Profile for OzarkElphaba

Sam French.

He's a critic, they make mistakes. I'm inclined to agree with Michael Bennett about it being an early idea that was decided against. Personally, it really does seem to me like he knows just about what he's talking about, even if it does take the "Why revive ?" stance.

Well, it was a musical first, unlike "Big," or "Wizard of Oz." It's a lot the same. There is a "Phantom" chorus that kinda does all the misc. things needed onstage, including in some versions I've seen, becoming the car. Eddie and Dr. Scott are played by the same person. The script has "Time Warp" taking place after "Sweet Transvestite," but most productions reverse it as in the film. There's a song for Brad, which was cut from the movie. That's about all there is.

What doing the musical? Um..fairly easily. Remember, movies have big budgets. In the original Theatre Upstairs, they had no huge special effects, no car, no elevator. If you are referring to the people who dress up and act it out in front of the movie screen, well it's kinda how it sounds.

I could see Mullaly...and I agree, w/o the Karen Walker voice it would work nicely. Who would be Melvin? Nathan Lane, I could see, but the accent would really drive me up the wall.

Well, Jesse L. Martin could do it, and not commit, and we could always bring Jerry Orbach back from the dead.

I second the idea of "Jerome Robbins' Broadway" or at least a CD Re-issue. Or what about "The Apple Tree" (sans Paris Hilton), or "Lady in the Dark"?

Neddyfrank- In the film the family is, in effect "broken." The parents are so uninvolved with their children they don't notice when they run off. When Mr. Banks fixes the kite at the end of the film, bringing the four pieces together, it's the restoration of the family as a whole, the addition of Mrs. Banks sash for a tale (A sign of commitment) all is right. If you take out the song, "Sister Suffrogette" and eliminate the minor sub-plot with the mother, then there is no reason for "Let's Go ...

For me: A Chorus Line: Occasionally I will skip the Rehearsal One, but not often. Ragtime: Highlights (Sometimes shown as 96 Concept Album). I like the full show, but when I'm on a car trip I prefer the highlights. Scarrie White: Original Chicago cast...because it's fun The Wiz: OBC - Stephanie Mills, Andre de Shields, Ted Ross, 'nuff said. H2$- Revival. I like the energy of the cast in this one. Grease- Revival w/Brooke Sheilds. Guilty pleasure. oh! And [title of show]

I don't think Sandy Duncan has enough of an edge to her, because, beneath it all, Mona does need to be a little bit of a "tough as nails, peroxide blonde." Sandy just radiates, Peter Pan and Miss Anna to me. I dunno, beyond Reba (Who is not from Texas.), I'm at a loss. If Kristin Chenoweth weren't so perky, she might pull it off (She's from Oklahoma.)

As awful as the movie was, it did at least capture Gregg Burgge's performance (And his gross sweat throw). Anyone else notice that on the DVD Marvin Hamlisch claims that "Suprise, Suprise" and "Who Am I Anyway?" were written for the film, and not "Let Me Dance For You"?

I'm really not at all...I personally felt they destroyed one of the most amazing themes to the film with the transition to the stage. Eliminating Mrs. Bank's song "Sister Suffrogette" took away the ne need for "Let's go Fly a Kite" and all the kite symbology in the end. So, instead of ending with that, they had to create something new, which I felt weakened it. The loss of "I Love to Laugh," as well as the introduction of Ms. Andrew (Who in the film was a nice older woman), really displeased ...

Yea, you're right. I've only seen it live with Ann-Margaret, but I can see where it would ruin the show to have too much camp involved. I didn't know that about Edna though, that's kind of cool, and intimidating. I'm still a little confused about the "Aggie Cheerleader Dance" (The name escapes me), what was so revolutionary about it, or different?

Thanks! What if they did something really odd, and cast someone like Charles Busch as Mona?

Personally I liked Washington as Mahogany, and in "La Cage" (he and Bryan Batt rocked, IMO)...and I am excited to see him in "The Wiz" and would love to see him play Noxxema (sp???). David Turner would make a good Vida, and Jai would be a good Chi Chi.

See...I grew up in Texas...I watched the real Melvin P Thorpe on TV, and I am frankly quite excited. Is Reba officially not available? She would make a killer Mona. I didn't like the tour w/Ann-Margaret quite as much, she didn't have the vocal ability to make "Bus From Amarillo" touching. Speaking of BFA, is it at the end of Act 1 or Act 2? Because my copy of the script lists it as Act 2 finale, but the CD for the OBC has it at the end of Act 1.

Thanks nobody home...I knew I wasn't that crazy. Personally if I were directing the show now, I would cut out that moment, it's kind of pointless to me, and makes the divorcee read as a predator, which I don't totally agree with.

Or later tonight...knowing the nature of the board.

I thought the gay scene between Bobby and Peter (I wanna say Peter, but I could be wrong...the divorcee at any rate) was added for the 95 Donmar/Roundabout Nightmare...but maybe that was just me.

"In My Life" was a better idea than "Wedding Singer"