A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC takes the Kerr?- Page 22
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC takes the Kerr?
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#525
Posted: 7/7/09 at 11:44am
What a ridiculous post from Greatwhiteway.
Umm considering that Victoria Mallory and Mark Lambert are hardly "names," your logic makes absolutely no sense. How would casting Mallory sell tickets? Ridiculous. It's not like she's Maddox Jolie-Pitt for goodness' sake.
I look forward to seeing young Ms.Mallory in the role. Now, can we please get an announcement already?
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#527
Posted: 7/7/09 at 1:02pmI would imagine she thinks Ramona Mallory has a nicer ring to it than Ramona Lambert.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#528
Posted: 7/7/09 at 1:05pm
his would be the worst case of nepotism/gimmick you could have... The producers hoping the story of the daughter of the two actors who met in the original production now being in the show herself. They are hoping the gimmick will sell tickets/get lots of press but they are putting arguably Stephen Sondheim's best music in the hands of someone who frankly isn't that good and I predict it will backfire on them!
Is anyone, ANYONE going to buy tickets to this production strictly because the daughter of two original cast members is in it? Especially when the daughter (and parents) are unknown to 99% of the public.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#529
Posted: 7/7/09 at 2:31pm
Broadway.com is running an article today suggesting that Lansbury has been cast as Madame Armfeldt, though it's odd that they cite no source in claiming so.
http://www.broadway.com/Will-Angela-Lansbury-Have-a-Liaison-with-Night-Music-on-Broadway-/broadway_news/5030243
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#530
Posted: 7/7/09 at 2:40pm
It seems like they're doing more than noting it as a rumor, though it is nice to see it in print.
ETA...They also indicate Waddingham may be coming to Broadway with it.
Updated On: 7/7/09 at 02:40 PM
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#531
Posted: 7/7/09 at 2:45pmWaddingham? Seriously? I'm yawning already.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#532
Posted: 7/7/09 at 2:51pmThat is such a strange article and seems to be culled together from various BWW posts. There is no mention of any source at all. Odd.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#533
Posted: 7/7/09 at 2:54pmWow, I actually read the article just now. What a silly article. Broadway.com is such a joke.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#534
Posted: 7/7/09 at 4:59pmWhoever mentioned the section of "Weekend in the County" that was cut, can you please tell us which section? I, of course, hope it is restored as I find all of that song perfectly written and neccessary!
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#535
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:22pmSo exciting to hear that after 30+ years we get a revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC in which the director not only alienates actresses who are age-appropriate for the role, but he decides to cast a no-name British actress over oh let's say every other actress that would be appropriate and exciting for the part, and on top of that he decides to cut one of the most brilliant musical sequences written for the stage. Thank you, Trevor Nunn.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#536
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:29pmSettle down, there, Ray. As you yourself mentioned just 2 posts up, the article has no sources, and is in no way any more official than the posts on this board. Waddingham as Desiree (and Lansbury as Mme. Armfeldt, for that matter) is no more definite now than it was before the article came out. Let's just chill.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#537
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:31pm
Has it ever been officially announced that Waddingham is indeed Desiree?! Besides, if Angela Lansbury is Madame Armfeldt, Pia Zadora could be playing Desiree and I wouldn't care!
Updated On: 7/7/09 at 05:31 PM
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#538
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:43pm
Adamgreer, I'm being overtly dramatic on purpose, so I'm settled down, it's just a Broadway show.
And zoox, the ridiculous article insinuates at the end that Waddingham is under strong consideration to play the part. At this point with so many rumors going on, it's hard to know. But really, the cutting of "A Weekend in the Country" and the "age issue" in the casting has me quite concerned about Nunn's direction.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#539
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:45pm
Let's make it clear that "A Weekend In The Country" isn't cut in this production. A section of it is.
While the casting of Waddingham would be disappointing in comparison to many of the big names that have circulated for Desiree (I won't even start on the precedent Equity is setting by allowing such things so continuously,) she certainly was marvelous in the role.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#540
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:52pmI agree, even the notion of "A Weekend in the Country" being abridged is concerning; it is most certainly one of Sondheim's wittiest numbers and is central to the plot. Obviously, people going to see ALNM are not interested in seeing a shortened piece; ninety percent of the people seeing the show are going in with the expectation of sitting there for a long period of time and certainly would not mind an extra three minutes in order to keep "A Weekend in the Country" intact.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#541
Posted: 7/7/09 at 5:58pm
Somethingwicked, I should have referred to the editing of "A Weekend in the Country," I do realize it wasn't fully cut. But regardless it's pretty ridiculous that he even touched it.
