THEATRE GOSSIP #583: The "Operation Cunting for No Reason" Edition

Here's the old thread!

Trump cancels Kennedy Center children's show.

I truly can't believe what's happening to our country.

Tragic beyond words that even something as innocent and harmless as programming at the Kennedy Center could be so easily undermined by this vicious criminal asshole. What's next? Will he take over Lincoln Center and rename it for Robert E. Lee?

You know things are really awful when bi-partisan arts organizations are targeted.

I won't dwell too long about Trump on a theatre gossip thread, but all this bullshit makes you wish he'd be spending his time creating some condos and shopping complex out in the hinterland instead of fooling with the Kennedy Center.

Thank you, OP.

All the fucking Kennedy Center Shows will now be patriotic bullshit.

Remember when we learned how Communist Russia produced only patriotic propaganda pieces?

Well, here we are

It'll be renamed the Lee Greenwood Center and a gigantic facsimile of the Trump Bible open at the Ten Commandments will be prominently displayed at the entrance.

Anyway, while we still have a Broadway, let's bitch about it!

People still go to the Kennedy Center?

In honor of Valentine's Day...

The guest lists are up early. Almost all of the late night shows are reruns.

TODAY -- Megan Hilty in the 10 a.m. hour on Monday

THE VIEW -- Adam Lambert on Monday, Sarah Hyland on Wednesday, and Idina Menzel on Thursday

KELLY CLARKSON -- A segment Monday on Timothy H. Lee giving a traditional Korean bow after his mother saw him in Hadestown

STEPHEN COLBERT -- George Clooney on Tuesday

Hey, I know things suck, but who wants to suck my cock? Ladies only, please.

I find it interesting that Idina got rave reviews even if the show got trashed. Could she be a dark horse spoiler for the Tony?

Voters may not want to give Audra a 7th Tony and Nicole has the MAGA issue.

It's Audra's, r13.

And by the way, Idina, that sucks, those reviews. Call me.

NO, you can't keep hanging around the John Golden, Eli!

But, "Free Palestine!" and "Support Trans Kids!", right?

Over one-third of the voting public said "Oh, screw it" on Election day! If indeed all these "both sides" arguments are correct, I guess any Democratic president would be doing exactly the same thing, huh?

Americans are suicidal.

Wrong thread, R17? Have another drink.

R16, I'm on my way to fuck London.

Eli, call me.

I think Idina's show will close long before the Tonys.

Kristin, call me.

So, when will Redwood start showing up on TDF?

Thanks for the new thread, OP.

[quote]Trump cancels Kennedy Center children's show.

Too bad voters stayed home instead of canceling "Trump: The Sequel."

[quote]In honor of OPERATION MINCEMEAT, and more importantly, the continued mission to be petty bitches.

I know nothing at all about this show, but two good friends whose opinions I highly respect were at the invited dress. They are normally a complimentary sort, rarely speaking ill of any show, especially when it comes to speaking of an invited dress.

They RAVED about this one. Called it a "don't miss". Coming from them, that's enough for me to buy a ticket soon. I'll report back when I've seen it.

Nice work on the thread title, btw, and good timing.

Saw six shows in London in October, and Operation Mincemeat was by far my favorite. It’s brilliant! We saw the replacement cast, and I’m very excited to see the original cast on Broadway. I hope it’s a mega-hit here. I just worry that the poster art. Black squiggles on a yellow background? I know it’s what was used in London, but it doesn’t convey what the show is about.

R25, what makes you think they stayed home? They went out and voted for Dump. That's the tragedy.

Yes, I know Audra already has a zillion Tonys, but this is her greatest performance in Bway’s greatest role.

The Tony is hers

Do I have any shot at this, or will I just fill the category?

TIme for a NY trip before next season's musicals all become Lee Greenwood and Kid Rock jukebox shows

R30 sorry Megan, you may not even get nominated. If any spot from DBH happens, it will go to Simard

If Audra starts missing shows, Simard may well be the winner.

[quote]TIme for a NY trip before next season's musicals all become Lee Greenwood and Kid Rock jukebox shows

Don't forget" Joanie Loves Chachi, the Musical."

Before seeing Operation Mincemeat in London, a friend suggested we watch the Netflix film of the same title, which tells the same story though, of course, in a realistic fashion. It was wonderful and hugely added to the fun we had watching the show, making all the details so much clearer It stars Matthew McFadyen, Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Penelope Wilton and lots of other great Brit actors.

Minshmeat.

[quote] I think Idina's show will close long before the Tonys.

Perhaps, but if they were deluded enough to bring it to Broadway in the first place, they’re deluded enough to run it until the Tonys.

Hope springs eternal ...

Yikes! Bernadette got ripped to SHREDs in this review from the LA times. It’s basically a love letter to Salonga, but she calls Bernadette’s “Send in the Clowns” “a low point”

[quote]Don't forget" Joanie Loves Chachi, the Musical."

And Brendad Dickson in "Hello Dolly!"

[quote]Yikes! Bernadette got ripped to SHREDs in this review from the LA times

Maybe it's time to retire...

Someone finally said it.............

[quote]Sondheim, who died in 2021, admitted to me in a 2010 interview that he found these birthday concerts and tribute shows “thrilling and embarrassing.” “There’s an up- and downside to being venerated,” he said. “You start to believe your own notices, and that’s very dangerous. At the same time, it does feel like it’s gold-watch time. It’s ‘Thanks so much for coming to the party.’ They’re nails in the coffin, is what they are.”

[quote]Well, there’s no longer any worry about how all this public fanfare will affect his creativity. But could all this ballyhoo sap interest in his work? It would be an irony worthy of Sondheim if, after a lifetime of being dismissed as too highbrow, his posthumous career suffered from commercial overexposure.

[quote]There were a few disappointments along the way. Peters had only intermittent success with “Send in the Clowns” from “A Little Night Music” and “Losing My Mind” from “Follies.” Her flickers of brilliance fell short of a flame.

That is hardly what I'd call "ripping to SHREDS" R39, especially when earlier it was stated: "There’s no one like this kewpie triple threat, and even at half-mast she was able to summon some of the old magic."

Glad to see several mentions of Jacob Dickey in that review. I thought he really stood out in an all-around strong cast.

At this point, I think Losing My Mind is a bit tricky for Bernadette to navigate.

R44 she did it at Carnegie Hall in October and got her only standing ovation until the encores so maybe it was a bad night when the reviewer was there. He mentioned earlier in the review she was in poor voice when he was there.

I saw Bernadette recently at Carnegie Hall. If someone had seen her there for the first time, wondering what all the fuss was about, they would be mystified.

We’ve all been pretending that Bernadette Peters can still sing. Instead it’s a croaker of voice and it’s been for a while.

It’s over, Bernadette

[Quote] I saw Bernadette recently at Carnegie Hall. If someone had seen her there for the first time, wondering what all the fuss was about, they would be mystified.

If you saw her a decade ago in Follies, you would have thought the same thing. The horrible state of her voice made sense for the Follies character… but then you realize it’s not an act

Bernadette's vocal inconsistency has been the bane of her career almost from the beginning, and now that she is quite old, it's only natural that she's going to have far more bad nights than good ones. I will say that she sounded fine when I saw her in HELLO, DOLLY!, but of course, those songs are for the most part not vocally challenging at all.

[quote]It’s over, Bernadette

Since no one appointed you Broadway God, we'll decide for ourselves when we think it's over.

Bernadette has fought chronic bronchitis her whole life. For Sunday and Into the Woods, there was an oxygen tank off stage if she needed a hit after a big number.

When she's good, she's brilliant. The real decline hit on Follies because so much of it was in a range she hadn't used since "Star Tar" in Dames at Sea. But she can still make the magic happen, even in diminished voice.

R50 I had no idea about that. She’s a trouper if that’s the caee

McNulty's an imbecile and a terrible critic. I was at the opening. Bernadette was in very good voice. I did hear a few intakes of breath here and there, but otherwise, she sounded strong. Yes, there's that little rasp that she's had for some time now, but I thought she handled her songs incredibly well, particularly her "Send in the Clowns." Lea is absolutely a standout, he's right about that. It makes you wish she had had other opportunities over the years. When she tackles "Everything's Coming Up Roses," it shows you everything audiences are missing over at the Majestic. Gavin Lee, Beth Leavel, Bonnie Langford, Jeremy Secomb, Joanna Riding and Jacob Dickey also all fare really well. It's really a delightful evening.

[quote]But she can still make the magic happen, even in diminished voice.

Exactly, r50.

I saw her perform it a year and a half ago, r45. It was more emotion than straight forwardly hitting the notes. But Bernadette has always displayed emotion in her singing, so she can get away with it.

I just want to add a parallel to r53 - Anne Bancroft telling Shirl in The Turning Point that her performance that evening would be all about her arms.

Jordan Fisher out of Urinetown today.

Bernadette and Betty's voices seemed to diminish overnight. Bernadette's voice fell off a cliff after Gypsy, and Betty went from 3.5 octaves to 2 after Sunset Blvd closed. Patti's voice is in better shape, but still greatly diminished. Patti's voice was always lower and beltier, so it was always going to last longer. Having said that, Patti never sounded amazing again after Evita.

[quote]Patti's voice is in better shape, but still greatly diminished

Hardly, r56.

[Quote] Lea is absolutely a standout, he's right about that. It makes you wish she had had other opportunities over the years. When she tackles "Everything's Coming Up Roses," it shows you everything audiences are missing over at the Majestic.

Oh, so shut up.

[Quote] Jordan Fisher out of Urinetown today.

Too bad the production is a stinker

Patti’s voice has held up the best of the three but she has settled into this unpleasant yodle during soft ballads that I wish she wouldn’t do. It’s particularly bad in her Don’t Monkey With Broadway recording.

I saw the Peters Salonga show in London. it was fun and perfectly fine. But, and I say this as a huge BP fan, she is not great. Sometimes her voice is painful to hear, unfortunately. There was a hottie in the London production that has not transferred.

From the London tape, I thought BP doing Little Red was embarrassing.

I’m really surprised Walsh wasn’t nominated for this. She really sells this song.

I loved Bernie doing Little Red! I thought the idea was clever, and she acted the song well.

[quote]It's really a delightful evening.

Despite all those Sondheim songs.

[quote]There was a hottie in the London production that has not transferred.

Do you mean the guy with the long hair who played the Wolf?

[quote]But Bernadette has always displayed emotion in her singing, so she can get away with it.

That she does, but it is always the same emotion.

[quote]That she does, but it is always the same emotion.

It's provided her with quite a lengthy career, r67. Patti and Betty Lynn have never been able to equal or come close to her vulnerability.

I saw Mincemeat in London in December and hated it. And I loved the movie. I just thought it was stupid. But I was definitely in the minoriity...

Somehow, I just don't have any desire to see a show that looks and sounds like all of the countless other Sondheim revues.

" Vulnerable" is not a word anyone would ever associate with Patti, but at least she occasionally smiles ( unlike Peters).

[quote]but at least she occasionally smiles ( unlike Peters).

[quote] her performance that evening would be all about her arms.

When the voice is gone, you can distract an audience with dramatic art movements and an occasional kick.

[Quote] Sometimes her voice is painful to hear, unfortunately

Only sometimes?

R66. Yes...

[quote]That she does, but it is always the same emotion.

Does she still perform "Losing My Mind" as if she's on Thorazine, they way she sang it in "Follies"? Egad!

I like Bernadette Peters just fine in the right material, but Betty Buckley's vulnerability cuts far deeper for me.

