THEATRE GOSSIP #603: The "Kristi Dawn, What's That Flower You've Got On?" Thread

Continued from prior thread (please fill up that thread first, kthxbye)

The ticket prices for The Jellicle Ball are ridiculous.

The ticket prices for everything are ridiculous!

No discussion of last night's season premiere of "Elsbeth," with DL's favorite whipping girl Lindsay Mendez? Of course it also featured Stephen Colbert, Andy Richter, and Amy Sedaris, with lots of inside references to "Merrily We Roll Along" (the three characters (not Lindsay's; she plays a cop) were a similar trio to the ones in the show). They also used snippets of "Opening Doors" and some other instrumental stuff (even as the theme music for the late night show at the end). And there were lines about "old friends" and "we had a good thing going." And of course La Mendez herself.

For r598 from the last thread - It's the same Andrea Martin. She would have been 19.

Wait. You mean Mendez actually showed up?!?

That's a different Andrea Martin, r5.

Why's it on Andrea's IBDB, r7?

The credit is not on her extensive wiki bio and doesn't fit into her career timeline. IBDB is hardly reliable.

Not that wiki is either, admittedly. Maybe you're right, I'll give you that.

Lindsay Mendez is like mashed potatoes.

Does she make a meal better? Sometimes.

Do you go to a restaurant specifically for it?

NEVER!

From the previous thread:

[quote]My taste doesn't match your crappy taste. Did you see the 1988 production? I did and can still remember a number of BOMBASTIC shitty songs. I'm glad they still dazzle you. Now go put on one of your Les Miz t-shirts and pore over your Playbill collection again.

Maybe you should actually listen to CHESS again. And you should listen to the concept album or any other recording other than the cast album of the1988 Broadway production, which was awful because of the new book. Anyway, there are many songs in CHESS that could not remotely be described as "bombastic" -- there are several ballads, several rocking up-tunes, a waltz for the title song, even an operetta parody for the original opening. So stop dogging me for my "crappy taste," you're clearly in no position to do that.

[quote]Maybe you're right, I'll give you that.

Gee, r9, you're too kind. It's a bit obscure for them to list on Wiki and if it's a different Andrea Martin, The Freaking Out of Stephanie Blake would be her *only* Broadway credit. Occum's razor.

My personal "up yours" to R585 in the previous thread. I've never seen Andrea on stage, so her "schtick" will be new (if I can get tickets) to me.

And in the previous thread a poster thought Tracy Ullman would make good casting for Arcati - I totally agree, but we're getting Andrea and I'm thrilled and don't care if I'm reminded of Edith Prickley at the Mellonville Baths.

[quote] DL's favorite whipping girl Lindsay Mendez?

I thought Lindsay would maybe be somewhere in the top 10 of DL whipping girls, but Beanie, Porkablob, and Karen Olivo would land higher.....

I saw her in Candide and Fiddler. Neither had a trace of Edith Prickley.

All of this talk about Andrea Martin’s purported début ignores the fact that the show closed during previews and shouldn’t count as a début anyway.

The Mufti Arcati was Carol Kane. She was terrible.

Norm Lewis!

Jason Graae!

Vicki Lewis!

IN

"Woman of the Year"

Why does the woman look like Donna Mills?

Vicki should be a stitch.

Sandy Bainum

For the person in the previous thread complaining about the set for "Chess":

a. bare-bones staging is very au courant in 2025, don't ya know. (German theater rn is all about bare stages)

b. the audience never left the theatre humming the scenery. Good storytelling and good songs don't need the design to cover for them.

Who wouldn't want to spend New Year's Eve with Barney Miller and Gloria Stivic?

I thought R18 was a joke. Joke's on me.

What's Vicki Lewis playing, the Marilyn Cooper part?

I think that's a safe assumption, r23.

Who is Sandy Bainum?

Who was Sandy Bainum?

Who does Sandy Bainum hope to be?

[quote]Who is Sandy Bainum?

Apparently, r25, she's one of the girls who's one of the boys.

Hal is 94 and , even with the 5:00 pm start time, will probably be staying up later than me on New Year's Eve. I hope Buddy Foster and Jimmy McNichol are playing Cain and Abel.

Broadway Baby

Speaking of Chess, a professional director/producer friend of mine saw it tonight. She said she was amazed it was working so well!

Just got home after seeing “Chess.” My first time seeing any in pcarnation of this musical, never heard the score before either.

