM

Wow, I would never have guessed that the Booth is bigger than the Friedman. The balcony at the Friedman feels much farther away from the stage.

by Anonymousreply 127January 19, 2023 8:38 PM

Hayes 583 seats

Friedman 637 seats

Booth 770 seats

by Anonymousreply 128January 19, 2023 8:44 PM

I saw Chicago with Charlotte D'Amboise as Roxie and Ruthie Henshall as Velma in the mid to late 90s. I was only a kid, but I thought they were both great, yet I did think Henshall was superior. I also loved Roz Ryan as Mama.

by Anonymousreply 129January 19, 2023 9:09 PM

I agree with R111's comments about the original production of Kimberly Akimbo and Marylouise Burke's terrific performance. However, I found the musical adaptation to be bland, unmemorable, and genuinely poor adaptation. And that set? I like Victoria Clark, but I didn't like her in this.

Marylouise Burke is one of those quirky Broadway actors that shines when the role fits. I worked with her in the 70s, and she's always been the same, even in her 20s. Likewise, Jennifer Coolidge is blessed with a similar quirkiness that, in the right part and with the right director, can really excel. Some other quirky actors whose schtick works with the right part/right director include:

Mary Testa (brilliant in Queen of the Mist)

Jackie Hoffman

Julie Halston

Mary Lousie Wilson

Jennifer Tilly

J. Smith-Cameron

Julie White

- IMHO -

by Anonymousreply 130January 19, 2023 9:14 PM

I don't think of Mary Louise Wilson or Julie White or J. Smith Cameron being quirky to the point that they only shine in certain roles, r130.

by Anonymousreply 131January 19, 2023 9:27 PM

[quote] That being said, Jesse Williams is remarkably well-hung and his second-act disclosure produced at least one gasp

I assume by disclosure you mean....disrobing?

Or does he speak a line that induces gasps?

(am I asking a question that spoils the plot?)

by Anonymousreply 132January 19, 2023 9:32 PM

There's a plot?

by Anonymousreply 133January 19, 2023 9:33 PM

Ahhhh - Mary Lousie Wilson. A breath of freesh air as Ginny Wroblicki on 'One Day At A Time'.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in that studio when Season 2 was under way - and hear the fighting between her and Bonnie Franklin. MLW asked to be released from her contract at the end of S2, and BF threatened not to return to the set for S3 if MLW wasn't fired (that's how much they despised each other) towards the end of season 2. MLW was graciously let out of her contract - never to be seen again.

by Anonymousreply 134January 19, 2023 9:44 PM

WHET to Sherie Rene? She had a pretty good career for a theatre actress and then it just kinda vanished?

by Anonymousreply 135January 19, 2023 11:29 PM

Ron Rifkin was also on One Day.... but his character was killed off after one season. I'll bet Bonnie's fingerprints are all over that one, too. I wonder if she took cunt lessons from Betty Bacall.

by Anonymousreply 136January 19, 2023 11:59 PM

He drops his towel and reveals all, and for a few minutes.

by Anonymousreply 137January 20, 2023 12:17 AM

Sherie thought she was a playwright. She wasn't.

by Anonymousreply 138January 20, 2023 12:31 AM

Kimberly Akimbo very, very funny. I can't believe someone didn't laugh

by Anonymousreply 139January 20, 2023 12:32 AM

R137 On other sites, some audience members are saying at some performances he's flaccid, at others he's definitely semi-hard (one member in the front row said you could actually see it start bouncing up a bit before the scene ended). Was he soft or semi for your performance ?

by Anonymousreply 140January 20, 2023 1:01 AM

r119 No, dear.

by Anonymousreply 141January 20, 2023 1:33 AM

r141 No, dear.

by Anonymousreply 142January 20, 2023 1:36 AM

[quote]WHET to Sherie Rene? She had a pretty good career for a theatre actress and then it just kinda vanished?

I think there was a double whammy against her career: (1) she had the central role in WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, which was a huge flop, and part of the blame for that was leveled at her performance; (2) she had an extremely bitter divorce from Kurt Deutsch, who is very well liked in the industry. Oh, and two other shows in which she starred, THE LAST FIVE YEARS and THE LITTLE MERMAID, were also big flops financially.

by Anonymousreply 143January 20, 2023 1:49 AM

R140 he was soft but it was thick and long, longer than the other cocks we’d already seen, thus the gasp.

by Anonymousreply 144January 20, 2023 1:51 AM

Sherie took the money and ran...

by Anonymousreply 145January 20, 2023 2:11 AM

I just watched that Aida number again. Wow. Gay creatives gone wild and unchecked. Led by Tom Schumacher. Just a giant drag number and Shero looks like a giant drag queen.

by Anonymousreply 146January 20, 2023 2:55 AM

It ended up being pretty socko, r146.

by Anonymousreply 147January 20, 2023 2:56 AM

Sherie Rene had a great one woman play where she talked about her crazy upbringing.

And then promptly disappeared from NYC

by Anonymousreply 148January 20, 2023 3:01 AM

Drag shows can be great

by Anonymousreply 149January 20, 2023 3:01 AM

Particularly when you see every penny on stage, r149.

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by Anonymousreply 150January 20, 2023 3:08 AM

R148, presumably you're referring to EVERYDAY RAPTURE? If so, you have an odd definition of "promptly disappeared," since she opened in WOMEN ON THE VERGE less than 5 months after ER closed . . . and she racked up at least 4 on and off-B'way credits in the decade after WOMEN closed (plus at least a couple runs at 54 Below).

by Anonymousreply 151January 20, 2023 3:13 AM

Sorry, probably meant Women on the Verge promptly disappeared.

by Anonymousreply 152January 20, 2023 3:22 AM

Was just reading Pasadena Playhouse in the LA area is mounting A Little Night Music with a full 22 piece orchestra. It's crazy to me that it's been 50 years since the show premiered. I've never seen anything at Pasadena Playhouse. Is there any chance of them getting big names in their productions given their closeness to LA? Desiree in a limited run, close to LA, with a full orchestra, no long-term commitment.... seems like a good gig for actresses of a certain age.

by Anonymousreply 153January 20, 2023 3:29 AM

On Bones right now, r149...

The Drama in the Queen

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by Anonymousreply 154January 20, 2023 3:34 AM

I haven't read anything, r153, but there was discussion here on their Sunday/George casting.

by Anonymousreply 155January 20, 2023 3:37 AM

R155 - oh, snap! I didn't realize they were doing a full Sondheim season. Just looked up the Sunday cast. Nothing very inspiring, but I don't really know any of them. Is there anyone in that Sunday cast to be excited about? Genuine question, not snark (for once!) Looks like it's, essentially, same creative team as the most recent NY production, minus the star power of Jake G?

by Anonymousreply 156January 20, 2023 3:40 AM

R153 They're getting Bernadette for a concert. And a bunch of other stuff.

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by Anonymousreply 157January 20, 2023 4:37 AM

[quote] Mary Lousie Wilson

I love Lousie!

by Anonymousreply 158January 20, 2023 5:42 AM

Didn't Sherie Rene do a second one woman show after Everyday Rapture? Or am I losing my mind...

by Anonymousreply 159January 20, 2023 10:34 AM

For those in the know, why was the divorce so bitter?

by Anonymousreply 160January 20, 2023 10:35 AM

The one about prisoners r159 Whorl Inside a loop with Dick Scanlan

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by Anonymousreply 161January 20, 2023 12:31 PM

[quote] I've never seen anything at Pasadena Playhouse. Is there any chance of them getting big names in their productions given their closeness to LA?

The Pasadena Playhouse doesn’t usually cast “names”, so you’re not likely to see a stat as Desiree. But they do consistently mount quality productions of interesting shows. You’re likely to see a damn good Night Music there.

by Anonymousreply 162January 20, 2023 12:35 PM

“…star as Desiree”

by Anonymousreply 163January 20, 2023 12:36 PM

R109 that was me re set design, and I agree with you. I just recently realized what I think the trouble is— The designs may be ‘clever’ or smart, with a ‘concept,’ but they seem to want to elicit praise or recognition for the designer from the director or critics rather than delight or surprise the audience. Smart, maybe, but cold

by Anonymousreply 164January 20, 2023 12:38 PM

Belle can get back in time but not Sami? What about Carrie? I'm looking forward to Belle throwing that in Sami's face though

by Anonymousreply 165January 20, 2023 1:09 PM

Belle? Sami? Carrie?

Please give us some context, r165.

by Anonymousreply 166January 20, 2023 1:14 PM

whoops wrong thread

by Anonymousreply 167January 20, 2023 1:15 PM

There is no such thing as a wrong thread r167, just a wrong poster.

by Anonymousreply 168January 20, 2023 1:37 PM

If the Jujamcyn theaters really are being sold, I hope that doesn't end SeatGeek's foray into Broadway. Their platform is much more pleasant than Telecharge or Ticketmaster.

by Anonymousreply 169January 20, 2023 1:43 PM

If the Jujamcyn theaters are sold, what will Jordan Roth ever do with his days (this could be a thread unto itself)?

by Anonymousreply 170January 20, 2023 2:05 PM

Is Jordan officially MTF or just non binary?

by Anonymousreply 171January 20, 2023 2:26 PM

Zhe is ALL things to ALL people!

by Anonymousreply 172January 20, 2023 3:37 PM

Not sure, but he believes his husband Richie is a kitty cat.

by Anonymousreply 173January 20, 2023 3:46 PM

Pasadena Playhouse did a really wonderful Ragtime the year before the pandemic. No names, as noted, but the cast was excellent.

by Anonymousreply 174January 20, 2023 3:58 PM

Adam Guettel's Days Of Wine And Roses musical set for The Atlantic in the Spring. With Brian D'Arcy Janes and Kelli O'Hara.

by Anonymousreply 175January 20, 2023 8:09 PM

A little lost respect for Kelli doing this after Adam’s Twitter meltdown defending Brett Kavanaugh

This is the problem with Broadway. This is always what is rewarded. Nobody in that community cares that Darryl Roth attended the Trump inauguration either.

by Anonymousreply 176January 20, 2023 8:23 PM

Laura Osnes send her love, from limbo.

by Anonymousreply 177January 20, 2023 8:28 PM

Didn't Adam and Kelli once have an affair?

by Anonymousreply 178January 20, 2023 8:32 PM

R176-Nor should they. It has nothing to do with their talent.

by Anonymousreply 179January 20, 2023 8:47 PM

It has everything to do with whether or not I want to pay for their "talent".

by Anonymousreply 180January 20, 2023 8:50 PM

Bet you anything that nothing in Guettel's Days of Wine and Roses score will come close to the brilliance of Henry Mancini's title song from the film.

by Anonymousreply 181January 20, 2023 10:08 PM

Um I was there too R181

by Anonymousreply 182January 21, 2023 1:50 AM

[r179] really? Go ahead and support them and their talent then while they support Brett Kavanaugh and Donald Trump. Report back later with how well your rights as a gay American are going. Or if you live in Manhattan, you think the the rest of the country turning into Gilead won’t affect you.

by Anonymousreply 183January 21, 2023 2:26 AM

[quote]Adam Guettel's Days Of Wine And Roses musical set for The Atlantic in the Spring. With Brian D'Arcy Janes and Kelli O'Hara.

That certainly sounds depressing if it remains true to its source material. Well tickets be packaged with complimentary razor blades?

by Anonymousreply 184January 21, 2023 7:12 AM

So, days of Wine and roses was the musical Rudin was developing and reportedly had many fights with agents and talent. How do we find out if he is still involved. He must be. He originated it with Guettel

by Anonymousreply 185January 21, 2023 12:56 PM

I still want to know how they were going to “fix“ thoroughly modern Millie for woke times

by Anonymousreply 186January 21, 2023 2:23 PM

Be careful what you wish for. They might still do it.

by Anonymousreply 187January 21, 2023 2:33 PM

God forbid, R187.

by Anonymousreply 188January 21, 2023 3:21 PM

Next up: 'night Mother, the musical.

by Anonymousreply 189January 21, 2023 3:23 PM

Could be a fun jukebox musical project. What songs would be good?

