#26
Posted: 6/12/09 at 12:49pm
I just hope this show is pretty. Ha, I know that's a lame comment, but I hope it has some artistic flourishes to it and is designed beautifully.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC takes the Kerr? — Page 2
#27
Posted: 6/12/09 at 1:10pm
Here are some pictures of the production.
Updated On: 6/12/09 at 01:10 PM
#28
Posted: 6/12/09 at 1:14pm
I'll look forward to "Night Music" in any form, but I have to say I'm partial to the score as it was on the OBCR. I've seen the show done with minor variations that were neither here nor there. Sondheim tends to do a lot of tinkering with songs and lyrics after the fact and it doesn't always work, although "Marry Me a Little" finally took its proper place in the recent "Company" revival and was terrific. We'll see.
#29
Posted: 6/12/09 at 2:45pm
I saw the London production and I'm glad they're not bringing over the cast; most of it was serviceable, but there were some very blahhh choices. Especially Carl-Magnus, he seemed to be totally out of the loop on what the jokes were. Marc Kudisch was so great in the reading.
#30
Posted: 6/12/09 at 2:50pm
I love the Walter Kerr but the balcony is SO high. I hope a rush/lotto will be available for closer cheap tickets.
#31
Posted: 6/12/09 at 3:21pm
Martha Plimpton would be a divine choice for Desiree.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#32
Posted: 6/12/09 at 4:05pm
I don't see Plimpton as Desiree. I'm not sure that two men would have a pistol duel over her, talented as she is. I think she could absolutely kill, however, as Charlotte.
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.
#33
Posted: 6/12/09 at 4:08pm
While Plimpton would be ideal for Charlotte, at thirty-eight, Desiree is the only role she fits for this production.
Nunn is looking to cast Charlotte in her late twenties, while he wants Desiree to be between thirty-five and forty.
I think she could handle either role.
Nunn is looking to cast Charlotte in her late twenties, while he wants Desiree to be between thirty-five and forty.
I think she could handle either role.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Updated On: 6/12/09 at 04:08 PM
#34
Posted: 6/12/09 at 4:15pm
I kind of hate how young everyone is being cast, since so many people I'd like to see are too old for the roles.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#35
Posted: 6/12/09 at 4:27pm
I think a 35 year old Desiree is pretty ridiculous. I can't believe that the show is finally being revived on Broadway and many of the divas who would love to play the part and the public would love to see play the part, are too old to play Desiree! I mean, "It Would Have Been Wonderful" makes no sense with a 35 year old, Desiree, if you ask me. But I'm willing to have Nunn prove me wrong.
Either way. I think Jane Krakowski would be great. If Toni Collette could squeeze in a little Broadway after US OF TARA finishes shooting, she would be sort of ideal given the age range.
Either way. I think Jane Krakowski would be great. If Toni Collette could squeeze in a little Broadway after US OF TARA finishes shooting, she would be sort of ideal given the age range.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#36
Posted: 6/12/09 at 4:38pm
ray, Toni Collete is unavailable. The second season of The United States of Tara doesn't even start filming until August.
What confuses me is that, initially, the rumors were that Nunn was developing this production around Emma Thompson, who herself is about ten years "too old" for Desiree based on what his concept became later on.
What confuses me is that, initially, the rumors were that Nunn was developing this production around Emma Thompson, who herself is about ten years "too old" for Desiree based on what his concept became later on.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#37
Posted: 6/12/09 at 4:40pm
I figured Collette wouldn't be able to do it, but it's nice to dream.
And really the age thing seems to be a big "F U" to all the actresses who normally would be the right age.
And really the age thing seems to be a big "F U" to all the actresses who normally would be the right age.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
#38
Posted: 6/12/09 at 5:01pm
The only change they made was putting in "Silly People" and they didn't even give it to the right character. They gave it to Petra and Fritz instead of Madame Armfeldt.
UI am not sure what you mean by this. "Silly People" was originally a solo for Frid (the butler) and was cut. I don't think it was ever given to Madame Armfeldt. I have always suspected it was in the scene were "The Miller's Son" is now, but not sure. It was orchestrated because the orchestration is played on Sondheim: A Musical Tribute.
UI am not sure what you mean by this. "Silly People" was originally a solo for Frid (the butler) and was cut. I don't think it was ever given to Madame Armfeldt. I have always suspected it was in the scene were "The Miller's Son" is now, but not sure. It was orchestrated because the orchestration is played on Sondheim: A Musical Tribute.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#39
Posted: 6/12/09 at 5:09pm
someone suggested Marin Mazzie for Desiree either here or at ATC, and I have to admit I am a fan of this idea. but she's too old, too, isn't she?
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#40
Posted: 6/12/09 at 5:13pm
Silly People came between Night Waltz II and Perpetual Anticipation at the Menier, after Petra and Frid had watched, from a distance, the other characters in pursuing their foibles through the grounds of Mme Armfeldt's mansion.
It was cut (again) when the production transferred to the West End.
It was cut (again) when the production transferred to the West End.