I thought it was a lot. Too much plot and exposition for one musical, too many anthems and declarations — there are four 11 O’clock numbers, which is two or three more than necessary — the second act is too long.

Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher are terrific, Tveit kills “Pity the Child” (HIS 11 O’clock number, there are others), Lea Michele looks lovely and sings well, but her acting chops aren’t up to the rest of the cast (including excellent supporting players Bryce Pinkham and Hannah Cruz). Lea is by no means terrible, just surface-y and soulless, which this huge mechanical contraption is too. I was never bored and I by no means hated it but for all the musical overkill (there’s a ballet too) it felt very thin emotionally, I was never drawn in.

The audience was filled with “Chess”-heads, they were all around me and they were over the moon with this production. I’m not sure the uninitiated will be as enchanted. Exhausted is more likely. If Michele is the weakest link, she still gets the biggest entrance applause and the biggest ovation at the end as she takes the final bow. It’ll be interesting to see if her star power and following bring audiences in.

I will say in passing that I was often distracted by a big, beefy chorus dancer, thicker around the middle than they usually are, but he oozed Rod Taylor-style sex appeal and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His name is Casey Garvin.

THIS Casey Garvin, R30?

[quote]There are four 11 O’clock numbers, which is two or three more than necessary — the second act is too long.

This statement leads me to believe you don't really understand the definition of an 11 o'clock number.

Casey Garvin has indeed gotten noticeably thicker around the middle in recent years. I would think he'd want to be careful about that, as his looks are a large part of his appeal.

I thought 11 o' clock numbers went out with 8:40 curtain times

Yes, R4. My head whipped around when I heard the Way Late Show's out-music and I was along for the ride from there. Loved how knowing the plot of Merrily was part of solving the crime, too!

The writer was Jonathon Tolins, who wrote Buyer & Cellar (about Babs's underground mall) and one of the best S1 episodes of Queer as Folk US. (He was one of the writers who quit after S1.) This was his coming-out as a confirmed Sondheimite, AFAIK.

Yes, R31 THAT Casey Garvin. As R33 notes, he is beefier now and has some gray in his hair. It suits him, frankly.

R32 I was making a point, which evidently sailed over your head. There are four big anthems for all the lead characters near the end of act II, and it’s a bit much, the kind of excess you would never have seen in a classic musical.

[quote]Hal is 94

Bless him, r27, but why Hal? Why? Thanks for The Rothchild's clip, r28. That was charming.

[quote]Casey Garvin has indeed gotten noticeably thicker around the middle in recent years. I would think he'd want to be careful about that, as his looks are a large part of his appeal.

This made me think of Jim Borstelmann. He was putting on weight as early as Chicago. It didn't matter to me. The link I included is him a few years ago. Chunky but cute.

[quote][R32] I was making a point, which evidently sailed over your head. There are four big anthems for all the lead characters near the end of act II

I understand what you meant, but to be fair, your are missing r32's point. You used the term "11 o'clock number" incorrectly. There *can't* be four of them.

Wow -Jim Borstelmann has changed. I remember when a friend of mine was dating him (early in the Broadway transfer of Chicago). I wouldn't have recognized him in R37's video.

Borstelmann has been that big for a long time, r38. Here he is in 2014, in Bullets Over Broadway. Big guy, still dancing. You can see him after the 11 minute mark.

I went down a rabbit hole on this one, trying to jog my memory. Bullets was far better than it had any right to be, despite Woody Allen's worst attempts to tank it. It was a talented cast. Marin Mazzie, Nick Cordero, a surprisingly nimble-for-his-weight Brooks Ashmanskas, the ever delightfully insane Betsey Wolfe, DL fave Karen Ziemba, and Zach Braff, who was far better than I would have expected.

Also, weirdly, in his Broadway debut...Casey Gavin.

Casey and his bride have appalling taste, and it goes beyond just having a wedding registry in the first place.

Nice to hear that Bryce Pinkham is a standout in Chess. I've only seen him in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. I know that show had a lot of fans, but... it wasn't for me. I found it far too twee and I found the much celebrated Jefferson Mays overbearing and outright annoying. But, I recall Bryce being effortlessly charming and amusing in the show. He was also a DISH. Is he holding up well? Some pale guys age like milk.

r37 I think that was his point...the show has more than one 11 o'clock STYLE number which is ridiculous because you shouldn't HAVE more than one 11 o'clock number.

That's a fault of many newer shows (and mediocre shows in general)...they don't know how to wrap the show up. In some cases, it's because the show doesn't have a coherent storyline to start with.

