A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC takes the Kerr?- Page 26
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC takes the Kerr?
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#626
Posted: 7/13/09 at 5:58pmBobby was alluding to the fact that Variety mentioned Benanti had been cast in IN THE NEXT ROOM.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#627
Posted: 7/13/09 at 8:55pm
Sorry for the confusion WICKEDROCKS. Yes, referring to Benanti in In the Next Room being mentioned by Variety.
And I hate to say this but...isn't Benanti a little long in the tooth for Anne?
She could certainly handle the role but she's past the age necessary, especially if Waddingham is indeed playing Desiree (and even if she isn't, Nunn seems bent on a younger looking Desiree).
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#628
Posted: 7/13/09 at 8:59pmBenanti was never going to be considered for Anne. If she were available, she would be considered for Charlotte. Anne has apparently been cast for several weeks now.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#630
Posted: 7/13/09 at 9:13pm
Benanti was approached with the possibility of playing Charlotte and was not interested. She was never at all considered for Anne (as some people here seem to believe.)
To her, originating a role in the Broadway premiere of a Sarah Ruhl play was a better career move (and personal opportunity) than playing a featured role in a show she's already done twice.
While Charlotte is a terrific part, I can't say I disagree with her reasoning in her particular situation.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#631
Posted: 7/13/09 at 9:30pm
That's what I thought about Laura Benanti as well, Bobby. (And yes, I know Raul is no more a done deal than the war in Iraq. 
)
Wanting life but never knowing how
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#632
Posted: 7/13/09 at 9:38pm
I don't know why every time people talk about possible casting choices, the conversation ends up being a character assassination.
Yes, I would have loved to see Laura in the role of Anne but yes, she's probably too old for Nunn's concept (although casting Lansbury, while a perfect choice, is not in line with his so-called concept).
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#633
Posted: 7/13/09 at 9:51pmI don't get why people are stuck on the idea of Laura as Anne? She's already played it before. And she would be too old for the role in ANY production. Anne is what...18/19? PLUS, Charlotte is a much better and juicier role. And the original Charlotte won the Tony.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#634
Posted: 7/13/09 at 9:53pmI'm actually a little surprised Laura wasn't interested in playing Charlotte, but I bet she wants to do more plays.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#635
Posted: 7/13/09 at 9:59pm
I don't think Madame Armfeldt needs to necessarily be younger though. In fact, if it appears that she waited until much later in life to have Desiree then it just adds to her frustration that her daughter did not do things in the "proper manner" and went and had a child so early in her own life. After all, on one level "Liaisons" is about her frustration over the fact that her daughter did not follow in her footsteps and is handling her affairs in such a shoddy manner.
I've personally always felt that Desiree was a late in life accident on Madame Armfeldt's part. Take into account the following lines:
At the palace of the Duke of Ferrara
I acquired some position
Plus a tiny Titian...
A lot of people just assume that she is talking about a painting, but Titian is also used to describe a person with bright golden-auburn hair. So it is more than possible that she is saying the Duke of Ferrara is the father of her own "tiny Titian," i.e. Desiree. She is clearly a woman who would not stop at using her daughter's birth to augment and cement the riches and wealth she had already gained as one of the leading courtesans of the European aristocracy, and then retiring in splendor.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#636
Posted: 7/13/09 at 10:27pmByron, I've always wondered who Desiree's father might be, and I really like your explanation.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#637
Posted: 7/13/09 at 10:43pm
Thanks, givesmevoice. Night Music is one of my all-time favorite shows. I've worked on two stunning productions of it, as well as having done a complete production design for it for my design classes in undergrad, so I know it fairly intimately and have a lot of opinions on it. Luckily, I have heard from several people who's opinions I highly value and almost always agree with that have seen this production in London and had nothing but raves for it.
That being said, I sincerely hope that the Esparza rumors are just that. I just can't wrap my head around that bit of casting, much as I have loved him in other things.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#638
Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:08am
So did thy annnce this production today?
Cause this will get me back to New York in eb next year.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#639
Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:10amNo, no casting announcement today. Are you kidding....this thread would have been going nutso if something was announced.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#640
Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:53am
Thanks adam, I didn't think there was.
:))
Swing Joined: 11/19/04
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#641
Posted: 7/14/09 at 8:55am
A word or two about Ramona Mallory. It is a shame that people might think that her being cast as Anne is in any way gimmicky. It is kind of cool that her parents were original cast members and this will make for a fun interview or two, but the fact of the matter is this lady is a star. I had the pleasure of performing with her in the Fantasticks and she was endlessly inventive, made smart, surprising choices at every turn, and her voice is truly stunning. EVERY friend who came to see the play thought she was a rare talent. If she does end up playing Anne all doubters will be silenced immediately. Until then, I thought I would inject a little truth into this discussion.
Bradley Dean
Featured Actor Joined: 10/10/07
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#642
Posted: 7/14/09 at 10:23amI'll be happy just as long as we get Lansbury and we are spared Raul Esparza as Fredrik...I've loved him in a lot of roles, but I really just don't see this role being a match for him at all.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#643
Posted: 7/14/09 at 10:46am
So people don't want this person who auditioned and is probably very good to be cast because her parents were in the original production?
That's a new level of ridiculousness. Even for this forum.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#644
Posted: 7/14/09 at 10:57amRegardless of the roles, Esparza and Lansbury back on Broadway in an already acclaimed revival of one of the best Sondheim shows is good enough for me...
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#645
Posted: 7/14/09 at 11:19amI don't think it's gimmicky at all, just awesome. I think that rumor about Andrea McArdle and her daughter going into Mamma Mia! is closer to being a gimmick. or, say, if Patti LuPone had a daughter who was in Gypsy with her.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#646
Posted: 7/14/09 at 12:20pm
IF Lansbury doesn't do the role God help the actress who does. She will be slaughtered here for not being Angela Lansbury.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#647
Posted: 7/14/09 at 10:50pm
http://talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/d.php?id=1750219
I'm guessing this person read the Bernadette thread here. I cannot imagine Nunn approving Bernadette, unless he rethought his entire concept.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/3/09
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC#649
Posted: 7/14/09 at 11:07pmCasting all of the characters younger than they usually are.
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