Cher’s Bang Bang

by Anonymousreply 190January 21, 2023 3:38 PM

Night, Motehr the Musical follows my new musical version of The Lower Depths.

by Anonymousreply 191January 21, 2023 3:57 PM

Next up-Titanic, the musical. Oh, wait...

by Anonymousreply 192January 21, 2023 4:10 PM

Closing number: "Tap Your Troubles Away".

Actually, something expressing false optimism like that might be a really good idea.

by Anonymousreply 193January 21, 2023 4:22 PM

Oh to live the life of a well-subsidized author and grant recipient with the cradle to grave patronage of a major NYC non-profit. Snooty enough to forever claim that they don't write for the mainstream musical, but ever-complaining when the public doesn't come and their shows don't catch on.

by Anonymousreply 194January 21, 2023 4:25 PM

[quote] Adam Guettel's Days Of Wine And Roses musical set for The Atlantic in the Spring. With Brian D'Arcy Janes and Kelli O'Hara.

Well, they always say write what you know.

by Anonymousreply 195January 21, 2023 4:50 PM

No one ever picked up your musical, huh, r194? Rough.

by Anonymousreply 196January 21, 2023 5:36 PM

[quote]Closing number: "Tap Your Troubles Away".

Too bad Bonnie Franklin's no longer with us.

by Anonymousreply 197January 21, 2023 5:42 PM

Mama, I’m a big girl now at some point

by Anonymousreply 198January 21, 2023 5:45 PM

I don't know if we've discussed this in the past, but has anyone watched Kristen Bell's "Encore" series on HBO? (It's streamable on HBOMax.) Each episode reunites the cast of a high school musical. Then they bring in some pros to help them perform the same show they originally performed one more time (for an audience.) I had seen one episode a few years ago when it premiered but somehow forgot all about it and just yesterday noticed it on my HBOMax menu. So I went back and checked out a couple more. It's a lot of fun-- although I sometimes fast-forward through the drippy "I never knew you had a crush on me"-type scenes. But it's pretty amazing how game some of the performers are. The episode that goes farthest back in time is from an all-Black cast who performed "Anything Goes" in 1975. I also watched the Christian high school from Santa Monica (who knew there was such a thing?) do "Ragtime."

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by Anonymousreply 199January 21, 2023 5:48 PM

OOPS! Sorry -- I meant to say that it's on Disney+, not HBOMax.

by Anonymousreply 200January 21, 2023 5:50 PM

I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere but has Ed Sheeran ever said that he was influenced by Sondheim? Castle on the hill and Someone in a tree played fairly close on my iphone and they just reminded me of each other especially the I was younger then parts

by Anonymousreply 201January 21, 2023 5:56 PM

JESSIE: ‘Night, mother.

[Italic]. JESSIE slams door. SFX: Gunshot.

MOTHER: Careful the things you say….

by Anonymousreply 202January 21, 2023 5:59 PM

Which brings us back to FOLLIES, r199...

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by Anonymousreply 203January 21, 2023 6:07 PM

Act 1 of "'Night Mama!" climaxes in a kickline of candy bars.

by Anonymousreply 204January 21, 2023 6:22 PM

Anyone else see the Edie Falco/Brenda Blethyn "night, Mother"? I highlight of theatergoing for me...

by Anonymousreply 205January 21, 2023 6:23 PM

At the performance of the Edie Falco/Brenda Blethyn performance of 'NIGHT, MOTHER that I saw, Edie was very low-energy, almost walking through the show. But I believe it was around that time when she received a cancer diagnosis, so that might certainly have been the explanation.

by Anonymousreply 206January 21, 2023 6:38 PM

WHET Kate Levering?

by Anonymousreply 207January 21, 2023 7:35 PM

I thought Brenda was heartbreaking but R206 and I must have seen it on the same night because Edie was underwhelming and I usually love her in everything.

by Anonymousreply 208January 21, 2023 7:50 PM

Actually, no R196. Just an audience member who is tired of watching the cycle repeat until the anointed die (seriously, that's what it takes to free up a slot). How long can these writers who had their first major piece of work debut at these places be considered "up and coming"? The NFPs only have so many slots for full productions of new musicals, and it would just be more interesting to see a flop by a relatively untried writer than a fourth or fifth flop by the same old crew. To see some different faces have access to that level of visibility.

The work is out there. With all the new work development labs and reading series and all that, it has to be. But audiences aren't really seeing it because the pipeline is clogged. What's the answer?

by Anonymousreply 209January 21, 2023 7:51 PM

[quote]Mama, I’m a big girl now at some point

Oh honey, you've been a big girl now for years. Years.

by Anonymousreply 210January 21, 2023 8:10 PM

r209 do you go when they happen like Darling Grenadine at the Roundabout? It was really interesting

by Anonymousreply 211January 21, 2023 8:31 PM

I'm not r209, r211, but I saw Darling Grenadine at the Laura Pels. It was ok.

by Anonymousreply 212January 21, 2023 8:42 PM

That Edie Falco/Brenda Blethyn 'Night Mother was excruciating to watch and it will come as no surprise to be reminded that it was "directed" by that awful hack Michael Mayer. Among other things he (typically!) cast it so abominably. I mean, who in their right mind would believe Brenda Blethyn to be the mother of Edie Falco?

But then he cast Jane Lynch as the mother of Beanie Feldstein, so, obviously, he learned nothing.

by Anonymousreply 213January 21, 2023 8:44 PM

I wonder if they’ll interpolate Mancini’s haunting theme song into the show. I know the new adapters want to make their own mark, but that music is so intrinsic to the movie…

It reminds me that Some Like it Hot cried out for Stairway to the Stars during the yacht scenes; there was a big hole in the show where that song was missing.

And it’s not unprecedented: Grease incorporated the movie songs in subsequent revivals…

by Anonymousreply 214January 21, 2023 8:47 PM

Re: Days of Wine and Roses

by Anonymousreply 215January 21, 2023 8:47 PM

[Quote] Adam Guettel's Days Of Wine And Roses musical set for The Atlantic in the Spring. With Brian D'Arcy Janes and Kelli O'Hara.

Oh, goody! Just what we need. Another Guettel “but O’Hara sang it so beautifully” flop.

by Anonymousreply 216January 21, 2023 8:48 PM

R209, I wish I knew which "anointed" people you are referring to, so I could decide whether or not I agree with you.

by Anonymousreply 217January 21, 2023 9:01 PM

Could Beanie play Brenda's daughter?

by Anonymousreply 218January 21, 2023 9:03 PM

R216, Guettel is less known for flops than just not writing. Do you really consider “Light in the Piazza” a flop?

by Anonymousreply 219January 21, 2023 9:05 PM

[quote]I wonder if they’ll interpolate Mancini’s haunting theme song into the show. I know the new adapters want to make their own mark, but that music is so intrinsic to the movie…

If you seriously believe there's ANY chance of that happening, you are cray-cray. And don't cite GREASE as an example, because I'm sure Jim Jacobs wouldn't have agreed to it if he had any integrity. And look at all the angst involved in finally incorporating a little bit of the theme from the TV version of THE ADDAMS FAMILY into the stage musical.

by Anonymousreply 220January 21, 2023 9:05 PM

Guettel is straight, right?

by Anonymousreply 221January 21, 2023 9:39 PM

[Quote] And look at all the angst involved in finally incorporating a little bit of the theme from the TV version of THE ADDAMS FAMILY into the stage musical.

The date of the TV theme was part of every iteration of the Addams family musical from early workshops

by Anonymousreply 222January 21, 2023 10:17 PM

PS it moved from about halfway through the first act to the very beginning between Chicago and New York

by Anonymousreply 223January 21, 2023 10:17 PM

R197 That was TAP Your Troubles Away, not Slap Your Troubles Away......

by Anonymousreply 224January 21, 2023 10:18 PM

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA won 6 Tonys, ran over 500 performances on Broadway, got a telecast with most of its original cast and even toured for a year. All shows should be such flops.

by Anonymousreply 225January 21, 2023 10:24 PM

[quote]The date of the TV theme [sic] was part of every iteration of the Addams family musical from early workshops

I believe I've read that there was originally great resistance to using that theme in the musical at all, which is not hard to understand, and that the producers had to pay a comparatively huge amount of money for the rights to use it.

by Anonymousreply 226January 21, 2023 10:33 PM

Piazza was completely forgettable in every conceivable way, awarded or not.

by Anonymousreply 227January 21, 2023 10:39 PM

R227, with all due respect, your taste is in your ass.

by Anonymousreply 228January 21, 2023 10:49 PM

I saw "Chicago" a hundred years ago and don't remember the conductor naming the whole chorus during the curtain call. First I've ever seen in any show.

by Anonymousreply 229January 21, 2023 10:56 PM

Surprised they film The Music Man". Sorry I missed it, it looked charming.

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by Anonymousreply 230January 21, 2023 10:59 PM

[quote]Surprised they film The Music Man".

Wanna try that again?

by Anonymousreply 231January 21, 2023 11:13 PM

Yup sorry...Surprised they DIDN'T film The Music Man". Sorry I missed it, it looked charming. Nice bootleg clip though.

by Anonymousreply 232January 22, 2023 12:01 AM

r229 They've done that since it opened. They also did it for Fosse too.

by Anonymousreply 233January 22, 2023 1:25 AM

I don't know, it's fine and all, but that Librarian number doesn't hold a candle to the film version. There's no pizazz!

by Anonymousreply 234January 22, 2023 1:50 AM

I saw the Blethyn/Falco 'Night Mother and was incredibly underwhelmed. I'd seen the movie as a teenager and it affected me greatly. Even though Anne Bancroft was badly miscast, she managed to hit enough right notes to make it a successful performance.

A while back I was doing research at TOFT and decided to request the original Broadway production. It was shattering to watch, even though at this point I knew the play backwards and forwards. Bates, and especially Pitoniak, were amazing. Definitely two of the best stage performances I've ever seen.

When I look to see who won Best Actress that year at the Tonys (fucking Jessica Tandy for some borefest called Foxfire) it's especially galling to have ignored both Bates and Pitoniak in order to give Tandy a third Tony. (I didn't see the play, but I did see the TV movie and it was nothing special, nor was she.)

by Anonymousreply 235January 22, 2023 2:07 AM

With all due respect R228, you can shove it straight up your cunt.

by Anonymousreply 236January 22, 2023 2:30 AM

yes r235 it was hard to believe they could do that that twice on Wed and Sat, especially Pitoniak who had the start the play not knowing anything and go through that all over again. Breathtaking- and so impressive it somehow made the experience sad but not depressing

by Anonymousreply 237January 22, 2023 2:35 AM

The ensemble getting individual bows and everyone in the cast being announced in the curtain call goes back to Pippin, the original Chicago and Dancin'.

by Anonymousreply 238January 22, 2023 2:55 AM

If Bates and Pitoniak were both nominated for Best Actress, isn't it likely they split the votes, allowing Tandy to win?

by Anonymousreply 239January 22, 2023 3:20 AM

[Quote] Guettel is less known for flops than just not writing. Do you really consider “Light in the Piazza” a flop?

He has ONE hit… decades ago. Everyone keeps trotting that out whenever his bona fides are questioned. WTF of note has he done since?

by Anonymousreply 240January 22, 2023 4:49 AM

Sorry I missed the Music Man too. But I didn’t have $1000 bucks to spare

by Anonymousreply 241January 22, 2023 4:49 AM

[quote]With all due respect [R228], you can shove it straight up your cunt.