Betty Buckley’s “vulnerability” often comes across to me as someone who’s a total basket case.

Has Buckley ever played vulnerable in anything other than Cats?

All this talked about Bernadette reminds me of Judy's last decade or so. The Voice was mostly gone, but she was still a compelling stage presence and could sell a song.

[quote]Has Buckley ever played vulnerable in anything other than Cats?

Lately, I have a deep feeling of fear and anxiety whenever Bernadette Peters begins a ballad.

If there’s one thing I don’t care for, it’s drag. I find drag queens unpleasant. But this is America, and for Trump to step in and stop a play because there are drag queens in it in unAmerican. If drag queens want to perform, and people want to see it, they have that right. This stuff is really dangerous.

That diatribe was intended for another thread, but it applies here as well. I was referring to Trump banning a play at Kennedy Center because it featured drag.

Buckley's vulnerable is different than Peters'. Buckley certainly gave Margaret White some vulnerabilty. But compare their Song & Dance sounds.

Can someone explain to me how a President can overtake a cultural institution like the Kennedy Center? I really don't get it. What's next? The Philharmonic? ABT? The Boston Pops? Dollywood?

The Kennedy Center has a board that chooses the leadership staff. Until last week, it had always been nonpartisan. Trump fired all of Biden’s 18 apppiintees, and appointed 28 of his own to include his campaign manager/chief of staff and Usha Vance.

He announced that hd would be the new Chair. The board voted for him, and then he lied and said it was unanimous. He also appointed Richard Grenell to do the dirty work of cancelling World Pride events and works by gay writers.

Unlikely that he would take over other organizations. The Kennedy Center had a mechanism that no one had exploited.

We live in a very shitty time in a very shitty country.

[quote]Unlikely that he would take over other organizations

Oh, sweet summer senior

The Kennedy Center is, I assume, federally funded, which is why the Cunt took it over--also as a fuck you to Caroline Kennedy for trashing her psychopath cousin. The Cunt can't take over, say, Lincoln Center, or any other cultural institution not under federal control. This is my understanding--am I correct?

Boycott the Kennedy Center and urge all performing artists to do the same. Bankrupt it.

[quote]The Kennedy Center receives just over 15 per cent of its funding from the federal government, and there is a history long before Trump of some Republican politicians objecting to what they view as state-sponsored art.

Boycott the Kennedy Center, There are other venues in DC.

User "Bobby Wilson" shared this really moving anecdote on the 'Broadway Remembered' Facebook group recently. Thought y'all would appreciate it.

[quote]In 1992, I was the Children's Guardian on a John Guare play called FOUR BABOONS ADORING THE SUN, with Stockard Channing and James Naughton. We played the Beaumont Theater, at Lincoln Center, where it’s very common to have famous visitors backstage.

[quote]Once, after a Sunday matinee, I had gotten all the kids to their parents and went back to the dressing room to get my things. As I was leaving, I passed Stockard's dressing room. The door was open and she was entertaining some guests, but otherwise the backstage seemed empty. I walked down the long hall of dressing rooms and figured I could probably let out the fart I’d been holding in for the last two hours. I turned into the short, narrow hall leading to the stage door and blew it out my ass. As I approached the exit, my fart cloud trailing me, the door buzzed open and in walked Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, all heading directly into my fart. There was no escape - not for them, not for me - and I’ll never forget Jackie’s glassy-eyed stare.

[quote]A life in the theater- it's really just one glamorous moment after another.

I'm not a student of history. Would this be pre or post-assistance Jackie?

[quote]All this talked about Bernadette reminds me of Judy's last decade or so. The Voice was mostly gone, but she was still a compelling stage presence and could sell a song.

Judy's period of decline tends to be remembered as longer than it actually was. She died in 1969. Her voice was hardly "mostly gone" when she made her legendary appearance at Carnegie Hall in April 1961. The live recording from that evening made her the first woman to win Record of the Year, and she also won for Best Female Vocal Performance. Videos of her one-season TV series in 1963-64 include some powerful performances. She was no longer at her peak (that would have been when she made "A Star Is Born" in 1954), but her voice was hardly "mostly gone" during that series, which ended five years before her death.

I saw Bernadette twice in Old Friends during the London run. The first time she appeared sadly much diminished - not just the voice but her entire presence felt a little tentative.

The second time, towards the end of the run, she was glorious and was clearly making smart choices to work with the limitations of her voice, rather than struggle and fail to do what would have been effortless a few decades earlier. I also saw her in concert last August, and similarly - she was a delight and completely in control of her instrument.

I found the televised Old Friends to be depressingly funereal, but found the show as it is now to be profoundly moving. My life was changed by buying Bernadette’s Sondheim Etc CD, as a sixteen year-old gayling. It was my first proper introduction to both her and Sondheim, and in the way that artists and their art can change one’s life - I don’t know who would have become had it not been for Sondheim. And then to be able to pop into a matinee on an ordinary Saturday and hear Bernadette sing Sondheim’s greatest hits? What profound joy.

And on Operation Mincemeat, it was one of those shows where I knew three-minutes in that I was having a very different experience from everybody else. It’s very well written and the staging is great and the cast are game, but nothing sets my teeth on edge more than relentless whimsical English irony. ‘Dear Bill’ is the show’s only sincere moment.

R63 I believe that “Stop, Time” was cut from BIG but recorded for the cast album. It is a gorgeous song.

[quote]I saw Mincemeat in London in December and hated it.

I'm r26, r69. I do want to see Operation Mincemeat, on the basis of my friends' recommendations, but I think it's likely that I won't care for it. I have been in r94's shoes, seeing a show that others loved passionately. and wondering right from the start what the rest of the audience members were getting that I wasn't. I fully expected.my reaction to one show.

It was [title of show]. I knew going in that I wasn't the audience for it. I was never a theater kid, nor did I have to be told to not let the "vampires" get me.. Still, I could see where they were coming from and thought it was sweet. I didn't love it, but it was too heartfelt for me to summon up much dislike.

My reaction to the other show took me completely by surprise: Passing Strange. I had friends who had highly recommended it. I went in with an open mind and a positive attitude, which didn't last long. By the time we got to Sole Brother, I was ready to leave Stew and his fucking SCARY-OTYPES behind (Stew's word, ALL-CAPS his). I couldn't go, because my ticket was comped. I make it a point to never walk out on a comped ticket. I also will never share any but positive (or neutral) feedback about a show that I've been comped to. All I could truthfully manage when my friend asked after the show what I'd thought of it was to praise Daniel Breaker and Rebecca Naomi Jones.

I loathed Passing Strange in general, and Stew in particular. The show was a self-serving, self-important love letter to himself. I have never before or since had such a visceral negative reaction to any kind of performance.

I love the quirky but true story behind Operation Mincemeat. I probably won't love the show, but I'll like it well enough.

Here's ‘Dear Bill’ sung by Christian Andrews in Albert Hall. I believe he won an Olivier for it on the West End.

[quote]I also will never share any but positive (or neutral) feedback about a show that I've been comped to.

[quote]I loathed Passing Strange in general, and Stew in particular.

R85, no. The song was in all versions of the show, and was cited in most reviews, not always favorably. Why post something so incorrect?

In Baby, also by Maltby and Shire, Beth Fowler sang a beautiful song called Patterns that was recorded even though it was cut from the Broadway production. Fowler was crushed, since she hope to get a Tony nom. In fact, she was reading a congratulatory note from Stephen Sondheim on her performance when Richard Maltby Jr. knocked on her dressing room door to tell her the song was cut.

^ For r95

[Quote] I believe that “Stop, Time” was cut from BIG but recorded for the cast album. It is a gorgeous song.

Thank you for reminding me about Big, a show that could have made it but for horrid director Susan Stroman.

It was the beginning of my hatred for everything she touches.

I specifically recall with BIG that all the big moments, which should have been capped by choral numbers were, instead, replaced by tap dancing. Tap dancing never brings a show moment home. NEVER. And thus, BIG flopped

R98. WHY DON'T YOU CUT ONE OF LIZ CALLAWAY'S SONGS?? SHE'S GOT FIVE!

I'm the poster upthread who suggested watching the Netflix film of Operation Mincemeat for full enjoyment of the show.

I'll add that when I saw the show in London it plays in a very tiny West End theater, one that would strike NYers as very much like one of our old off-Broadway theaters like the Variety Arts (RIP) for example. Beer and liquor and ice cream were freely sold at the back of the house and there seemed to be lots of parties of young straight couples crammed in and whooping it up during the show. And maybe because it was chilly night in March the heat was turned way up.

Which is all in saying, there was A LOT going against the show for me, and yet I still had a great fun time.

I'll be curious to see if playing in a more formal Broadway house will affect the experience. That is, if I see it again.

[quote]I also will never share any but positive (or neutral) feedback about a show that I've been comped to.

[quote]I loathed Passing Strange in general, and Stew in particular.

[quote]—Hmmmm.

Ha! Touche', r97. I had that coming. I did think about that - the second after I pressed post. Then I thought, nah - nobody's going to call me on that. Thanks for keeping me in "the real", as Stew would say. What I meant to say, and should have said, was that I would not have shared my negative thoughts regarding the production while it was still running.

As it was, when I came out for a smoke at intermission, I ran into several of my colleagues, who were so touched that a few of them were in tears. PS had a Monday night show that wasn't selling well, so many in my company availed themselves of the comps. When they asked my opinion of the show so far, I was caught offguard. I said that I was still processing, and mentioned that I'd seen Breaker in a small role in Cymbaline just the month before, with John Cullum, Michael Cerveris, and Jonathan Cake. I was pleased to see him in a featured role in an original work, and left it at that. Who was I to harsh their buzz?

However... that was nearly 20 years ago. I've released myself from my self-imposed restrictions. That said, when I offer comp tickets to friends and acquaintances, I tell them upfront that my expectation is that they stay for the entire show. The reason comped tickets are given out is because they want asses in those seats. I also tell them to refrain from trashing the show on social media, even anonymously. If they can't agree with those rules, I ask them to refuse the offer. I have a very long list of people who would love to see a show for free.

Break those simple rules, or worse, be a no-show, and you'll never get another ticket from me again.

When my friend in the PS Strange company asked what I thought, I praised not only Breaker and Rebecca Naomi Jones, but also Colman Domingo and De'Adre Aziza (currently in Redwood) for their bold performances in this number Mr Venus's Riot Cabaret.

“Patterns” was my favorite sing from the soundtrack of Baby.

r87, yeah yeah, but we don't have a girl for a president, and that's what really matters.

My niece saw Gypsy today and said Kamala Harris and Victor Garber were both in the audience.

[quote] Thank you for reminding me about Big, a show that could have made it but for horrid director Susan Stroman.

Big was directed by Mike Ockrent. Stroman just choreographed it.

[quote] My niece saw Gypsy today and said Kamala Harris and Victor Garber were both in the audience.

I always knew those crazy kids would hit it off!

[Quote] Big was directed by Mike Ockrent. Stroman just choreographed it.

She still sucks

BIG had way too much dancing. It didn’t make sense. For every number, suddenly people would appear and star lt dancing.

It just showed how much Stroman influenced the directing

r103, I'd really rather hear about Jonathan Cake in Cymbeline. Didn't he have a nude scene in it?

Poor Victor Garber. D-list even in a Gypsy audience.

Oh, please. I'm sure Victor Garber is doing just fine. The dude may never be a superstar, but beyond his Broadway work, he's a reliable character actor who has more than 150 credits on IMDB. He must be absolutely loaded from his near endless TV work.

