Greg Jbara Discussion - ONLY- Page 2

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:41pm

He plays a bodyguard to one of the main characters. He has some GREAT scenes. Very funny.

[Tmyres77]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:48pm

He plays Squash Bernstein, King's bodyguard, and I won't say anymore, because I don't want to give away any of the plot. Suffice to say, you will be laughing!

Kerrie - you went while Greg was out!? You poor girl! Thank goodness you're seeing it next week!

Is there anybody going in Nov that would like to meet up and say hi? I'll be there the 11-13 and would love to meet up over a soda (my treat!) and actually put names to faces!

I'm still debating whether or not to buy First Lady Suite? Any opinions?

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:50pm

First Lady Suite is WONDERFUL. He's not on it that much, but its a great show. I definitely recommend it.

I'll be living in the city, Talia, so I'm always free to meet up!

And yes - I'm quite excited about the 3rd.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 1:55pm

Okay, I'm hopping on here because I have guilt building up inside me. :/ Heh.

Well, unfortunately, I have not seen anything of Greg live. I'm hoping to pull for next year. *crosses fingers* Anyway, I've only heard him on the DRS cast recording. His performance is stunning...probably one of the best on the recording. I have yet to see V/V on DVD or VHS, but as soon as a video store has it in their musicals section, I'll take a look at it.

I never knew he performed in Vegas before. Well, now I know...

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 2:06pm

what part does Greg play in The Out of Towners? I'm thinking of getting the movie but wanting to know how much of it has greg in it (i know not a lot, but still). The movie is funny on it's own (have seen it before but didn't know about Greg then).

This thread is awesome! loving it so far.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 2:14pm

which v/v is better, movie or stage version?

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 2:36pm

Haven't seen the movie. But the stage version is really really really worth watching. Trust me.

[Tmyres77]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:06pm

And I'm going to risk being ostracized by saying I think the movie version is better. Let me support this by these reasons:

1) Julie Andrews was at her prime! Her voice and acting skills were truly spectacular when this was filmed. On the broadway version, she has lost the ability to be constant in the higher range. She still rocks, but it's less than the movie.

2) ROBERT PRESTON. In my opinion, no one can replace him as Toddy. His comic timing, charm, sexiness and warmth bring so much to the film.

3) The songs are different. It's true that you love the show you saw first most. And they changed the songs around in the DVD.

BUT - the broadway version is still wonderful!

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:16pm

Meg, I emailed you about your backstage visit question. What Ali told you is right ... you just basically need to email Greg and ask him if a visit backstage is possible on the date/time you'll be coming to see the show.

Dre ... I recommend finding a rental copy of Out-of-Towners first.
Greg's in one scene, but that once scene is worth seeing. Whether or not you would want to own a copy of the dvd might depend on how much you like the movie as a whole. I actually think that overall the Jack Lemmon/Sandy Dennis version is the better one; but Greg being even briefly in the remake makes it worth owning for me.

Talia, I've heard/read where others prefer the movie version of V/V over the Broadway version, so you're not alone there. Again, it's sort of like how I feel about the orig. and newer versions of the film The Out-of-Towners ... Greg's role is what makes me like the B'way dvd version of V/V ... him and Rachel York, who is a hoot in it.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:20pm

Rachel York! She is HILARIOUS! Love her.

[Elphaba984]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 3:56pm

Barb: thanks.

Kerrie: Yeah she is. I love her.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 4:19pm

Wow, talk about coincedences that are really nice. Just got back from picking up textbooks(blah) and shopping(bigger blah). But I usually scan through Fye records' DVDs and showtune CDs if nothing else because they're usually expensive to see what's out or if there any thing I should be on the lookout for. So when I get to the video/DVD section, I first see musicals in the VHS section go there and what do I see...Victor/Victoria the Broadway version...selling for $5! It is the VHS, but come on, that's the same price to rent a video at blockbuster, I couldn't not buy it. So I am exhausted now, but will be watching it hopefully soon and will comment.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 4:19pm

is greg in the v/v movie or just in the broadway one?

