A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 9:56pm

What's the best recording to purchase?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 10:43pm

1996 Broadway revival with Nathan Lane.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 11:08pm

I agree- my favorite is the revival recording with Nathan Lane.

[JoshuaEads]

Posted: 9/14/08 at 11:32pm

I second (or third, I guess?) the '96 Revival.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 11:34am

Yeah, Lane brings something special to the '96 Revival that I feel is lacking elsewhere.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 11:54am

WOW, I never thought I would see these many people recommend the Revival Recording over the brilliant and practically flawless Original Broadway Cast Recording!

First off, as talented as Nathan Lane is, he does not have the bravado, zeal or comic inflections that Zero Mostel possesses to really make Pseudolus into a living and breathing comic force. And second, there isn't anybody in the cast who supports Nathan Lane (Ernie Sabella just doesn't cut it for me this time). I mean come on, when you've got Zero Mostel leading a cast and Musical Comedy Legends such as David Burns and Jack Gilford in supporting roles... you've got gold!!

Updated On: 9/15/08 at 11:54 AM

[flahooley2]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 8:27pm

Nathan does not have bravado, zeal, or comic inflictions?? Did you mean inflections? Granted there was only one Zero Mostel, but if anyone was heir to the mantle it's Nathan Lane. And he won his first Tony Award for his very own inflections.

[jewishboy]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 8:43pm

Oops, my keyboard was giving me trouble earlier.

Oh don't get me wrong, I think he does a very admirable job and besides the point, Nathan Lane is one of my favorite Broadway actors. But, I just don't think he gives as vibrant an interpretation of the role as Mostel does. For example, when listening to "Free," I really get a sense of how much energy and passion Mostel puts into the song and not as Mostel, but as Pseudolus. When Zero Mostel sings, "When a Pseudolus moves the universe shakes!" You believe him. I just don't get that same intense characterization from Nathan Lane, but maybe he was going for something different anyway.

[laura is broadway]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 8:59pm

Bleh I'm stil at a loss, haha.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 9:01pm

Bear in mind, I was not alive to see Zero Mostel in the role. However, watching Lane in the role was like a master class lesson in carrying a musical comedy show. Everything about his performance in this revival (which other than Mary Testa and eventually Dick Latessa was very disappointing) was exceptional. I never had any issues with his characterizations. I thought his performance was intensely comedic, a bit over the top (which works well for this role), and very commanding.

Maybe I'm biased because I saw Lane live, and not Mostel, but just listening to the discs, I find Lane infinitely more entertaining. I also think the orchestra sounds better on that disc.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 9:41pm

I recommend the Original B'way Cast with Mostel. It is peerless.

Plus... Nathan Lane was gayest Pseudolus I've ever seen. He looked like he could barely hold his lunch down when he was being "tempted" by those concubines.

[Patash]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 9:54pm

I forget. Isn't Pretty Little Picture on the revival cast album even though they ended up cutting it from the production?

[flahooley2]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 10:34pm

what a homophobic bit of bitchery. It's comments like that that keep people in the closet. you're just an unhappy teenage girl who will never win a tony. and i bet you can keep your lunch down.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/15/08 at 10:41pm

Yeah, Pretty Little Picture was cut during previews, but it's on the recording.
Updated On: 9/16/08 at 10:41 PM

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 12:04am

Oh dear... looks like I ruffled some feathers.

*sighs*

How I WISH I could honestly say I was a teenage girl! But alas, those days are FAR behind me.

[flahooley2]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 9:41am

ok, you're an unpleasant middle-aged woman.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 12:45pm

HA!

Perhaps.

But my personality, unpleasant or otherwise doesn't change my impression of Lane's Pseudolus. I could be as pleasant as Doris f*cking Day and I STILL wouldn't be convinced that Lane's Pseudolus TRULY lusted after any of those women on that stage.

In fact, Lane looked like he spent the whole evening fighting an urge to look up Hero's tunic.

Updated On: 9/16/08 at 12:45 PM

[flahooley2]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 1:12pm

and did you think david hyde pierce wanted to screw his leading lady in curtains? and harvey fierstein wanted to hump andrea martin? and raul esparza wanted to.. well, he wants to screw every body... did mary martin want to do enzio pinza? what do you want bitch, a sperm count or a performance?

[jewishboy]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 1:19pm

In fact, I did believe the chemistry in most of the performances you listed. Especially in David Hyde Pierce's case. AND definitely after viewing the old clips of Mary Martin and Enzio Pinza, how can you not think they are in love (both sexually and romantically)?!?!
Updated On: 9/16/08 at 01:19 PM

Posted: 9/16/08 at 1:27pm

As the master thespian would say "That's called ACTING!"
Updated On: 9/16/08 at 01:27 PM

[WestVillage]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 1:28pm

Honestly, I have to agree that I thought Lane's Pseudolus came off gay. I wouldn't say that about other role he's played, but in the case of Forum, yes.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 2:06pm

I also think Hyde Pierce had great chemistry with his leading lady. 2 seasons ago there was a local production and the guy who played Pseudolus was not convincing.

[Jon]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 2:12pm

I remember one review of the last Forum revival who pointed out that Hysterium ina dress isn't really funny if ALL the men in the show already look like drag queens. Lycus, Senex, Miles Gloriosus all had too much make-up. Lewis J. Stadlen actually IS old enough to play Senex. Why give him a ridiculous wig and make-up so he looks like a collge student trying to look like an old man?

[sally1112]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 2:15pm

I love gays, and the OBC of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum!

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 9/16/08 at 2:21pm

The whole "96 production was oddly tame. Nothing ribald or burlesquey about any of it.