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?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 605 | January 29, 2023 8:03 PM
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Continued from thread #510
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 1 | January 17, 2023 2:54 AM
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And yes, I know....you hate the title more than life itself!
by Anonymous | reply 2 | January 17, 2023 2:55 AM
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So when will the Tony committee meet? I’m curious about the Into the Woods cast placements
by Anonymous | reply 3 | January 17, 2023 3:24 AM
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The cast replacements aren't at all eligible. Only those actors in the opening night playbill. Dems the rules...
by Anonymous | reply 4 | January 17, 2023 3:57 AM
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Rules were made to be broken
by Anonymous | reply 5 | January 17, 2023 4:30 AM
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I hope Sara Bareilles will be remembered come nominating time.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | January 17, 2023 5:01 AM
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There's no way the Larry Kert situation will repeat itself this year.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | January 17, 2023 5:12 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 10 | January 17, 2023 6:27 AM
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Who said it will be a competitive Tony?
by Anonymous | reply 11 | January 17, 2023 7:07 AM
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I’d actually like to know if Groban’s zipper is opening, too.
by Anonymous | reply 12 | January 17, 2023 9:36 AM
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Yeah I think Lea will win Liza’s 1974 Tony, which was awarded for “adding luster” to the season.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | January 17, 2023 11:50 AM
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Hey! I won a Tony for adding luster!
by Anonymous | reply 14 | January 17, 2023 12:27 PM
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Maybe more men going full frontal naked would sell more tickets.
by Anonymous | reply 15 | January 17, 2023 1:04 PM
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It would certainly add luster r15.
by Anonymous | reply 16 | January 17, 2023 1:15 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 17 | January 17, 2023 1:40 PM
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What happened in the last thread to close it before 600?
by Anonymous | reply 18 | January 17, 2023 1:50 PM
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R18, it got to 600. Why would you say otherwise without checking?
by Anonymous | reply 19 | January 17, 2023 1:53 PM
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Sometimes you need to refresh. It will say thread closed without displaying the entire list.
by Anonymous | reply 21 | January 17, 2023 4:15 PM
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r19 don’t be a dick. Thanks.
by Anonymous | reply 22 | January 17, 2023 4:16 PM
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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?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 24 | January 17, 2023 5:26 PM
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How does all this co-directing actually work? Or co-writers being forced on writers? Paradise Square worked out well.
by Anonymous | reply 25 | January 17, 2023 5:38 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 26 | January 17, 2023 5:51 PM
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Lauren Patton unfairly took on all the trans anger toward JAGGED. Good for her for doing another new musical.
by Anonymous | reply 27 | January 17, 2023 5:52 PM
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Aren't Patton and Sarnak partners?
by Anonymous | reply 28 | January 17, 2023 5:53 PM
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Honest question-Do you think anyone is thinking of creating The White Lotus musical for Broadway right now?
Can you imagine casting it?
by Anonymous | reply 29 | January 17, 2023 6:07 PM
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It doesn't seem to lend itself to a play/musical structure.
by Anonymous | reply 30 | January 17, 2023 6:18 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 31 | January 17, 2023 6:26 PM
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your response is the sign of a small one.
by Anonymous | reply 32 | January 17, 2023 6:41 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 33 | January 17, 2023 7:04 PM
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I'd be excited to see Damon Daunno in anything. He was the one ray of sunshine in that Oklahoma revival.
by Anonymous | reply 34 | January 17, 2023 7:14 PM
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Damon Daunno had so much charm and talent in that OKLAHOMA!, I'm kind of amazed that insane director Daniel Fish cast him.
by Anonymous | reply 35 | January 17, 2023 7:23 PM
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Is Fish still working on his "most unhappy (non) Fellas"?
by Anonymous | reply 36 | January 17, 2023 7:54 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 37 | January 17, 2023 7:58 PM
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Darren Chris is playing Fanny during her vacation
by Anonymous | reply 38 | January 17, 2023 8:34 PM
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Is Damon Daunno gay or Derek Klena, Ramin Karimloo, Jeremy Jordan straight?
by Anonymous | reply 41 | January 17, 2023 9:01 PM
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They're all straight, r41.
by Anonymous | reply 42 | January 17, 2023 9:02 PM
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I was not a fan of Daunno’s yodel-singing.
by Anonymous | reply 43 | January 17, 2023 9:21 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 44 | January 17, 2023 9:21 PM
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I pray it's Pia Zadora as the new Fanny!!
by Anonymous | reply 45 | January 17, 2023 9:22 PM
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I know multiple shows closed and people rushed to see them, but overall the grosses were mostly up last week.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 47 | January 17, 2023 9:32 PM
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Phantom selling out because it's closing?
by Anonymous | reply 48 | January 17, 2023 9:44 PM
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Damn that Damon is straight. I swear where are the gay musical men?
by Anonymous | reply 50 | January 17, 2023 10:01 PM
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Dee's leaving Texas, ya'll.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 51 | January 17, 2023 10:03 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 52 | January 17, 2023 10:05 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 53 | January 17, 2023 10:23 PM
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Funny Girl still grossing over 2 mil a week. Damn.
by Anonymous | reply 54 | January 17, 2023 10:29 PM
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[Quote] Phantom selling out because it's closing?
Yes
by Anonymous | reply 55 | January 17, 2023 10:40 PM
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So many Broadway shows under $850,000 which these days is like Poverty Row.
by Anonymous | reply 56 | January 17, 2023 11:05 PM
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A large percentage of the shows whose grosses went up last week were the ones that were closing.
by Anonymous | reply 57 | January 18, 2023 1:58 AM
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Who the hell is still going to see CHICAGO?
by Anonymous | reply 58 | January 18, 2023 2:10 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 59 | January 18, 2023 2:32 AM
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[quote] Who the hell is still going to see CHICAGO?
Whoever wanted to see Jinkx Monsoon as Mama Morton, I suppose.
by Anonymous | reply 60 | January 18, 2023 3:35 AM
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It’ll be interesting to see if Jinkx can bring the show to life for the next couple of months.
by Anonymous | reply 61 | January 18, 2023 3:42 AM
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Not much up on TDF, especially for January. Hee Haw and SLIH, and that's about it for b'way.
by Anonymous | reply 63 | January 18, 2023 2:45 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 64 | January 18, 2023 3:32 PM
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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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 65 | January 18, 2023 5:21 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 66 | January 18, 2023 7:30 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 67 | January 18, 2023 7:34 PM
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Charlotte had everything ...but star quality.
by Anonymous | reply 68 | January 18, 2023 7:35 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 69 | January 18, 2023 7:36 PM
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[quote] Charlotte had everything ...but star quality.
