A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC'S reopening tonight...(review updates here)- Page 15

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 4:02pm

I saw the show last night, and I must confess, felt very much in a "show me" mood. But I was deeply moved by the impact of the new stars, whose interpretations, to my thinking, have significantly altered the way the entire production coheses and drives and resolves. Peters seems born to play this role, which I hadn't expected. Her chemistry with Hanson is lovely -- they are a handsome, believable couple. She is so ideal, the only thing missing is a first act number (in this production, you are suddenly startled that Desiree doesn't sing during "A Weekend Inthe Country." I almost wish they could interpolate a verse for her in place of the vignettes with her daughter...but that's show queen-y fix it stuff; this musical doesn't need my help).

I think the new stars have turned this production upside down. It plays like another show. I hope Stritch holds up -- her work is revelatory.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 7/28/10 at 10:36pm

I saw the show again this afternoon (the first time I've ever seen a show twice within a week's span), and it was stunning as ever. Peters seemed to be holding back a little, but was still brilliant. Stritch didn't flub once, and Mallory and Larkin shined particularly brightly today.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/31/10 at 10:52pm

Bumping this for opinions on performances over the last couple of days. These are the performances that the critics will be attending, so I interested to hear folks' opinions. Thanks.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 12:43am

Quick Question!
I do not know if this was posted in this long thread, lol, but since ALNM technically closed until Peters/Stritch had a first preview, and they are having an opening night tonight, could just the two actress be Tony eligible for this season's Tonys? Just the same as CZJ and Angela Lansbury except no Best Revival nomination. Thanks!

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 12:46am

No - the production didn't officially close so it wouldn't be eligible.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 12:49am

It didn't technically close, it went on hiatus, so no they are not likely to be Tony eligible.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 1:19am

Thanks! Articles (including those from Playbill) say the production closed. I was wondering. :-]

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 2:01am

There really should be a special Tony for replacements.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 9:30am

Bernadette was on fire last night. A truly beautiful, raw, emotional performance. I can't remember the last time I heard a performer so connected to the text of "Send in the Clowns". And she and Hanson are so perfectly copacetic during "You Must Meet My Wife".

Elaine still misses a line here and there, but it's really nothing major. I know the script like the back of my hand, which is the only reason that I noticed; I'm sure someone unfamiliar wouldn't notice at all. She covered herself very well. Now that she has her lines in order, she's been able to carve out a fully committed performance. "Liaisons" is a mini-master class in how to act a song, and she's stunning in the book scenes. (She ad-libbed a couple of really funny lines last night as well, particularly in her first scene.) Her performance in Act II is everything you could want from a Madame Armfeldt.

The supporting cast just is what it is. Hanson is perfection; how was he not nominated for a Tony? Erin Davie now gets all the laughs, and deservedly so. Brava to her for making the character her own, rather than hueing to Nunn's ridiculous interpretation. Bradley Dean was on for Carl-Magnus (does Lazar ever perform anymore?) and didn't have a particularly good night vocally. Lots of straining. I've heard him sing before and know that he has a big, beautiful baritone voice, so I'm going to assume that it was an off night. Hunter Ryan Herdlicka and Ramona Mallory still grate me. And Leigh Ann Larkin...no.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 10:03am

Aaron Lazar was there Thursday.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 10:50am

We saw it yesterday afternoon & La Cage has to be out of this world to have beaten this as Best Musical Revival

Bradley Dean was in for Lazar & I cannot image Lazar being any better. Frid was understudied as was the daughters role.

I cannot comment on the previous cast but Peters & Stritch were tremendous. Both really got into their roles & Peters doing Clowns & Stritch doing Liasons some of the best numbers we have ever seen performed. The small orchestra surprisingly was hardly noticeable. You could actually hear every word of the lyrics. Too bad this cannot get recorded for sale to the great unwashed masses such as all of us. Much has been said about standing ovations. Normally when this occurs a few get up & than more do with some feeling obligated to do so. I have never seen a standing ovation where the entire crowd got up as one as soon as the lights came back on.

An after dinner visit to Tricolore was the perfect ending to the day.

By all means see it if you can.

Updated On: 8/1/10 at 10:50 AM

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 11:12am

Sondheim has always been supportive of his shows being filmed, and since he suggested Peters and Stritch, and if the reviews are as glowing as we expect, maybe?

Updated On: 8/1/10 at 11:12 AM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 11:31am

One can hope that the Theater Gods give us an early Christmas present.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 11:36am

I'd settle for a new cast recording, a la Vanessa Williams in SPIDER WOMAN.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 11:40am

The performances of Stritch and Peters need to be preserved on film. A recording would not do either of them justice.

[wickedfan11]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 11:52am

I e-mailed PBS Great Performances to suggest they film it.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 12:31pm

Mr. Roxy- La Cage is out of this world. I haven't seen ALNM, but this production of La Cage really earned that tony.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 12:38pm

Was the Fredrika understudy actually on? The role is alternated.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 12:42pm

Katherine was on last night and she usually does Saturday matinees. Maybe she and Keatton reversed their order yesterday...?

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 3:17pm

Haagensen reviewed the show with the new cast for Backstage:

http://www.backstage.com/bso/content_display/reviews/ny-theatre-reviews/e3i397236cd72a25e4865c1e58ef43788cd

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 3:40pm

^ Well I hope the rest of the reviews are as positive as that one.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 4:21pm

Without trying to jinx anything, I believe that the reviews will be very positive (and yes, I've seen the new cast.) But my impression is based on what so many people are saying who have gone back to see the new stars. But, at least in terms of ticket sales, I think that the only review that really matters is going to be Isherwood's in the NYT, which should be on-line tonight. Thought Ben B. did the official Times review of the revival after it opened in December, Isherwood made his thoughts pretty clear in a pre-Tony column, where he referred to the production as "rather crass." So, the hope is that he, like so many others, feels there has been significant improvment. And that applies not only to a comparison of the new leads, but to the improvement of the rest of the cast, which to me has been very obvious.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 7:05pm

Just got back form this afternoon's show.

Lazar was out again, but the understudy was just as fantastic. Bernadette received much love from the audience. Her rendition of "Send in the Clowns" was a lot heavier than Catherine Zeta Jones's. Actually, her performance as a whole was. Jones was very sexy and jesting Desiree, and Bernadette gave a much different sort of weight to the part. Both great performances, but very different.

Elaine Stritch was salty as ever- seemed to do generally alright with lines. She fumbled a bit when describing the dessert wine in the dinner scene, but picked it up again before it was too noticeable. I wasn't a much fan of her "Les Liasones" though. It wasn't awful, but I did much prefer Angela's. Stritch shone most in her conversations with Fredrika when the humor could come out.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 7:29pm

Hollywood Reporter is a Rave!

Bottom Line: New leads Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch bring a whole new level to a show that demands a repeat visit.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/a-little-night-music-theater-review-1004107085.story

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 7:29pm

double post Updated On: 8/1/10 at 07:29 PM