110 In The Shade- Page 2

[Calvin]

Posted: 5/13/06 at 1:07pm

Why was I thinking that Robert Cuccioli was somehow involved in the Houston production? For some reason, I thought he had directed it, but I guess not.

[flossie2]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 12:31pm

His name was on the poster on the TUTS website at the beginning of the season. I heard that he had been expected to star in it. Since he is in the show "Jacques Brel" in NYC I guess it wasn't possible. I would love to see him play Starbuck at some point in his career.

[broadwaybaby692]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 12:34pm

I know she is great and all, but I can't get over thinking about Inga Swensen (Kraus from TV's "Benson") as a Broadway star - I still see her in my mind being a total bitch, but secretly in love with, Robert Guillame.

[tophertilson]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 2:47pm

To me, the hardest role to cast in this show is Starbuck. You really need to find someone who casts a convincing spell over Lizzie, the town and the audience in the process. I honestly can't think of anyone around these days who could leave you spellbound (assuming Hugh Jackman is out of the equation, that is).

Any suggestions? And please, nobody say Brian Stokes Mitchell. He's far too stiff.

TT

[FranklinShepard-Inc.]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 3:02pm

Ron Raines who did the studio cast and the version at the New York City Opera. He is magnificent, a great singer, marvellous actor and he IS starbucks.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 3:42pm

Has any of the design team been announced for the Roundabout production? I would love to see Yeargan, Zuber and Akerlind work together again on thie project. I think they could really capture the tone of the town and the dry heat.

Akiva

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/14/06 at 3:48pm

Lonny Price is listed as director

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 10:46pm

I don't know what people are saying...

110 is the BEST THING TUTS HAS EVER DONE! (sans there amazing Hair)

this revitilization of 110 is, putting it simply, Brilliant.

the score is typical 60s (character numbers, etc) but very VERY good and it sounds nice played with a sizable band.

the staging and direction is SUPERB, the sets are amazing. lighting wonderful. the cast, as a whole, is brilliant. all the leads are great.

it closed tonight and i pity those who live in houston and did not catch it.

TUTS usually presents ****. but this was brilliant.

the only good thing they've done in years, and it is GOOD. my mom, who grew up in manhattan, rated this as one of the finest shows/productions she's ever seen.

my god it was amazing.

and they'd sold out of the CDS! AAHH!

[theaterFrEaK07]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:16pm

agreed Caroline-Q-or-TBoo! 110 in the Shade really was one of TUTS best performances. They really pulled it off beautifully. If TUTS could do that well, i can't wait to see what they do for the revival.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:21pm

haha.

i went home and almost cried because their upcoming season is going to be so AWFUL

[treyisthekiller]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:21pm

were you watching the show? maybe i just caught a bad performance, but the starbuck was god awful, and the chorus wasnt involved with the performance.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:25pm

the chorus didn't have much to do,

but they were servicable, good dancers, good singers, good actors. they're direction was really nice. i love how they filtered in during the opener, and filtered out.

Starbuck had a great voice. he wasn't that strong of an actor, but he was good. she was also great.

File was amazing. that opening image of him silohuetted (sp!?) there was amazing.

great show. grrrreat show.

i hope you caught a bad performance. otherwise you've got bad taste.

kidding

[theaterFrEaK07]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:30pm

Next years season really doesnt seem too entertaining, nothing really jumps out as an amazing show. Well, at least this season had its good ones.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:31pm

the only one i'm interested in is West Side Story.

i think i need to tell them what to do each season

[gustof777]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:36pm

Can't wait for Audra! Also it would be really cool if they preserved the workshop cast and kept Michael Arden...although he is doing the Bob Dylan show....

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:37pm

who did Michael play?

get him in 110. you don't want to be in a jukebox. 110 is brilliant

[gustof777]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:39pm

My thoughts too Caroline...have no clue who he played and am not familiar with the show but if they had the workshop trio of Audra, Michael and Michael it would be sweet!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:40pm

haha. yes. that would be great. the only part that really suits Michael A. seems to be a supporting role Jimmie.

i absolutly CANNOT wait for this performance.

i actually wouldn't mind if they kept the exact same physical production and staging as the TUTS version

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:44pm

I saw Swenson twice in the role of Lizzie during the Boston tryout of 110 in the Shade. She was magnificent. As was the show. Even if I were blind, McDonald's voice would be a let-down in this show. I wonder who will be playing Lizzie's father and brothers.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:47pm

i'm thinkin Michael Arden as Jimmie

[gustof777]

Posted: 5/21/06 at 11:48pm

am praying that Arden signs on and hey Ebersole just won the drama desk so even if she wins the Tony it means Audras got a good shot at the drama desk next year

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 5/22/06 at 12:12am

well It'll be interesting. Will her family be black? who knows. Althouh Arden is VERY white. I don't see him as a Jimmy. He's supposed to look like a grown young man who's not too bright. Of course they generally cast him young ingenue like. Although I'm hoping they go with a darker family. I just think it'll be good to see...rather than the token lol.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/22/06 at 12:18am

I agree -- if they're going to do color-blind casting, go all out. This is a family, so why not? I liked it when Sacramento music circus cast Nikki Renee Daniels as Belle and George Merritt as Maurice. It was almost a surprise at that point that they even went so far as to make the casting work for audience members who may not be fans of color-blind casting.

(And don't bring Les Miz into it with its Asian Eponines who have white parents. :) )

I could almost see Chuck Cooper as HC...

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/22/06 at 12:33am

Maybe I'm crazy... but wouldn't Brian D'Arcy James be a delicious Starbuck?

That voice? Yum.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 5/22/06 at 12:35am

On the color-blind casting note... I think this is one of those productions that - if she's black - it still works. However, some shows, I just don't see it working. (A black Javert in Les Mis. I still don't get it. Back then, in that period and place, a black man, sadly, wouldn't have that authority. Historically. You know?)