Ain't that a bitch!
by Anonymous | reply 70 | January 18, 2023 7:38 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 73 | January 18, 2023 8:14 PM
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Michael's a bit long in the tooth, r74.
by Anonymous | reply 75 | January 18, 2023 8:45 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 76 | January 18, 2023 8:57 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 77 | January 18, 2023 10:49 PM
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Could they please cast me as Amos?
by Anonymous | reply 78 | January 18, 2023 11:02 PM
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Could they please cast me as Amos?
by Anonymous | reply 79 | January 18, 2023 11:02 PM
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Have you auditioned for Amos, C-list?
by Anonymous | reply 80 | January 18, 2023 11:27 PM
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You'd be a fabulous Amos. Have your people call the Weisslers.
by Anonymous | reply 81 | January 19, 2023 1:17 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 83 | January 19, 2023 1:37 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 84 | January 19, 2023 1:38 AM
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I recall Charlotte in the A Chorus Line revival.
Great dancer. Completely forgettable.
by Anonymous | reply 85 | January 19, 2023 1:38 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 86 | January 19, 2023 2:25 AM
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Did anyone see Erika Jayne in her aborted run in Chicago?
by Anonymous | reply 87 | January 19, 2023 2:32 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 88 | January 19, 2023 2:34 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 89 | January 19, 2023 2:53 AM
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I’m with Patti LuPone, there really should be term limits on Broadway musicals.
by Anonymous | reply 90 | January 19, 2023 2:54 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 93 | January 19, 2023 3:19 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 94 | January 19, 2023 3:55 AM
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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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 95 | January 19, 2023 4:54 AM
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What was the big Funny Girl announcement?
by Anonymous | reply 96 | January 19, 2023 5:56 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 97 | January 19, 2023 7:23 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 98 | January 19, 2023 8:31 AM
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[quote]What was the big Funny Girl announcement?
Beanie is planning a triumphant return to the role of Fanny?
by Anonymous | reply 99 | January 19, 2023 8:43 AM
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The big Funny Girl announcement was legit a CD signing. It was ho-him even by Broadwayworld.com standards
by Anonymous | reply 100 | January 19, 2023 10:11 AM
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Being adequate and lacking charisma hasn't hurt my career!
by Anonymous | reply 101 | January 19, 2023 12:02 PM
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r96 just a CD signing event
by Anonymous | reply 102 | January 19, 2023 12:16 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 103 | January 19, 2023 12:17 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 104 | January 19, 2023 1:44 PM
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R78-C-List-You're perfect for Amos, and your husband could play Mama Morton.
by Anonymous | reply 105 | January 19, 2023 2:11 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 106 | January 19, 2023 2:18 PM
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On Broadway, the show feels slight…and small.
by Anonymous | reply 107 | January 19, 2023 2:30 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 108 | January 19, 2023 2:30 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 109 | January 19, 2023 2:45 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 110 | January 19, 2023 2:51 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 111 | January 19, 2023 3:14 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 112 | January 19, 2023 3:25 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 113 | January 19, 2023 3:25 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 114 | January 19, 2023 4:09 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 115 | January 19, 2023 4:22 PM
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Clark just looks like a groovy, retro hippie.
by Anonymous | reply 116 | January 19, 2023 4:24 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 117 | January 19, 2023 4:53 PM
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R103,
Yes! Thank you. LOL. You can tell I never watched Baywatch.
by Anonymous | reply 118 | January 19, 2023 5:23 PM
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Pamela Sue Anderson played Nancy Drew, r118.
by Anonymous | reply 119 | January 19, 2023 5:58 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 120 | January 19, 2023 6:19 PM
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R120, that's the response of a five-year-old -- or maybe I'm giving you credit for too much maturity and intelligence.
by Anonymous | reply 121 | January 19, 2023 6:31 PM
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What's Sherie Rene up to?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 122 | January 19, 2023 6:35 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 123 | January 19, 2023 7:55 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 124 | January 19, 2023 8:11 PM
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Isn't it the smallest? (re r124 NOT r123)
by Anonymous | reply 125 | January 19, 2023 8:20 PM
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Helen Hayes is the smallest, and then the Friedman.
by Anonymous | reply 126 | January 19, 2023 8:25 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 127 | January 19, 2023 8:38 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 129 | January 19, 2023 9:09 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 130 | January 19, 2023 9:14 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 131 | January 19, 2023 9:27 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 132 | January 19, 2023 9:32 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 134 | January 19, 2023 9:44 PM
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WHET to Sherie Rene? She had a pretty good career for a theatre actress and then it just kinda vanished?
by Anonymous | reply 135 | January 19, 2023 11:29 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 136 | January 19, 2023 11:59 PM
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He drops his towel and reveals all, and for a few minutes.
by Anonymous | reply 137 | January 20, 2023 12:17 AM
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Sherie thought she was a playwright. She wasn't.
by Anonymous | reply 138 | January 20, 2023 12:31 AM
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Kimberly Akimbo very, very funny. I can't believe someone didn't laugh
by Anonymous | reply 139 | January 20, 2023 12:32 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 140 | January 20, 2023 1:01 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 143 | January 20, 2023 1:49 AM
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R140 he was soft but it was thick and long, longer than the other cocks we’d already seen, thus the gasp.
by Anonymous | reply 144 | January 20, 2023 1:51 AM
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Sherie took the money and ran...
by Anonymous | reply 145 | January 20, 2023 2:11 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 146 | January 20, 2023 2:55 AM
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It ended up being pretty socko, r146.
by Anonymous | reply 147 | January 20, 2023 2:56 AM
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Sherie Rene had a great one woman play where she talked about her crazy upbringing.
And then promptly disappeared from NYC
by Anonymous | reply 148 | January 20, 2023 3:01 AM
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Particularly when you see every penny on stage, r149.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 150 | January 20, 2023 3:08 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 151 | January 20, 2023 3:13 AM
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Sorry, probably meant Women on the Verge promptly disappeared.
by Anonymous | reply 152 | January 20, 2023 3:22 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 153 | January 20, 2023 3:29 AM
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On Bones right now, r149...