That means nothing coming from you, dear. The dark side of the internet is that it gives a voice to taste-free assholes like you who actually hold idiotic opinions such as "Piazza was completely forgettable in every conceivable way, awarded or not." There really are no words for such stupidity, of which I have no doubt you are incredibly proud.

by Anonymousreply 242January 22, 2023 5:18 AM

Oh fuck off Adam

by Anonymousreply 243January 22, 2023 5:21 AM

[quote] fucking Jessica Tandy for some borefest called Foxfire)

Jessica Tandy gave an amazing performance onstage in Foxfire. She won the Tony because of a scene where she went from being elderly to enacting her 19 year old self in the bat of an eye. She even jumped up and down in the air. She was remarkable.

by Anonymousreply 244January 22, 2023 7:08 AM

I'm a total Adam Guettel fan, and have seen all his shows, starting with Floyd Collins, and I would see this just for his music alone.

by Anonymousreply 245January 22, 2023 11:05 AM

The Music Man excerpt seemed pretty charming to me.

by Anonymousreply 246January 22, 2023 11:43 AM

“She won’t a Tony for jumping in the air”

Gang, I’m ready for Tony #2!

by Anonymousreply 247January 22, 2023 11:45 AM

I've heard (especially here) that the London [italic] Cabaret [/italic] is excellent. I listened to Redmayne's "Wilkommen" and he and the approach sound ridiculous and insane. Every word seems to get some special treatment or inflection that sounds alternately like total self-indulgence without any nuance and like Down or Tourette's syndrome. This plays well in the theater? I'll try to keep an open mind - but not open ears.

by Anonymousreply 248January 22, 2023 12:21 PM

Absolutely, R243. Because the only person in the world who loves THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is the guy who wrote it. You dick.

by Anonymousreply 249January 22, 2023 1:31 PM

Yes, R248, that does seem to be the unfortunate trajectory of CABARET: Each new production has to be far more self-consciously weird and exaggerated in terms of overacting, playing the subtext on the top, amping-up the level of sleaze in the cabaret scenes. And the saddest thing about the phenomenon is that so many people buy into this bullshit.

by Anonymousreply 250January 22, 2023 1:36 PM

Miss Jesse’s article on cast albums has this headline and subhead.

[Quote] How Do You Measure a Season on Broadway? In Cast Albums. From “A Strange Loop” to “Funny Girl,” most Broadway musicals of 2022 were recorded, offering listeners a chance to love or hate them again.

The NYT arts editors are lousy these days.

by Anonymousreply 251January 22, 2023 2:24 PM

And the ass-kissing continues. Lear deBessonet Is the only director named in a full season recap

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by Anonymousreply 252January 22, 2023 2:30 PM

r250 thanks for agreeing but you’re generally disagreeable here so, pass.

by Anonymousreply 253January 22, 2023 2:44 PM

I’d pay to see a Connie Franklin jukebox musical

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by Anonymousreply 254January 22, 2023 3:08 PM

Absolutely, r254! Though that clip left out my favorite... "Stop Slapping my Face, Please!"

by Anonymousreply 255January 22, 2023 3:27 PM

I think a Lola Heatherton musical would be fun too. Can someone write a song called "I Want to Bear Your Children"?

by Anonymousreply 256January 22, 2023 3:57 PM

Jessie Buckley's Maybe This Time is second only to Liza's. If it transfers I hope she comes with it.

by Anonymousreply 257January 22, 2023 4:03 PM

R253, how incredibly creepy that you keep such close tabs on my posts. Anyway, my comments about CABARET stand DESPITE the fact that you agree with me there.

by Anonymousreply 258January 22, 2023 4:10 PM

[quote]The ensemble getting individual bows and everyone in the cast being announced in the curtain call goes back to Pippin, the original Chicago and Dancin'.

Well, then I'm officially old because I saw as a kid with my family, the original "Pippin", and "Dancin'", first row no less, and have no memory of the cast announcements.

by Anonymousreply 259January 22, 2023 4:49 PM

R257 - I’ll be sacrilegiously hyperbolic and say that perhaps it’s even better than Liza’s, and the most devastatingly acted performance committed to record. Let this end the ridiculous post-Mendes discourse about Sally not needing to be cast with a singer. Buckley shows what can be done when you put a proper singer in the role. I’ve thought for a while that she’s the Real Deal and one of the finest actresses of her generation - and she’s really great here.

I especially love the slow piano and the sustained (I think it’s a flute) note at the end of Maybe this Time, worlds away from Liza’s stoic showbiz optimism and Richardson’s breathy steeliness. Maybe this time? Never before have I felt so much that that poor Sally is doomed from the start. And she knows it.

Redmayne can’t sing and so instead has developed some kind of technique that makes it sound as if he can and also that it’s all intentionally in character. But it just sounds effortful and exhausting.

by Anonymousreply 260January 22, 2023 4:50 PM

I was in the audience on opening night for Pippin, and no one EVER introduced that cast by name, neither that night, nor on any subsequent performance.

by Anonymousreply 261January 22, 2023 4:57 PM

I saw the original production of PIPPIN several times and the chorus ensemble was not introduced by name at the curtain call, though each person got an individual bow.

But the lead actors all were indeed called out by name. Each lead actor, beginning with Eric Berry, who was called out by Ben Vereen with microphone in hand, took a bow and passed the mic as they called out the next actor. I believe the order was:

Eric Berry, who introduced

Jill Clayburgh, who introduced

Leland Palmer, who introduced

Irene Ryan, who introduced

Ben Vereen, who introduced

John Rubinstein (who never achieved the huge ovation of Vereen but he sure got my unstinting adoration)

by Anonymousreply 262January 22, 2023 5:21 PM

PS: I wasn't at PIPPIN's opening night so perhaps, unless r261's memory is faulty, those particular (very memorable!) cast introductions were added after the opening. I can still hear Irene Ryan screeching out Ben Vereen's name over all the applause like it was yesterday.

by Anonymousreply 263January 22, 2023 5:24 PM

[quote]I can still hear Irene Ryan screeching out Ben Vereen's name over all the applause like it was yesterday.

Did she ever get confused and screech out, "Jethro Bodine!"

by Anonymousreply 264January 22, 2023 5:26 PM

[quote]Yes, R248, that does seem to be the unfortunate trajectory of CABARET: Each new production has to be far more self-consciously weird and exaggerated in terms of overacting, playing the subtext on the top, amping-up the level of sleaze in the cabaret scenes. And the saddest thing about the phenomenon is that so many people buy into this bullshit.

The last "Cabaret" I saw was a touring version of the Sam Mendes production at the Kennedy Center in 2017. Basically, the show had become a parody of itself, for all the reasons that R250 mentioned. At the climax, Sally Bowles sang the title song as thought she were having a psychotic break, and she climaxed it by literally screaming and running offstage. Never have I missed Liza Minnelli more.

by Anonymousreply 265January 22, 2023 6:47 PM

Who was that loud,middle aged woman playing Marian the Librarian in that Music Man clip?

by Anonymousreply 266January 22, 2023 7:25 PM

For those dismissing the current London revival of Cabaret, I too was a skeptic - until I saw it. I love the show in its many different iterations, but was not a huge fan of the Mendes production. This one I think surpasses that production for the intelligence of its approach, and not on the level of shock value. I think this review from David Benedict in Variety really explains the reasons why. I am quoting the opening paragraphs, but the full link is below.

"Ever since Bob Fosse cast a never-better Liza Minnelli in his Oscar-winning re-imagining of the musical “Cabaret,” revivals of the original musical have leaned toward being “All About Sally.” Then Sam Mendes came along with his Broadway version with lascivious Alan Cumming, turning it into “All About The Emcee.” The triumph – that’s not too strong a word – of director Rebecca Frecknall’s stunner of a production is that, despite piercing performances from Jessie Buckley and Eddie Redmayne, her supremely intelligent, emotionally draining vision of the show turns it, enthrallingly, into “All About Berlin.” ...

Designer Tom Scutt hasn’t just re-routed the building; he’s re-conceived the auditorium. Out goes the proscenium arch and the entire fabric and texture. It’s now a dimly lit Art Nouveau palace of faded grandeur, with the audience on two sides wrapped around and focusing in on a tiny, bare circular stage from which the dancers can tease and toy with audience members. It feels like you’re entering a Walter Sickert painting peopled by characters dressed – and undressed – by painters like Otto Dix and George Grosz. For once the overworked term “immersive” is entire justified and the mood feeds the interpretation.

Frecknall’s approach is simple: every moment and possibility in Joe Masteroff’s book and John Kander and Fred Ebb’s score has been thought through. And with no set to change and the stage bare but for the most essential of props, Frecknall welds it all together and never lets the tension flag. The focus is entirely on fascinatingly detailed performances."

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by Anonymousreply 267January 22, 2023 8:04 PM

[quote]Maybe this time? Never before have I felt so much that that poor Sally is doomed from the start. And she knows it.

Just what we need. Another over-the-top production that plays the ending of the show from the very beginning.

by Anonymousreply 268January 22, 2023 8:17 PM

Great review r267. I would genuinely love to see this production.

by Anonymousreply 269January 22, 2023 8:45 PM

I'm the poster that went on about the Pippin curtain call upthread and now I'm back here to say how sorry I am that so many of you never saw Hal Prince's original production of Cabaret, which I also saw several times . As much as I enjoyed the Mendes version it just didn't compare to the artistry, excitement and sheer theatricality of the original.

But without the likes of those performances of Lotte Lenya, Jack Gilford, Joel Grey and yes. even and especially the luminous Jill Haworth, there'd be no way to recreate that masterpiece.

by Anonymousreply 270January 22, 2023 8:47 PM

R270, looking at the Tony performance of Wilkomen from the original Cabaret I thought Prince played the ending up front. The leering, charmless, creepy Emcee gave away the whole game.

I think the trend toward making the Emcee more charming and seductive makes the show stronger since it does not give it all away in the opening number like Princes production seemed to (based on the Tony production).

by Anonymousreply 271January 22, 2023 8:53 PM

r270 What am I, chopped liver?

by Anonymousreply 272January 22, 2023 8:56 PM

Kind of, Bert. And easily replaced.

by Anonymousreply 273January 22, 2023 8:59 PM

I may have leered a little in the opening number but, at least, I did it fully clothed, r271.

by Anonymousreply 274January 22, 2023 9:01 PM

I totally disagree with r271. The Emcee is weird, but certainly not charmless, and the number seems very charming overall. And welcoming... (I saw the original also, but with Grey. His replacement was great, as I didn't have anything to compare it to, and to get to see Lenya, Gilford and, yes, Haworth was everything.)

by Anonymousreply 275January 22, 2023 9:11 PM

[Quote] I thought Prince played the ending up front.

Remember the war (the “ending”) had only been over 20 years

by Anonymousreply 276January 22, 2023 9:19 PM

I personally like the new Cabaret. Why should we turn away from the fact that yes, the Emcee would naturally have ended up in a camp? Hundreds of thousands of gay men were tortured and murdered with a pink triangle at the camps…and I’m sure he would have been one of them.

I also don’t understand the critique of “playing the ending” in the beginning. When Trump was elected in 2016…many of us were devastated because we saw what was coming. We didn’t need to wait for January 6th to see where we were headed.

