Maybe it was a tribute to Betsy Joslyn?
Didn't make that connection, but it's uncanny.
I saw her in it four times and thought she was wonderful. Sitting up close was key to understanding her performance. She had a lot going on internally.
I saw the show something like 9 times, and I really hated her at first but after seeing her several times with Bernadette and Stritch, she grew into the role and seemed much more like a real person. The production really changed once Bernadette and Stritch came in, to be honest...it was much better and more interesting and grounded and real, and it felt like everyone else in the company adjusted their performances during that time they had off and it was all for the better.
Sitting up close was key to understanding her performance. She had a lot going on internally.
I did. She didn't.
Sitting up close was key to understanding her performance. She had a lot going on internally.
Even if that was true, that is not great for a Broadway house.
I can sit in a chair and have a lot going on internally, but that doesn't mean what I'm doing is interesting or compelling.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
"Sitting up close was key to understanding her performance. She had a lot going on internally."
If a performance is dependent on the audience being in the first row then I would say that that actor is not giving a good performance. I'm not saying that people need to play to the rafters, but they do have to give more than just the first couple of rows a good show. Hell, if they are only playing to the first two rows then even the director is going to have a problem, since rarely during tech, dress rehearsals, and previews does a director sit that close to the stage to take notes.
Totally understandable. However, I saw her up close very late into the run, so she could have just grown immensely in the role. Maybe it played to the back as well, but I don't know.
I saw her early in the run with CZJ and Lansbury. I was not impressed with Mallory's performance. Really did not enjoy it.
"This is really evident once Bernadette and Stritch took over, I think."
But wouldn't Nunn have returned to direct them--or did he not?
I loved her performance, as well! Her acting was excellent all four times I saw her, and I actually prefer her vocals to her mother's.
I definitely agree with you on the acting. I think I'll always prefer her mother though.
I was so completely taken up by Ms. Stritch's performance that I barely noticed anyone else - Ms. Peters included.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/17/10
I saw her toward the end of the run and thought her acting and singing were horrendous. I'm sure the direction didn't help, but with the exception of Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, the rest of the cast gave great performances. If only Elaine Stritch had remembered her lines.
Updated On: 9/3/12 at 09:38 PM
But wouldn't Nunn have returned to direct them--or did he not?
I think he was a-skeered of them.
You mean he can handle working with Lloyd Webber, but not Stritch? Actually...
I believe Nunn returned to help with their early rehearsals, but it wasn't very long.
I couldn't stand Mallory in the role. Yes, she improved slightly by the time Bernadette and Stritch joined the company, but really she was an annoying, whiny nuisance. I wanted to jump up on stage and strangle her. Someone earlier mentioned Veruca Salt and that's exactly who she reminded me of. She was so shrill, and with that annoying horse laugh what did Frederik ever see in her?
I would put her up there with the most grating performances I've seen in a professional production in NYC.
Stritch & Peters - The Glamorous Life
I thought she was a revelation in the role.
i saw the show three times; once in previews, once shortly after bernadette and elaine joined the cast, and once close to the end of the run. echoing what others have said, i hated her performance initially but was on board with it the subsequent two times, not only because she had improved but also because i knew what to expect from her. some of the stuff she did was so odd and unfunny that it occasionally circled back around to being funny again-- maybe not in the way the creators intended, but still.
I saw the show twice and I enjoyed her performance both times. The character was a bit annoying at times but I liked it.
I went in the first time expecting to be annoyed by her (based on some of the negative things I had heard about her) but was pleasantly surprised. She impressed me quite a bit. The second time I saw the production she was one of the highlights. I also really enjoy her vocal choices on the recording.
Differences of opinion- one of the many joys of live theatre.
I saw her when Peters and Stritch (who took about 15 minutes to sing "Liasons")...I don't see how she could have gotten this part if not for her parents involvement in the Original Cast. I know that's been debated...but still it had to have been on everyone's mind during the casting process about how nice it would be for her and her family.
And she wasn't terrible...it's just that I would think at least 10 ingenues with legit soprano voices more to NYC every day...one of them might have been a better choice.
And while we are at this...Leigh Anne Larkin trying to turn "The Miller's Son" into a comedic number was not a good choice, IMO.
Broadway Star Joined: 4/17/10
^I don't think she tried to turn it into a comedic number. She gave the strongest performance after Bernadette's, IMO.
Videos