From the previous thread: "Elvira, the Tammy Grimes/Katrina Link character, is the one who sings Faster Than Sound and does all the flying choreography."

I didn't exactly find Katrina Lenk lighter than air as Bobbi in "Company." She seemed like a bit of a drag, actually, which was one reason that production didn't work for me.

Very sweet remembrance of Angela Lansbury, from her assistant, on what would have been her 100th birthday. What wonderful memories he got to have with her. Probably the polar opposite of being Faye's assistant.

R44 Aw, that was sweet.

A bit treacly….

And a little heavy on her need for an earpiece on the legitimate stage

Who's had the assistant?

[quote]I understand what you meant, but to be fair, your are missing [R32]'s point. You used the term "11 o'clock number" incorrectly. There *can't* be four of them.

Yes, thank you. Of course, that's what I meant. If there is a really big, bravura solo number or production number occurs earlier in a show, of course it's not referred to as an "11 o'clock number." The title songs n HELLO, DOLLY! and MAME are not 11 o'clock numbers.

[quote]There are four big anthems for all the lead characters near the end of act II, and it’s a bit much, the kind of excess you would never have seen in a classic musical.

This altered phrasing by that poster is much clearer, though I'm not sure it's accurate. I don't know the song stack of the current production of CHESS (and it's not yet listed on ibdb.com), but although there is a lot of heightened emotion at the end of CHESS, neither the original concept album nor the original Broadway show ended with "four big anthems at the end of Act II."

We don’t care. Honest.

R42, Thanks for clarifying the point of my observation.

R48, Why not post your opinion when you finally see this production? There is simply too much loud, throbbing histrionics packed into the last 1/2 hour of the show. And the Aaron Tveit character’s pity party was the only one that cut through the static for me.

R41, Pinkham’s still cute and appealing as the ‘arbiter,’ narrator and host of the show, and gives an expressive, charming performance. He looks a shade thicker and grayer than your photo, which was not a problem for me. Tveit is in great shape and Nicholas Christopher is very handsome and has really big feet.

A touch of gray.....

That’s just embarrassing. His chest is not worthy…

That photo at R51 is NOT flattering to Casey Garvin.

First time I saw (or noticed Casey) was in the ensemble of Some Like It Hot in which he was the ONLY dancer with looks and (I'll say it) a straight-acting appearance. All the other men, and for that matter women, were character types, not the long-legged beauties of yesteryear. Like they were saying EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL, no matter their size and shape and....looks. So, Casey really stood out.

But following him on Insta and seeing production shots in other shows of him since then he seems to have lost that certain something and now just seems to be pushing his gay and goofy queeniness, as in that hideous outfir at r51.

Casey, man up!

Casey Garvin looks better in the show, definitely gives off Daddy vibes, wears classic Daddywear (as all the male chorus do) — white shirt, gray suit, until he strips down (twice).

He’s a big hunk of man and I honestly never looked at any other male chorus dancer.

And I never understand why they bother with chorus girls.

What causes the chorus boys to strip down in CHESS? Twice? Strip down to what?

Brass tacks.

Gavin : Bare chested with pants in one number, the equivalent of boxer briefs in the ballet.

Tveit stripped down to tight white tank and boxer briefs in the “One Night In Bangkok” number. He looks great.

Glad to hear that Tveit looks great in CHESS, because I thinks he looks almost emaciated in some of the publicity images.

Sad last days of hot Broadway men…

Broadway Bares should just open a review at the Winter Garden. Bring the fun back.

Are there enough Asian actors in Chess to make the One Night in Bangkok number look realistic?

Good question, R61. I'm surprised there haven't been protests. And I'm only half joking about that.

More like half-assed

LOL at the thread title.

The purpose of an 11 o’clock number was to wake up drowsy husbands so they would be awake enough to drive home to Hackensack.

[quote]LOL at the thread title.

With a reference only the eldest of eldergays would understand

Tanya Tucker stole my hit. Signed Bette Midler

R63, what do you think is "half-assed" about my comment at R62?

Gavin is showin' some amazing ass in a pic on his Instagram. I mean, damn an amazing ass. It's nice to see he's married and the husband's age appropriate, but yea, that open shirt tux pic doesn't work. Close two buttons and it probably turn m'eh into sexy.

[quote]His name is Casey Garvin.

Any relation?

Did you nut them an “event” on their register! Oy vey—the bullshit some of these gays try to sell to the rest of us.

…she’s just a simple newlywed hausfrau trying to set up a home . Gimme gimme!