The most poignant scene for me in the movie is Tomorrow Belongs to Me (which is not the end) where the old man (who knows what’s coming) looks horrified as his friends start singing and saluting.

by Anonymousreply 277January 22, 2023 9:23 PM

If Sondheim had written “A Whole New World”

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by Anonymousreply 278January 22, 2023 9:29 PM

R277, to me the old man in “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” didn’t look horrified, he just looked resigned to what was inevitable. He’s holding his head in his hands, isn’t he?

by Anonymousreply 279January 22, 2023 9:44 PM

[quote]to me the old man in “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” didn’t look horrified, he just looked resigned to what was inevitable

I thought he looked very concerned.

by Anonymousreply 280January 22, 2023 9:48 PM

Oh, why not?

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by Anonymousreply 281January 22, 2023 10:15 PM

How does this new version end? Is it as dark as the Mendes, with the Emcee in a concentration camp?

by Anonymousreply 282January 22, 2023 10:20 PM

Emcee takes 40 loads from German soldiers

by Anonymousreply 283January 22, 2023 10:36 PM

R277, only about 15,000 gays were sent to concentration camps under the Nazis. During the Night of the Long Knives, when Hitler did a purge against Ernst Rohm, many gay soldiers and those associating with them were killed. Discreet or politically valuable gays were able to survive, and many helped contribute to the Nazi machine

Of course, Cummings’ MC was far from discreet and would not have flown under the radar. Moreover, the ending of the Mendes’ Cabaret reveals the MC’s pink triangle and yellow star.

by Anonymousreply 284January 22, 2023 10:50 PM

"Only"

by Anonymousreply 285January 22, 2023 10:52 PM

So which one of you went to see Some Like It Hot?

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by Anonymousreply 286January 22, 2023 11:00 PM

Suday/Park

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by Anonymousreply 287January 22, 2023 11:07 PM

I’m no Liza fan, but to try to compare Buckley’s pallid, mediocre voice to Liza’s in Cabaret is utterly ridiculous.

by Anonymousreply 288January 22, 2023 11:55 PM

“only 15,000”

Wow.

So five consecutive 9/11s worth of just gay men slaughtered and it equals an “only”

by Anonymousreply 289January 23, 2023 1:14 AM

“Onlly” about 15,000 gays were sent to concentration camps under the Nazis, R284? Well, wasn’t that a blessing.

Good god.

by Anonymousreply 290January 23, 2023 1:18 AM

R284 Are you lost?

by Anonymousreply 291January 23, 2023 1:33 AM

The Music Man clip is charming because Meredith Willson’s skill is even greater than Jerry Zaks and Hugh Jackman’s ability to squash it.

by Anonymousreply 292January 23, 2023 2:18 AM

[quote]I personally like the new Cabaret. Why should we turn away from the fact that yes, the Emcee would naturally have ended up in a camp? Hundreds of thousands of gay men were tortured and murdered with a pink triangle at the camps…and I’m sure he would have been one of them.

Because, even if we all agree it's very likely that the Emcee would have ended up in a concentration camp, to actually give us a scene of him and other cast members IN one of the camps as the final image of this musical is sledgehammer theater, appallingly inappropriate, and yet another example of playing the subtext on the top.

[quote]I also don’t understand the critique of “playing the ending” in the beginning. When Trump was elected in 2016…many of us were devastated because we saw what was coming. We didn’t need to wait for January 6th to see where we were headed.

Because the Trump tragedy happened in real life, whereas CABARET is a show (or a film) with a narrative that needs a beginning, a middle, and an end, with a progression between those various stages.

[quote]The most poignant scene for me in the movie is Tomorrow Belongs to Me (which is not the end) where the old man (who knows what’s coming) looks horrified as his friends start singing and saluting.

Agreed, but that's not an example of playing the end of the story at the beginning, so I don't know why you brought it up.

by Anonymousreply 293January 23, 2023 2:38 AM

Insufferable

by Anonymousreply 294January 23, 2023 2:53 AM

[quote]How does this new version end? Is it as dark as the Mendes, with the Emcee in a concentration camp?

It segues directly into "Springtime for Hitler."

by Anonymousreply 295January 23, 2023 4:42 AM

Like Gypsy and Follies, we all need a break from fucking Cabaret.

by Anonymousreply 296January 23, 2023 11:45 AM

I'd say that the charm in the MM number is largely the work of Warren Carlyle.

by Anonymousreply 297January 23, 2023 12:02 PM

I have never fucked Cabaret!

by Anonymousreply 298January 23, 2023 12:06 PM

It was through Datalounge that I discovered the singing of “Tomorrow Belongs to Me” in the movie was dubbed by Mark Lambert, Henrik Egerman.

by Anonymousreply 299January 23, 2023 12:15 PM

Jodi Benson and her daughter in Gypsy!

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by Anonymousreply 300January 23, 2023 1:12 PM

Instead of arguing about the merits of shows can’t we concentrate on more important theater matters, like which chorus boys are desperately searching for dong?

by Anonymousreply 301January 23, 2023 2:06 PM

The chorus boys who are desperately searching for dongs are not the chorus boys who'd interest me.

by Anonymousreply 302January 23, 2023 2:23 PM

Sure as you're born, R294 picked up his cue (their cue? its cue?) and called me "insufferable" for daring to use multiple quotes -- three, in this case -- in one of my responses. Dear R294: I see nothing wrong with this, or I wouldn't do it, but the fact that it annoys you SO MUCH only spurs me to keep on doing it, rather than to stop.

by Anonymousreply 303January 23, 2023 2:34 PM

R303, I doubt it was the use of quotes that made r294 call you “insufferable”.

Hint: it’s the same thing that makes your r303 post insufferable as well. I suspect your ego is too big for you to be able to comprehend what a blowhard you are, so nothing anyone says will make any difference.

by Anonymousreply 304January 23, 2023 2:42 PM

what r304 said

Every time there’s a super condescending comment I block it-and turns out it’s always you r303. Just generally unpleasant

by Anonymousreply 305January 23, 2023 2:49 PM

Thanks for the "hint," R304, but apparently, I am one of many people -- including some other posters here -- who can't stand the way CABARET has been increasingly sensationalized and distorted ever since the Mendes/Marshall production. So I'm sorry if it bothers you that I or anyone else express that opinion, but I don't think there's anything "insufferable" about me for doing so.

by Anonymousreply 306January 23, 2023 2:51 PM

I don't think there's anything "condescending" about disagreeing with someone who thinks it's a great, wonderful, fabulous idea to depict the Emcee in a concentration camp at the end of CABARET. As much as I differ with that person's opinion, I did not call them names or label them "insufferable," and the fact that you and others work that way says a lot more about you than it does about me.

by Anonymousreply 307January 23, 2023 2:57 PM

Who cares? So what?

by Anonymousreply 308January 23, 2023 3:06 PM

[quote] I suspect your ego is too big for you to be able to comprehend what a blowhard you are, so nothing anyone says will make any difference.

R306 and r307 proved r304 right

It’s not your opinions, it’s your ego, dumbshit

by Anonymousreply 309January 23, 2023 3:06 PM

I think the people of Florida are finally getting the GYPSY they deserve.

by Anonymousreply 310January 23, 2023 3:24 PM

Kelli has Covid. Bernie stepping in tonight for Manhattan Theater Club

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by Anonymousreply 311January 23, 2023 3:32 PM

R309, you can agree or disagree with my opinions and how I express them, but you know nothing of my ego level. I'm guessing you and others here are just enraged when people offer well-argued opinions that differ from your own, so you use ugly, childish words like "dumbshit." Anyway, whatever, I'm going to move on even if you're not.

by Anonymousreply 312January 23, 2023 4:00 PM

[quote] you can agree or disagree with my opinions and how I express them, but you know nothing of my ego level.

It’s fairly clear from your posts

[quote]I'm guessing you and others here are just enraged when people offer well-argued opinions that differ from your own, so you use ugly, childish words like "dumbshit."

Yeah, keep believing that it’s your opinions that are insufferable, instead of your attitude

[quote]Anyway, whatever, I'm going to move on even if you're not.

Bullshit. You can’t help yourself

by Anonymousreply 313January 23, 2023 4:12 PM

I'm quite surprised that, according to reports out just today, the characters of both Pellinore and Morgan le Fey will be included in Aaron Sorkin's rewrite of CAMELOT for Lincoln Center Theater. Thoughts?

by Anonymousreply 314January 23, 2023 4:13 PM

[quote] “Only” about 15,000 gays were sent to concentration camps under the Nazis, [R284]? Well, wasn’t that a blessing.

To be fair, the post was in response to a previous one that stated that hundreds of thousands of gays were tortured and killed in concentration camps

by Anonymousreply 315January 23, 2023 4:24 PM

My God, Bernadette and Mandy looked so young in that Sunday clip.

I remember, as a gayling, when this show was on Bway and I thought they were so old.

by Anonymousreply 316January 23, 2023 4:25 PM

Taylor Trensch as Mordred? Whatever will he do for fun while bf Gavin is touring in Into The Woods?

by Anonymousreply 317January 23, 2023 4:28 PM

so if you were Guinevere, whom would you pick?

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by Anonymousreply 318January 23, 2023 4:36 PM

Bachelor #1

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by Anonymousreply 319January 23, 2023 4:38 PM

Bachelor #2

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by Anonymousreply 320January 23, 2023 4:38 PM

Team Arthur.

by Anonymousreply 321January 23, 2023 4:49 PM

I would pick Jordan

by Anonymousreply 322January 23, 2023 4:57 PM

Can I just watch the two of them go at each other?

by Anonymousreply 323January 23, 2023 5:00 PM

But who will play Dinadan?

by Anonymousreply 324January 23, 2023 5:39 PM

More shocking is that 8 (or is it 9?) time Tony Winner Catherine Zuber is not designing the CAMELOT costumes. Nor the current Bartlett Sher directed Nathan Lane play, Did they finally have a falling out after all those years of screaming at each other during techs? I know Zuber can be a harridan but she's so talented and won most of her Tonys for Sher productions, not to mention all of his operas. Ingrate!

And she's also not designing the new Adam Guettel/Craig Lucas musical Days of Wine and Roses after her triumphant and memorable work on Light in the Piazza. Someone better check her meds.

by Anonymousreply 325January 23, 2023 5:48 PM

How old is Zuber? About 90?

by Anonymousreply 326January 23, 2023 5:57 PM

[quote] How does this new version end? Is it as dark as the Mendes, with the Emcee in a concentration camp?

I don't want to spoil it as I think it is open to interpretation and should really be experienced first hand. There is no concentration camp or Holocaust imagery in Frecknall's production. Cabaret, as written, is set in 1929-1930, so the end result is not what that show is necessarily about. I interpreted the ending in the current production to be an indictment of the complacency and apathy that can ultimately lead a progressive society to embrace fascism and nationalism. All of the elements of individualism and free expression that you have experienced all night are removed. It's quiet, subtle and chilling.

by Anonymousreply 327January 23, 2023 7:43 PM

Fight! Fight!

by Anonymousreply 328January 23, 2023 7:57 PM

[quote]Cabaret, as written, is set in 1929-1930, so the end result is not what that show is necessarily about.

Exactly.

by Anonymousreply 329January 23, 2023 8:01 PM

Zuber may be one of the many talents who are exhausted and tired of the bullshit and have left the industry.

by Anonymousreply 330January 23, 2023 8:06 PM

r327 makes me want to see it - and I'm r248 who thought the "Wilkommen" track sounds terrible.

by Anonymousreply 331January 23, 2023 8:07 PM

I can't really judge what Eddie is doing on the cast recording, which sounds a bit affected and over the top to me as well. I saw Fra Fee in the role, who I enjoyed. There are a couple of boots with Fra, who can really sing and isn't chewing as much scenery. Here's his "I Don't Care Much."

