Profile for Jimbob2

Thanks to everyone who clued me in on how some of these awards work in New York. I was aware 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' had eligibility for some sets of awards last year, but didn't realise that it could even be split between categories within a particular set of Awards. Eligible for some last year but not this year, but newly eligible for others. That's wild.Anyway, I should withdraw my slightly over-the-top fear that the Jellicles were being 'gate kept' once through the gate! I resolve not r...

From the UK here. What am I not understanding about the Drama Desk awards, and the poor showing for 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball'? Not even a nomination in Best Revival of a Musical - despite it being better reviewed than some that are nominated, and many say the best reviewed musical of the season..Is there a disconnect between critics initially recognising 'cultural impact' but then dissecting individual elements for 'Best' qualities and deciding that they....disagree with their reviews after a...

It's strange that the full Audible version was planned for release after the show had opened. With Lin Manuel Miranda's 'The Warriors', the concept-album-to-staging route is back, led by Anaïs Mitchell's more gradually evolving 'Hadestown'. It works. Build the audience allegiance, get the fervour of the 'early adopters' (as 'Operation Mincemeat' did in the UK a different way - growing via at least three fringe venues), and then get the wider audience to want a piece of that action. Now Audibl...

Donna Murphy and Viola Davis have entered the fray!High Flying Abhored.

"She's done seven. I've done 31. Don't call yourself a vet, bitch".Patti Lupone should get in a time machine and see if she can get those 31 shows being Black. Would her obnoxious behaviour be seen as hilariously diva-ish and oh-so-camp? More likely she'd have been seen as an 'uppity minority' who quickly found doors no longer open for her.What makes this all a bit Norma Desmond is that Lupone hasn't noticed she's nearly 16 years older than Kecia Lewis. Will Lewis fully close that gap in Broa...

"Graceless and vulgar, uninspired".It was a line from a show you were in Patti. Not a training manual to live by.

BroadwayFanatic454 said: "I saw the first act this evening. I actually didn't particularly dislike the show, it just very much wasn't my style. About 20 other theatergoers I passed on the street on the way out felt similarly from what I overhead. I can certainly see how and why this appeals to people, and the show has clearlyfound its audience. Just wanted to add a different perspective amidst all the buzz."I love the diffident understated yet lethal style of this post. You must be British! T...

Kad said: "Brayben is good, to be sure, and I know she was quite acclaimed in the UK, but I really did not see a star turn performance from her that necessitated bringing her over instead of casting locally. Whatever made her- and the show itself- special seems to have been lost in the trip across the Atlantic.Honestly, I was mostly just thinking how Kristin Chenoweth would have been a truly wonderful match between performer and role."I haven't searched extensively up-thread (and I expect you...

Amen to all of this @memorableUserName - perfectly expressed. Thank you,

Qolbinau! Save your hard earned money, you'll have a rotten time if you go in knowing it's an awful musical. A star turn and only one good song can't save that.

Certainly not incontrovertible proof of anything, just an anecdote re the changing viewpoint of a composer. Nice talking to you.

Here's one musician/composer NewInTown:Australian Malcolm Williamson was Master of the Queen's Music from 1975 until his death in 2003. He tastelessly said Lloyd Webber's music is everywhere "but so is AIDS", and compared it to a cement mixer except "there is a degree of creativity in a cement mixer". "At least his brother Julian can scratch the cello, although he does that badly". He also disparaged their father William Lloyd Webber's compositions.Some months later, after delivering the manu...

Gd

Just saw a preview screening of 'La La Land' in the UK. Made me wonder if it may have used up the oxygen for a 'Sunset Boulevard' movie; those scenes walking through the back lot, the romance of two people struggling in LA; the fact Gosling & Stone look perfect casting for Sunset's Joe and Betty.A shame if so, but would certainly delay it by a few years I reckon.I came out of the screening feeling it was like Sunset, minus Norma Desmond, minus the creepy/caring Max, minus the upfront murder, ...

(B)limey! I've heard of losing with dignity (we Brits are known for it, ha!). But there's such a think as winning with dignity too. You guys.

I'm the opposite Golbinau; it's often the music 'in between' that I like in ALW (particularly in Evita), and I think it's the assumption that his shows are just the hit songs that has people who don't know his work underestimating it. (I don't mean you, as you do know his work; or others who do know it and actively dislike it! ha ha). So in 'Sunset Boulevard' I'd absolutely listen to the material beyond Norma's songs: chiefly Overture, Car Chase, Salome, This Time Next Year, The Greatest Star...

Hmm, now what was that you were saying Patti? Paraphrased: 'ALW doesn't edit, you MUST edit, David Mamet EDITS!'. Oh dear, now the lady's paying. (Now that didn't hurt, did it?) [Okay, okay, I know I'm a bitch hee hee]

Absolutely, Castelstreet. In fact, it was an innovation for the original production, altering the Concept album at that moment. On the concept album, instead of collapsing she sings (to the same melody) "This is not a gambler's final throw, forced upon me by those bastards who / only long to see me up and go, it's not an unprepared or panicked move, which just goes to prove I'd be good for you, Eva - Vice President, is good for you". The Eva/Peron reprise of 'So what happens now' 'where am I ...

Anyone else, like me, who didn't see the film until after hearing the CD or seeing the musical? My feelings as I watched certain film scenes were 'wow,is that all? It's so good they expanded that moment at the point where it needs to sing'. "The Lady's Paying" is the main example I remember. Of course there's a lot to be said for economy and restraint (i.e the unexpanded film scenes) but if you're going to musicalize it, I like a lot of the choices. which is to saying nothing against the film...

Love it, Temms! My favourite 'overhear' was after a tour performance of Evita in Bristol, England. Standing at the bus stop a mother and daughter. Daughter: "I thought she was gonna sing that 'Mem'ry'"