Liza in SUNSET BOULEVARD- Page 2

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:44am

I would say it depends on the director - and how big a whip he's got. She can easily get carried away.

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:45am

Actually, I'm a little surprised she didn't insist on directing it herself.

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:49am

Curtain - I don't know where you are in the world, but did you happen to catch Ms. Caldwell in A Little Night Music in LA last year? She was sublime.

[wildcat]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:59am

Ah yes...another Australian...(studies fingernails, smirking smugly)

Posted: 2/18/05 at 1:05am

Wildcat - I am fully in agreeance about the Australian legacy. I count Judy Davis among the finest who have ever performed, and I think Cate Blanchett (along with Tilda Swinton) is the best that the current crop has to offer.

I claim no objectivity with Hugh Jackman and Guy Pierce

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 1:07am

I'm in NYC, D. And unfortunately not. I've only had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Caldwell in two productions: Medea and Master Class. I would have loved to have seen her in ALNM though. I can only imagine how wonderful she was. And what a cast! Zoe Caldwell, Marc Kudish, Judith Ivey, Victor Garber, etc. Just goes to prove Broadway doesn't always get the best of the best. You're fortunate to have had the opportunity to have seen it.

Updated On: 2/18/05 at 01:07 AM

Posted: 2/18/05 at 1:15am

Curtain - and hearing that score with a full orchestra - heaven!

I've only seen production stills of her Medea - I'm not sure I would have lived through it - it's absolutely one of my favorite pieces. A friend of mine from a few lifetimes ago was close with her, and talked her into coming to Virgina and doing Belle of Amherst (this is YEARS ago). I didn't think it would work, but she was mesmerizing - on stage, as well

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 2:25am

D... there's a radio station here in NY (WNYC) which aired a weekly radio show (through Oct. 2004) called SURVIVAL KIT, hosted by Leonard Lopate, in which he would interview a celebrity guest for 30 minutes each week. On October 3, 2004 he interviewed Zoe Caldwell. Here's a synopsis of the show's premise and the link to her interview. Being a Caldwell fan, I thought you might enjoy listening to it.

Come to think of it, the question he poses might make an interesting thread topic.

Leonard Lopate welcomes a single provocative guest for a half-hour discussion, beginning with a simple question: what eight (or so) items would you take with you to a remote location for an extended time? It"s a way of discovering fascinating sides of well-known persons and personalities, facets of their life and work and creative process which we might never otherwise see.

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/survivalkit/episodes/10032004

Updated On: 2/18/05 at 02:25 AM

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 2:29am

Oooh! I'm seeing Liza tomorrow night (Friday) at Westbury (I didn't realize she was doing two nights). Can't wait! I think she's going to rock the house.
I've never been a fan of hers but she really has been winning me over on Arrested Development. She truly deserves the Emmy for outstanding Guest Star. No doubt.
Would love for her to tackle "With One Look" tomorrow night.

Posted: 2/18/05 at 10:44am

Liza ia amazing. I never gave her much thought till the early '90's when I ended up doing some various promotions & events with her and fell under her spell. When I finally saw her live, I "got it." This woman just doesn't stop. Even at her most erratic or whatever you want to call her "bad" performances, she blew my mind.

And her as Norma Desmond would be amazing. Who else on the scene right now would bring the off-stage history to that show? In 20 years, the show could be re-written for Michael Jackson, but for now, only Liza has lived that part...

[CurtainUp2]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 10:47am

"In 20 years, the show could be re-written for Michael Jackson,"

I hope I'm dead by then.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 10:52am

It's a bit of a moot point as apparently Glenn Close has dibs on the role until 2006. So me thinks Liza will miss her chance.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:38am

Beav, the production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC you're referring to is slated to hit the Boards in the early part of the 2005/2006 Broadway Season...

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:44am

You bet, Beav!

If all goes well, Close may very well become THE DEFINITIVE Desiree Armfeldt...

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:50am

Wouldn't that involve bettering Dame Judi Dench's rendition of Send In The Clowns? If so, then let's just say I doubt it. And that's no slight on Ms Close either.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:55am

Good point, popcultureboy.

I have the RNT production of ALNM on CD and Ms. Dench's recording of "Send In The Clowns" IS spine-tingling...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:56am

I would have loved to have seen Dench's take.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:01pm

Bravo once showed the clip of Dame Judi singing that, and it was amazing....

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:04pm

Rath - did you just picture Glenn topping Judi?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:05pm

I did not. Thank you. Actually, I was thinking of how Close would make it "unforgettable" - SHE CAN'T SING. Ugh. Such an unpleasant voice to listen to.

[Marquise]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:05pm

Behave yourself DGrant!

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:06pm

Oh, all right

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:08pm

Well, to be 100% fair, Close can probably sing about as well as Dench (both are better known for their acting than singing abilities)...

The reason I admire Dench's rendention of "Send In The Clowns" so much is the way she ACTED the song...

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:10pm

Glynis Johns wasn't exactly a powerhouse vocalist, either.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 12:10pm

I agree - it's not just the technical aspects that bother me about Close - it's the grating unpleasantness of the instrument itself.