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by Anonymousreply 332January 23, 2023 8:29 PM

Hitler already tried to overthrow the government in the 20s and went to prison and wrote Mein Kempf. The Nazis were already a political force by 1930 hence why there are multiple nazis in the play and anti-Jewish sentiment.

by Anonymousreply 333January 23, 2023 8:33 PM

Chicago is smart to use stunt casting for the roles of Mama and Amos. So many more options and they don't have to worry about Roxies not being up to the vocal or dancing demands. I'm looking at you Christie Brinkley.

by Anonymousreply 334January 23, 2023 9:04 PM

Right, R333, but that's still no reason to end CABARET with the horrific image of people in a concentration camp.

by Anonymousreply 335January 23, 2023 9:14 PM

Reminder that Mendes’ Cabaret was first seen in 1993, the year of Schindler’s List. Our awareness of the Holocaust is much greater now than in 1993 or even 1998, when New York first saw the production.

by Anonymousreply 336January 23, 2023 9:34 PM

It saddens me beyond belief that it took a Spielberg movie in 1993 to awaken anyone alive that the Holocaust existed or was as evil as it was. Nothing against Spielberg.

by Anonymousreply 337January 23, 2023 9:37 PM

R336, maybe YOUR awareness of the Holocaust is greater now than in 1993 or 1998, and maybe your awareness of the Holocaust is based primarily on SCHINDLER'S LIST, but please don't speak for people in general.

by Anonymousreply 338January 23, 2023 9:39 PM

Just can't help yourself, can you?

by Anonymousreply 339January 23, 2023 9:39 PM

I've just blocked one of DL's resident psychos, something I should have done long ago.

by Anonymousreply 340January 23, 2023 9:42 PM

[quote]I'm looking at you Christie Brinkley.

I'm looking at me, too.

by Anonymousreply 341January 23, 2023 10:12 PM

r336 - r337...

They had us watch Night and Fog in high school in the early '70s.

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by Anonymousreply 342January 23, 2023 10:16 PM

The fact that Cabaret was recorded live sucks for the Wilkommen number; the audience reaction makes it hard to understand the Emcee's patter.

by Anonymousreply 343January 23, 2023 10:34 PM

Start by chilling on all caps in YOUR posts

by Anonymousreply 344January 23, 2023 11:34 PM

I saw the original Cabaret when I was around 14. I remember coming out of the theatre, shaking at the ending. I didn't have to be hit on the head, to understand what was going to happen to them. And Sally's line "But Cliff, what does politics have to do with us?" was chilling and I still remember it all these years later.

by Anonymousreply 345January 24, 2023 1:03 AM

[quote]I saw the original Cabaret when I was around 14. I remember coming out of the theatre, shaking at the ending. I didn't have to be hit on the head, to understand what was going to happen to them.

But, unfortunately, that's what audiences require nowadays. Or rather, that's what some directors THINK audiences require nowadays. It's also a way for directors to "put their stamp on" a classic show, by explicitly showing and underlining what was subtext and/or much more subtly presented in the original productions.

by Anonymousreply 346January 24, 2023 1:38 AM

Sad news. The dear, sweet and wonderfully quirky actor Everett Quinton has passed away at the tender age of 73.

I worked with him a few times over many years and he was always kind and delightful, onstage and off.

RIP

by Anonymousreply 347January 24, 2023 1:42 AM

[Quote] maybe your awareness of the Holocaust is based primarily on SCHINDLER'S LIST, but please don't speak for people in general.

The movie made it real for so many people. We all read about the Holocaust. Seeing it portrayed so eloquently shook us all

by Anonymousreply 348January 24, 2023 1:44 AM

R347, thanks for letting us know. So sad, Everett was a great talent and a great guy.

by Anonymousreply 349January 24, 2023 1:46 AM

RIP, indeed, r347. He was *amazing* in Movieland and it was one of the funniest theatre pieces I've seen.

by Anonymousreply 350January 24, 2023 1:51 AM

I still remember seeing Our American Cousin when I was 11 and thinking the gunshots were way too real.

by Anonymousreply 351January 24, 2023 2:15 AM

Anyone know if the Buckley / Redmayne revival is moving to Broadway this year ? It's been rumored for a while. I'd love to see it.

by Anonymousreply 352January 24, 2023 2:16 AM

I believe Ben Platt is penciling playing the Emcee in Cabaret in his diary, after he does Parade and promo for Theater Camp.

by Anonymousreply 353January 24, 2023 2:23 AM

Are Gavin Creel and Taylor Trensch a couple?

by Anonymousreply 354January 24, 2023 2:25 AM

They'll need an extremely flexible space if that Cabaret intends to move to Broadway. But then maybe they can take over the deconstructed Broadway Theatre when Here Lies Love dies.

by Anonymousreply 355January 24, 2023 2:36 AM

Gravin Creel should be balls deep in someone's trench right now....

by Anonymousreply 356January 24, 2023 3:18 AM

Who cares? Not I. Creel has the kind of face you forget the minute after he’s walked out the door.

by Anonymousreply 357January 24, 2023 3:19 AM

....

by Anonymousreply 358January 24, 2023 3:20 AM

The emcee now in Paris

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by Anonymousreply 359January 24, 2023 8:32 AM

R348, I am glad that a film "made it real" for you..

But do not use the word "us." For most people the Holocaust was very real and we did not need any Hollywood film to do that.

And Schindler's List made it real for you? Not Shoah? Not Night and Fog? Not any of the films that showed the real camps, the real survivors, and the real victims?

by Anonymousreply 360January 24, 2023 11:10 AM

I always forget—is Creel the stinky one?

by Anonymousreply 361January 24, 2023 11:37 AM

I thought Creel was “friendly” with Jordan Donica? Or was that just a moment in the woods?

by Anonymousreply 362January 24, 2023 11:53 AM

r354 No, I don't think Creel has ever looked young enough for Trensch to show interest. Trensch is (or at least was) with Ben Levi Ross

by Anonymousreply 363January 24, 2023 12:19 PM

Taylor Trensch always has a nauseous expression on his face like he's about to throw up.

by Anonymousreply 364January 24, 2023 12:56 PM

R360, my reaction to that comment was similar to yours. And anyway, even forgiving the other poster's poor choice of words, and conceding that SCHINDLER'S LIST probably did make a lot more people aware of the Holocaust (though not necessarily more "real" for them), I don't see how that explains or justifies ending CABARET with the image of a concentration camp.

by Anonymousreply 365January 24, 2023 1:00 PM

R361 He sure was during the run of HAIR

by Anonymousreply 366January 24, 2023 3:36 PM

Thoughts?

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by Anonymousreply 367January 24, 2023 4:37 PM

The same people clamoring for gender less award categories will be the same people upset that more males win than females.

by Anonymousreply 368January 24, 2023 4:41 PM

Re the revamp of the Outer Critics awards, I think they did this in the smartest way possible, but they were able to do so because they honor both Broadway and Off-Broadway. The Tonys don't have the same option.

by Anonymousreply 369January 24, 2023 5:36 PM

It's like M&M's all over again

by Anonymousreply 370January 24, 2023 5:55 PM

[quote]Taylor Trensch always has a nauseous expression on his face like he's about to throw up.

So he WAS with Gavin Creel.

by Anonymousreply 371January 24, 2023 7:07 PM

Adrienne Warren ("Tina") is returning to Broadway with a stage version of the movie "Room" that's already played in the UK and Canada. It's a play, but has music.

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by Anonymousreply 372January 24, 2023 7:09 PM

You just know it's going to suck.

by Anonymousreply 373January 24, 2023 7:20 PM

Sounds... claustrophobic.

by Anonymousreply 374January 24, 2023 7:43 PM

The first half of the movie Room was intense and I loved it. Once they escaped it turned into a Lifetime TV film. I don't even remember the name of the actress who won an Oscar for it.

by Anonymousreply 375January 24, 2023 7:52 PM

Brie Lawson

by Anonymousreply 376January 24, 2023 9:20 PM

"A play with music".

That's sounds like when Streisand met the studio half-way when making 'Yentl' and agreed to make a 'film with music' but certainly not a 'musical', as they wanted.

by Anonymousreply 377January 24, 2023 9:32 PM

Two bombs in a row at the James Earl Jones Theatre.

by Anonymousreply 378January 24, 2023 10:14 PM

Room was stupid, a Tv movie at the most.

I can’t believe she won Best Actress

by Anonymousreply 379January 24, 2023 10:16 PM

That is shocking, r370. The Oscars have been going through weird phases in the 21st century.

by Anonymousreply 380January 24, 2023 10:37 PM

Anybody watch MickeyJo, a theater nut from England who quit his teaching job to talk about shows?

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by Anonymousreply 381January 24, 2023 10:37 PM

I like MickeyJo’s videos a lot.

by Anonymousreply 382January 24, 2023 10:47 PM

[quote]Brie Lawson

Helen's illegitimate daughter?

by Anonymousreply 383January 24, 2023 11:26 PM

Helen’s illegitimate son Camembert aka Cam is a scream at cocktail parties.

by Anonymousreply 384January 24, 2023 11:55 PM

I shoulda aborted the whole lot them!

by Anonymousreply 385January 24, 2023 11:59 PM

Helen, you told me you have more kids yanked outta you than a burning orphanage!

by Anonymousreply 386January 25, 2023 12:17 AM

Oh good, Helen Lawson jokes. How refreshing.

by Anonymousreply 387January 25, 2023 12:18 AM

R387 You sound weak. And sad. And joyless.

by Anonymousreply 388January 25, 2023 12:41 AM

I still prefer them to Helen Keller jokes.

by Anonymousreply 389January 25, 2023 12:44 AM

[quote]The first half of the movie Room was intense and I loved it.

So I'm guessing that "Room" and "The Room" are two different movies. I was afraid that a musical was being made from the latter.

by Anonymousreply 390January 25, 2023 1:22 AM

A Room with a View

by Anonymousreply 391January 25, 2023 1:23 AM

R390 ...it will happen now.

by Anonymousreply 392January 25, 2023 1:26 AM

Room 222 - The Musical

by Anonymousreply 393January 25, 2023 2:08 AM

These threads usually go too fast for me, but it has slowed down dramatically lately, no?

Is it confirmed that Groban will be doing all 8 shows a week of Sweeney? It's a taxing role and I assume he has to protect his voice for his regular career.

by Anonymousreply 394January 25, 2023 2:52 AM

Maybe it'll be a lighter, swingin' Sweeney, r394.

by Anonymousreply 395January 25, 2023 2:57 AM

R395 Dance Break Time!

by Anonymousreply 396January 25, 2023 2:59 AM

Isn’t it weird that Sweeney has announced cast and is apparently in rehearsal but hasn’t shown or announced designers anywhere including their website?

by Anonymousreply 397January 25, 2023 2:59 AM

R397 - they actually did announce the rest of the creative team when they announced the full cast. But, you're right, they still haven't updated the website with all the creatives.

Scenic Design by Mimi Lien; -- this one intrigues me the most as she's the least conventional of the creative team.