The Drama in the Queen
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 154 | January 20, 2023 3:34 AM
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I haven't read anything, r153, but there was discussion here on their Sunday/George casting.
by Anonymous | reply 155 | January 20, 2023 3:37 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 156 | January 20, 2023 3:40 AM
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R153 They're getting Bernadette for a concert. And a bunch of other stuff.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 157 | January 20, 2023 4:37 AM
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[quote] Mary Lousie Wilson
I love Lousie!
by Anonymous | reply 158 | January 20, 2023 5:42 AM
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Didn't Sherie Rene do a second one woman show after Everyday Rapture? Or am I losing my mind...
by Anonymous | reply 159 | January 20, 2023 10:34 AM
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For those in the know, why was the divorce so bitter?
by Anonymous | reply 160 | January 20, 2023 10:35 AM
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The one about prisoners r159 Whorl Inside a loop with Dick Scanlan
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 161 | January 20, 2023 12:31 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 162 | January 20, 2023 12:35 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 164 | January 20, 2023 12:38 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 165 | January 20, 2023 1:09 PM
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Belle? Sami? Carrie?
Please give us some context, r165.
by Anonymous | reply 166 | January 20, 2023 1:14 PM
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There is no such thing as a wrong thread r167, just a wrong poster.
by Anonymous | reply 168 | January 20, 2023 1:37 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 169 | January 20, 2023 1:43 PM
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If the Jujamcyn theaters are sold, what will Jordan Roth ever do with his days (this could be a thread unto itself)?
by Anonymous | reply 170 | January 20, 2023 2:05 PM
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Is Jordan officially MTF or just non binary?
by Anonymous | reply 171 | January 20, 2023 2:26 PM
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Zhe is ALL things to ALL people!
by Anonymous | reply 172 | January 20, 2023 3:37 PM
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Not sure, but he believes his husband Richie is a kitty cat.
by Anonymous | reply 173 | January 20, 2023 3:46 PM
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Pasadena Playhouse did a really wonderful Ragtime the year before the pandemic. No names, as noted, but the cast was excellent.
by Anonymous | reply 174 | January 20, 2023 3:58 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 175 | January 20, 2023 8:09 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 176 | January 20, 2023 8:23 PM
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Laura Osnes send her love, from limbo.
by Anonymous | reply 177 | January 20, 2023 8:28 PM
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Didn't Adam and Kelli once have an affair?
by Anonymous | reply 178 | January 20, 2023 8:32 PM
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R176-Nor should they. It has nothing to do with their talent.
by Anonymous | reply 179 | January 20, 2023 8:47 PM
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It has everything to do with whether or not I want to pay for their "talent".
by Anonymous | reply 180 | January 20, 2023 8:50 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 181 | January 20, 2023 10:08 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 183 | January 21, 2023 2:26 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 184 | January 21, 2023 7:12 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 185 | January 21, 2023 12:56 PM
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I still want to know how they were going to “fix“ thoroughly modern Millie for woke times
by Anonymous | reply 186 | January 21, 2023 2:23 PM
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Be careful what you wish for. They might still do it.
by Anonymous | reply 187 | January 21, 2023 2:33 PM
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Next up: 'night Mother, the musical.
by Anonymous | reply 189 | January 21, 2023 3:23 PM
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Could be a fun jukebox musical project. What songs would be good?
Cher’s Bang Bang
by Anonymous | reply 190 | January 21, 2023 3:38 PM
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Night, Motehr the Musical follows my new musical version of The Lower Depths.
by Anonymous | reply 191 | January 21, 2023 3:57 PM
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Next up-Titanic, the musical. Oh, wait...
by Anonymous | reply 192 | January 21, 2023 4:10 PM
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Closing number: "Tap Your Troubles Away".
Actually, something expressing false optimism like that might be a really good idea.
by Anonymous | reply 193 | January 21, 2023 4:22 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 194 | January 21, 2023 4:25 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 195 | January 21, 2023 4:50 PM
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No one ever picked up your musical, huh, r194? Rough.
by Anonymous | reply 196 | January 21, 2023 5:36 PM
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[quote]Closing number: "Tap Your Troubles Away".
Too bad Bonnie Franklin's no longer with us.
by Anonymous | reply 197 | January 21, 2023 5:42 PM
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Mama, I’m a big girl now at some point
by Anonymous | reply 198 | January 21, 2023 5:45 PM
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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."
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 199 | January 21, 2023 5:48 PM
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OOPS! Sorry -- I meant to say that it's on Disney+, not HBOMax.
by Anonymous | reply 200 | January 21, 2023 5:50 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 201 | January 21, 2023 5:56 PM
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JESSIE: ‘Night, mother.
[Italic]. JESSIE slams door. SFX: Gunshot.
MOTHER: Careful the things you say….
by Anonymous | reply 202 | January 21, 2023 5:59 PM
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Which brings us back to FOLLIES, r199...
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 203 | January 21, 2023 6:07 PM
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Act 1 of "'Night Mama!" climaxes in a kickline of candy bars.
by Anonymous | reply 204 | January 21, 2023 6:22 PM
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Anyone else see the Edie Falco/Brenda Blethyn "night, Mother"? I highlight of theatergoing for me...
by Anonymous | reply 205 | January 21, 2023 6:23 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 206 | January 21, 2023 6:38 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 208 | January 21, 2023 7:50 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 209 | January 21, 2023 7:51 PM
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[quote]Mama, I’m a big girl now at some point
Oh honey, you've been a big girl now for years. Years.
by Anonymous | reply 210 | January 21, 2023 8:10 PM
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r209 do you go when they happen like Darling Grenadine at the Roundabout? It was really interesting
by Anonymous | reply 211 | January 21, 2023 8:31 PM
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I'm not r209, r211, but I saw Darling Grenadine at the Laura Pels. It was ok.
by Anonymous | reply 212 | January 21, 2023 8:42 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 213 | January 21, 2023 8:44 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 214 | January 21, 2023 8:47 PM
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Re: Days of Wine and Roses
by Anonymous | reply 215 | January 21, 2023 8:47 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 216 | January 21, 2023 8:48 PM
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R209, I wish I knew which "anointed" people you are referring to, so I could decide whether or not I agree with you.
by Anonymous | reply 217 | January 21, 2023 9:01 PM
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Could Beanie play Brenda's daughter?
by Anonymous | reply 218 | January 21, 2023 9:03 PM
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R216, Guettel is less known for flops than just not writing. Do you really consider “Light in the Piazza” a flop?
by Anonymous | reply 219 | January 21, 2023 9:05 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 220 | January 21, 2023 9:05 PM
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Guettel is straight, right?
by Anonymous | reply 221 | January 21, 2023 9:39 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 222 | January 21, 2023 10:17 PM
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PS it moved from about halfway through the first act to the very beginning between Chicago and New York
by Anonymous | reply 223 | January 21, 2023 10:17 PM
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R197 That was TAP Your Troubles Away, not Slap Your Troubles Away......
by Anonymous | reply 224 | January 21, 2023 10:18 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 225 | January 21, 2023 10:24 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 226 | January 21, 2023 10:33 PM
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Piazza was completely forgettable in every conceivable way, awarded or not.
by Anonymous | reply 227 | January 21, 2023 10:39 PM
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R227, with all due respect, your taste is in your ass.
by Anonymous | reply 228 | January 21, 2023 10:49 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 229 | January 21, 2023 10:56 PM
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Surprised they film The Music Man". Sorry I missed it, it looked charming.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 230 | January 21, 2023 10:59 PM
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[quote]Surprised they film The Music Man".