If you want a really great laugh, watch this video on the making of "BIG the musical." Stroman's sideways baseball cap is everything. Plus a guest appearance from DL favorite Didi Conn!

I was OBSESSED with Jonathan Cake.

I will never forget the first time that I saw Jonathan Cake on stage, in London, in BABY DOLL. Breathtaking.

My first time with Jonny Cakes was in that MEDEA on Broadway with Fiona Shaw.

A little off-topic, but Saturday Night Live's musical number in their 50th anniversary special last Saturday.

Nathan Lane sings "Cocaine and Vodka" to the tune of "Hakuna Makata".

I saw Jonathan Cake out in the rain.

Oh, I saw that production of BABY DOLL. That was Jonathan Cake?

Happy Monday morning!

Julianne Nicholson is one lucky lady.

R113 the poster was making a joke that normally he would be an A list sighting but became D-list because Kamala was at the same performance!

Elaine could do restrained...

Christine's voice has held up well...

Second show to recoup this season.

How had I never heard of Jonathan Cake before? He's SO sexy! Thanks for the intro, Theatre thread!

r122, wow, that was supposed to be a racist slur? I guess you have to have your tongue firmly shoved up Grand Wizard Donald's deathly pale ass to get that joke.

You have reading comprehension problems, r127.

R127 - WTF? You... either misread what R122 posted or you were dropped on your head as an infant. Either way, DL condoles you.

SOUNDTRACK, r104? Did you say SOUNDTRACK??

Liz and BABY

R130, I only know from soundtracks. I was from another generation. The kind that knew a fascist when it saw one, toots.

FOLIES!

I'm confused if r132 is implying that they're old (the "toots" and fascist references) or young because of their horrifying use of the word "soundtrack" to imply "cast album".

Oh dear. Ben Platt IS Mary Magdalene.

Of course Cynthia Erivo is Jesus Christ! I’ve been telling you for years that that was the case!

WTF are they thinking? I can't imagine anyone is interested in seeing Evrio as Jesus. (Judas fits her persona better anyway.)

^^ Erivo ^^

Judas is the better part, anyway.

Hope it flops, but it won't.

Erivo will be amazing in this!

Eh. Who knows. Could be interesting. And just the thought of Christian fundies flipping out over a Black woman playing Jesus is enough to please me. Cynthia has a fantastic voice, though, I wonder if she can color it with enough of that 70s scream rock edge for Superstar. I've only heard her more crystalline sound.

I saw Adam Lambert in this a short while back. I know this revival isn't well regarded on here, but I thought he was a total knockout. I wasn't expecting the American Idol guy to have such a commanding presence and, yes, he sang the hell out of that Kander & Ebb score, too.

I don't recall his eyebrows being THIS thick, though.

Great Playbill collection!

Who's the whore in the picture at R144?

Audra out tonite.

Audra's understudy, warming up, r145.

Wouldn’t you? I mean where else can you go after performing for Kamala Harris?

R148. Fuck you

R148 you pokemon go... to the polls!

What about meeeeeeeee? Somebody talk about meeeeeeeeeeere.

My neighbors went to "Once Upon a Mattress" (the Sutton version) at the Ahmanson and said they were seated a few rows behind Carol Burnett, who was introduced and got a standing o.

I've been invited today to the opening night of Operation Mincemeat on March 20.

Please watch the Netflix film of the same name as research beforehand, r153

Will they be serving mincemeat pies at intermission?

Playing Jesus is perfect for Erivo's brand. She could teach Taking Yourself Seriously to seniors at Harvard.

Not detracting from her talent, but gurl! lighten up!

[quote]Cynthia Erivo Will Star as Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the Hollywood Bowl.

Didn't Trump sign an executive order banning just this sort of thing?

You think Dump can ban any production anywhere, R158? Are you joking?

No, R158, there was no executive order targeting theatre productions across the country. JFC.

R158-Yes, Cynthia is being deported as we read this.

Audra out this afternoon.

r161 Can I go back and change my vote to TRUMP?

Tony host. I guess Ariana is busy.

Ariana has really gone down the drain.

R165. I see replacement Velma Kelly in her future.

Where did the humourless fucks like r159 and r160 suddenly come from? First the weird accusations about the Victor Garber/D list joke being racist, now this?

[quote]Are you joking?

Gee, you fucking think so?

r155, at every performance there'll be an unclaimed corpse from the office of the medical examiner that audience members can take turns dressing in different outfits.

How much longer before Audra stops doing ALL matinees?

R169. She'll be out tonite, too. Raves for Tryphena on social media.

Doesn’t matter how great Tri-fecta is. NO ONE wants to see her.

Wasn’t this when Audra was going to her father in law’s funeral?

I’m ready

Facebook is saying DL fave Paul Ford died

R173. Sad but true. RIP.

Oh no. I loved him on Sgt Bilko!

I follow Paul on Instagram. Last week he posted a picture of himself at the grave of his parents. When I heard he had passed that was the first thing I thought of.

Sutton Foster as Loretta Lynn? Really?

R173, sad but true. PF was a neighbor in The Whitby building on 45th St for years. He played the piano almost every day from 9am to 6pm, usually orchestral scores of his favorite movies instead of show music. Whenever I saw him in the lobby, he’d ask if his playing bothered me.

I told him I enjoyed it (free music, right?), but if it ever became a problem, I’d let him know.

One afternoon he had Mandy and Patti rehearsing in his apt for four hours.

As soon as they finished, I went over and knocked on the door.

From inside I hear, “I KNOW, I KNOW! It’ll never happen again! The soundboard on Mandy’s piano is broken and we had nowhere else to rehearse!”

Just spoke to another person from the building. They saw Paul just yesterday, said he was very winded and going to the doctor later in the week.

He was a wonderful pianist, a lovable curmudgeon, and had finally found a partner within the last couple of years. RIP.

How is Paul Ford’s book on Sondheim?

New York governor Kathy Hochul’s press conference today. At times she reminds me of both Ann Reinking and character actress Phyllis Somerville.

Phyllis Somerville is a great name.

Phyllis was a great old broad. Before she died.

She and Ann Reinking, coincidentally, both co-starred in Over Here!

Paul Ford's book needed an editor.

And a fact-checker, R183. And a sense of self-awareness.

And a freewheeling patio number!

I expect Mandy will dedicate a song to Paul tomorrow night in Walnut Creek. Not "Being Alive".

Knowing Mandy's famous sensitivity to others, why not?

[quote]No, R158, there was no executive order targeting theatre productions across the country. JFC.

Try getting a fucking sense of humor. It was a joke.

Is Paul Ford’s book gossipy??

If anyone's interested, reviews are out in London for Jonathon Bailey's Richard II and Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell in Much Ado. The feedback on Much Ado seems to be that it's a great party of a production, highly enjoyable, both leads very entertaining. Maybe a slight lean in favour of Atwell. Over at the Bridge, it's almost all big raves for Bailey's complex take on a difficult role, with some critics loving and some doubting Hytner's production as a whole, which has nods to Trump and Succession. Succession IS the main theme of the play, after all.

Then try being funnier, R188.

Bet that Richard II is headed for NYC. BAM probably.

Thanks, R190. God, a well cast, well directed production of Much Ado feels like the perfect tonic right now!

My hope is that on the night of their cancelled performance, the Washington D.C. Gay Mens Chorus will simply show and perform in front of the Kennedy Center and thousands and thousands show up to support them. Just try to arrest them...Those queens have been through it all. The Donster doesn't scare them.

They won’t, though some members are talking about attending the Wizard of Oz singalong in drag. They were already scheduled to perform the piece at other venues and may add a performance at another venue on the night of the cancelled Kennedy Center show.

Has Cole been working out?

R102, if Bailey's got nothing lined up between his Jurassic World (opening July) and Wicked 2 (November) promo work, you might be right. Especially because the reviews suggest there are indirect but clear inspirations in it from the state of play in the US. NT-Live often films shows at the Bridge, which have included Hytner's most recent Shakespeares, so that's another possibility.

Link for R193.

Paul Ford’s autobiography is literally DL in book form; very, very opinionated, nasty, bitchy and probably accurate in many cases. In being rehearsal pianist and accompanying many of the biggest Broadway stars and “in the room where it happens” on countless iconic shows - Sunday, Into The Woods, Passion, Follies: In Concert - and tons of flops and odd jobs - Rags, The Rink, Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess workshop - he owns it. Luckily, those who took him on his claim for everything that was cut got bequeathed those 150+ pages, too.

Danny Burstein was out of Gypsy tonite but looks like Audra is back.

R199 wouldn’t you?

Ford's book had far too many pages devoted to his mother.

Playbill on Paul Ford. He looks cute in that tux.

RIP

I read Paul Ford's book after hearing about it here (thank you DL!). RIP, Paul.

I loved Paul Ford’s book. It was dishy and confirmed why Betty Buckley was fired from Into the Woods

David Edward Byrd, an artist whose swirling, psychedelic, instantly entrancing illustrations gave the rock mecca Fillmore East its signature look and contributed at least two of the greatest, most recognizable posters in modern Broadway history for two beloved productions, Follies and Godspell, died Monday, February 3, at a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 83.

[quote]For some devotees, though, Byrd left his most indelible impression on Broadway, designing some of theater’s most influential and best-remembered posters and logos. He created the gorgeously garish and grisly poster for The Little Shop of Horrors, a more muted 1971 poster for Jesus Christ Superstar combining cathedral art and rock imagery, and that same year, the iconic poster for Follies, the Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical about a reunion of aging showgirls.

I used to have a signed Long Beach window card.

MAMMA MIA is coming back?

R208 was the friend Bernadette Peters?

For the life of me, I do not understand how that was rude, r208.

I think it's kind of charming and very funny.

[quote]I think it's kind of charming and very funny.

It *is*, r210.

Patti looks terrible EVERY night.

Breathe, Mandy, breathe...

My understanding of celebrity etiquette is it's rude for fans to ask celebs to do something for them like pose for selfies or give autographs unless it's an occasion specifically for the purpose of interacting with fans, like they're doing stage door or at a convention. And even then they have a right to say no. At least Patti made a self deprecating joke while turning down Instagram Karen.

RIP David Edward Byrd

I thought there was a thread about him when his book was published a couple of years ago, but I can't find it. The book, Poster Child," includes beautiful reproductions of his art, as well as a funny and moving account of his wild life. Very highly recommended.

[quote] My understanding of celebrity etiquette

R214, I didn't realize there was such a thing as etiquette when approaching celebrities.

Miss "My understanding" at R214, does one wait before the celebrity speaks first before responding?

Did anyone here read Paul Ford’s extra 150 pages? Are they worth it? Where can I find a copy?

R218 I have them, very dishy ish of course.

Paul Ford’s recollection of rehearsing Bernadette and Cyndi Lauper for the Sweeney Todd film is particularly interesting, then going to LA to work with Johnny and it didn’t happen. Paul Gemignani may be a great conductor but he was not always responsible apparently.

R216, we are talking about showing basic respect for another human being. That is all etiquette is.

Go ahead, treat them like commodities by all means, because what the fan wants is the only thing that matters. But just know, this is why they hate you.

R220, Gemignani started out as a drummer. He can barely find Middle “C” on a piano. He conducts solely by counts and measure numbers.

r222

True!

R221, you sound like the perfect servant for any B-list celebrity.

Next week's pretty quiet. There's Susan Lucci plugging off-Broadway's My First Ex-Husband on Monday's Good Morning America and Tuesday's The View, Charli D'Amelio plugging & Juliet on Monday's Today, Sarah Hyland plugging The Great Gatsby on Wednesday's Drew Barrymore, and Bob Odenkirk plugging Glengarry Glen Ross on Thursday's Stephen Colbert.