Costume Design by Emilio Sosa;

Lighting Design by Natasha Katz;

Sound Design by Nevin Steinberg

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by Anonymousreply 398January 25, 2023 3:04 AM

[quote]It's like M&M's all over again

Meaning America's going to get butthurt about this because Tucker Carlson told them to?

by Anonymousreply 399January 25, 2023 3:10 AM

R377, "plays with music" are perfectly reasonable when one wants to complete the Tony quadruple crown.

by Anonymousreply 400January 25, 2023 3:18 AM

Say, Darling!

by Anonymousreply 401January 25, 2023 3:23 AM

Is Tamara Tunie too old for Denise Nicholas’ role in the Room 222 musical? Asking for a friend.

by Anonymousreply 402January 25, 2023 3:59 AM

Is Ben Platt too old for David Jolliffe's role in the Room 222 musical? Asking for a friend.

by Anonymousreply 403January 25, 2023 5:19 AM

I just happened to see the load in for Sweeney this week on my way to work every day and apparently it’s a lot of long dusty ramps and moldy aged brick, appropriately. I’m curious how immersive the production will be given the preponderance of long ramps… “Epiphany” with Sweeney actually going into the audience would be quite a thrill if enacted properly.

by Anonymousreply 404January 25, 2023 6:08 AM

r404 - interesting! I'm not always a fan of "immersive" concepts, but, I can actually envisage what you're describing. An 'Epiphany' that goes into the audience COULD be intriguing.

by Anonymousreply 405January 25, 2023 7:17 AM

I think Michael Ball's Sweeney had a similar staging.

by Anonymousreply 406January 25, 2023 8:38 AM

I’m told Annaleigh has added a cartwheel after “Worst Pies In London” to give the character more comedy to work with. They are going “that” route

by Anonymousreply 407January 25, 2023 10:20 AM

Sondheim conceived of Sweeney Todd as an immersive piece, so it would be great to see it done that way.

by Anonymousreply 408January 25, 2023 10:57 AM

Jesus. If people can sue professors because they got triggered by hearing the wrong pronouns or about slavery, I hope the producers are fully insured if they're going to try an immersive Sweeney Todd.

"They made me think I ate a pie with a cat in it! I now have PTSD!"

by Anonymousreply 409January 25, 2023 12:10 PM

r407, I hope you're kidding.

by Anonymousreply 410January 25, 2023 12:43 PM

Katharine Hepburn would be pissed

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by Anonymousreply 411January 25, 2023 2:08 PM

That Brie Lawson really blew it. She's done nothing but car commercials and superhero pics

by Anonymousreply 412January 25, 2023 3:26 PM

[quote]“Epiphany” with Sweeney actually going into the audience would be quite a thrill if enacted properly.

As, indeed, it was in the production that played at the Barrow Street Theater several years ago.

by Anonymousreply 413January 25, 2023 3:28 PM

100% r413.

by Anonymousreply 414January 25, 2023 3:41 PM

And as its been in every college and community theater production of Sweeney. If it works, it works.

by Anonymousreply 415January 25, 2023 3:46 PM

Brie Lawson's older sister Camembert 'Bertie' Lawson is the true star of the Helen Lawson acting dynasty.

by Anonymousreply 416January 25, 2023 4:18 PM

[quote] I’m told Annaleigh has added a cartwheel after “Worst Pies In London” to give the character more comedy to work with. They are going “that” route

I've been ruined by Lansbury's portrayal. She was able to squeeze both comedy and pathos in every line. I've never seen an actress match her in the role.

by Anonymousreply 417January 25, 2023 4:23 PM

[quote] That Brie Lawson really blew it. She's done nothing but car commercials and superhero pics

At least that's a lucrative career

by Anonymousreply 418January 25, 2023 4:23 PM

Lucrative, true. But I can't remember anything about her, or even conjure up an approximation of what she looks like. I forgot she actually won the Academy Award.

by Anonymousreply 419January 25, 2023 4:29 PM

I saw the original production of Sweeney Todd about a month or two into its run. Even in that massive theatre, when Len Cariou turned to the audience in "Epiphany" and charged downstage, it was terrifying. It doesn't need much enhancement to be effective.

I'm curious what a younger, conventionally good looking Sweeney will do in the role. I have to admit, even with the pallor of the white make-up and the crazy hair and you know, the bloody throat slashings, there was something really sensual to Len Cariou in the role. I haven't seen another Sweeney who was quite as magnetic.

by Anonymousreply 420January 25, 2023 5:03 PM

R417 - I feel ya. I feel the same way about Cariou and Hearn (though I know Hearn has some detractors on here.) But, this is the cast we've been dealt. I'm going in with low expectations for the leads and hope to be pleasantly surprised. And, if I'm not, I'm sure it will still be memorable to hear the score played by a full orchestra. I really hope these new waves of Sondheim revivals spell the end of John Doyle's association with his work.

by Anonymousreply 421January 25, 2023 5:09 PM

Is Stephanie J Block the best they could find for Norma Desmond? Did Donna Murphy turn them down?

by Anonymousreply 422January 25, 2023 5:59 PM

They should just hire Charles bush and get it over with. It’s always been nothing but a giant drag queen role.

by Anonymousreply 423January 25, 2023 6:09 PM

Busch

by Anonymousreply 424January 25, 2023 6:09 PM

Billy Porter IS Norma Desmond!

by Anonymousreply 425January 25, 2023 6:13 PM

Why would anyone want to see another production of SUNSET BOULEVARD? Seriously. The original was bad enough.

by Anonymousreply 426January 25, 2023 6:37 PM

Ms. Block. Can. Not. Act.

by Anonymousreply 427January 25, 2023 6:43 PM

R426. Whenever a Lloyd Webber revival comes along, I always suspect he's behind it in some way, even when he isn't credited as a producer. Especially in a case like SUNSET BOULEVARD, where the show was really not that popular to begin with.

by Anonymousreply 428January 25, 2023 6:53 PM

[quote]Ms. Block. Can. Not. Act.

Ms. Block. Can. Not. Act, Zach.

by Anonymousreply 429January 25, 2023 6:53 PM

I think Ms. Block's acting ability is excellent, thank you very much, R429. And the people who voted her a Tony Award apparently agree with me, not with you.

by Anonymousreply 430January 25, 2023 7:06 PM

Yeah, Steph was very adept at doing a Cher impersonation.

by Anonymousreply 431January 25, 2023 7:18 PM

I'd actually love to see a revival of Sunset Blvd as long as it isn't some spare production. Block will be able to sing it for sure.

by Anonymousreply 432January 25, 2023 7:47 PM

I would like to see Stephanie do Sunset Blvd as Cher.

by Anonymousreply 433January 25, 2023 7:55 PM

[quote]curious what a younger, conventionally good looking Sweeney will do in the role

Younger than Len Cariou? He was 39 when Sweeney Todd started. Josh Groban turns 42 the day before his previews start.

by Anonymousreply 434January 25, 2023 8:08 PM

42 and still no sounds like a teeny bopper. Justin Bieber has a more developed and masculine sound.

by Anonymousreply 435January 25, 2023 8:22 PM

r435 Well that's just stupid on so many levels

by Anonymousreply 436January 25, 2023 8:24 PM

So the start of WWII is a spoiler now?

by Anonymousreply 437January 25, 2023 8:37 PM

I'd say that Len was a harder-looking 39 than Josh Groban's 42.

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by Anonymousreply 438January 25, 2023 8:39 PM

MickeyJo reacting to the new Cabaret recording:

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by Anonymousreply 439January 25, 2023 8:45 PM

R438. Fucking Betty Bacall will do that to you.

by Anonymousreply 440January 25, 2023 8:54 PM

Hey MickeyJo - fuck off.

If I was interested in your inane ramblings I’d seek them out for myself. There’s no need for you to post them here.

by Anonymousreply 441January 25, 2023 9:38 PM

I actually thought SJB was really good in Into the Woods. I enjoyed her acting as well as her powerful voice

by Anonymousreply 442January 25, 2023 9:44 PM

[quote]So the start of WWII is a spoiler now?

It probably is to 75% of the American public, who undoubtedly think we were fighting against the Soviet Union.

by Anonymousreply 443January 25, 2023 10:17 PM

I think folks sometimes get too literal with ages. Len Cariou always read older. It's why he was perfect for Night Music and Sweeney Todd. That and his wonderful, deep, resonant voice. There are men in their late 40s who look more boyish than he did in his 30s.

Anyway, here's our 2023 Todd.. Ugh.

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by Anonymousreply 444January 25, 2023 10:57 PM

Call me crazy, r444, but I don't think he's going to look like that as Sweeney.

by Anonymousreply 445January 25, 2023 11:00 PM

Sad news.

Negotiations for the Broadway transfer of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE have fallen apart because Jim Parsons wanted too much money. The cast is devastated.

by Anonymousreply 446January 26, 2023 1:53 AM

Huh.

by Anonymousreply 447January 26, 2023 2:46 AM

Jim Parsons doesn't need the money. It fell apart because it was a bad idea, and Parsons was smart enough to see that.

by Anonymousreply 448January 26, 2023 3:20 AM

That's what it sounds like, r448.

by Anonymousreply 449January 26, 2023 3:25 AM

Was it Parsons, who could see that or the potential investors who would’ve had to be crazy

by Anonymousreply 450January 26, 2023 3:25 AM

Parsons could have financed the entire thing himself, r450.

by Anonymousreply 451January 26, 2023 3:27 AM

This is an “all star cast”? I’m sure they’re lovely but stars?

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by Anonymousreply 452January 26, 2023 3:30 AM

R452, I never miss a Neka Zang musical.

by Anonymousreply 453January 26, 2023 3:45 AM

....

by Anonymousreply 454January 26, 2023 3:50 AM

R452 - I don't have my program from when I saw Dancin' at the Old Globe in San Diego last year, but I hope a lot of them are new. While very game, the majority of the cast were surprisingly mediocre dancers. Wayne Cilento seems like a nice man, but I don't think he's much of a taskmaster. Fosse without precision just doesn't 'sing'.

Unlike Madame Rose, I was born too late (to have seen the original production,) so pre-Broadway revival was my first exposure to the show other than those fabulous Dancin' commercials on YouTube. I was kind of surprised at how cheesy the show is. Without world class dancing, it feels like dinner theatre revues with a decent budget.

And I'm not suggesting that you can only revive Fosse's work with dancers who worked directly with him. If that's the case, his work dies. I mean, I love seeing videos that the Fosse/Verdon Legacy program publishes from their classes -- filled with dancers who were too young to have ever worked with the man (or Gwen, in many cases) and they dance with more precision, intent and character than what I saw at the Old Globe.

by Anonymousreply 455January 26, 2023 4:20 AM

[quote]I'd actually love to see a revival of Sunset Blvd as long as it isn't some spare production.

Why? The score is garbage with the exception of literally two or three songs at most.

by Anonymousreply 456January 26, 2023 4:32 AM

These two Broadway babies made me crack up. Never seen this before. I imagine it wouldn't fly today. This is from eight years ago.

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by Anonymousreply 457January 26, 2023 6:25 AM

BEA in JUNGLE FEVER: The Musical

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by Anonymousreply 458January 26, 2023 7:03 AM

Bob Fosse dancing in the age of "everyone gets a trophy" doesn't work.

by Anonymousreply 459January 26, 2023 12:18 PM

The original Broadway production of DANCIN' was helped immeasurably by Willa Kim's sexy, witty costumes.

by Anonymousreply 460January 26, 2023 12:50 PM

R460. Especially in Sing Sing Sing which were black and dull in Fosse.

by Anonymousreply 461January 26, 2023 1:34 PM

In the words of Richard Eder..., "Dancin' is not enough."

by Anonymousreply 462January 26, 2023 5:11 PM

Is "Dancin'" still backwards?

by Anonymousreply 463January 26, 2023 5:11 PM

Did Dancin' run at the same time as TPOS?

by Anonymousreply 464January 26, 2023 5:11 PM

Here's Ms Block with her Joe Gillis

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by Anonymousreply 465January 26, 2023 5:39 PM

Though I didn't see it, from what I've heard, it sounds like the major flaw of A Man of No Importance was Parsons' performance, so perhaps his husband and friends warned him not to go any further with it.

by Anonymousreply 466January 26, 2023 5:41 PM

Ew, r465.

by Anonymousreply 467January 26, 2023 5:44 PM

Am I the only one excited by her casting? Would I fly to Washington to see her? No. But would I go if I lived closer? YES!

by Anonymousreply 468January 26, 2023 5:46 PM

[quote]Did Dancin' run at the same time as TPOS?

