A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC NEWS

[RYANWOODS]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 11:19am

TREVOR NUNN IS TO NOW DIRECT IT FOR MID 2006 (I BELIEVE AFTER HE HAS COMPLETED "THE SOUND OF MUSIC" REVIVAL IN THE WEST END.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 11:45am

Alright, this makes it sound like it's more than just a rumor!!!!!!

[The8re phan]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 11:47am

but with Trevor on board to direct, I wonder if it'll debut in the West End, versus Broadway

[wildcat]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 11:49am

I wouldn't think so. The National Theatre production with Judi Dench was relatively recent, and I think the producers are American.

[Liz_Bennet]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 12:07pm

Is Glenn Close still the presumed Desiree? She wouldn't be my choice (has anyone ever cast a Desiree who's a great singer?) but I don't want to write her off already, either.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 12:11pm

Well, maybe she'll get too busy with Sunset or something......

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 1:08pm

I'm pretty sure that Glenn Close has some sort of exclusivity contract with the producers who have the option on the show, i.e., the revival won't happen without her.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 1:14pm

She'll be in the middle of filming SUNSET BLVD summer 2006. She won't be doing anything on the stage until after promotion ends for SUNSET - unless she's on stage at the same time and can then also promote the show.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 1:21pm

Capn -- SUNSET filming as I understand is all specualtion. Until there is a director/script attached, there is no real evidence that the project is even happening.

[wildcat]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 8:10pm

Glenn Close isn't doing the show; she's been out of the picture for a couple of months.

[ConductorMan]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 3:23am

I have done the show many times, and I read an article that Sondheim said that the role was written for Glynis Johns, who can't sing. I think Glenn Close would be great in the role. Judi Dench was brilliant!!

[Avigdor]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 9:08am

hey conductor man..where did you hear that he wrote i for her..i'd love to know the source

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:16am

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC wasn't written for Glynis Johns. Other actresses were considered, with the final choice coming down to Johns and Tammy Grimes.

"Send in the Clowns" however WAS written for Glynis Johns. Sondheim specifically wrote it knowing, she doesn't really sing - hence the short phrases: "Isn't it Rich? Are we a pair?..."

I'm sure that's what ConductorMan is referring to.

[Brodybaby03]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:22am

THANK GOD Glenn Close is OUT of this!
If I could say my DREAM cast I would love to see Jeremy Irons do it again, and Juliette Stevenson....OBVIOUSLY Marc Kudisch again and Michelle Pawk as his wife and Laura Benanti would be gorgeous as Anne. And I'll play Petra...it's all settled! PHEW!
Ya know who I just thought of.....What about Christine Ebersole as Desiree?? I know she CAN sing and all but she'd be wonderful.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:24am

i really think that glenn close was perfect for this role. if she doesn't do it i'll be sad... i would love it if dame dench decided she wanted to reprise on this side of the atlantic.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 11:44am

Where's the source for Glenn Close no longer being attached?

The project was delayed for years to accomidate her, and it was one of those situations where the revival was basically happening because she wanted to do it.

Given that we've just had a production at NYCO, I doubt they'll go ahead with a revival without a huge star if that Close rumor is indeed true.

[wildcat]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 12:22pm

One of the New York producers told me back in May when they were in Sydney for the opening of one of their shows.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 12:24pm

Did he mention who else they might be pursuing?

[wildcat]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 12:35pm

No. The conversation went...

"...And then we're doing NIGHT MUSIC"

"Oh, right! With Glenn Close!"

"No. She's not doing it anymore."

"Oh. OK."

[RYANWOODS]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 1:04pm

Glenn Close will probably enter it at some point even if she doesnt open it. Could be the end of 2006 that it opens in which case she would be free.

The NT West End version was brilliant, Judi Dench was amazing her rendition "Send in the Clowns" bought down the house and moved everyone. However, this never transfered into the West End so if its successful on Broadway then a transfer could be possible for 2007 as that would have been 12 years anyway.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/18/05 at 2:34pm

Speaking of Judy Dench, I think she'd make a good Madame Armfeldt!

[HorseTears]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 5:57am

I agree with "Brodybaby03". I hope the producers will bag some of the performers from the 2004 Los Angeles Opera production. Most especially Laura Benati, Michelle Pawk, Marc Kuddish and Zoe Caldwell. They were perfectly cast in a glittering production of this classic.

[Brodybaby03]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 10:20am

Thank you!
You just made me feel like I mattered for the day!

[Barihunk]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 10:33am

HorseTears - that "glittering production" has already been seen twice in New York at City Opera - so I wouldn't expect much in the way of repeat casting, although I for one would love to have seen Zoe Caldwell as Mme. Armfeldt. (also, Angela Lansbury would be heaven). If this revival actually happens I think Meryl Streep as Desiree would be a major casting coup. I don't know how his vocal chops are these days, but Kevin Kline would make a dashing Frederick. Kelli O'Hara or Celia Keenan-Bolger would be delightful as Anne. James Barbour would be a safe choice for Carl Magnus and please oh please let Maureen Moore repeat her Charlotte. One of the 10 best performances I've ever seen - hands down. There are so many Petras out there - take your pick.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 7/19/05 at 11:39am

i don't think laura benanti has the freshness or innocence to be ann. i saw her in the ENCORES wonderful town and she seemed so manipulative as eileen. of the current ingenues i would go with kelly for ann. julia uriarte barry as petra --or--sara ramirez.