A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea — Page 2

#26

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:05pm

I'll throw in the possibilities of Sally Kellerman or Amy Irving as Desiree.

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"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter

#27

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:08pm

I certainly wouldn't mind seeing Millicent Martin back on Broadway, either.

#28

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:11pm

Lansbury as Mme. Armfeldt would be inspired. I'd love to see her return to Broadway in anything, but it would be great if it was in something as brilliant as ALNM. If not her, I second Calvin's idea of Glynis Johns, depending on her condition.

It would be great to cast an unknown as Anne. That's the kind of role that can launch a career.

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"Writing should be easy, like a monkey driving a speedboat..." -[title of show] "I'm tired of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're going and meet up with them later." -Mitch Hedberg

#29

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:13pm

Oh, I personally love the idea of Emma Thompson as Des. But I'd just be happy if they revived ALNM, period.

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Stop looking at my charisma.

#30

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:21pm

The 2004 LA Opera production starred Judith Ivey, Victor Garber and Zoe Caldwell - and they were wonderful.

#31

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:25pm

Victor Garber? Seeing him in that role never occurred to me, and now I feel suddenly ashamed for that!

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Stop looking at my charisma.

#32

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:59pm

Victoria Clark as Desiree.

#33

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:08pm

Who did Judith play in the LA opera production?

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#34

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:10pm

Ms. Ivey played Desiree.

#35

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:18pm

I have to raise a hand for Bernadette as Desiree -- I would hate to see a film actress play this role. One of the many reasons Glynis Johns worked so well is that she didn't hit it too hard -- there's always something light about her, even when she's playing the "heavier" dramatic scenes. You need someone who can walk that particularly fine line without making it too serious.

#36

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:23pm

Hmm I thought she was very old. I know Desiree is older than 40 and younger than 50 usually but I think Judith would be pushing it.
I knew she was a good actress, who knew she could sing too.

I would love to see Bernadette play the role, but isn't she about 60 or so now? I think that whoever they ultimately cast in this will be so fascinating because there are so many options for them to approach this casting

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#37

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:24pm

I hate to tell you this, but Glynis Johns was a well-known film actress when she played Desiree.
IMDb.com

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#38

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:34pm

I'd love to see Bernadette as Desiree.

#39

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:38pm

Ms. Ivey was 52 at the time of the production.

#40

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 2:42pm

I hear ya, best12bars -- I should have stated that differently.

#41

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 3:04pm

kgee30 --- I also meant to agree with you about your description of the approach to the role of Desiree.

Sondheim even said in one of his older interviews... it requires an actress with a flair for light comedy.

A very rare talent indeed.

I still go back to Annette Bening as my first choice... although Julianne Moore might be able to pull it off well... if she stays "light" enough. And Meryl, despite her age, would be magic. I love Marsha Gay Harden, but think she'd be fantastic as Charlotte. Victoria Clark would make a great Charlotte as well.

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"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

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blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#42

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 3:16pm

I really would like to see Streep do it, with Kevin Kline.

#43

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 3:18pm

I also agree with the idea of Emma Thompson.

Annette Bening also sounds wonderful and I want to throw Kate Burton into the mix just for fun. (I think she would make a wonderful Desiree or a fabulous Charlotte).

#44

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:24pm

I saw Glynis Johns play Madame Armfeldt in the Los Angeles revival about ...good lord!... 15 years ago! She was splendid..and it was the first time I believed that the woman playing the role really could have been a great cortesan. Gingold was dry and funny...but it hard to believe that Royalty would pay to have sex with her.

#45

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:28pm

I really have nothing to add to the casting spec (Julianne Moore, Anette Benning, Meryl Streep... *sigh*) i just want to say that my all time favorite Sondheim song is in this play (Every Day A Little Death) and I would easily pay 150 to see any broadway revival!

YAY

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"Picture "The View," with the wisecracking, sympathetic sweethearts of that ABC television show replaced by a panel of embittered, suffering or enraged Arab women" -the Times review of Black Eyed

#46

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:30pm

Honestly, while I think Jonathan Pryce would be okay, I've never been that excited by him. He never moves me-- I know a lot of people adore him but he always leaves me a bit cold.

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Yes, we do need a third vampire musical.--Little Sally, Gypsy of the Year 2005.

#47

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 5:37pm

I don't Glynis's health would be up to doing a full run of this now, unfortunately, but God love her she is a genius.

#48

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:00pm

i'd love to see Lansbury in the revival!

#49

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:42pm

Ignorant me, I didn't even know that Glynis Johns had already played Mme. Armfeldt. I guess inspired wasn't the right word, then. Just damn fantastic.

I suppose it's about 10 years too late for Celeste Holm, too.

#50

re: A Great A LIttle Night Music Casting Idea

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:48pm

Lansbury is in her early 80's. I highly doubt she wants to do an 8 performance a week show on Broadway.

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"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"