Dancin' was TOPOS (That Other Piece of Shit).

by Anonymousreply 469January 26, 2023 5:47 PM

[quote]Is "Dancin'" still backwards?

Wouldn't that be "'Nicnad?"

by Anonymousreply 470January 26, 2023 5:54 PM

[quote] Though I didn't see it, from what I've heard, it sounds like the major flaw of A Man of No Importance was Parsons' performance, so perhaps his husband and friends warned him not to go any further with it.

Parsons was merely OK but I couldn't get over his plastic remade face. It was like seeing M3GAN star in a musical.

by Anonymousreply 471January 26, 2023 6:32 PM

Parsons couldn’t handle the accent and his face was bizarre, but he and John Doyle didn’t completely ruin the show. The performances of Roger Rees and Steven Pasquale now seem even greater in retrospect.

by Anonymousreply 472January 26, 2023 6:52 PM

Thought this was a bad idea from the start. Parsons doesn't draw audiences in anymore.

by Anonymousreply 473January 26, 2023 7:06 PM

[Quote] It was like seeing M3GAN star in a musical.

Please don’t give Bway producers any ideas

by Anonymousreply 474January 26, 2023 7:16 PM

I miss Roger Rees

by Anonymousreply 475January 26, 2023 8:00 PM

Natasha Richardson as Sally Bowles, the greatest performance in a musical I ever saw.

by Anonymousreply 476January 26, 2023 8:08 PM

I condole you, r476

by Anonymousreply 477January 26, 2023 8:58 PM

Any ideas on who the Kennedy Center is looking at to star in their 'Kiss of the Spiderwoman'? Tickets go on sale early next month but I haven't heard anything.

by Anonymousreply 478January 26, 2023 9:02 PM

I'm available!

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by Anonymousreply 479January 26, 2023 9:04 PM

Barbara Cook is spinning in her grave. That last note—yikes!

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by Anonymousreply 480January 26, 2023 9:14 PM

Yikes, indeed! She is truly the leading lady this misbegotten generation of theater goers deserve.

by Anonymousreply 481January 26, 2023 9:17 PM

R460, great seat!! Must have paid a fortune!

by Anonymousreply 482January 26, 2023 9:18 PM

As I just said to a dear friend the other day, I would rather see Zombie Gretchen Wyler than Sutton.

by Anonymousreply 483January 26, 2023 9:48 PM

Wow, thanks. Now I'm truly not sorry I missed it. I heard she was wrong for the role, but that's just painful. And she looks like an angry lesbian.

by Anonymousreply 484January 26, 2023 10:25 PM

And I can't imagine why Harold Hill would have been turned on by her, even a Hill badly portrayed by tap-dancing Hugh. There's absolutely no vulnerability there.

by Anonymousreply 485January 26, 2023 10:33 PM

Harold Hill seems gay

by Anonymousreply 486January 26, 2023 10:46 PM

As an Academy Award winning screen starlet, I am only familiar with the “aging up” technology available on film, so were a similar technology to be employed in a stage production, perhaps I would deign to portray Aurora onstage.

by Anonymousreply 487January 26, 2023 11:12 PM

R486. Liar!

by Anonymousreply 488January 26, 2023 11:13 PM

Those Catherine Zeta-Jones jokes just never grow stale.

by Anonymousreply 489January 26, 2023 11:31 PM

I, too, miss Roger Rees. Very much. But many people, myself included, felt he was miscast in A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE. In my opinion, Jim Parsons was better casting in terms of type, even though he did struggle a bit with the accent.

by Anonymousreply 490January 26, 2023 11:39 PM

I didn't see either version of the show, r490. Did you think Roger was too handsome for the character?

by Anonymousreply 491January 27, 2023 12:19 AM

What happened to Sutton? She didn’t use to sing that way. I’ve noticed a lot of people sing that way now with straight tones instead of vibrato and it always sounds bad. Who came up with that?

by Anonymousreply 492January 27, 2023 12:52 AM

No need for a Sunset revival. No one today can rival this.

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by Anonymousreply 493January 27, 2023 1:13 AM

It's the voices that got small!

by Anonymousreply 494January 27, 2023 1:17 AM

R492, I first noticed the straight-tone approach with her as far back as ANYTHING GOES and ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (can't remember which came first). A shame, as I'm a big fan (though I was pretty appalled by her in MUSIC MAN).

by Anonymousreply 495January 27, 2023 1:50 AM

Isn’t it inevitable that there will be a revival of The Will Rogers Follies (hopefully retitled) co-starring Hugh and Sutton?

by Anonymousreply 496January 27, 2023 2:14 AM

No.

by Anonymousreply 497January 27, 2023 2:30 AM

Is Steve Lutvak working on anything now?

Winning the Tony for "Gentlemen's Guide" must lead to something.

by Anonymousreply 498January 27, 2023 2:51 AM

On Frasier...

Frasier endorses a "sane" political candidate, who privately shares something spacey with him. Phil Patterson: Boyd Gaines. Frasier: Kelsey Grammer. Martin: John Mahoney. Niles: David Hyde...

by Anonymousreply 499January 27, 2023 2:58 AM

[quote]Isn’t it inevitable that there will be a revival of The Will Rogers Follies (hopefully retitled) co-starring Hugh and Sutton?

How about "I Do, I Do"?

by Anonymousreply 500January 27, 2023 4:44 AM

I tried watching The Will Rogers Follies on YouTube. There's a professionally filmed broadcast of the original Broadway production on there. What an interminable bore. It's like an old world Disney animatronic attraction in musical theatre form. How was that a hit? I feel like everyone who loved that show eats mayonnaise sandwiches.

by Anonymousreply 501January 27, 2023 5:15 AM

R501 I liked it. It has a sweet, naïve charm.

by Anonymousreply 502January 27, 2023 6:14 AM

[quote]Isn’t it inevitable that there will be a revival of The Will Rogers Follies (hopefully retitled) co-starring Hugh and Sutton?

Why on earth would you say something like that?

by Anonymousreply 503January 27, 2023 6:33 AM

[quote]Barbara Cook is spinning in her grave.

As opposed to spinning atop moving platforms onstage in her wheelchair.

by Anonymousreply 504January 27, 2023 6:35 AM

How does musical staging, aided, immeasurably by the set and costume design, almost made the evening worth it. No one since has come close to knowing how to stage a musical number like Tommy did.

by Anonymousreply 505January 27, 2023 11:35 AM

Oh, I think Michael Bennett held his own.

by Anonymousreply 506January 27, 2023 11:35 AM

Sorry: Tommy’s musical staging not how does musical staging I read this to my iPhone

That wasn’t Michael gone by the time of Will Rogers Follies

by Anonymousreply 507January 27, 2023 11:36 AM

Very sad news, Sal Mistretta has passed away. What a wonderful career he had. He will be missed.

by Anonymousreply 508January 27, 2023 11:57 AM

Stop talking into your iPhone, r507. It's still not working out well for you.

by Anonymousreply 509January 27, 2023 1:05 PM

The Will Rogers Follies was brilliantly staged, designed, performed and orchestrated, covering up completely middling material, including Comden & Green and Peter Stone on auto pilot. In a year where it competed against Once on This Island, The Secret Garden and Miss Saigon for Best Musical, I'd put it firmly in fourth place, even though it wasn't difficult to sit through. It is telling that it really hasn't been seen or thought of since that original production - it's the Redhead of the 1990s Best Musical winners.

by Anonymousreply 510January 27, 2023 1:45 PM

Speak for yourself. I found it pretty difficult to sit through. My friends left at intermission. I slogged through the 2nd act by myself.

by Anonymousreply 511January 27, 2023 2:09 PM

Will Rogers was staged decently, with some nice moments (like the jewels being stripped from the chorus because of the Great Depression, and of course Jerry Mitchell’s butt)

But having a scene set on the moon was just stupid. And the dog act!

by Anonymousreply 512January 27, 2023 2:18 PM

🎶Hemorrhoids for Mrs. Rogers🎶

by Anonymousreply 513January 27, 2023 2:20 PM

Those poor dogs died in a fire!

by Anonymousreply 514January 27, 2023 3:05 PM

Will Rogers Follies was staged fine. Sadly it was a bore.

Once on This Island, however, was a revelation

by Anonymousreply 515January 27, 2023 3:12 PM

Yup, loved every minute of Once on this Island. Should have won that year.

by Anonymousreply 516January 27, 2023 3:30 PM

I read the book that Kevin Lane Dearinger wrote about his time in Miss Moffat, the legendary Bette Davis musical flop of the '70s. It is a very, VERY slight book and took about an hour to read. There's not a whole lot there (unsurprisingly), but it's a fun, quick read and worth checking out of the library. There's a smidgen of dish (it's no Diary of a Mad Playwright) but it really evokes a bygone era of old fashioned musicals going out of town for previews.

by Anonymousreply 517January 27, 2023 3:53 PM

[quote]it's the Redhead of the 1990s Best Musical winners.

Not exactly, r510. The problem with Redhead is that it's a one-woman show. Until she's reincarnated...

by Anonymousreply 518January 27, 2023 4:03 PM

No one today could stage/choreograph that opening number to provide such smart, simple pleasures. If Rob Ashford did it, it would mostly involve chorus boys, and Charlie Williams doing weird contortions. If Kathleen Marshall did it, it would go on interminably with no build. And if Casey Nicholaw did it, it would be relentless Suicide inducing, tap dancing

by Anonymousreply 519January 27, 2023 4:37 PM

Speaking of middling, it's the kindest thing that can be said about "Cornelia Street". As expected, Norbert Leo Butz is worth his weight in gold, and It's always a pleasure to see Mary Beth Peil on stage (especially when she gets to say "fuck" as often as she does). The rest of the cast is a train wreck, especially the other women. And then Jordan Lage wanders in at the end if he just stepped out of a Mamet play. The score is generic and uninspired, the book sounds like a play that never made it past the first draft. Butz tries his best to lift this sad, mediocre material but he is defeated by total incompetence in all other areas. Please, Atlantic, don't let Pepe direct musicals. Oh wait, Pepe IS Atlantic.

by Anonymousreply 520January 27, 2023 4:50 PM

What is Cornelia Street about, r520?

And does Jordan Lage have a shirtless scene?

by Anonymousreply 521January 27, 2023 5:10 PM

Though I haven't seen Cornelia Street, based on Kimberly Akimbo and The Bedwetter (ugh), I'd say Neil Pepe and The Atlantic don't produce musicals musicals very well. Bravo to them for taking on new works but their productions tend to look cheap and unpolished.

by Anonymousreply 522January 27, 2023 5:29 PM

Is there something wrong with this thread? The latest comment I see before mine here is from a day ago.

by Anonymousreply 523January 28, 2023 3:23 PM

DL is on permanent Primetime, R523. So very few people are posting.

by Anonymousreply 524January 28, 2023 3:25 PM

R524, when did that happen? Do you mean the whole site, or just certain threads? I actually contribute to DL so I guess I can post anytime.

by Anonymousreply 525January 28, 2023 3:42 PM

With no new subject matter, comes no new gossip. Give it 6 weeks, babe.

by Anonymousreply 526January 28, 2023 4:09 PM

Pictures From Home is a boring debacle. For the first time ever, Danny Burstein is badly miscast. And his wig. OY. All three actors are stranded in a lethargic disaster of epic proportions. Did Nathan really think playing this character would make up for missing the chance to essay Willy Loman? If he did, he was wrong.

by Anonymousreply 527January 28, 2023 4:27 PM

Has Jordan Roth completed his transition into Kay Thompson?

by Anonymousreply 528January 28, 2023 5:44 PM

R525 Sometime before Christmas. It's killed a lot of chatter on many threads.

by Anonymousreply 529January 28, 2023 7:06 PM

Sorry to hear, R529.

by Anonymousreply 530January 28, 2023 7:16 PM

Is it permanent, r529?

by Anonymousreply 531January 28, 2023 7:18 PM

Also, I'm surprised to hear that this primetime thing happened before Christmas, because it's only in the past couple of days that have noticed a huge slowdown in the theatre gossip thread.

by Anonymousreply 532January 28, 2023 7:23 PM

The Theatre threads of late seem to devolve into rancorous back and forth between two posters.

by Anonymousreply 533January 28, 2023 7:28 PM

That's not really a new phenomenon, R533. It happens far too much.

by Anonymousreply 534January 28, 2023 7:29 PM

I guess we'll have to wait awhile to find out what the hilarious new thread title will be.

by Anonymousreply 535January 28, 2023 7:31 PM

Any ideas, R535?

by Anonymousreply 536January 28, 2023 7:46 PM

Interesting. When I posted my R523 comment above, there had been no activity in this thread for a full day at least, but now there have been about 10 responses over the past five hours. Maybe someone just needed to goose the thread to get it going again. If so, I'm glad I did that.

by Anonymousreply 537January 28, 2023 8:03 PM

Honestly there is very little to talk about right now.

by Anonymousreply 538January 28, 2023 8:04 PM

Any news about the Sean Hayes vehicle, Good Night, Oscar? I think it already played in Chicago.