Wanna try that again?
by Anonymous | reply 231 | January 21, 2023 11:13 PM
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Yup sorry...Surprised they DIDN'T film The Music Man". Sorry I missed it, it looked charming. Nice bootleg clip though.
by Anonymous | reply 232 | January 22, 2023 12:01 AM
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r229 They've done that since it opened. They also did it for Fosse too.
by Anonymous | reply 233 | January 22, 2023 1:25 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 234 | January 22, 2023 1:50 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 235 | January 22, 2023 2:07 AM
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With all due respect R228, you can shove it straight up your cunt.
by Anonymous | reply 236 | January 22, 2023 2:30 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 237 | January 22, 2023 2:35 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 238 | January 22, 2023 2:55 AM
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If Bates and Pitoniak were both nominated for Best Actress, isn't it likely they split the votes, allowing Tandy to win?
by Anonymous | reply 239 | January 22, 2023 3:20 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 240 | January 22, 2023 4:49 AM
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Sorry I missed the Music Man too. But I didn’t have $1000 bucks to spare
by Anonymous | reply 241 | January 22, 2023 4:49 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 242 | January 22, 2023 5:18 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 244 | January 22, 2023 7:08 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 245 | January 22, 2023 11:05 AM
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The Music Man excerpt seemed pretty charming to me.
by Anonymous | reply 246 | January 22, 2023 11:43 AM
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“She won’t a Tony for jumping in the air”
Gang, I’m ready for Tony #2!
by Anonymous | reply 247 | January 22, 2023 11:45 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 248 | January 22, 2023 12:21 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 249 | January 22, 2023 1:31 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 250 | January 22, 2023 1:36 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 251 | January 22, 2023 2:24 PM
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And the ass-kissing continues. Lear deBessonet Is the only director named in a full season recap
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 252 | January 22, 2023 2:30 PM
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r250 thanks for agreeing but you’re generally disagreeable here so, pass.
by Anonymous | reply 253 | January 22, 2023 2:44 PM
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I’d pay to see a Connie Franklin jukebox musical
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 254 | January 22, 2023 3:08 PM
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Absolutely, r254! Though that clip left out my favorite... "Stop Slapping my Face, Please!"
by Anonymous | reply 255 | January 22, 2023 3:27 PM
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I think a Lola Heatherton musical would be fun too. Can someone write a song called "I Want to Bear Your Children"?
by Anonymous | reply 256 | January 22, 2023 3:57 PM
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Jessie Buckley's Maybe This Time is second only to Liza's. If it transfers I hope she comes with it.
by Anonymous | reply 257 | January 22, 2023 4:03 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 258 | January 22, 2023 4:10 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 259 | January 22, 2023 4:49 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 260 | January 22, 2023 4:50 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 261 | January 22, 2023 4:57 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 262 | January 22, 2023 5:21 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 263 | January 22, 2023 5:24 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 264 | January 22, 2023 5:26 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 265 | January 22, 2023 6:47 PM
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Who was that loud,middle aged woman playing Marian the Librarian in that Music Man clip?
by Anonymous | reply 266 | January 22, 2023 7:25 PM
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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."
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 267 | January 22, 2023 8:04 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 268 | January 22, 2023 8:17 PM
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Great review r267. I would genuinely love to see this production.
by Anonymous | reply 269 | January 22, 2023 8:45 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 270 | January 22, 2023 8:47 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 271 | January 22, 2023 8:53 PM
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r270 What am I, chopped liver?
by Anonymous | reply 272 | January 22, 2023 8:56 PM
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Kind of, Bert. And easily replaced.
by Anonymous | reply 273 | January 22, 2023 8:59 PM
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I may have leered a little in the opening number but, at least, I did it fully clothed, r271.
by Anonymous | reply 274 | January 22, 2023 9:01 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 275 | January 22, 2023 9:11 PM
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[Quote] I thought Prince played the ending up front.
Remember the war (the “ending”) had only been over 20 years
by Anonymous | reply 276 | January 22, 2023 9:19 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 277 | January 22, 2023 9:23 PM
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If Sondheim had written “A Whole New World”
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 278 | January 22, 2023 9:29 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 279 | January 22, 2023 9:44 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 280 | January 22, 2023 9:48 PM
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How does this new version end? Is it as dark as the Mendes, with the Emcee in a concentration camp?
by Anonymous | reply 282 | January 22, 2023 10:20 PM
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Emcee takes 40 loads from German soldiers
by Anonymous | reply 283 | January 22, 2023 10:36 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 284 | January 22, 2023 10:50 PM
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So which one of you went to see Some Like It Hot?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 286 | January 22, 2023 11:00 PM
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I’m no Liza fan, but to try to compare Buckley’s pallid, mediocre voice to Liza’s in Cabaret is utterly ridiculous.
by Anonymous | reply 288 | January 22, 2023 11:55 PM
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“only 15,000”
Wow.
So five consecutive 9/11s worth of just gay men slaughtered and it equals an “only”
by Anonymous | reply 289 | January 23, 2023 1:14 AM
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“Onlly” about 15,000 gays were sent to concentration camps under the Nazis, R284? Well, wasn’t that a blessing.
Good god.
by Anonymous | reply 290 | January 23, 2023 1:18 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 292 | January 23, 2023 2:18 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 293 | January 23, 2023 2:38 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 295 | January 23, 2023 4:42 AM
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Like Gypsy and Follies, we all need a break from fucking Cabaret.
by Anonymous | reply 296 | January 23, 2023 11:45 AM
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I'd say that the charm in the MM number is largely the work of Warren Carlyle.
by Anonymous | reply 297 | January 23, 2023 12:02 PM
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I have never fucked Cabaret!
by Anonymous | reply 298 | January 23, 2023 12:06 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 299 | January 23, 2023 12:15 PM
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Jodi Benson and her daughter in Gypsy!