Eureka Day cancelled at the Kennedy Center. Jason Robert Brown needs to put his money where his ”Hope” song was and cancel the Parade tour stop in August.

To be fair, has Patti ever looked good in a photograph since 1980?

But Trump’s not an anti-Semitic Naz…oh, wait.

I hate clicking on a twitter link.

Truly, r229.

Speaking of Patti, she just lost the Independent Spirit award for Agatha, All Along!

I blame Independent Spirit award winner Glenn Close….i really do!

The idea of an MCU-Disney property being nominated for an ISA feels like a slap in the face to the founders of those awards.

I wonder why Glenn Close never took on the role of Mama Rose? I think she could have been amazing.

Maybe nobody asked her to, R233.

A lack of interest never stops Glenn

Meryl couldn't be bothered to do theater. Well, she did a couple summer park things but other than that...nada.

Lazy bitch.

[quote] Meryl couldn't be bothered to do theater. Well, she did a couple summer park things but other than that...nada.

...unless you count her five Broadway credits, r236.

Those were before anything happened for her, R237. None of them are exactly killing parts.

R238 is moving the goal post.

Not really. The accusation was that she couldn't be bothered to do theatre. My point is that you're not exactly going to die of exhaustion in any of those parts, besides which they were so early in her career it was probably all she could get to live on.

Maybe there are reasons besides "couldn't be arsed" why she hasn't done theatre since she found film success. Maybe she developed terrible stage fright or something, But my evidence does support, not contradict, the accusation.

Meryl's "killing parts" were all at the Delacorte in Central Park: Isabella in Measure of Measure, Katherine in Henry V, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew and then later as Arkadina in The Seagull and finally Mother Courage. No one can say she didn't test her mettle on Shakespeare, Chekhov and Brecht.

Shame she never played Blanche duBois onstage but it's really not too late for her Amanda Wingfield or Mary Tyrone. Even on film or TV.

That's Measure for Measure

That was a brilliant Taming of the Shrew in the Park. The last scene defeated it, but it was a genuinely intelligent attempt at a feminist reading, greatly assisted by the two leads.

And yeah, all of those Park roles (except Henry V) are really taxing ones.

I love them as a couple.

Meryl would never attempt Mary Tyrone after seeing Lange in the part. Meryl raved about her performance and Jessica was, indeed, brilliant.

Meryl & Raul

Anyone going to tomorrow's first preview of Othello?

Lange couldn't hold a candle to Vanessa.

Vanessa who?

Vanessa Williams, Rose!

Marlon Brando never returned to the stage.

Goldie Hawn saw Death Becomes Her over the weekend. No Meryl. Yet.

Apropos of not much, Paul Rudd and Olivia Colman are old friends, having met in a West End revival of LONG DAY'S JOURNEY... starring Charles Dance and Jessica Lange (yet again). Paul played the younger son and Olivia played the maid.

Jessica filmed the play in Ireland a couple of summers ago with Ed Harris. Watch out, it'll be coming your way soon.

Did Goldie and Kurt pose for photos with the Death Becomes Her cast? Can't wait to see them!

[quote]Watch out, it'll be coming your way soon.

I'm hearing the Jaws theme.

R253. Olivia playing a maid? Sounds like ideal casting to me.

I guess I wasn't clear enough...."couldn't be bothered to do theater AFTER she became a star" is what I should have written. Very much aware she did B'way post graduation/pre stardom.

But, afterward, she was too busy schtupping her leading men and birthing untalented offspring.

R256 if you knew your Oscar acceptance speech history, you’d know she worked as a house cleaner in her early acting days…

M’a best stage role by far, as redone for PBS.

R259. Meryl played the role Glenn created on stage. Glenn wasn't available at the time of filming.

That's Swoosie Kurtz chewing the scenery and also Betty Gilpin's mom at r260.

[quote]Lange couldn't hold a candle to Vanessa.

That goes without saying. Lange could never have displayed the range of pure emotion I did during the episode when I went to Baltimore with my friends for a concert. It was Emmy-worthy.

The NT broadcast of "The Importance of Being Earnest" is a riot.

I saw a clip of Sharon D Clarke as Lady Bracknell in “Earnest,” and even though I knew the line was coming, her delivery of “A handbag?” made me laugh out loud.

r264...

R245, Meryl was apparently very close to signing on to play Mary Tyrone opposite Brian Cox last year but her daughter Mamie was getting divorced (again) so she wanted to be close to her.

I also heard the rumors about Meryl almost playing Mary Tyrone in London. She's just about the only actress or actor who'd get me to watch that play again.

In addition to high-maintenance Mamie, I have innumerable other children and grandchildren and a soon to be ex-husband to support in the lifestyles to which they have become accustomed. Believe me, these Gummers make the Tyrones look like the Brady Bunch. TV pays me very well, so Mary will just have to wait. It IS a long journey. Sigh.

But Lady Bracknell can’t be Black!!

/s

Streep is 75, The role of Mary Tyrone is no picnic. She may be cautious about doing 6-8 performances a week for such a demanding role. (Redgrave was in her 60s when she did it in 2003, and has had far more stage experience than Streep.)

She ain’t going anywhere near an O’Neill play.

[quote]She ain’t going anywhere near an O’Neill play.

Nor am I.

Darn, and I had such hopes for Meryl in The Iceman Cometh.

She’s no Nathan Lane.

R274. Neither are you. Nathan knows his lines.

Miss Broderick is EXCELLENT when it comes to phoning in every performance!

Vanessa Redgrave's Mary Tyrone was one of the most thrilling individual performances I've ever seen, in a production that was overall quite strong, with only Philip Seymour Hoffman's showboating Jamie letting the side down.

Jessica Lange was apparently offered that production but said no. She was superb when she finally brought her Mary Tyrone to Broadway, however. That version was less wonderful overall but still pretty great.

R277. That's right, Lange did it in London and wanted that production to transfer but the Dennehy production transferred from Chicago instead. They offered Lange the role of Mary but she turned them down and Redgrave stepped in replacing Pamela Payton Wright who would step in for Redgrave when her mother died.

IMHO Pamela Payton-Wright was as great an actress as Redgrave and certainly Lange.

[quote]Pamela Payton Wright

Good ol' Tillie!

R277, I saw both revivals. I have to say I wasn't blown away by either, and I don't recall if I thought Hoffman was showboating in the first revival; but I definitely preferred Redgrave to Lange, who's simply not the actress Redgrave is. I couldn't even hear Lange most of the time, and I was in the orchestra.

While I admire Jessica Lange for constantly going back to the challenge of live theater, I also don't think she's ever been a strong stage actress. She was best in Paula Vogel's Mother Play because so much of her best acting there was in silence alone onstage, essentially in "closeups."

Only Redgrave could make herself 12 inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter to play Joan Didion, just by sitting in a chair for two hours. Do that, Jessica.

…best in Paula Vogel's Mother Play…

truly a low bar!

Lange had Dallas Roberts fired and replaced with Christian Slater on "Glass Menagerie."

Speaking of Lange, she walked past me yesterday in the Village. She looked fabulous.

70, GIRLS, 70

My one live experience of Pamela Payton-Wright was a winner -- she and George Grizzard did Albee's SEASCAPE at Hartford Stage in the early '00s. The production later moved to Broadway, with Grizzard but a whole new cast otherwise: Frances Sternhagen, Elizabeth Marvel and Frederick Weller. I didn't see it there, but it was gorgeous in Hartford, and PP-W was superb.

[quote]All this talked about Bernadette reminds me of Judy's last decade or so. The Voice was mostly gone, but she was still a compelling stage presence and could sell a song.

Judy Garland died in 1969, so if you're saying her voice was "mostly gone" from about 1959 on, you are a fool who knows nothing about singing.

r274 Both of them guested on "Elsbeth" this season.

And now Mary-Louise Parker is guesting on Elsbeth! How the mighty have fallen.

While I certainly understand why it's vitally important to the producers of GYPSY to try to keep it quiet when Audra misses, I'm very surprised that they're able to do so. Audiences must be furious when they show up at the theater to find out that she's not performing. I mean, who would ever want to see that production without her, especially at current Broadway prices?

R292. Audra's few absences so far have been posted on the Gypsy Instagram page so they're not exactly hiding it. Her absences this past weekend were announced all over the place a week in advance and her sudden absences last week were posted on Instagram.

Next!

Ugh. R292, you are SO tiresome. You're so the "it's interesting that...", "some people are saying..." type. We see you.

"Only Redgrave could make herself 12 inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter to play Joan Didion, just by sitting in a chair for two hours. Do that, Jessica."

First of all, MARY!

Second, and more importantly -- while Redgrave was riveting in THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, she wasn't the least bit like Joan Didion. I rarely agree with Brantley, but he nailed it when he said that Redgrave was a "Cassandra-like creature" in this.

Recognizing a joke is not one of your strong suits, is it?

[quote]"Only Redgrave could make herself 12 inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter to play Joan Didion, just by sitting in a chair for two hours. Do that, Jessica."

Watch me!

We’re still waiting …

[quote]Audra's few absences so far have been posted on the Gypsy Instagram page so they're not exactly hiding it. Her absences this past weekend were announced all over the place a week in advance and her sudden absences last week were posted on Instagram.

I'm referring to her unscheduled absences, presumably due to illness or vocal fatigue -- not including the entire first week of performances that was canceled, and not including her scheduled absences, such as the one to attend the funeral of her father in law. It's nice that they posted her sudden absences last week on Instagram, but I'm referring to the fact that there was little or no press coverage of those absences. Back in the day, if Merman or Martin started missing performances of one of their just-opened Broadway shows, it would have been major news, but clearly, times have changed. Let's see what kind of attendance record Audra is able to keep in the run-up to the Tony nominations.....and afterwards.

R295 -- and I see YOU, and it's not pretty.

^^^Sorry about that, I meant R294 is the one who doesn't look pretty :-)

R299 - Michael Riedel

Has the soundtrack of Audra’s Momma Rose been recorded yet?

Except for the disgruntled and disappointed ticketholders and eldergay theatre queens, nobody cares about the occasional absences of actors in Broadway shows. It's hardly newsworthy or interesting. Maybe if a star like George Clooney or Jake or Denzel start missing lots of performances but not someone of Audra's stature.

What a strange perspective, R303. The entire reason for being for this production of GYPSY is Audra's presence in the leading role. It's pointless to debate how big a star she is in relation to George Clooney or Denzel Washington, the fact is that lots of people are buying tickets for this show specifically to see Audra. I'm not suggesting that her absences should be front page news in The New York Times or the Daily News or (shudder!) The NY Post, but I would think some of the theater media might make more of them. Because for each performance that she misses, that's hundreds of disgruntled ticketholders, as you phrased it.

r304, I'm just saying that Audra's absences do not constitute news that interest most people, even most theater people at this point. The days of Mary Martin and Ethel Merman are long gone.

R305, I completely disagree, and I'm very surprised you feel that way. I'm sure Audra's absences are of great interest to theater people, which is why I'm surprised there's not more coverage of them on the theater-focused websites such as Playbill, Broadway.com, etc. It almost seems like those sites have some tacit agreement with producers NOT to publicize star absences -- even when they're frequent, as for example Maleah Joi Moon in HELL's KITCHEN, or chronic, as was the case with Lindsay Mendez in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.

