Marin Mazzie would be fantastic, but isn't she pushing 50? I thought that made her "too old" for this revival.
Marin looks pretty amazing for her age, though - she could pass for 40 on stage, I would have thought, which seems to be about the age this production has Desiree as. Waddingham is only 35-ish, true, but she "acts" older in this production - she seemed to me more like a 40-year-old who was ageing incredibly well, than a 35-year-old (if that makes sense!).
Just a question for the people who are against Waddingham transferring with the show: is it just that you don't want a foreign, non-famous actress to play the role instead of an American star, or is it specifically Waddingham you don't like? I can understand the former, definitely, but Hannah herself is superb in this role. Updated On: 7/17/09 at 11:56 AM
I won't comment more on Mazzie since really, I feel every Broadway semi-name/name has been mentioned for the role at one point or another on this thread by people who are "in the know." Plus, everyone seems pretty set on Waddingham. Marius, I guess your comment is more or less directed to me since I have been pretty outspoken (to an exaggerated level) about how uninterested I am in a Waddingham transfer. The only reason is that we haven't seen NIGHT MUSIC on Broadway in decades, all kinds of names have been attached to proposed revivals at one point or another, and there are so so so many American/British actresses known to the public that I'd love to see play the part. Even just Broadway names who have paid their dues on Broadway and should be given the chance to play this mother of a role. And I just feel for Equity to approve the transfer of a British no-name actress to play a role that everyone and her mother would love to play, makes no sense to me. It's nothing really against Waddingham whom I'm sure is great, will be great, and kudos to her for being brought over.
"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"
There is so much false and old info going around. This is amusing. None of these people are insiders. There is only one member here I trust as an insider, and they shall remain nameless. Updated On: 7/17/09 at 12:11 PM
Marin would be terrific for this. She could easily handle the light comedy, drama, and singing ... plus she actually looks like a Swede. She's aging well, and is mature enough for the part.
She's 48 in real life, not that it matters.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Besty, couldn't agree with you more. I only said she was "too old" given Nunn's age constraints regarding the casting of Desiree.
"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"
yes, best, I think Marin would be amazing as Desiree. it'd be nice to see her back on Broadway in anything though!
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
I think we all need to settle on the fact that our dream cast won't likely fit Nunn's vision. Not going to get my hopes up as 90 percent of this thread is untrue.
To answer whoever was asking about Waddingham, I think the reason people don't want her is because they want something more interesting. Personally I would much rather see someone like Kate Winslet take on the role. She would be new to theater and she is an amazing actress. For some reason a semi-unknown just would be boring to me.
How do you know Winslet would be better than Waddingham if you haven't seen Waddingham? She got fabulous reviews, a rave from the times, and great word of mouth from almost everyone on this board that's seen her (several friends have said she was STUNNING) but that doesn't seem to be enough for anyone. They want a NAME. Winslet, as great as she is in almost everything, may not be the fit for this particular production of Night Music.
I'm sure she is wonderful. But many of us over the years have salivated over the idea of dozens of thrilling theatrical veterans and movie stars takcling this role in a Bway revival. As wonderful as she probably is, she would be a letdown.
I adored the performances in the SUNDAY revival, but I still felt slightly let-down, not getting to watch a performer we've seen grow through the years take on a legendary role.
Just spoke with my friend who's directly involved in the production. The announcement WAS slated to come this week, but there were some last minute issues with a principal casting that he wouldn't elaborate on. He said they plan to announce though as soon as everything gets smoothed out. Again, sorry if some of my posts have been misleading, just posting as I hear. Never really been one to post on these boards but figured I'd share the info I know when I know it, and again, apologies if I got some hopes up earlier!
I've seen the current London production as well, and it is not the revival that many of you are hoping for. It is taken outside of the Broadway musical tradition and treated as if it were a work by Chekhov or Ibsen. Its perspective on sexuality is also that of the northern European countries rather than that of the English speaking world.
Ironically, I think the revival that many of you are hoping for is going to be the one in Paris with Kristin Scott Thomas and Leslie Caron.
And, although Hannah W was fine as Desiree, the best performance (and the one most deserving to transfer) was that of Gabriel Vick as Henrik.
Also seen the London production and I agree on the whole with Scripps. Although for me it was a beautiful production of a slightly dull musical. Loved Hannah, but also agree Gabriel Vick was a real outstanding performance.
"How do you know Winslet would be better than Waddingham if you haven't seen Waddingham? She got fabulous reviews, a rave from the times, and great word of mouth from almost everyone on this board that's seen her (several friends have said she was STUNNING) but that doesn't seem to be enough for anyone. They want a NAME. Winslet, as great as she is in almost everything, may not be the fit for this particular production of Night Music."
Did I ever say she would be better? No, I just said it would be more interesting to get someone like her. I'm sure Waddingham would be great but she has played the part before and it would be sort of obvious casting at the moment. We just want some new and exciting news.
Princeton2, I'd have to disagree with you. I thought it was a dull production of a beautiful show (arguably the best book of any Sondheim show). Waddingham, though, was beautiful as Desiree. Probably one of the most human Desiree's. She and Maureen Lipman were, without a doubt, the highlights of the production. As much as it excites me to see Lansbury (and it SO does), I would be lying if I said that I didn't originally hope for Lipman to travel with the production. She was absolutely wonderful as Madame Armfeldt.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
I agree that Lipman is wonderful in this role. I couldn't really picture her in this role before I saw it, but she was just brilliant. I'm sure Lansbury will be great too, though obviously completely different.
I didn't think the production was dull at all, but I thought the set was quite ugly and didn't work at all in the second act. It's the kind of production that will rely 100% on its cast, so lets hope they cast it well for Broadway, whoever they choose! The physical production is nothing special IMHO.
The London cast is good, but not perfect - Anne was pretty weak and some of Carl-Magnus' singing was a bit dodgy. And I wans't 100% happy with the Charlotte - she was good, but I get the feeling that another actress could have done a lot more with the role. Fredrik, Desiree, Madame Armfeldt, Henrik and Petra were all excellent.
Although for me it was a beautiful production of a slightly dull musical.
If Nunn's production makes people think that NIGHT MUSIC is a dull musical, I don't know what he did to it.
"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"
I've heard most of London cast (excluding Hannah, Maureen, and Alex as Fredrik) is dull, and that is probably the problem over there. Even Brantley noted this. It looks like a lovely production to me. I think they just need to get the cast right over here. Updated On: 7/18/09 at 01:36 PM
It's funny the extent to which this 'Night Music' has divided opinions - I don't think there's a single aspect of the production that I haven't heard mixed view on (everything from brilliant to awful in most cases). That's Trevor Nunn for you, I guess. This show certainly isn't going to change anyone's opinion of him.
One thing I absolutely didn't think it was at all was dull - I was amazed by how quickly it went. Updated On: 7/18/09 at 01:47 PM