Sean Hayes is always fantastic on stage but hate Doug Wright’s plays

by Anonymousreply 539January 28, 2023 8:09 PM

I watched the Cammy Sondheim tribute concert finally. I know he is a total cunt, but he still looks very fuckable. I wanted to punch Imelda in the throat, and Judy was totally thrilling.

by Anonymousreply 540January 28, 2023 8:11 PM

[quote]and Judy was totally thrilling.

Is she finally off the booze and pills?

by Anonymousreply 541January 28, 2023 8:14 PM

[quote]Honestly there is very little to talk about right now.

There may be no shows opening right now, but there have been a lot of announcements re upcoming projects. Also news of things that are not happening even though they had been planned, like A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE on Broadway.

by Anonymousreply 542January 28, 2023 8:49 PM

r524

PAY THE FUCKING TWO DOLLARS A MONTH!!!

by Anonymousreply 543January 28, 2023 8:52 PM

R541 Bugger. I meant Judi.

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by Anonymousreply 544January 28, 2023 8:55 PM

I should have done the movie of Gypsy! But that damn Freddy Brisson stole the rights! I had to do I Could Go On Singing instead. And did Steve lift a finger? No! Fuck his tribute!

by Anonymousreply 545January 28, 2023 8:59 PM

R545 That would have been incredible.

by Anonymousreply 546January 28, 2023 9:01 PM

Thinking about Judy starring in Gypsy is making my old gay head explode. Her Rose's Turn would have been amazing.

by Anonymousreply 547January 28, 2023 9:04 PM

[quote]And did Steve lift a finger? No!

Sorry Judy, but I was fingering someone else.

by Anonymousreply 548January 28, 2023 9:05 PM

This is fun.

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by Anonymousreply 549January 28, 2023 9:12 PM

Did Judy ever comment on 'Gypsy' and whether it reminded her of her own Mama? Would she have been able to handle the psychology of Rose and not turn to booze and pills?

by Anonymousreply 550January 28, 2023 9:15 PM

Scandal Down Under.

Should white critics be allowed to review this play? Its producers don’t think so.

Crikey.

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by Anonymousreply 551January 28, 2023 9:32 PM

This is the reason the Jessica Walter eye roll gif was invented.

by Anonymousreply 552January 28, 2023 9:37 PM

‘Allowed’??? The world [italic] has [/italic] gone mad today.

by Anonymousreply 553January 28, 2023 9:39 PM

I am guessing there is nothing remarkable about that play, and the title alone tells me that. This is just another way to get media attention by some dumb cunt producers. Glad it's backfiring.

by Anonymousreply 554January 28, 2023 9:40 PM

[quote] Glad it's backfiring.

How is it backfiring? I agree it’s just a stunt to draw attention, but here we are talking about this tiny play all the way on the other side of the world.

by Anonymousreply 555January 28, 2023 9:52 PM

[quote]We had our regular theatre reviewer lined up well in advance. Then a message came through – via a publicist – from producers Amylia Harris and Leila Enright saying that a PoC would be preferred.

For the benefit of those who don't read the article, both of those producers are white. As is Harris's Instagram - the only PoC showing up there are from her work, her social circle is entirely white. Hmmm.

by Anonymousreply 556January 28, 2023 10:02 PM

all- lowercase titles are often a sign of bullshit

by Anonymousreply 557January 28, 2023 10:17 PM

[Quote] Should white critics be allowed to review this play? Its producers don’t think so.

Hilarious how everyone falls right for this publicity stunt

by Anonymousreply 558January 28, 2023 10:18 PM

Ya gotta have a gimmick.

by Anonymousreply 559January 28, 2023 10:24 PM

The day before it closes, let's hear it for The Piano Lesson. I'm impressed it did as well as it did.

by Anonymousreply 560January 29, 2023 12:52 AM

R556 Imagine, having white friends.

by Anonymousreply 561January 29, 2023 12:53 AM

Sutton Foster was terrific in that middling Music Man. She really made Marian into a different character. But... her singing... yeah. Still better than Hugh, though.

by Anonymousreply 562January 29, 2023 1:42 AM

I had a gimmick!

by Anonymousreply 563January 29, 2023 2:05 AM

A.R.T. needs to hire a copy editor.

LIFE OF PI is an awfully ordinary play without its several coupes de theatre, gorgeous as they are.

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by Anonymousreply 564January 29, 2023 2:37 AM

[Quote] Sutton Foster was terrific in that middling Music Man. She really made Marian into a different character. But... her singing... yeah. Still better than Hugh, though

But it’s a musical. With some very pretty songs that didn’t sound pleasant. She didn’t need to be a different character, she needed to be able to sing the score.

by Anonymousreply 565January 29, 2023 3:26 AM

And the "different" character that Sutton Foster played in TMM was a far more unpleasant character than we've seen in previous productions of the show. She had the anger and bitterness down, but she didn't have the softness of personality or vocal tone to balance it.

by Anonymousreply 566January 29, 2023 3:37 AM

… end, it made the critics and everyone else with a discerning eye and ear, think it’s not as good a musical as it is

by Anonymousreply 567January 29, 2023 3:40 AM

It’s not like The Music Man was up against West Side Story or anything important when it premiered…

by Anonymousreply 568January 29, 2023 4:20 AM

Rebecca

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by Anonymousreply 569January 29, 2023 4:30 AM

Anyone see The Collaboration? Pope's Basquiat is intellectually disabled, but his shirt's off for Act 2! Was the painter himself .... slow? schizo? WTF

by Anonymousreply 570January 29, 2023 7:14 AM

To the person who was complaining about musicals at the Atlantic, I think they have done two fantastic ones: The Band’s Visit and Kimberly Akimbo.

by Anonymousreply 571January 29, 2023 1:14 PM

R567, I think you're right, and I really HATE it when that happens. Same thing happened when that awful Broadway revival of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS appeared.

by Anonymousreply 572January 29, 2023 1:14 PM

Bad productions can ruin a playwright’s reputation for life

by Anonymousreply 573January 29, 2023 1:41 PM

R573, what particular Simon productions are you referring to?

by Anonymousreply 574January 29, 2023 1:45 PM

When I see bad productions of good musicals so wonder if some potentially good musicals failed because their original productions were bad

by Anonymousreply 575January 29, 2023 1:47 PM

Amanda Peet Barefoot in the Park by Scott Elliott. SJP and MB is Plaza Suite staged by legendary director JBH

by Anonymousreply 576January 29, 2023 1:48 PM

Well, R575, some people think MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is a perfect example of that. Even Hal Prince, the original director, essentially said as much.

by Anonymousreply 577January 29, 2023 1:48 PM

[Quote] When I see bad productions of good musicals so wonder if some potentially good musicals failed because their original productions were bad

The color purple

by Anonymousreply 578January 29, 2023 1:49 PM

I hope someone more clever than me is planning a new thread, and will post the new link soon

by Anonymousreply 579January 29, 2023 1:50 PM

R578, that is absolutely another great example, IMHO.

by Anonymousreply 580January 29, 2023 1:50 PM

I don’t think what Doyle does his usually an improvement, but it was in this case

by Anonymousreply 581January 29, 2023 2:24 PM

Agreed, R581.

by Anonymousreply 582January 29, 2023 2:28 PM

I keep forgetting about Shucked. Even so I’m kind of rooting for it. Maybe just to see Valdemort’s face

by Anonymousreply 583January 29, 2023 2:43 PM

583 replies and no one has yet pointed out that the Ides of January come on the 13th?

by Anonymousreply 584January 29, 2023 3:12 PM

R584......what????

by Anonymousreply 585January 29, 2023 3:25 PM

r597 in the Some Like it Hot thread:

[quote]It's been so long since " Follies" freaks attempted to hijack a thread that has nothing to do with that flop.

The thread is closed so I'd like to respond here. You're showing your ignorance if you don't know the connection between Sheila Smith and SUGAR.

by Anonymousreply 586January 29, 2023 3:38 PM

Who invited r586

by Anonymousreply 587January 29, 2023 3:45 PM

For R585.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 588January 29, 2023 3:48 PM

R574-Don't you DARE say anything bad about Meg Simon. She was a good woman.

by Anonymousreply 589January 29, 2023 4:10 PM

Possible theme for next thread – which performer should be bigger stars than they are? I’ll nominate Emily Skinner. I would rather see her over Sutton in nearly anything. Sutton has done in recent years.

by Anonymousreply 590January 29, 2023 4:34 PM

Possible theme for next thread- Is there any decent gossip anymore?

by Anonymousreply 591January 29, 2023 4:48 PM

r561 Are you really so dense that you missed the point that spectacularly? Tell me, do the kind of white women who only allow POC critics to their show also seem like the same kind of white women who'd criticise others for only having white people in their social circle?

by Anonymousreply 592January 29, 2023 5:05 PM

Just curious, was there a venue in mind for the Broadway transfer of A Man of No Importance?

by Anonymousreply 593January 29, 2023 5:46 PM

Circle in the Square.

by Anonymousreply 594January 29, 2023 5:49 PM

[Quote] Are you really so dense

Fuck you toxic bitch

by Anonymousreply 595January 29, 2023 5:58 PM

It's nearly BAJOUR time and still no new thread.

by Anonymousreply 596January 29, 2023 6:49 PM

New thread.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 597January 29, 2023 7:19 PM

Carmelina!

by Anonymousreply 598January 29, 2023 7:19 PM

The original Gary Griffin (who??) production of The Color Purple followed the Spielberg movie aesthetic of making everything look lush and pretty. Props to John Doyle for stripping away all the....props...and going for stark simplicity in telling that story.

by Anonymousreply 599January 29, 2023 7:21 PM

So if A Man of No Importance is not moving to Broadway and it was John Doyle's final show for CSC, does that mean that NY has seen the last of Doyle?

by Anonymousreply 600January 29, 2023 7:23 PM

Ok, Bajour!!!

by Anonymousreply 601January 29, 2023 7:23 PM

Do I need to say it again?

Bajour!!!!!

by Anonymousreply 602January 29, 2023 7:24 PM

ummmmm..........

by Anonymousreply 603January 29, 2023 7:24 PM

You're on your own, kids!

by Anonymousreply 604January 29, 2023 7:25 PM

R599, Gary always bases his productions on someone else's work.

by Anonymousreply 605January 29, 2023 8:03 PM
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