OBC of Oh, Mary! Returning April 8th. Just in time for awards season.

r306, why does it interest you so much? What do you gain by knowing the daily presence or absence of those actors if you haven't bought a ticket to their show? Does it somehow make you feel better to know this info?

Would it make you a happier person if those theater sites posted the absences on a daily basis and the shows closed because of the reporting? Would it make you happier if the actresses you named were never hired again on Broadway? Is that what you're after?

Get a life.

[quote]OBC of Oh, Mary! Returning April 8th. Just in time for awards season.

As many predicted.

[quote]What do you gain by knowing the daily presence or absence of those actors if you haven't bought a ticket to their show?

It doesn't matter to me personally, if I've already seen the show. But if it were reported more prominently that a leading performer has frequent unscheduled absences from a show, that would at least gives ticket buyers warning that there's a fairly good chance they will NOT see the star they paid to see. I guess you don't look at it that way because you don't really care how many ticketholders are disappointed as long as YOU saw the show when the often-absent star was present.

If you don't think it's newsworthy in theater circles that Maleah Joi Moon left multiple performances of HELL'S KITCHEN mid-performance, or that Lindsay Mendez was chronically absent from MERRILY, or that Audra's frequent absences from PORGY AND BESS surely contributed to fact that that show ran less than nine months, so be it. But, again, I think that's a weird perspective.

P.S. I already have a life, thank you, and I think it's maybe a less selfish one than yours.

DL bitchiness is not very “newsworthy.”

So, oh selfless one, if you were an out of towner really wanting to see Audra in GYPSY (or any star in a show) and were savvy enough to read the reports of her (their) absences, what would you do? How would you be helped by those reports?

I suppose I could post this on the Oh, Mary! thread, but I don't like how Cole and company's return is being promoted. Yes, it's true that attendance has gone down during Betty's run, but it's also telling that they made sure not to replace Cole with a bigger name. And I feel like it's been accepted from the get-go that Cole was going to take their time off, then return in time for Tonys voting. My point is, let's not act like Betty is bombing (and Titus will, too).

The article that set off my inner MARY!

The newest grosses are in.

[quote]So, oh selfless one, if you were an out of towner really wanting to see Audra in GYPSY (or any star in a show) and were savvy enough to read the reports of her (their) absences, what would you do? How would you be helped by those reports?

I would say such reports help to the extent that they alert or remind ticketholders which stars tend to have frequent unscheduled absences from shows (Audra, Lindsay Mendez, Liza Minnelli), as compared to other stars who almost never have unscheduled absences. Of course, there is still no guarantee that a particular star will be in the show on the night one attends, but I still think reports of frequent absences are a useful guideline.

[quote]I suppose I could post this on the Oh, Mary! thread, but I don't like how Cole and company's return is being promoted. Yes, it's true that attendance has gone down during Betty's run, but it's also telling that they made sure not to replace Cole with a bigger name. And I feel like it's been accepted from the get-go that Cole was going to take their time off, then return in time for Tonys voting. My point is, let's not act like Betty is bombing (and Titus will, too).

r313 - I can't be arsed to confirm this, but Wayman Wong reports that Titus' (admittedly, brief, 3-week long) run is sold out. Take that for what it's worth.

Is Wayman a reliable narrator?

[quote]Has the soundtrack of Audra’s Momma Rose been recorded yet?

Oh, DEAR.

Or 302, I'm not sure who you mean. There is a Madame Rose, also called Rose, and also called Mrs. Hovick, but there is no character called Momma Rose.

R319 he meant the Original Broadway Cast album. Don’t be mean.

And, she is called Momma by her children (and by Laurents and Sondheim, viz., "If Momma Was Married.")

Just as language evolves over time, so can the names we use. Yes, any theatre queen worth their salt knows that the character is not actually called "Momma Rose", but she's been referred to as such for decades by so many people that pointing this out is just getting pedantic. Even Audra's understudy posted on her IG when she was doing her first performance recently that she was so excited to be playing "Momma Rose". No one's altering a word of Laurents' or Sondheim's, so let's maybe... get over it?

No, R321, it obviously would NOT be the "original" Broadway cast album. Sorry if you think I'm being mean.

R323, I agree completely.

R324 can’t read sarcasm well…not at all, really.

R326, are you sure there was intended sarcasm in R321's post?

r324 did not make the original comment (r319) so I'm not sure why he is replying.

Someone here posted asking about "the soundtrack of Audra's Momma Rose," to which someone commented "Oh, dear!" Then someone else replied, "He meant the Original Broadway Cast album," to which I responded that it would obviously not be the "original" Broadway cast album. That's all there is to it :-)

R327. See the little sarcasm sign?

According to Deadline:

[quote]With Audra McDonald out for five performances of Gypsy last week due to a death in the family, the musical took a $599,058 dive to $877,294, filling 58% of seats at the Majestic (compared to 85% the previous week).

Were all of those absences due to the death in the family? I thought only some of them were.

R331. Three for death in family and three for illness. She was out for 6 performances. She only played Thursday and Friday last week.

Thanks, R332. Damn! Between this and that one week of performances that were missed right after the opening, I don't think this show will even come close to recouping.

Well at least he wrote Momma instead of Mama. Give credit where credit is due...

To be clear, the week of canceled performances was due to multiple illnesses within the company. The story I heard was Baby June, Baby Louise and the understudy (among others) were sick. They have since added alternates as well as covers for those roles. Maybe Audra was ill but she wasn't the sole reason shows were canceled.

It’s always Audra’s fault on K-DL-an.

[quote] he meant the Original Broadway Cast album. Don’t be mean.

The Original Broadway Cast album was recorded over half a century ago. I doubt he meant that

[quote]To be clear, the week of canceled performances was due to multiple illnesses within the company. The story I heard was Baby June, Baby Louise and the understudy (among others) were sick. They have since added alternates as well as covers for those roles. Maybe Audra was ill but she wasn't the sole reason shows were canceled.

Thanks, I'm aware of all of that, and didn't state otherwise.

I see that Corey Cott is one of the Broadway stars who's booked to perform on the upcoming Broadway Cruise from Miami to Cozumel. Considering how scorching hot he looked in THE HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL, if he's going to be hanging around the pool on the ship in just swim trunks, that sight alone would be worth the trip and the cost :-)

R339 he was ripped in that show but the total deforestation for someone whose chest hair once had its own IG account was whose idea?

Are there IG accounts for Corey Cott Crotch and Butt Hairs?

Yes, R340, I do share your disappointment that he decided to shave. I guess he did that following the school of thought that a shaved chest better shows off muscular definition, and I suppose that's true, but it was still a loss :-(

R337 please read the thread before showing yourself to be even more stupid than the earlier replies. My god—it was a fucking joke.

I can't remember the name of the UK mini-series but soon after he was in Newsies, Corey Cott played a WWII GI who had an affair with one of the Brit lead girls. It was shown here on Masterpiece Theatre. He was wonderful in it, photographed beautifully, and I thought it would lead to more film and TV work for him, but it doesn't seem it did.

[quote] My god—it was a fucking joke.

I thought jokes were supposed to be funny

I had the good fortune to have a front row seat for "Bandstand," (an underrated show) so Corey Cott's luxuriant chest hair was practically within my reach!

Into the Woods revival at The Bridge Theatre later this year. I'm not familiar with the creative team. Something to look forward to?

Just what the world needs - another production of " Into the Woods."

But this one will be immersive, R348.

Jesus fuckiing christ, I hate immersive theatre.

I’m disappointed because Patti LuPone was on Ben Rimalower’s Into the Woods podcast and she was originally offered the Witch (before Betty was fired and Bernadette got everything, as she says it) and then she was considered for the Donmar production in 1998, but it didn’t work out…then finally was offered it again in 2002 before Vanessa (but had just signed for Noises Off)

She said on the podcast that she still wanted to play the role, (and I would fly to London to see her do it) but she has her Carnegie Hall concert in February. I highly doubt that would be put her in the running (if she was even considered)

Patti was too old for Joanne. Four years ago, She is not going to play the Witch.

"Finn" headed to a benefit performance in NYC

At this point the only role Patti is right for is Jack's Mother.

Or Milky White the cow!

Even Jack's Mother used too young for her now.

More like Little Red's Grandmother.

I’d pay good money for a revival of Sunset Blvd with Patti back where she belongs

Patti would make a great Max.

R358, I can’t wait to hear her say, “Mr. and Mrs. H.”

How would have Patti pulled off the young and beautiful witch required for Act 2?

I mean, she does have talent but not THAT much talent...

Is Othello as weak as I'm hearing?

Only two reviews over at Show Score, but...

[quote]riveting

R360 to be fair…did Meryl with the blue hair achieve that either?

She was beautiful, r364, and certainly looked younger than with the witch make-up.

I was excited to read in the Into The Woods story above that the Bridge Theatre's immersive Midsummer Night's Dream is coming back -- until I read that Oliver Chris, Gwendolyn Christie and Hammed Animashaun would not be recreating their roles. It's still a fantastic production, though, probably the best Dream I've seen (granted, only via National Theatre At Home, where you can still stream the production with the original cast).

Speaking of Oliver Chris, what's he doing these days? The last thing I saw him in was Rivals (enjoyed him, largely thought the show was nonsense).

The Bridge Guys and Dolls was a joyous experience. I'd like to see them take a stab at a classic that hasn't had a lot of revivals and reimagine it.

I agree, r367. The Bridge should not be doing these over-produced shows.

Sunset Boulevard closing in July.

Well, I give them credit for accepting the inevitable.

Sunset Boulevard lost a lot of money.

Sunset Blvd really sucked

Sunset Blvd hit me in the head with a fondue pot.

Speaking of Jamie Lloyd, any London DLers seen his Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston and Haley Atwell? From the two reviews I read it sounds like a party at the Drury Lane. And not for Shakespeare purists. (Among other things, the whole Dogberry subplot is cut. While that plotline can (rarely) be funny I've only ever seen it really work once -- in the RSC'S 1976 (yes, I am old) production set in 19th-century India during the British Raj. Dogberry was Indian and desperately trying to improve his English to better himself. And the period setting also made the Hero's A Ho scandal believable. Plus, Judi Dench played Beatrice to Donald Sinden's Benedick. Gorgeous costumes, too. Heaven.) ANYway, someone report back!

This "Sunset" is wholly dependent on and built around Nicole's persona, looks, career history, etc. It was created for her and can't really exist without her; I doubt any big name would want to take over and those involved are aware that it would not thrive without her. Nicole did it for four months in London and ten months in NY, and that was probably enough. She clearly doesn't want to go on playing it forever, although I would imagine she'd be willing to do it again for a couple of months in L.A.

I'll be seeing it in a few days, r374, and I'll report back.

As well as Jonny Bailey in Richard II, Cate Blanchett in The Seagull and beloved Brit stars Nicola Walker, Roger Allam, Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig in exciting and edgy new plays! And the Cameron MacIntosh revival of Oliver!

Wheeeeee!!!!!!!!

FWIW, Mickey Jo liked it, R374.

Worth less, FYI.

The Much Ado can't be any worse than the Sigourney Tempest Jamie foisted on us over the holidays.

I’m kinda surprised they didn’t replace Nicole.

It’s interesting to me that the only show that seems to be successful with replacement casts is Little Shop of Horrors of all shows

Little Shop is a known, successful entity, r380. Sunset isn't...without a *Star*.

Just put in Derek Klena.

