Sweet Charity. So Bad....- Page 2

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:13am

It looks as I remember.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:33am

Crossing this off my list.

Thanks, Glebb.

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:36am

Sorry PalJoey.

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:39am

Well, it was a TERRIBLY hard act to follow...

[LouieLovesTheater]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:42am

Don't cross it off your list too fast....I saw it four times recently in MN and thought it was wonderful.

Just goes to show you how two different people can have two different opinions.

I thought it was quite strong...and yes, it's a tough show to reimagine and while nothing can be as memorable as the original Fosse version, Walter Bobbie and Christina Applegate (in addition to the rest of the cast) are working their butts off.

I'd still give it a look.

Glebb...it's a shame you didn't stick around. I've NEVER left a show at intermission...I think that's kinda a cop-out. (just my opinion!) Updated On: 3/5/05 at 09:42 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:43am

Juliet Prowse must have been great too.

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 9:50am

Have you seen Sylvia Fine's MUSICAL COMEDY TONIGHT series of TV specials? Juliet does three numbers from the show in full costume and scenery and she is indeed fabulous.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:05am

I liked the production. I found Christina charming and literally “sweet.” Yes, her arms are gorgeous. She is no vocal tour de force, but not horrible. The choreography was lively and full of energy. “The Rich Man’s Frog” did have some group Wicked elements and I swear I saw some “Thriller” moves.

Denis O’Hare was hilarious. I also thought Natascia and Solange were great.

Now, I had never seen a production, but was in no way disappointed.

Ethel – no orangeade at intermission, but I did have a beer.

The Broadway season is exciting – Spamelot, Little Women, DRS, Chitty, Light …. I would not check SC off the list.

[magruder]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:09am

I really love the Juliet Prowse London cast recording. She sings the score well, and the orchestra is really rowdy and rambunctious. "I'm the Bravest Individual" is not on it, "Baby Dream Your Dream" has a strange cut in it, and I assume, as in the original Broadway production (after opening), "Charity's Soliloquy" was dropped. Still, it's a really fun, highly listenable version of the score.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:39am

This would be my first Charity. But I'm not so sure now...

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:42am

Oh see it. It's probably fun if you've never seen it.
Then go home and rent the movie. The movie is excellent.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:45am

But the film cut "Baby, Dream Your Dream", Glebb...

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:45am

True. I always think of Bebe when I think of that song.

[magruder]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:59am

They did film "Baby Dream Your Dream," but alas, it was cut.

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:02am

Would be cool to see Paula and Chita.
DVD extras?

[magruder]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:05am

The DVD just has the alternate ending. No "Baby Dream Your Dream".

In the realm of other lost numbers, "Coffee Break" was filmed for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and a photo from it even appears on the back cover of the DVD, but no footage from it was found when the DVD was released.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:11am

If you watch the film version of HOW TO SUCCEED carefully, you can see the cast "prepping" for the "Coffee Break" number--showing up at work but not NOT DOING any work at all--until the film abruptly cuts to a different scene.

Updated On: 3/5/05 at 11:11 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:17am

Loved the coffee break number and the secretary/toy number in the Cilento version. :)

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:28am

Ironically enough, HOW TO SUCCEED also originally featured Fosse choreography.

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:36am

Stage? Film? Never seen it until Matthew.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:42am

Fosse choreographed the original Broadway production, and was not directly involved in the film, although the film version gave him credit as having created the "original choreography."

I didn't see much evidence of his work in the movie, however.

Updated On: 3/5/05 at 11:42 AM

[magruder]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:47am

The film's "Secretary Is Not a Toy" and "Brotherhood of Man" are pure Fosse, at least the joyful early 1960s Fosse, before his work turned decadent.

[Mary_Ethel]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 11:59am

Well, I don't entirely agree...

I think "A Secretary Is Not a Toy" comes off as pretty wooden in the film... (perhaps because some of the lyrics had to be censored).

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 12:00pm

Glebb, as I have written on other threads.........the original SWEET CHARITY did not receive very good reviews. I saw the 1980s revival and except for HEY BIG SPENDER, the show was quite dreadful.

I don't understand why the producers think they will make money on a show that was never successful to begin with.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 12:00pm

how is the actor playing the film star, Paul Schoeffler? i think he is such a good performer and singer...

As to the "cheesiness" of the Allen revival, it might have been somewhat intentional: the characters are not exactly B'way stars, but dance hall girls. Even the original designs and photos look very period hooker-ish, with pretty scary make-up (as PIPPIN had). i think i have heard too that Allen in her svelte days preferred minimal costuming, in order to show off the line of her technique (Astaire had similar preferences in his "pure dance" as opposed to "character" numbers---and look at choices in simplicity Kelly always had in terms of costuming). Our eye is trained to see female leads "dressed up" (even for dance features) but after CHORUS LINE that esthetic began to vary.