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 300 | January 23, 2023 1:12 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 301 | January 23, 2023 2:06 PM
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The chorus boys who are desperately searching for dongs are not the chorus boys who'd interest me.
by Anonymous | reply 302 | January 23, 2023 2:23 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 303 | January 23, 2023 2:34 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 304 | January 23, 2023 2:42 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 305 | January 23, 2023 2:49 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 306 | January 23, 2023 2:51 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 307 | January 23, 2023 2:57 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 309 | January 23, 2023 3:06 PM
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I think the people of Florida are finally getting the GYPSY they deserve.
by Anonymous | reply 310 | January 23, 2023 3:24 PM
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Kelli has Covid. Bernie stepping in tonight for Manhattan Theater Club
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 311 | January 23, 2023 3:32 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 312 | January 23, 2023 4:00 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 313 | January 23, 2023 4:12 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 314 | January 23, 2023 4:13 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 315 | January 23, 2023 4:24 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 316 | January 23, 2023 4:25 PM
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Taylor Trensch as Mordred? Whatever will he do for fun while bf Gavin is touring in Into The Woods?
by Anonymous | reply 317 | January 23, 2023 4:28 PM
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so if you were Guinevere, whom would you pick?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 318 | January 23, 2023 4:36 PM
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Can I just watch the two of them go at each other?
by Anonymous | reply 323 | January 23, 2023 5:00 PM
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But who will play Dinadan?
by Anonymous | reply 324 | January 23, 2023 5:39 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 325 | January 23, 2023 5:48 PM
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How old is Zuber? About 90?
by Anonymous | reply 326 | January 23, 2023 5:57 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 327 | January 23, 2023 7:43 PM
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[quote]Cabaret, as written, is set in 1929-1930, so the end result is not what that show is necessarily about.
Exactly.
by Anonymous | reply 329 | January 23, 2023 8:01 PM
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Zuber may be one of the many talents who are exhausted and tired of the bullshit and have left the industry.
by Anonymous | reply 330 | January 23, 2023 8:06 PM
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r327 makes me want to see it - and I'm r248 who thought the "Wilkommen" track sounds terrible.
by Anonymous | reply 331 | January 23, 2023 8:07 PM
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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."
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 332 | January 23, 2023 8:29 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 333 | January 23, 2023 8:33 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 334 | January 23, 2023 9:04 PM
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Right, R333, but that's still no reason to end CABARET with the horrific image of people in a concentration camp.
by Anonymous | reply 335 | January 23, 2023 9:14 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 336 | January 23, 2023 9:34 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 337 | January 23, 2023 9:37 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 338 | January 23, 2023 9:39 PM
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Just can't help yourself, can you?
by Anonymous | reply 339 | January 23, 2023 9:39 PM
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I've just blocked one of DL's resident psychos, something I should have done long ago.
by Anonymous | reply 340 | January 23, 2023 9:42 PM
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[quote]I'm looking at you Christie Brinkley.
I'm looking at me, too.
by Anonymous | reply 341 | January 23, 2023 10:12 PM
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r336 - r337...
They had us watch Night and Fog in high school in the early '70s.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 342 | January 23, 2023 10:16 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 343 | January 23, 2023 10:34 PM
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Start by chilling on all caps in YOUR posts
by Anonymous | reply 344 | January 23, 2023 11:34 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 345 | January 24, 2023 1:03 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 346 | January 24, 2023 1:38 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 347 | January 24, 2023 1:42 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 348 | January 24, 2023 1:44 AM
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R347, thanks for letting us know. So sad, Everett was a great talent and a great guy.
by Anonymous | reply 349 | January 24, 2023 1:46 AM
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RIP, indeed, r347. He was *amazing* in Movieland and it was one of the funniest theatre pieces I've seen.
by Anonymous | reply 350 | January 24, 2023 1:51 AM
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I still remember seeing Our American Cousin when I was 11 and thinking the gunshots were way too real.
by Anonymous | reply 351 | January 24, 2023 2:15 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 352 | January 24, 2023 2:16 AM
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I believe Ben Platt is penciling playing the Emcee in Cabaret in his diary, after he does Parade and promo for Theater Camp.
by Anonymous | reply 353 | January 24, 2023 2:23 AM
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Are Gavin Creel and Taylor Trensch a couple?
by Anonymous | reply 354 | January 24, 2023 2:25 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 355 | January 24, 2023 2:36 AM
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Gravin Creel should be balls deep in someone's trench right now....
by Anonymous | reply 356 | January 24, 2023 3:18 AM
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Who cares? Not I. Creel has the kind of face you forget the minute after he’s walked out the door.
by Anonymous | reply 357 | January 24, 2023 3:19 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 360 | January 24, 2023 11:10 AM
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I always forget—is Creel the stinky one?
by Anonymous | reply 361 | January 24, 2023 11:37 AM
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I thought Creel was “friendly” with Jordan Donica? Or was that just a moment in the woods?
by Anonymous | reply 362 | January 24, 2023 11:53 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 363 | January 24, 2023 12:19 PM
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Taylor Trensch always has a nauseous expression on his face like he's about to throw up.
by Anonymous | reply 364 | January 24, 2023 12:56 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 365 | January 24, 2023 1:00 PM
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R361 He sure was during the run of HAIR
by Anonymous | reply 366 | January 24, 2023 3:36 PM
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The same people clamoring for gender less award categories will be the same people upset that more males win than females.
by Anonymous | reply 368 | January 24, 2023 4:41 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 369 | January 24, 2023 5:36 PM
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It's like M&M's all over again
by Anonymous | reply 370 | January 24, 2023 5:55 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 371 | January 24, 2023 7:07 PM
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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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 372 | January 24, 2023 7:09 PM
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You just know it's going to suck.
by Anonymous | reply 373 | January 24, 2023 7:20 PM
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Sounds... claustrophobic.
by Anonymous | reply 374 | January 24, 2023 7:43 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 375 | January 24, 2023 7:52 PM
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"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 Anonymous | reply 377 | January 24, 2023 9:32 PM
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Two bombs in a row at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
by Anonymous | reply 378 | January 24, 2023 10:14 PM
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Room was stupid, a Tv movie at the most.