Yeah, it's hard to think of anyone who would (a). have enough box office clout, (b). have the vocal chops, (c). be willing to be a replacement, and (d). be open to Jamie Lloyd's... unconventional approach. I kinda think it would have to be another pop singer, but someone with a bigger following than Nicole since the production would not have been built around their persona, the way it was for Nicole. I guess the obvious choice would be Gaga, but she's never doing Broadway, let alone being a replacement for a former Pussycat Doll.

I had my issues with Lloyd's direction and the cartoonish performance he seemed determined to make Nicole give, but I did find the production very stylish and, musically, (sound design, vocal performances, the incredibly lush cinematic sound of the full orchestra), it's easily one of the highlights of my brief 20 years of theatre-going.

Sunset Blvd has too many dramatically klunky moments, particularly when the focus leaves Nicole.

I don’t think it makes sense for someone who doesn’t know the story already.

[quote]It’s interesting to me that the only show that seems to be successful with replacement casts is Little Shop of Horrors of all shows

Umm, what about WICKED, and CHICAGO, and THE BOOK OF MORMON, and ALADDIN, and THE LION KING, and.........

Please stop sniffing glue, it's dangerous.

Jinkx Monsoon IS Norma Desmond!

Nicole shirings-blah

"it's easily one of the highlights of my brief 20 years of theatre-going"

oh dear...Been seeing mostly community theater then?

I saw that Much Ado with Judi Dench. I had no idea who she was. It was only years later when she was better known that I realized I had seen her as Beatrice. That was a trip where I missed seeing Alec Guiness in a one man play about Jonathan Swift(just before Star Wars was released,) Albert Finney at the National in Tamerlane and Robert Morley in a comedy. Can you imagine? To this day I kick myself for not taking advantage of being able to go to those performances. I saw some other wonderful things but I should have gone full theater geek and squeezed them in.

[quote]oh dear...Been seeing mostly community theater then?

R388 - Nope. Broadway and West End the last 15 years. Prior to that, professional equity theatre in San Diego and LA. And, since reading comprehension seems to be a challenge for you, as I said in my original post, MUSICALLY (meaning... the vocal performances of the leads and the ensemble, the lushness of the orchestra and the almost 4-D immersive sound design)... were the thrill I was referring to. Jamie Lloyd's preening "look at me, aren't I a rebel?" direction was far less appealing to me. But, as an aural experience, yeah, this Sunset is thrilling.

There was a fantastic RSC Much Ado which toured the US in the 80s with Derek Jacobi and Sinead Cusack. Stunningly good.

I remember the Waterston/Widdoes Much Ado on PBS.

R392 is Sam Waterston doing something goofy with his eyes?

Toni Collette's screentest for Chicago...

R385 maybe you should understand what the poster was saying instead of attacking. He was talking about “star replacements.”

Of course all those shows are running…but can you list the replacements in Lion King?

Yeah Chicago does it with stars but he was making the point that Little Shop has been running for years with announcing star replacements every few months to generate interest (I.e. Sherie Rene Scott who just ended her run)

That's not what R380 said at all, R395. The next poster said Little Shop was a known entity no matter who was in it, whereas any replacement for Sunset would have to be a star (ie Sunset is a crappy show and needs extra support). R380 didn't mention stars and quite clearly didn't mean stars.

Wicked, which R385 sensibly instanced in refuting R380's somewhat extravagant claim, is a perfect example of a show that has run for 1,000 years whether it had stars (such as the storied originals) or not. As for The Lion King, can you even list the ORIGINAL stage stars? (I can--Julie Taymor and the puppeteers.) So again R385 is right, it can run regardless of who's in it.

Besides, the tourists who keep these big Broadway musicals running every summer have no idea anyone in The Gilded Age can sing, so to be a "star" you have to be an Oscar winner or a pop star, not someone Broadway people know.

LOL!

Rumors on All that chat that Ragtime will transfer to Lincoln Center in the fall or spring.

Is there really a demand for this? It always loses money. It’s a brilliant piece of theatre but who is the audience for this?

That’s why you would do it at Lincoln Center - it doesn’t have the same financial pressures. I hope they do - I thought the concert was one of the best things I saw in 2024. Plus LCT membership gets me $85 tickets.

Damn, Toni Collete was pretty fabulous. She should do for six weeks and be the toast the town again.

Toni WAS fabulous there, though, she seemed a bit confused. She was kinda performing 'Roxie' in a Velma style. But, regardless, would be so wonderful to see her do another musical.

R395, what the previous poster wrote was :"It’s interesting to me that the only show that seems to be successful with replacement casts is Little Shop of Horrors of all shows." He did not specify "star replacements." Shows like CHiCAGO, WICKED, and others have run for years with a combination of star and non-star replacement, so I really don't understand your point.

Why do the Theatre Gossip threads always get bogged down by semantics?

Because they are populated by a bunch of argumentative pedants.

It doesn't take a "pedant" to call out a nonsensical statement like "the only show that seems to be successful with replacement casts is Little Shop of Horrors.," and I don't think that has anything to do with "semantics."

Saw Purpose last night. At intermission I thought it would be a big hit—very funny, great cast, directed like a sitcom (not surprising from Ms. Rashad). But Act 2 is a slog much of the the time, and the whole thing is 3 hours! A lot of exposition by a narrator (that here seems lazy) and endless confessions, revelations, resentments aired. Jenkins is wonderfully talented, but I wonder if he's impervious to advice. For the record, I liked Appropriate and Comeuppance. And to be fair, the audience seemed riveted.

Saw Purpose? Is that more like Saw II or Saw III?

Thank you for the Toni Collette clip. I'm just scrolling by all the cunts talking about Sunset.

I have a lot of admiration for the Broadway The Wild Party, but it was just too dark a show for me. I'm so glad I saw Toni's dazzling star turn.

Othello is a slog.

Americans doing Shakespeare usually is.

Ronald Colman did well by it, r410.

R392, the woman sitting beside Kathleen Widdoes in the Much Ado About Nothing photo was April Shawhan.

R389: I'm the one who saw Judi Dench in Much Ado in 1976. I also saw Albert Finney in Tamburlaine at the National. (I did my Junior Year Abroad in London -- no work, all plays.) Tamburlaine was *very* long but very good and surprisingly gripping. And also a bloodbath -- it had one of the most gruesome and shocking stage deaths I've ever seen. Also in the huge cast: Brian Cox, Susan Fleetwood, Barbara Jefford, Michael Gough, Brenda Blethyn and Denis Quilley (or so the Internet tells me; I only remember Finney and Fleetwood.)

I'm the one who saw Judi Dench in Much Ado in 1976.

THAT one? You?!

[quote][R392], the woman sitting beside Kathleen Widdoes in the Much Ado About Nothing photo was April Shawhan

April Shawhan was a major Broadway ingenue in the 1970s. In the 80s I worked on a production of Streetcar in which she played Blanche. She was fabulous and a lovely person. I think she may have left the theater behind not long after that.

At the time there was rumor that she was the daughter of June Havoc but I believe it wasn't true.

[quote]r417 = At the time there was rumor that she was the daughter of June Havoc but I believe it wasn't true.

It was not..

[quote]June's only child was a daughter, April Rose Hyde, born April 2, 1932. A marriage license, dated November 30, 1928 for Ellen Hovick and Weldon Hyde would seem to indicate that Bobby Reed's real name was Weldon Hyde. However, in her second memoir More Havoc, Havoc admitted that her daughter's father was Jamie Smythe, a marathon dance promoter. This suggestion seems credible since she had separated from her first husband before she entered her first marathon dance contest in 1933. April became an actress known as April Kent in the 1950s, appearing in such films as The Incredible Shrinking Man and Tammy and the Bachelor. April pre-deceased her mother, dying in the Paris suburb of Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis on December 28, 1998, at the age of 66.

This coming week ...

Today -- Phylicia Rashad, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Harry Lennix promote Purpose on Monday

Jimmy Fallon -- Maybe Happy Ending performs Monday

Stephen Colbert -- Laura Benanti's on Monday

The View -- A "performance from the women of Disney on Broadway in honor of Women's History Month" on Thursday

GMA3 -- Darren Criss is on Thursday

GMA/GMA3 -- Buena Vista Social Club performs Friday

Dolls, I’m about ready to see Kimberly Akimbo National tour with Queen Carolee Carmello! I’ll let ya know!

Has anyone else seen this tour?

I know she gets a ton of hate for this….but I actually love Bernadette here

I really loved her as Sally. The video doesn’t do justice to one of Eric Schaeffer’s rare and occasional flashes of good direction, which was that she didn’t move an inch. She looked like a flower that was struggling against wilting. If that production had cast a less wooden Ben and the Loveland transition had worked better, it would have been nearly as good as the one at the National.

Yes, Bernie was a great Sally. Her constantly cracking voice made total sense here

The one issue I had with Bernie's Sally was that she was almost too beautiful and sexy. A small example, when the girls perform Who's That Woman, just the way Bernie struts across the stage makes her impossible to take your eyes off of her. But, I think that's innately "built-in" with Bernie. She knows how to use those hips!

I agree, her Sally was quite moving and, yeah, her voice just hit you like a moonbeam on In Buddy's Eyes. I know Victoria Clark has her champions, but I was nowhere near as moved by her Sally once she took over for Bernie.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

So this explains what happened...He was with 'Death Becomes Her' in development and out of town and then disappeared.

R425 - Yikes! What a mess! If those allegations prove to be true (especially the ones about Herzberger using Telegram to seek out CHILDREN for sex)? Ooof! Sounds like a horrible environment all around.

Well, have you seen "Death Becomes Her the musical"? Now it all makes sense...

[quote]The one issue I had with Bernie's Sally was that she was almost too beautiful and sexy.

Her costume was not something Sally would have owned, r424.

Bernadette had total control of her costumes in each of her shows after "Sunday." It was in her contract, and she often didn't care what the costume designer wanted. Her dress in the D.C. production of FOLLIES was a nightmare they finally talked her out of for Broadway. Still...

I recall they even changed her Act I dress from DC to NY -- from a sultry red number to something slightly more subdued -- but you couldn't really make Bernie look dowdy or mousey.

Oh, ha. We were posting about the same thing at the same time, R430.

but you couldn't really make Bernie look dowdy or mousey

Agreed, r431, but *something* needed to be a bit off about it. It just looked flattering and contemporary.

r425 Well Adkins doesn't dress it up as anything other than fucking to advance his career. The police asking him to get Herzberger's phone seems totally bizarre and shows child abuse still isn't taken seriously by law enforcement.

[quote]The police asking him to get Herzberger's phone seems totally bizarre

If he'd managed to get them the phone wouldn't any evidence they found on it be inadmissible in court, especially if the police were known to have encouraged Adkins to take it illegally? They should have gotten a warrant first - and Adkins' complaint to them certainly gave them sufficient evidence to obtain one.

Someone fucked up royally but I hope the evidence was still on the phone when they did finally get hold of it.

Bernie looked pretty mousey in early Gypsy previews. Then they altered her costumes, wigs and makeup.

I remember that, r436.

She should have worn green, R433. She wore green the last time.

R420 the tour of Kimberly Akimbo is much better than the Broadway version , and Carolee is terrific. Enjoy!

[quote]April Shawhan was a major Broadway ingenue in the 1970s.

I was a baby Theater Queen in training on Long Island, lying on the floor every Sunday morning with a hot bagel and the New York Times Entertainment Section splayed in front me and I never heard of her.

R439 Thank you!! Justin Cooley was in the tour too so that was a treat. He was nominated for the Broadway prodiction

Bernadette’s red dress in DC was a choice that worked for me. This Sally was a housewife married to a schlub because those were the cards life had dealt her. When she danced (better than the other women), it felt like she had been practicing those moves ever since she left New York. The dress was her obvious attempt to reclaim her youth and grab attention from Ben and everyone ends.