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 4:43pm

Dre .. he's just in the Broadway dvd/video version.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 6:57pm

thanks a lot. That;s the one I'm getting. Sorry guys who like the movie one! I really want to see Greg.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 6:58pm

It's worth it, Dre. I just watched it the other day. Love it.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 7:08pm

i remember reading the play by play (not really) when you were watching it. lol.

[WesternSky2]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 7:10pm

Haha ah yes. I was quite excited!

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 7:20pm

what was Greg's biggest part in a movie? or really, what movie is it?

[Tmyres77]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 7:43pm

No need to apologize LOL. I like *both* of them. I just like the movie better. It's what makes the world go around - differences! :)

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 9:00pm

Dre ... Greg's biggest movie role, far as screen time ... it's funny but I started thinking about this and I'm not sure I can pinpoint the answer without going back and watching some movies and actually timing his screen time ... but overall, his larger movie roles as far as time on screen would be (not sure of order here), IMO, Cement, The First $20 Million..., In & Out, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

His earlier films roles in House on Carroll Street, Married to It, and Crocodile Dundee II are sort of "blink and you'll miss him" kind of roles (HoCS especially), but he still has that presence! His waiter in MtI or his young cop in Dundee II are both adorable!.

In between these would be roles like his Angelique in Jeffrey and to a lesser degree his metro reporter "Freddy" in One Fine Day (which also has Rachel York in a supporting role) ... his part in that isn't exactly blink and miss it, but he's only briefly in one, maybe two scenes.

Well anyway, my 2 cents. Anyone else?

EDIT: How's this for "anyone else" ... lol ... the answer from the man himself to both the earlier Chicago question and to the movie roles one:

"As for my CHICAGO days, Bebe was Velma, Marilu was Roxie and it was the entire original cast ensemble. In Vegas, Vicki Lewis was Velma and Nana Visitor was Roxie.
My biggest movie role? Hmmm... I'd have to time it myself. I still think of In & Out as my biggest role, then $20 Mill, then Cement."

So there ya go!

Barb
Updated On: 8/26/05 at 09:00 PM

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 9:09pm

I've got to get out and see more movies.... I've never seen any of those except Midsummer Night's Dream and Victor/Victoria. In other words - the ones I'd seen before OR a stage film. I have a terrible problem with falling asleep halfway through a movie, no matter how good it is. So.... I'm worthless.

He just needs to do more stage work. Someone should tell him that we have LOTS of wonderful theatres in the DC area!

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:26pm

A Midsummer Night;s Dream is very good! And thanks about the movie thing, Barb.

[Tmyres77]

Posted: 8/26/05 at 10:27pm

Neato! A nice answer from Mr. Greg! Thanks Barb for getting it for us. You rock - but of course, you know this

Well gang, my roommate and I just got some Chinese and rented "In & Out" and we're going to sit down and watch it. It's been years since I've seen it, and he's *never* seen it - the horror! So, I'll be back later with observations of watching it with a Greg perspective.

And uh Barb - I'll be looking for the dance scene at the end :)

[Mamie]

Posted: 8/27/05 at 12:54pm

Thank you Greg - and Barb! - for those answers. If Greg happens to look in on this thread, could he give a 'guesstimate' of the dates when he did Chicago? I've seen it a few times - and at least once with Bebe - but I don't recall who played Billy. (Obviously it WASN'T Greg.) I have to admit that my most memorable visit to "Chicago" came with the previews in Washington DC, at the National Theatre. I got to see it BEFORE NY, with Chita, Gwen and (my great love) Jerry O.

On that same thought, you know it isn't necessarily impossible to go back and do that show again. Just as a time killer while waiting for your big B'way lead.....

We've opined on the subject of Greg's possibly replacing John one day. I'd be curious to hear what kind of role Greg would like to have next. Another musical? A straight play? A classic? Do any of this fans out there have any other roles they'd like to see him in? I have to agree that I'd like to see him originating another role. He's due his Tony!

If you couldn't tell before - I'm hoping he stays on the stage and away from the West Coast. If he goes out there I'll NEVER get a chance to see him on stage!
. (lol)