I can’t believe she won Best Actress
by Anonymous | reply 379 | January 24, 2023 10:16 PM
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That is shocking, r370. The Oscars have been going through weird phases in the 21st century.
by Anonymous | reply 380 | January 24, 2023 10:37 PM
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Anybody watch MickeyJo, a theater nut from England who quit his teaching job to talk about shows?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 381 | January 24, 2023 10:37 PM
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I like MickeyJo’s videos a lot.
by Anonymous | reply 382 | January 24, 2023 10:47 PM
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[quote]Brie Lawson
Helen's illegitimate daughter?
by Anonymous | reply 383 | January 24, 2023 11:26 PM
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Helen’s illegitimate son Camembert aka Cam is a scream at cocktail parties.
by Anonymous | reply 384 | January 24, 2023 11:55 PM
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I shoulda aborted the whole lot them!
by Anonymous | reply 385 | January 24, 2023 11:59 PM
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Helen, you told me you have more kids yanked outta you than a burning orphanage!
by Anonymous | reply 386 | January 25, 2023 12:17 AM
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Oh good, Helen Lawson jokes. How refreshing.
by Anonymous | reply 387 | January 25, 2023 12:18 AM
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R387 You sound weak. And sad. And joyless.
by Anonymous | reply 388 | January 25, 2023 12:41 AM
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I still prefer them to Helen Keller jokes.
by Anonymous | reply 389 | January 25, 2023 12:44 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 390 | January 25, 2023 1:22 AM
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R390 ...it will happen now.
by Anonymous | reply 392 | January 25, 2023 1:26 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 394 | January 25, 2023 2:52 AM
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Maybe it'll be a lighter, swingin' Sweeney, r394.
by Anonymous | reply 395 | January 25, 2023 2:57 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 397 | January 25, 2023 2:59 AM
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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
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 398 | January 25, 2023 3:04 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 399 | January 25, 2023 3:10 AM
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R377, "plays with music" are perfectly reasonable when one wants to complete the Tony quadruple crown.
by Anonymous | reply 400 | January 25, 2023 3:18 AM
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Is Tamara Tunie too old for Denise Nicholas’ role in the Room 222 musical? Asking for a friend.
by Anonymous | reply 402 | January 25, 2023 3:59 AM
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Is Ben Platt too old for David Jolliffe's role in the Room 222 musical? Asking for a friend.
by Anonymous | reply 403 | January 25, 2023 5:19 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 404 | January 25, 2023 6:08 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 405 | January 25, 2023 7:17 AM
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I think Michael Ball's Sweeney had a similar staging.
by Anonymous | reply 406 | January 25, 2023 8:38 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 407 | January 25, 2023 10:20 AM
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Sondheim conceived of Sweeney Todd as an immersive piece, so it would be great to see it done that way.
by Anonymous | reply 408 | January 25, 2023 10:57 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 409 | January 25, 2023 12:10 PM
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r407, I hope you're kidding.
by Anonymous | reply 410 | January 25, 2023 12:43 PM
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Katharine Hepburn would be pissed
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 411 | January 25, 2023 2:08 PM
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That Brie Lawson really blew it. She's done nothing but car commercials and superhero pics
by Anonymous | reply 412 | January 25, 2023 3:26 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 413 | January 25, 2023 3:28 PM
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And as its been in every college and community theater production of Sweeney. If it works, it works.
by Anonymous | reply 415 | January 25, 2023 3:46 PM
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Brie Lawson's older sister Camembert 'Bertie' Lawson is the true star of the Helen Lawson acting dynasty.
by Anonymous | reply 416 | January 25, 2023 4:18 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 417 | January 25, 2023 4:23 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 418 | January 25, 2023 4:23 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 419 | January 25, 2023 4:29 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 420 | January 25, 2023 5:03 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 421 | January 25, 2023 5:09 PM
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Is Stephanie J Block the best they could find for Norma Desmond? Did Donna Murphy turn them down?
by Anonymous | reply 422 | January 25, 2023 5:59 PM
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They should just hire Charles bush and get it over with. It’s always been nothing but a giant drag queen role.
by Anonymous | reply 423 | January 25, 2023 6:09 PM
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Billy Porter IS Norma Desmond!
by Anonymous | reply 425 | January 25, 2023 6:13 PM
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Why would anyone want to see another production of SUNSET BOULEVARD? Seriously. The original was bad enough.
by Anonymous | reply 426 | January 25, 2023 6:37 PM
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Ms. Block. Can. Not. Act.
by Anonymous | reply 427 | January 25, 2023 6:43 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 428 | January 25, 2023 6:53 PM
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[quote]Ms. Block. Can. Not. Act.
Ms. Block. Can. Not. Act, Zach.
by Anonymous | reply 429 | January 25, 2023 6:53 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 430 | January 25, 2023 7:06 PM
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Yeah, Steph was very adept at doing a Cher impersonation.
by Anonymous | reply 431 | January 25, 2023 7:18 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 432 | January 25, 2023 7:47 PM
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I would like to see Stephanie do Sunset Blvd as Cher.
by Anonymous | reply 433 | January 25, 2023 7:55 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 434 | January 25, 2023 8:08 PM
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42 and still no sounds like a teeny bopper. Justin Bieber has a more developed and masculine sound.
by Anonymous | reply 435 | January 25, 2023 8:22 PM
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r435 Well that's just stupid on so many levels
by Anonymous | reply 436 | January 25, 2023 8:24 PM
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So the start of WWII is a spoiler now?
by Anonymous | reply 437 | January 25, 2023 8:37 PM
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I'd say that Len was a harder-looking 39 than Josh Groban's 42.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 438 | January 25, 2023 8:39 PM
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MickeyJo reacting to the new Cabaret recording:
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 439 | January 25, 2023 8:45 PM
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R438. Fucking Betty Bacall will do that to you.
by Anonymous | reply 440 | January 25, 2023 8:54 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 441 | January 25, 2023 9:38 PM
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I actually thought SJB was really good in Into the Woods. I enjoyed her acting as well as her powerful voice
by Anonymous | reply 442 | January 25, 2023 9:44 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 443 | January 25, 2023 10:17 PM
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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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 444 | January 25, 2023 10:57 PM
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Call me crazy, r444, but I don't think he's going to look like that as Sweeney.
by Anonymous | reply 445 | January 25, 2023 11:00 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 446 | January 26, 2023 1:53 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 448 | January 26, 2023 3:20 AM
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That's what it sounds like, r448.
by Anonymous | reply 449 | January 26, 2023 3:25 AM
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Was it Parsons, who could see that or the potential investors who would’ve had to be crazy
by Anonymous | reply 450 | January 26, 2023 3:25 AM
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Parsons could have financed the entire thing himself, r450.