R66 Hiss.

HISSSSS!!!!!!

Oh, Helen! Your opening act wrote Delta Dawn. You turned your nose up at his music so 13 year old Tanya took it and ran with it. Then you and Bette had a pissing contest about who could get their version out first: Bette with her marijuana-infused version or you with your copycat cold open then modulate version. You stole royalties from a 13 year old! Shame!

Actually this would make a good Broadway show. Andrea McArdle *is* Helen Reddy!

R61. BD WONG should be posting on social media shortly.

At last LCT has a musical hit. Took a long time.

Can we get back to the rumors of a cast sex tape being passed around? What's the real story?

R76-I don't have any interest in a sex tape involving the cast of Marjorie Prime.

So ironic that Lear's direction got love letters from the critics. Stories of her behaviors spread like wildfire during rehearsals.

R78, can you give any details at all? Although I think her level of talent is unproven, I'd be surprised to learn that she behaves badly in rehearsals.

Regarding all this "will Andrea Martin fly again in High Spirits?" silliness- Encores didn't bother springing for the flying system for Superman and did just fine. I can't believe they will shell out for it in High Spirits, much less for two or three actors.

[quote]At last LCT has a musical hit.

At last? South Pacific was a big hit, rave reviews and box office.

[quote]Regarding all this "will Andrea Martin fly again in High Spirits?" silliness-

"All this", r80? Three maybe four posts from yesterday?

STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!

Kecia Lewis now has a portrait at Sardi's.

Just got an email from Equity saying Federal Agents are stationed at the Times Square subway station. Maybe they're going to see Chess?

Get your tickets now, girls!

R86 there are only so many catastrophes a person can take

[quote]At last? South Pacific was a big hit, rave reviews and box office.

It opened 17 years ago. That's a pretty long wait between big hits.

Lear is an idiot, no?

Were neither the King & I or My Fair Lady revivals at LCT successful? I was under the impression they were, but perhaps not?

Did Casey Garvin have to put out for Andi Coen?

Man, Garvin is a big boy. Tall (yes, I know Cohen is around 5'6") and the pecs are something.

I can’t speak to how Lear is in a rehearsal room, but she certainly cleaned house when she arrived at Lincoln Center. I know that’s normal for new leaders but both the directors of press and marketing were women in their 50s and she replaced them with white men. And didn’t conduct a search, just hired people she knew. I found that odd for someone whose reputation was created on work based on ideals of inclusion.

Though Lear may have "cleaned house" in the press office and brought in people she'd confidently worked with before, who happened to be white men, all the other offices are still mostly staffed by Andre Bishop's people except for Daniel Swee in casting and Ira Weitzman in musical theatre development, who are well into their 60s and 70s and needed to move on or retire. And believe me, some of Andre's other people should still go. By the end of the Bishop reign that place was a mess and needed a major rehaul, as the last few seasons might attest.

I'm not a Lear supporter but that's how I see it there.

I have to say, Lear is a great director but a horrible producer . All three shows she directed at Encores were fantastic; Into the Woods, Titanic Ragtime. Every other show at Encores during her time there was shit.

Late response to R544 on the closed previous thread, who thought Anthem from Chess never made any sense.

I think it's OK in the show, but I saw an Indigenous Australian sing that song and it was a total heartbleed moment. I think it would probably be a knockout coming from any Indigenous person whose country had been conquered by others.

[quote]Though Lear may have "cleaned house" in the press office and brought in people she'd confidently worked with before, who happened to be white men, all the other offices are still mostly staffed by Andre Bishop's people except for Daniel Swee in casting and Ira Weitzman in musical theatre development, who are well into their 60s and 70s and needed to move on or retire.

Holy run-on sentence, Batman!

It would be more accurate to say that Lear replaced the in-house PR team at Lincoln Center, which I believe consisted of one woman and one man, with an outside firm that is headed by a man but has lots of women and men working for it. Not sure why she did that, and I think it was a mistake.

Lear is poised to be our next Audra and Patti -- we'll be arguing about her for decades. And things got so bad at RAGTIME at LCT they had to call in Christopher Gatteli to save it/"fix" it.

The marketing for Ragtime was laughable. Actors in costume wandering around Lincoln Center Plaza with music from the original cast recording. Whatever.

[quote]And things got so bad at RAGTIME at LCT they had to call in Christopher Gatteli to save it/"fix" it.

Wow. If true, that is some REALLY good gossip.

My Fair Lady was a hit once I came in SAVED it!