On Broadway, she wore a dowdy print dress. Sally was weepy and depressed and self pitying. The women in Who’s That Woman were all directed to overplay their age and forgetting the dance steps. And Linda Lavin was replaced by Jayne Houdyshell.

The show in DC was clearly trying to say something about fighting against time with everything you’ve got. In New York, it was all about giving up.

[quote]But, I think that's innately "built-in" with Bernie. She knows how to use those hips!

For a minute I thought this was the"Tim Kruger is dead" thread.

A woman who had been a Follies chorine would have known exactly what to wear to her reunion in order to catch the eye of her dirty old ex. And where to get it. Even before the Internet, even living in Phoenix, Sally would have had access to fashion magazines and have known where the best local dress shops were, and if all else failed she could have flown into Manhattan a couple of days early to go mantrap dress shopping.

How did Phyllis know without even talking to Sally that she was after Ben? The dress.

Remember when Kim Cattrall was thisclose to playing Phyllis in DC Follies? I think she would have been great.

Maybe she would have brought some glamour, especially in Loveland, but Jan Maxwell was beyond fantastic. Maybe because it was so similar to Maxwell’s own story, I believed 1000% that an unsophisticated chorus girl would grind away every bit of her personality to become a philanthropist’s society wife.

[qupte] Maybe because it was so similar to Maxwell’s own story

Maybe, R446. Except the part where she became a philanthropist’s society wife.

Phyllis didn't live in a rent controlled apartment.

She came from North Dakota and made a career of playing women of privilege. Sorry the point was lost.

April Shawhan was a companion of Larry Arrick (director) of Yale Repertory Theatre and Trinity Square Repertory one summer In the mid 80s.

I got the impression she had stepped back from performing... a quiet person... not "on".

She has several Bway credits/ see link

Kimberly Alimbo is quite a chore.

Indeed. My first COVID infection was at Kimberly Akimbo.

I saw April in Over Here! She sang a song about keeping her virginity and one of the lyrics was 'my dream for tomorrow is to keep what I have today.'. Not as clever as VD Polka but close.

April Shawhan is currently Larry Arrick's widow. She was Larry Arrick's companion long after he ran Yale Rep but she she was with him when he ran Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Not sure about the Trinity Rep connection.

[quote]A woman who had been a Follies chorine would have known exactly what to wear to her reunion in order to catch the eye of her dirty old ex. And where to get it. Even before the Internet, even living in Phoenix, Sally would have had access to fashion magazines and have known where the best local dress shops were, and if all else failed she could have flown into Manhattan a couple of days early to go mantrap dress shopping.

[quote]How did Phyllis know without even talking to Sally that she was after Ben? The dress.

Sally wasn't a vamp, r444. She would want to appear young and girlish to Ben.

They deepfaked the very ending of Kimberly Akimbo, right? Or did Victoria actually get to go to Disney World?

It was all in your head

[quote]Sally wasn't a vamp, [R444]. She would want to appear young and girlish to Ben.

Also, if Sally has a really hot, stylish dress for the bulk of the show, then there's no contrast for "Losing My Mind," in which she is usually costumed to look sultry and sexy.

Exactly, r458. She's a Phoenix housewife and her husband's a traveling salesman.

[quote]Sally would have had access to fashion magazines and have known where the best local dress shops were, and if all else failed she could have flown into Manhattan a couple of days early to go mantrap dress shopping.

How could she afford to do that?

Where did you see the production, r458? The Kennedy Center or the one on Broadway?

r459 Turning tricks? Picking up an extra shift a Mel's Diner?

Buddy is only a failure in Sally’s eyes. He makes plenty of money. He just isn’t famous or ambitious like Ben.

This is the cunting for no reason thread, isn't it. Okay, then. Fuck Follies, Fuck Sally, Fuck Buddy, Fuck Phyllis, Fuck Ben, Fuck Sondheim...all for no reason.

[quote]He makes plenty of money.

What do you base that on, r462?

I can’t wait for this generation of eldergays to finally go senile. Maybe then the world can forget about fucking Follies

I’m Yvonne and THIS IS IT!

And maybe you'll get a pony, r465.

Sally was an old sal

R464 (and r463 and r465, I’m sorry) - I get it from the script and lyrics. Sally does gourmet cooking, paints and tends flowers. After the war, Buddy couldn’t wait to make money. They’ve got a “huge old house” in Phoenix and they travel on the weekends. Buddy has a mistress he wants to take dancing and driving. And Bernadette Peters said in an interview that Sally had money and she spent it to get a red dress.

Sigh. This all started because someone actually liked something, which was Peter’s’ Losing My Mind.

[quote]Sigh. This all started

What "all", r469? It's called discussion and analysis.

I saw Follies at the Kennedy Center. Here are my memories.

I loved Bernadette. She was also the reason I went. She delivered and it was a thrill.

Linda Lavin had a powerful voice and belted Broadway Baby.

Elaine Paige messed up her lyrics to I’m Still Here and had a hard time getting back on track.

An emotional highlight was One More Kiss. I was looking forward to this song the least prior to seeing it, and was blown away by how moving it was in the context of the piece.

[quote]r469 = I get it from the script and lyrics. Sally does gourmet cooking, paints and tends flowers. After the war, Buddy couldn’t wait to make money. They’ve got a “huge old house” in Phoenix and they travel on the weekends.

Or so Sally tells Ben. If everything is so perfect, why does she attempt suicide?

The point was about whether she had enough money to buy a dress, not whether she was happy. She can have a nice life and still be miserable, which is a not very subtle point of the show.

[quote]The point was about whether she had enough money to buy a dress

Actually, r473, it was about:

[quote]Sally would have had access to fashion magazines and have known where the best local dress shops were, and if all else failed she could have flown into Manhattan a couple of days early to go mantrap dress shopping.

Fine, but I don't find it persuasive. I don't think Sally shopped at the "best" shops or could afford a couple days in NYC just to shop for a dress. I prefer Klotz's look. A decade oldparty formal that she'd kept in the back of her closet that she thought would make her look more youthful to Ben.

The point: y’all are ancient queens…you ARE Follies of the Fifth Dimension.

[quote]An emotional highlight was One More Kiss. I was looking forward to this song the least prior to seeing it, and was blown away by how moving it was in the context of the piece.

The song sums up every theme of the entire show. Always been a favorite of mine.

Any mouth on your dick is a great blow job, eh? Low standards…

R472 Uh, many people who seemingly have perfect lives are miserable, depressed and suicidal.

It's very much indicated that Buddy and Sally are not poor. They're not anywhere close to being as successful as Ben and Phyllis but they're not living in a trailer. Buddy can afford to buy Sally a new dress.

That said, Sally shouldn't look like a million bucks in Act I. The woman is mentally ill and not that bright and she's excited about this reunion and seeing Ben. I think she'd definitely buy something new but it would be the wrong thing to buy...she'd probably go with something that would be too young for her. Something that would look cute on an 18 year old but not so great on a woman pushing 50.

[quote]It's very much indicated that Buddy and Sally are not poor.

Nobody is saying they're poor, r479.

R480 Uh, there's multiple comments and discussion up above about finances and whether they could afford a new dress or coming to NYC a day early. Do pay attention.

Is Jane Krakowski a Sally or a Phyllis? Asking for a friend.

Obviously a Sally, r482...like Bernie.

Neither. Not sincere enough for Sally, not steely enough for Phyllis. Not everyone can be a Sally or a Phyllis.

R482. Jane is a DeeDee West.

These days you're either a Glinda or an Elphaba.

We never play the game with guys. No one ever asks if he's a Ben or a Buddy.

A Frank or a Charley?

Moving away from Sondheim, an Albin or a Georges?

A Max or a Leo?

A Curley or a Jud?

Fuck Follies? I'm all over that!

Well, supposedly McMartin was a superb Ben. He was eight years younger than Alexis.

Tim K is dead while Michael L. still shits. Oh what a world!

Whatever happened to Eric Schaeffer? He doesn't work at all, anywhere? Cancelled forever?

Jane K would be a good Carlota no?

R491, he seems to have disappeared almost completely, though I saw him quoted when Sondheim passed. I overheard a couple who had been Signature donors talk about how he told them off in an email after his fall from grace.

[quote]you ARE Follies of the Fifth Dimension.

Marilyn McCoo is a Phyllis

Florence LaRue Gordon is a Sally

Bernadette often overplays. She cries so the audience doesn't have to.

I skip over all the Follies comments so these thread is going fast

I wish DL had a function in which you could automatically eliminate any post with certain words in it. I'd do " Trump," " Follies" and " Sondheim."

Just a little over 100 comments left.

Fine, r496, what topic would you like to add to the discussion?

499, let’s talk about how Audra is apparently inappropriate for GYPSY because she’s Black, but let’s make up a proxy for “Black,” like “she needs to do it exactly like everyone else before her or else her take is completely invalid.”

R500. Let's not, shall we.

R499, how about a discussion about " Bajour"? Who would be a good Emily? How about Anyanka? Who is the new Chita? Producers would probably cast Rachel Ziegler.

R440 Well if you hadn't been such a fat whore stuffing your face with bagels you would have known of her. I also saw her in Over Here.

[quote]I overheard a couple who had been Signature donors talk about how he told them off in an email after his fall from grace.

Can you elaborate? Whom did Schaeffer tell off, the donors or the theater administration?

R500: Shut up, you troublemaker.

Adam Lambert seems to have set a trend for actors complaining about what they see as inappropriate audience reactions. Now Ryan McCartan from The Great Gatsby is complaining about audience laughter (complete with moody face) when Gatsby is shot. However, as Redditors pointed out the scene is staged so camply that it practically encourages laughter:

[quote]I thought it was because Ryan puts what is a very obvious pillow down right before he gets shot, gets shot and then falls on that pillow. It is clearly meant to soften the fall on his knees, but for sure takes the viewer out of the performance.

[quote]ts him falling gently on a pillow for the first gunshot then barrel rolling off the stage during the second for me

[quote]I’m not advocating for anybody to have to break their kneecaps on the stage floor every night but they use a very obvious “I am about to fall here” pillow- and I could easily see actors not being able to overcome the inherent silliness quite as well as Jeremy managed to do.

They also point out that this didn't seem to happen with Jeremy Jordan.

Any word on Ghosts or Othello?

[quote] Adam Lambert seems to have set a trend for actors complaining about what they see as inappropriate audience reactions.

Excuse me???

Speaking of Gypsy, (were we?) I was concerned for Audra because she's really running her voice pretty hard, and I have to agree that as lovely and beautiful and trained as that voice is, it doesn't seem right for the part.

Oh good, the "Audra's voice is wrong" trolls have returned...Kids, sorry to tell you she's beating the barking dog across the street in Sunset and winning the Tony.

I've heard Othello is disappointing due to a plain set and Denzel stumbling with dialogue. Those issues, along with the initial high prices, have lowered my expectations. Still plan to see it and assume things will come together after the first preview week.

I haven't heard much about Ghosts, I am pretty sure it is a revision, and those tend to be a mixed bag critically, like An Enemy of the People.

[quote]I've heard Othello is disappointing due to a plain set and Denzel stumbling with dialogue

All That Chat is calling it a catastrophe but for Denzel, didn't he just have a serious tongue injury, maybe still has some affect from it.

I had a serious tongue injury myself. I think you know how I got it.