#41
Posted: 6/12/09 at 5:14pm
Mazzie (who I actually see as more of a conventional Charlotte) will be forty-nine this year, which makes her almost a decade "too old" for Desiree in this production.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#42
Posted: 6/12/09 at 5:36pm
"t was cut (again) when the production transferred to the West End"
- Oh no. Really?
- Oh no. Really?
#43
Posted: 6/12/09 at 6:48pm
frontrow- I explained myself earlier. I did not say that Madame Armfeldt originally had the song. I said it was an idea of mine, and many others, that she would be the appropriate character for the song. While it's a fantastic song, it's not appropriate to give it to Frid. Prince and Co. knew that originally and it took Nunn all of the Menier run to realize that it still didn't work. It would have a BETTER chance of working if it was given to Madame Armfeldt.
Nunn better get the best freaking cast alive assembled for this production, as he really doesn't have a clue what he's doing with this. I remember in the programs at Menier, there was an interview with him talking about the production and what he was going for and while half of it showed an admirable vision for the production (that wasn't fulfilled), the other half showed a vision that was confusingly off the mark (that was fulfilled).
Nunn better get the best freaking cast alive assembled for this production, as he really doesn't have a clue what he's doing with this. I remember in the programs at Menier, there was an interview with him talking about the production and what he was going for and while half of it showed an admirable vision for the production (that wasn't fulfilled), the other half showed a vision that was confusingly off the mark (that was fulfilled).
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#44
Posted: 6/13/09 at 1:23am
shut up! Marin Mazzie's going to be forty-nine? ridiculous.
I know there was a heated discussion over how old Desiree is supposed to be, with [I think] the best argument being that it might be a little unusual to imagine a 23 year old actress playing Hedda. the closest the libretto comes to mentioning her age is when Anne says to Fredrik that Desiree must be at least fifty. obviously Anne is a little petulant and upset about what happened at the theater, but it honestly seems ridiculous for her to comment that a 35 year old woman looks 50. but maybe that's just me.
I do think there's a tendency to cast Desiree a smidge older than she should be, but I'd almost rather that than casting too young.
I know there was a heated discussion over how old Desiree is supposed to be, with [I think] the best argument being that it might be a little unusual to imagine a 23 year old actress playing Hedda. the closest the libretto comes to mentioning her age is when Anne says to Fredrik that Desiree must be at least fifty. obviously Anne is a little petulant and upset about what happened at the theater, but it honestly seems ridiculous for her to comment that a 35 year old woman looks 50. but maybe that's just me.
I do think there's a tendency to cast Desiree a smidge older than she should be, but I'd almost rather that than casting too young.
When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain.
-Kad
#45
Posted: 6/13/09 at 1:28am
Mazzie looks terrific for her age.
I'm still dying to see her play Margaret in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.
I'm still dying to see her play Margaret in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#46
Posted: 6/13/09 at 3:02am
"frontrow- I explained myself earlier."
And your explanation was as clear as mud. I interpreted your posts in just the same way that frontrow did.
"I did not say that Madame Armfeldt originally had the song."
But that was the implication of what you wrote: "They gave it to Petra and Fritz instead of Madame Armfeldt." Who are "they" - a reasonable interpretation can only understand it to be the authors.
"I said it was an idea of mine, and many others"
You never said that at all.
It's to be hoped you don't misinterpret the programme notes as badly as you articulate your own opinions.
And your explanation was as clear as mud. I interpreted your posts in just the same way that frontrow did.
"I did not say that Madame Armfeldt originally had the song."
But that was the implication of what you wrote: "They gave it to Petra and Fritz instead of Madame Armfeldt." Who are "they" - a reasonable interpretation can only understand it to be the authors.
"I said it was an idea of mine, and many others"
You never said that at all.
It's to be hoped you don't misinterpret the programme notes as badly as you articulate your own opinions.
Updated On: 6/13/09 at 03:02 AM
#47
Posted: 6/13/09 at 7:24am
I thought Barbara Walsh was an excellent Desiree when I saw her. Not sure if she is too old or not.
I do think Leigh Ann Larkin would be an incredible Petra.
I do think Leigh Ann Larkin would be an incredible Petra.
#48
Posted: 6/13/09 at 8:16am
Looking back, my original posts were not very clear. That is my fault, and I apologize. No need for harsh words.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#49
Posted: 6/13/09 at 11:13am
FYI, if Trevor Nunn wants his Desiree to be 35, she only needs to LOOK that age. It doesn't matter how old she really is, as long as she looks the age.
That being said, I do think that it is a bit too young. I have always though of her being between 40-50.
Also, I am glad that they are not bringing the cast over. I'll love the production that much more with people whose names I recognize in it!
That being said, I do think that it is a bit too young. I have always though of her being between 40-50.
Also, I am glad that they are not bringing the cast over. I'll love the production that much more with people whose names I recognize in it!
#50
Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:04am
Per facebook, a new person, Hunter Herdlicka, will be playing Henrik in his Broadway debut.
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