by Anonymous | reply 451 | January 26, 2023 3:27 AM
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This is an “all star cast”? I’m sure they’re lovely but stars?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 452 | January 26, 2023 3:30 AM
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R452, I never miss a Neka Zang musical.
by Anonymous | reply 453 | January 26, 2023 3:45 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 455 | January 26, 2023 4:20 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 456 | January 26, 2023 4:32 AM
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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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 457 | January 26, 2023 6:25 AM
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BEA in JUNGLE FEVER: The Musical
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 458 | January 26, 2023 7:03 AM
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Bob Fosse dancing in the age of "everyone gets a trophy" doesn't work.
by Anonymous | reply 459 | January 26, 2023 12:18 PM
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The original Broadway production of DANCIN' was helped immeasurably by Willa Kim's sexy, witty costumes.
by Anonymous | reply 460 | January 26, 2023 12:50 PM
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R460. Especially in Sing Sing Sing which were black and dull in Fosse.
by Anonymous | reply 461 | January 26, 2023 1:34 PM
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In the words of Richard Eder..., "Dancin' is not enough."
by Anonymous | reply 462 | January 26, 2023 5:11 PM
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Is "Dancin'" still backwards?
by Anonymous | reply 463 | January 26, 2023 5:11 PM
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Did Dancin' run at the same time as TPOS?
by Anonymous | reply 464 | January 26, 2023 5:11 PM
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Here's Ms Block with her Joe Gillis
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 465 | January 26, 2023 5:39 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 466 | January 26, 2023 5:41 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 468 | January 26, 2023 5:46 PM
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[quote]Did Dancin' run at the same time as TPOS?
Dancin' was TOPOS (That Other Piece of Shit).
by Anonymous | reply 469 | January 26, 2023 5:47 PM
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[quote]Is "Dancin'" still backwards?
Wouldn't that be "'Nicnad?"
by Anonymous | reply 470 | January 26, 2023 5:54 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 471 | January 26, 2023 6:32 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 472 | January 26, 2023 6:52 PM
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Thought this was a bad idea from the start. Parsons doesn't draw audiences in anymore.
by Anonymous | reply 473 | January 26, 2023 7:06 PM
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[Quote] It was like seeing M3GAN star in a musical.
Please don’t give Bway producers any ideas
by Anonymous | reply 474 | January 26, 2023 7:16 PM
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Natasha Richardson as Sally Bowles, the greatest performance in a musical I ever saw.
by Anonymous | reply 476 | January 26, 2023 8:08 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 478 | January 26, 2023 9:02 PM
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Barbara Cook is spinning in her grave. That last note—yikes!
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 480 | January 26, 2023 9:14 PM
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Yikes, indeed! She is truly the leading lady this misbegotten generation of theater goers deserve.
by Anonymous | reply 481 | January 26, 2023 9:17 PM
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R460, great seat!! Must have paid a fortune!
by Anonymous | reply 482 | January 26, 2023 9:18 PM
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As I just said to a dear friend the other day, I would rather see Zombie Gretchen Wyler than Sutton.
by Anonymous | reply 483 | January 26, 2023 9:48 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 484 | January 26, 2023 10:25 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 485 | January 26, 2023 10:33 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 487 | January 26, 2023 11:12 PM
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Those Catherine Zeta-Jones jokes just never grow stale.
by Anonymous | reply 489 | January 26, 2023 11:31 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 490 | January 26, 2023 11:39 PM
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I didn't see either version of the show, r490. Did you think Roger was too handsome for the character?
by Anonymous | reply 491 | January 27, 2023 12:19 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 492 | January 27, 2023 12:52 AM
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No need for a Sunset revival. No one today can rival this.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 493 | January 27, 2023 1:13 AM
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It's the voices that got small!
by Anonymous | reply 494 | January 27, 2023 1:17 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 495 | January 27, 2023 1:50 AM
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Isn’t it inevitable that there will be a revival of The Will Rogers Follies (hopefully retitled) co-starring Hugh and Sutton?
by Anonymous | reply 496 | January 27, 2023 2:14 AM
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Is Steve Lutvak working on anything now?
Winning the Tony for "Gentlemen's Guide" must lead to something.
by Anonymous | reply 498 | January 27, 2023 2:51 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 499 | January 27, 2023 2:58 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 500 | January 27, 2023 4:44 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 501 | January 27, 2023 5:15 AM
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R501 I liked it. It has a sweet, naïve charm.
by Anonymous | reply 502 | January 27, 2023 6:14 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 503 | January 27, 2023 6:33 AM
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[quote]Barbara Cook is spinning in her grave.
As opposed to spinning atop moving platforms onstage in her wheelchair.
by Anonymous | reply 504 | January 27, 2023 6:35 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 505 | January 27, 2023 11:35 AM
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Oh, I think Michael Bennett held his own.
by Anonymous | reply 506 | January 27, 2023 11:35 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 507 | January 27, 2023 11:36 AM
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Very sad news, Sal Mistretta has passed away. What a wonderful career he had. He will be missed.
by Anonymous | reply 508 | January 27, 2023 11:57 AM
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Stop talking into your iPhone, r507. It's still not working out well for you.
by Anonymous | reply 509 | January 27, 2023 1:05 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 510 | January 27, 2023 1:45 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 511 | January 27, 2023 2:09 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 512 | January 27, 2023 2:18 PM
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🎶Hemorrhoids for Mrs. Rogers🎶
by Anonymous | reply 513 | January 27, 2023 2:20 PM
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Those poor dogs died in a fire!
by Anonymous | reply 514 | January 27, 2023 3:05 PM
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Will Rogers Follies was staged fine. Sadly it was a bore.
Once on This Island, however, was a revelation
by Anonymous | reply 515 | January 27, 2023 3:12 PM
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Yup, loved every minute of Once on this Island. Should have won that year.
by Anonymous | reply 516 | January 27, 2023 3:30 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 517 | January 27, 2023 3:53 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 518 | January 27, 2023 4:03 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 519 | January 27, 2023 4:37 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 520 | January 27, 2023 4:50 PM
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What is Cornelia Street about, r520?
