Jordan Catalano said: "I agree that I thought Ashford was completely miscast in this role and don’t understand the praise she received. "
Indeed. I’m a little sad they continued with her. That’s the best they could do? I’ll give her act 2, fine. But that act 1. Meh.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I saw it near the end of the run, and I was surprised to find that Ashford impressed me even more than Gyllenhaal, who I thought was perfect.
Jake is picky about costars ( he wouldn't do Burn This without Ruth Wilson) and I bet his involvement in London was contingent on Ashford continuing with it. They clearly have amazing chemistry in the interviews I've seen of the two of them.
I didn't get to see the production either on Broadway or City Center, because I was stupid and poor, but I think Ashford sounds really good on the cast recording.
Caption: Every so often there was a rare moment of perfect balance when I soared above him.
TotallyEffed said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I agree that I thought Ashford was completely miscast in this role and don’t understand the praise she received. "
Did you see it on Broadway? I saw it at City Center and really disliked it so I didn’t bother seeing it again after it transferred."
I saw it both places and was just confused as to why she continued on with the production and even more confused now.
Valentina3 said: "I didn't get to see the production either on Broadway or City Center, because I was stupid and poor, but I think Ashford sounds really good on the cast recording."
She does and she did. And of course I perhaps am the hardest to please because we are talking about probably Bernadette’s strongest and most iconic performance. But for me I thought we needed a leading lady with a truly unique voice that could bring something new to the role. Between Bernadette Peters and Jenna Russel - I just can’t see any reason to fall in love with Ashford’s act one performance/Dot. I will concede her Marie was funny, touching/heartfelt - maybe even perfect. Maybe at least as good as Bernadette’s, maybe even better. But I wanted more from her Dot. I can think of half a dozen people I’d rather see as Dot: Carmen Cusak, Audra, Kelli O’Hara, Patina Miller (might not scream type), Katrina Lenk. This is an iconic Sondheim musical with an iconic role and a very high profile leading man. Instead of an iconic revival performance in Dot we got a serviceable performance. I personally don’t think that’s good enough for the best musical theatre region of the best musical composer in the world. I think the main issue is the commodity of her vocal timbre, perhaps.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
ljay889 said: "SmoothLover said: "The directing was a little clunky at City Center but perhaps it improved at the Hudson."
The direction and staging weremuch improved for Broadway. The thrilling chromolume sequence is also a big highlight."
I assumed so. At City Center they used a raised platform that was too small, so the actors were cramped and they were running into one another during the ensemble sequences. They also sat on the outskirts of the stage watching scene work that they were not in which I felt did not work and was unnecessary. Quite honestly I think there was so much focus on Jake because one wondered if he could pull it off which he did. I imagine too that by the time it got to Broadway the emotional core had probably deepened.
The West End theatres are closed until May 31st. Sunday was supposed to start preview on June 5th. Obviously the cast need to rehearse, the set needs to be built. Is it safe to say this is definitely going to be postponed if not canceled? I have tickets for one of the last performances in September. It doesn't seem like I'll be able to see it.
I bought 5 tickets for the production. I currently live in Japan, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to or feel safe to fly to London amid the outbreak. If this production is not going to happen, I wish they could refund me as soon as possible, which would amount to roughly 800 usd and can really come in handy in a time like this.
I have tickets for the performance two months from today. There is no way I am willing to risk traveling this soon, especially overseas, so I am hoping, too, for a postponement or cancellation. You can assume this was all planned with Jake's busy schedule in mind, but we'll see what happens as they look towards the prospects of moving or cancelling the show with the uncertainty of the situation.
Was planning a trip to London to see Jake in SUNDAY, Charlie Stemp in MARY POPPINS and several performances of HELLO, DOLLY!. All of that's up in the air right now due to the virus.