Also of note, Ethel Merman was only 50-51 when she created the role of Rose in the original Broadway production of GYPSY. Audra is 54, Lansbury was 49, Tyne Daly was 43, LuPone was 59, and Peters was 55.
Oh, boy. These are NOT “aspiring” CHICAGO dancers. The Weisslers couldn’t afford them, to begin with. Look them up before you make such a statement. Also, this is currently a viral TikTok moment so everyone and their mother is currently posting videos doing this routine (Google: viral). This will be over in another few weeks before another dance routine goes viral.
During the original cast run of the 1996 revival, Ann Reinking wasn’t feeling well during Act 1 so she chose to skip out Act 2. Her standby, Nancy Hess, had already been dismissed for that performance (she had to call in before each performance), and was doing errands when she got the call she needed to go on for Ann for Act 2 so she had to drop everything and bolt to the Shubert Theatre. Intermission was extended a few extra minutes until Nancy was ready.
She’s doing the audiobook of her memoir so expect some AI assistance with that as she’s hard to decipher nowadays when she speaks. Hopefully it’s respectfully done and not an AI of her vivacious 1970s Liza voice but just a subtle fixing of her current older speaking voice. Expect AI assistance if there is indeed a new album coming out. Streisand also has a new album coming out and I’m also expecting there’s some AI assistance on that as well as her singing voice
Donna isn’t really a character actress so I understand his wording of being just “fine”. She’s most likely playing Donna as Morrible instead of infusing a character voice and mannerisms and extending her persona with vibrancy. It’s a role you want to play up a bit and not just walk on and off stage without a punch.
This is a great example of how Madame Morrible should be played:
Bro, this belongs on the Off Topic board. Has zero to do with the discussion of current and past Broadway shows, which is what this board is specifically about.
macbeth said: "Just bought my tickets, and early enough in the run as I have a feeling I'm going to want to go back. What long-overdue casting! Has she ever sung this material before in concert?"
Kad said: "I'm sure she has a plum line or moment, not unlike Chita in the Chicago movie."
Rob Marshall beautifully showcased Chita’s cameo in CHICAGO - from the character’s name Nickie (an homage to her role in Bob Fosse’s 1969 film adaptation of SWEET CHARITY, to her rolling up her stocking exactly how she wore it in the original 1975 Broadway production of CHICAGO).
This WICKED film adaptation is going to surpass the original 2003 Broadway stage production in the same way the 1965 film adaptation of R&H’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC surpassed its original 1959 Broadway stage production.
And speaking of BETTY BOOP, I didn't really notice when the show originally aired on TV (perhaps because of the absence of HD?), but on re-watch, I'm currently struck by how prominently Kristen Chenoweth's bosom is featured onscreen. Just an observation...
Um, PUSHING DAISIES was broadcast in HD. ABC Network began switching their programs to HD starting in 1998 - PUSHING DAISIES made its debut in 2007.
