Sweet Charity. So Bad.... — Page 2

It looks as I remember.

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Sorry PalJoey.

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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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

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

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).

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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.

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