Why do Maria’s friends say of her, “she thinks she’s in Spain”?

So,just got an email saying Nicholas Christopher is no longer in Love Life. The new leading man is the original leading man who was supposed to do it in 2020, Brian Stokes Mitchell!

I hope Nicholas Christopher is ok. His career is really taking off since Sweeney.

Saw Othello on Saturday. Not worth the money. Just average.

Sad last days speaking in bad tongue?!

The press release about Nicholas Christopher dropping out of LOVE LIFE says it's due to a "personal conflict," which could mean anything, but I think it sounds more troublesome than a "scheduling conflict."

[quote]Why do Maria’s friends say of her, “she thinks she’s in Spain”?

I'm sure the main reason is because it's a cute rhyme with "she's merely insane." The music at that point in the song does sound sort of Spanish, for whatever that's worth.

2025 Spring Theater Preview | THEATER: All the Moving Parts

Doesn't Maria perform a little faux tarantella as she sings "I feel pretty...!"

Oh, wait, that's an Italian dance.

One theater will dim its lights for Linda Lavin.

[quote]The press release about Nicholas Christopher dropping out of LOVE LIFE says it's due to a "personal conflict," which could mean anything, but I think it sounds more troublesome than a "scheduling conflict."

Personal Conflict = Shitcanned.

Who is Nicholas Christopher?

To a Puerta Rican Spain might be a lot more romantic than NY in addition to the Rhyme?

[quote]Why do Maria’s friends say of her, “she thinks she’s in Spain”?

Ask the genius Sondheim.

[quote]Why do Maria’s friends say of her, “she thinks she’s in Spain”?

Because she did of flamenco.

[quote]Why do Maria’s friends say of her, “she thinks she’s in Spain”? I'm sure the main reason is because it's a cute rhyme with "she's merely insane." The music at that point in the song does sound sort of Spanish, for whatever that's worth.

I always figured it had to do with Spain being the ancestral homeland of much of the population of Puerto Rico. So someplace your ancestors came from, and that you might fantasize about visiting.

[quote]Because she did a bit of flamenco.

R527, "the genius Sondheim" famously/notoriously shared your disdain for his "I Feel Pretty" lyric . . . it's clever, it's cute, and it's far too Noël Coward for Maria and her friends.

[quote]and it's far too Noël Coward for Maria and her friends.

I lent that woman over there the top to my thermos flask and she never returned it. She's shallow, that's what she is...shallow.

[quote][R527], "the genius Sondheim" famously/notoriously shared your disdain for his "I Feel Pretty" lyric . . . it's clever, it's cute, and it's far too Noël Coward for Maria and her friends.

And yet, he kept it. Genius.

Grindr comes to Off-Broadway:

[quote]Grindr comes to Off-Broadway:

Another show we won't be seeing at the Kennedy Center.

Praise Trump, this one time

R523 And, several truck stop diners along the 10 and the 17 in the Phoenix metro area will also dim their neon for 1 minute. Lot lizards will kneel in silent prayer....

"There's a new girl in town, 'cause I'm feelin good. Got a smile, got a song, for the neighborhood. Things are great when you stand on your own two feet...."

Grindr comes to Off-Broadway:

[quote]“As they confront their insecurities and shared identity as gay Jewish men, they begin to expose their tightest-held secrets,” the play’s synopsis teases. “Will they part ways unscathed, or does sharing yourself with an unexpected stranger mean more than you bargained for?”

Ugh.

Isn't this the plot of "Frankie and Johnny"?

Saw OPERATION MINCEMEAT tonight. Hardest-working cast in town. Lots of fun, especially if you're an Anglophile. Too long, but rarely dull. Can't predict how it will fare with critics and audiences,, since it has no stars and the topic means nothing to most people. Glad I saw it, but don't need to see it again.

Does Mary Todd Lincoln mean anything to most audiences?

I'm Australian and I know who she is.

Theatre people everywhere tell the "But apart from that, Mrs Lincoln..." joke.

Adam (Ephraim Birney) and David (Joel Meyers) plan on a quickie, but after a winter squall snows them in, the unimaginable happens: they get to know each other

Same plot as a movie called TWO NIGHT STAND except it's a straight couple. No originality anywhere anymore.

R540. I saw Operation in London. I thought it was too long, and for me, it was dull at points. There seems to be a lot of repetition, like "we don't want to end this thing just yet. We are having a blast."

I also saw Mincemeat in London and really disliked it. It just felt dumb and trivial. I really liked the movie though.

[quote]Does Mary Todd Lincoln mean anything to most audiences?

We felt sort of bad for her in the audience for "Our American Cousin."

[quote]Same plot as a movie called TWO NIGHT STAND except it's a straight couple. No originality anywhere anymore.

Producers: " Hey, let's try this plot with a gay couple! It's original and contemporary!"

Producers ( in two years): " Hey, let's try this plot with a black couple! It's original and contemporary!"

Producers ( in four years): " Hey, let's try this plot with a cat and dog! It's original and contemporary!"

Vanessa Williams was snubbed for the Olivier Nomination for Devil Wears Prada this morning!

" Snubbed" means the award was deserved and the powers to be consciously decided to not consider it.

The Grindr play premise has been done so many times, even with gay couples. There’s was a gay movie about such a situation recently too (either French or British, can’t recall)

[Quote] “As they confront their insecurities and shared identity as gay Jewish men, they begin to expose their tightest-held secrets,” the play’s synopsis teases. “Will they part ways unscathed, or does sharing yourself with an unexpected stranger mean more than you bargained for?”

This is the synopsis for nearly every play on theatre papering clubs

End of days: It's now official that MAMMA MIA! is coming back to Broadway, to the Winter Garden. I guess the original 14-year run wasn't enough.....

How sad are you that you use a "theatre papering club"?

How sad are you to care?

R553 = pretentious snob.

Rashidra Scott going on as Norma Desmond tonite. Her Norma 'debut' was scheduled for April so Mandy must be indisposed. Tuesdays are Nicole's night off.

Would Rachel Zegler be too big of a fucking star to play the daughter in Mamma Mia!? Snow White looks like a fiasco, though,

I never miss a Rashidra Scott musical.

I never miss a Bonnie Scott musical.

R557, what specifically made you thing of Rachel Zegler for the role of the daughter in MAMMA MIA?

Broadway *legend* Bonnie Scott. Ann could have picked up a few tips.

Lea Michelle IS Donna Sheridan! Julie Benko IS Thursday night 'Rosie.'

What's the tea about Kolton Krouse from Death Becomes Her?

Exhausting

I wonder if Krouse has actually heard anyone booing or shouting anything negative during any of their curtain calls, or if they're just projecting?

I would think the majority of DBH's audience is made up of gay men and fag hags. I hope Kolton has not been booed but it's a Broadway musical and not a Rangers game. Who would boo?

That's what I'm wondering, R566. I don't imagine DEATH BECOMES HER would attract many/any people who would be likely to boo or yell insults at a trans person during curtain calls. Maybe it's just that the applause drops when Krouse takes a bow, and maybe that's what this is all about?

R533 -- in fact, he wrote a more appropriate lyric, but the rest of the creative team nixed it. Not that you care.

I don't, R568, because the lyric made it into the final production and his name is on it, so he wrote it. No one cares about the behind the scenes, just the final product.

Why would we expect any "names" in this new iteration of Mama Mia!? It's never needed star types before.

Though if they bring that hot daddy hunk Jim Newman in from the current road company, I might just finally have to see Mama Mia!

Frederica Von Stade will play Donna in Mamma Mia!-you heard it here first.

Maybe Marty and M could do the stage version.

She needs the work.

Mixed race leads, perhaps a trans lead also. Re-imagined for a contemporary audience.

Lea Michele is doing Chess this coming year on Broadway.

The comparison to Idina will never die, as Idina is on the concept album.

I’m hearing Ramin Karimloo is one of the leads as well.

I wonder if they will have a showmance this go around after Funny Girl.

When was the last time he mentioned his wife anywhere?

Well, Idina is one ONE of the many recordings of CHESS, the live recording of a concert version of one of the many revised versions. But I wouldn't say that role is closely associated with her.

P.S. There is also a video of that concert of CHESS with Idina, her co-stars are Adam Pascal and Josh Groban.

Idina was a teenaged girl when Chess was first an album then a stage show in London, then Broadway so no, she's not really that strongly associated with the show.

Right now Idina is associated with a tree.

Idina Menses.

She’s associated with a rope, TBH.

Roped to a Tree=more realistic title

Without Idina in a tree, the season's incomplete

It's been done...

My tree was in Brooklyn.

Williamsburg!

I was someone in one.

I never got the I Feel Pretty is too sophisticated for Maria thing. Characters in movies and plays often say and sing words that are too sophisticated for their characters. Otherwise they would bore audiences out of their minds. People do not talk in real life the way anyone sings in any Sondheim musical. People don't crack constant jokes at each other like in a Simon comedy or talk the way people do in His Girl Friday. And as wonderful as the lyrics are in I Feel Pretty it's the way that she feels which is important and expressed. She's not singing The Ladies Who Lunch.

Why not let Sondheim to evaluate his own wok?

Since when is an artist’s opinion of their own work considered the final word?

The late, great David Carroll sings " Anthem" from " Chess"

[quote]The late, great David Carroll sings " Anthem" from " Chess"

Hearing David Carroll and Judy Kuhn singing was thrilling.

I saw and loved the one night only NYC CHESS In Concert with Lena Hall, Darren Criss, Ramin etc… the new Danny Strong script (with Trump references included) was done and it slayed. Lea is a perfect fit for that role in this version as a name star (Lena it not Lea) with baggage; Ramin is the ideal Anatoly, his “Anthem” is beyond words. The imperative casting choice will be who is Freddie/The American? A big star beyond Lea/Ramin could handle it - and also gets the most famous song from the show (a rap, no less) - but who will it be?

My favorite version of that song. David Carroll... what a loss! Every time I hear the ending I burst into tears.

There are already audios of the new Broadway Elphaba up on YouTube.

[quote]Why not let Sondheim to evaluate his own wok?

Of course, he's allowed to evaluate his own work, but people are allowed to disagree.

[quote]I saw and loved the one night only NYC CHESS In Concert with Lena Hall, Darren Criss, Ramin etc… the new Danny Strong script (with Trump references included) was done and it slayed. Lea is a perfect fit for that role in this version as a name star (Lena it not Lea) with baggage; Ramin is the ideal Anatoly, his “Anthem” is beyond words. The imperative casting choice will be who is Freddie/The American? A big star beyond Lea/Ramin could handle it - and also gets the most famous song from the show (a rap, no less) - but who will it be?

From all reports, Darren Criss's performance in that concert was a horrible disaster because he literally does not have the voice for that role. Do you disagree, or did you somehow love the concert in spite of the fact that one of the three leads crashed and burned?

David Carroll was a sweet, lovely man..

Casting the Freddie/The American is the entire point of my post, but shitbagging on an actor who maybe didn’t work and thus the impetus of my casting question is anathema to you?

R597, I don't fully understand your post, but I don't think you know what "anathema" means. Anyway, if indeed Criss's vocal performance in that CHESS concert was a disaster, I'm surprised you didn't mention it, even if you had chosen to use kinder language. That's all.

One dislikes that I say something as someone who bought tickets, showed up and can relay my experience of a performance - an anathema, indeed , R598.

CHESS has a fun (if somewhat dated) score.

The plot is so confusing and stupid that it fails every time it gets revived.

Will this production finally get it right?

The Danny Strong script works… Trump included.