And Waddingham may be perfect but I think there are dozens of American actress who would probably be perfect as well, so for Equity to justify the exchange would be absurd. Either way, I guess I'll shut up and wait and see it or not see it whenever it opens.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#542
Posted: 7/7/09 at 6:34pmWAIT A SECOND. which section of "A Weekend in the Country" was cut?
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#543
Posted: 7/7/09 at 6:45pm
Regarding the ending of WEEKEND.
here are the original lyrics of the ending
"With riotous laughter we quietly suffer
The season in town, which is reason enough for
A weekend in the country,
How amusing,
How delightfully droll.
A weekend in the country,
While we're losing
Our control.
A weekend in the country,
How enchanting,
On the manicured lawns.
A weekend in the country,
With the panting
And the yawns.
With the crickets and the pheasants
And the orchards and the hay,
With the servants and the peasants,
We'll be laying our plans while we're playing croquet
For a weekend in the country,
So inactive
That one has to lie down.
A weekend in the country
Where"
Here is the truncated ending used for this production
"With riotous laughter we quietly suffer
The season in town, which is reason enough for
A weekend in the country,
How amusing,
How delightfully droll.
A weekend in the country,
As we're losing
Our control.
A weekend in the country,
So inactive
That one has to lie down.
A weekend in the country
Where"
and the song finishes as normal.
*note the one-word lyric change
Updated On: 7/7/09 at 06:45 PM
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#544
Posted: 7/7/09 at 6:49pmI really am annoyed by people calling Hannah Waddingham boring casting. Sure I would absolutely love Winslet in the role but if we get Waddingham instead I would be happy. And equity allowing her to be transfered is absolutely okay. There were many people who could have played Georges and Dot in Sunday but we got the brilliant Daniel Evans And Jenna Russel from the London production. Waddingham got glowing reviews and just because she isn't a well known film star doesn't make her boring casting. If she can play the role wonderfully as she is said to do then I would have no problem with Waddingham.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#545
Posted: 7/7/09 at 7:01pm
Equity's been extremely rule-changing lately when it comes to this. They aren't even trying anymore 
.
SomethingWicked, when did you see this prod? I'd be interested in discussing it with you.
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#546
Posted: 7/7/09 at 7:06pm
Here's a Q&A with Waddingham.
http://london.broadway.com/blog/id/3011572/HannahWaddingham
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#547
Posted: 7/8/09 at 1:06pm
No one wants Winslet, Esparza and Angie more than me.
But Waddingham is extremely talented. Her performance of "Our Kind Of Love" is quite masterful, and many consider it the best ALW track of the last decade or so, for whatever that's worth. It would be a disappointment in light of all the casting possibilities and with Winslet being the frontrunner or signed, depending on who you speak to, it seems Brantley's rave of her performance may be non-sequitorial. We shall see.
I can't say I wouldn't be disappointed if this, the PERFECT cast, does not work out, but that's why life is interesting I suppose.
But I just can't believe if Winslet can't do it that there wouldn't be 100 other actresses who could be just as thrilling as Waddingham (or Winslet, for that matter).
Either way I was told we will know by Friday, Monday at the latest. But I'm sure that can change, too. Casting is complete.
P
Updated On: 7/8/09 at 01:06 PM
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#548
Posted: 7/8/09 at 1:13pmIf those are the cuts to "A Weekend in the Country" why would you cut it? It is saying what...15 seconds?
PLEASE yes Ramona Mallory#549
Posted: 7/8/09 at 1:15pm
No one wants Winslet, Esparza and Angie more than me.
I thought you claimed it was a done deal? Remember when you wrote...
I clearly stated weeks ago that this was essentially a done deal and it has continued to be.
and then:
No one knows anything except Nunn, Sondheim and Winslet. The truth has a way of revealing itself.
and finally:
Frederick is the real suprise. Who to team with Angie and Winslet? Who indeed... (!!!!) I'd say someone is gonna win his Tony for his second Broadway Sondheim show!
So much for your "inside information."
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