And does Jordan Lage have a shirtless scene?
by Anonymous | reply 521 | January 27, 2023 5:10 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 522 | January 27, 2023 5:29 PM
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Is there something wrong with this thread? The latest comment I see before mine here is from a day ago.
by Anonymous | reply 523 | January 28, 2023 3:23 PM
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DL is on permanent Primetime, R523. So very few people are posting.
by Anonymous | reply 524 | January 28, 2023 3:25 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 525 | January 28, 2023 3:42 PM
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With no new subject matter, comes no new gossip. Give it 6 weeks, babe.
by Anonymous | reply 526 | January 28, 2023 4:09 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 527 | January 28, 2023 4:27 PM
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Has Jordan Roth completed his transition into Kay Thompson?
by Anonymous | reply 528 | January 28, 2023 5:44 PM
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R525 Sometime before Christmas. It's killed a lot of chatter on many threads.
by Anonymous | reply 529 | January 28, 2023 7:06 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 532 | January 28, 2023 7:23 PM
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The Theatre threads of late seem to devolve into rancorous back and forth between two posters.
by Anonymous | reply 533 | January 28, 2023 7:28 PM
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That's not really a new phenomenon, R533. It happens far too much.
by Anonymous | reply 534 | January 28, 2023 7:29 PM
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I guess we'll have to wait awhile to find out what the hilarious new thread title will be.
by Anonymous | reply 535 | January 28, 2023 7:31 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 537 | January 28, 2023 8:03 PM
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Honestly there is very little to talk about right now.
by Anonymous | reply 538 | January 28, 2023 8:04 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 539 | January 28, 2023 8:09 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 540 | January 28, 2023 8:11 PM
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[quote]and Judy was totally thrilling.
Is she finally off the booze and pills?
by Anonymous | reply 541 | January 28, 2023 8:14 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 542 | January 28, 2023 8:49 PM
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r524
PAY THE FUCKING TWO DOLLARS A MONTH!!!
by Anonymous | reply 543 | January 28, 2023 8:52 PM
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R541 Bugger. I meant Judi.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 544 | January 28, 2023 8:55 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 545 | January 28, 2023 8:59 PM
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R545 That would have been incredible.
by Anonymous | reply 546 | January 28, 2023 9:01 PM
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Thinking about Judy starring in Gypsy is making my old gay head explode. Her Rose's Turn would have been amazing.
by Anonymous | reply 547 | January 28, 2023 9:04 PM
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[quote]And did Steve lift a finger? No!
Sorry Judy, but I was fingering someone else.
by Anonymous | reply 548 | January 28, 2023 9:05 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 550 | January 28, 2023 9:15 PM
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Scandal Down Under.
Should white critics be allowed to review this play? Its producers don’t think so.
Crikey.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 551 | January 28, 2023 9:32 PM
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This is the reason the Jessica Walter eye roll gif was invented.
by Anonymous | reply 552 | January 28, 2023 9:37 PM
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‘Allowed’??? The world [italic] has [/italic] gone mad today.
by Anonymous | reply 553 | January 28, 2023 9:39 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 554 | January 28, 2023 9:40 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 555 | January 28, 2023 9:52 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 556 | January 28, 2023 10:02 PM
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all- lowercase titles are often a sign of bullshit
by Anonymous | reply 557 | January 28, 2023 10:17 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 558 | January 28, 2023 10:18 PM
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The day before it closes, let's hear it for The Piano Lesson. I'm impressed it did as well as it did.
by Anonymous | reply 560 | January 29, 2023 12:52 AM
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R556 Imagine, having white friends.
by Anonymous | reply 561 | January 29, 2023 12:53 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 562 | January 29, 2023 1:42 AM
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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.
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 564 | January 29, 2023 2:37 AM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 565 | January 29, 2023 3:26 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 566 | January 29, 2023 3:37 AM
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… 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 Anonymous | reply 567 | January 29, 2023 3:40 AM
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It’s not like The Music Man was up against West Side Story or anything important when it premiered…
by Anonymous | reply 568 | January 29, 2023 4:20 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 570 | January 29, 2023 7:14 AM
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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 Anonymous | reply 571 | January 29, 2023 1:14 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 572 | January 29, 2023 1:14 PM
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Bad productions can ruin a playwright’s reputation for life
by Anonymous | reply 573 | January 29, 2023 1:41 PM
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R573, what particular Simon productions are you referring to?
by Anonymous | reply 574 | January 29, 2023 1:45 PM
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When I see bad productions of good musicals so wonder if some potentially good musicals failed because their original productions were bad
by Anonymous | reply 575 | January 29, 2023 1:47 PM
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Amanda Peet Barefoot in the Park by Scott Elliott. SJP and MB is Plaza Suite staged by legendary director JBH
by Anonymous | reply 576 | January 29, 2023 1:48 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 577 | January 29, 2023 1:48 PM
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[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 Anonymous | reply 578 | January 29, 2023 1:49 PM
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I hope someone more clever than me is planning a new thread, and will post the new link soon
by Anonymous | reply 579 | January 29, 2023 1:50 PM
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R578, that is absolutely another great example, IMHO.
by Anonymous | reply 580 | January 29, 2023 1:50 PM
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I don’t think what Doyle does his usually an improvement, but it was in this case
by Anonymous | reply 581 | January 29, 2023 2:24 PM
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I keep forgetting about Shucked. Even so I’m kind of rooting for it. Maybe just to see Valdemort’s face
by Anonymous | reply 583 | January 29, 2023 2:43 PM
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583 replies and no one has yet pointed out that the Ides of January come on the 13th?
by Anonymous | reply 584 | January 29, 2023 3:12 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 586 | January 29, 2023 3:38 PM
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R574-Don't you DARE say anything bad about Meg Simon. She was a good woman.
by Anonymous | reply 589 | January 29, 2023 4:10 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 590 | January 29, 2023 4:34 PM
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Possible theme for next thread- Is there any decent gossip anymore?
by Anonymous | reply 591 | January 29, 2023 4:48 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 592 | January 29, 2023 5:05 PM
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Just curious, was there a venue in mind for the Broadway transfer of A Man of No Importance?
by Anonymous | reply 593 | January 29, 2023 5:46 PM
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[Quote] Are you really so dense
Fuck you toxic bitch
by Anonymous | reply 595 | January 29, 2023 5:58 PM
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It's nearly BAJOUR time and still no new thread.
by Anonymous | reply 596 | January 29, 2023 6:49 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 599 | January 29, 2023 7:21 PM
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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 Anonymous | reply 600 | January 29, 2023 7:23 PM
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Do I need to say it again?
Bajour!!!!!
by Anonymous | reply 602 | January 29, 2023 7:24 PM
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You're on your own, kids!
by Anonymous | reply 604 | January 29, 2023 7:25 PM
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R599, Gary always bases his productions on someone else's work.
by Anonymous | reply 605 | January 29, 2023 8:03 PM
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