ANYONE CAN WHISTLE: maybe a Broadway run?- Page 2

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 9:32am

Yeah i totally agree with bwaynerd:
To christen the Sondheim, they could have his little-seen musical be once again little-seen, roundabout can offer expensive tickets, make it a full-fledged production, and have it in and out by christmas while making large numbers at the box office.

[Bwaynerd]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 9:37am

it's what they've been doing with alot of shows lately! Addams Family (N. Lane, B. Neuwirth), A Little Night Music (C. Zeta-Jones, A. Lansbury), Fela (JZ Carter). The stars keep the show alive wether the show is great or not

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 11:40am

Love them both, but "big names?" Within the community, fine, but certainly not on the level of a lot of what we've seen lately. You can't actually think that. They have limited pull. Your average tourist is not going to care about Sutton Foster like they would Catherine Zeta-Jones.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 11:42am

This will happen when a Wildhorn show gets a good review.

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 7:43pm

Did anyone go to the talkback after the matinee today? Details, please!

[spidey_88]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 7:52pm

I was there! And I had no idea they were going to do one, either, so it was incredible because Sondheim showed up, which none of the audience seemed to expect. They took a few questions from the audience and discussed how the show was about noncomformity, how orchestrations get put together, and how each of the leads got involved with the project.

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 8:05pm

I was at the talkback as well, and it was wonderful to get to see Sondheim talk about the show. He said the glaring flaw in the show is that he and Arthur didn't take enough time to set up what it was about- particularly with the Cookies, and how they weren't supposed to be crazy, just non-conformists.

[jv92]

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

Saw the show this afternoon. I had attempted to read a copy of the script I had won off eBay a few years ago, but it confused me too much. Still, I have always loved the score. This Encores! production does the show justice and Murphy is a hoot. The book was surprising, clever and an absolutely campy mess, but still surprising and clever. The score remains the gem it always has been. The cast was top knotch, with Murphy as the stand-out. It flew by for me. I think a lot of credit needs to go to David Ives for a splendid adaptation. He made the unfollowable moderately followable. If you can get tickets for tomorrow, go! This might have been the best Encores! I've seen since Follies a few years back.
I also stayed for the talkback. It was nice to see Sondheim, (who got an imediate standing ovation upon his entrance) Ives and Nicholaw talk about the show. I know this is the last thing Sondheim wants to do, but he'd make a lot of money doing an extended engagement in a Broadway house just talking. I seriously could listen to the man go on for hours. His stories are entertaining and his insights are fascinating.
Updated On: 4/10/10 at 08:10 PM

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 9:35pm

I also saw the show this afternoon and adored it. The score is brilliant and Donna Murphy is truly a goddess among mortals.

The talkback was, as always, incredibly interesting. I really had to agree with the man who commented that when he saw the show tryout in Philadelphia, he likened it to the theatre of the absurd. I thought that was a good way to describe the show.

[legally_popular]

Posted: 4/10/10 at 11:31pm

I was there this afternoon as well. I agree with all that’s been said already about the book being campy and the beautiful score. Donna, Sutton, and Raul were amazing. This was my first time seeing Ms. Murphy on stage and now I know that she is a true STAR. What a hoot! Raul was wonderful as usual. It was so nice seeing Sutton in a show that’s not Shrek or Young Frank (the last and only other shows I’ve seen her in). And her beautiful voice fit the score perfectly. I still got the title song stuck in my head. All three were hilarious.

This was my second Encores! show and I am looking forward to seeing many more of their productions.

I was excited for the talkback. I was pleasantly surprised when Sondheim walked out. What a treat that was! Donna, Sutton and Raul were so cute when they walked out. It was a very nice talkback. I agree, I can listen to Mr. Sondheim talk all day! I wanted to hear more stories.

I debated whether I should go to the stage door afterwards, but I am glad I did. About five minutes after the talkback, Raul and Sutton came out. I didn’t expect Sutton to. It was an absolute delight to meet her (my first time meeting her). She was very sweet chatting with everyone.

Well I can say that this was an awesome day.

[April Saul]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 12:05am

Hey Legally--I, too, loved it Thursday night and stage-doored. Sutton and Raul came out and were both really gracious, but not Donna Murphy. Did she make an appearance today out there?

[BroadwayGuy12]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 9:31am

I agree with everything legally_popular said. I was there yeserday afternoon too and had a great time. It was my first Encores! show, and I'm glad I started with this one.

April: Donna Murphy hadn't come out the stage door by the time I left (around 5:30), but there were still plenty of people waiting for her. Not sure if she came out after that or not.

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 10:27am

I would love to hear more about the principals' discussion of how they got involved in the production.

[JeaniusIsMe]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 2:25pm

wokit: I don't remember the stories exactly, but I'll let you know what I do remember.

Donna Murphy mentioned that she was approached for it, but initially turned it down because she was waiting on word regarding a few long-term projects she was up for. However, she felt such a pull to the piece and the chance to be in it, that one day she simply broke down in tears to her husband who told her that if she felt that strongly she simply had to take it and they would figure out how to deal with the choice.

Raul said he put out feelers about who would be playing Hapgood, and made sure his agent was putting his name out there, which he said in a rather joking manner. He then said that once he was called about taking the role, he jumped on it without having actually read the script. But, despite the strange nature of the script, he loved the opportunity to play Hapgood.

As for Sutton, I can't quite recall what she said about her getting involved, save that she mentioned her close relationship with Nicholaw was instrumental in her casting.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 2:33pm

the impression I got from Sutton's story was that she jokingly pestered Nicholaw about doing the show.

[robinycus2]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 4:37pm

Show Video clips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vbl-tkjUGw&feature=related

They ain't got nothing on City Center
Updated On: 4/11/10 at 04:37 PM

[Bwaynerd]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 4:41pm

your right but it would still atract more people. if sutton wasn't in this is wouldn't consider going

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 4/11/10 at 11:12pm

No commercial run for this, ever.

I saw the show last night, and I have to say, I thought the book was less problematic than I expected it to be.

My main problem with it was structural; in the combined second/third acts, I thought there was a little too much contrived plot. I also agree that the book would have been more effective had the theme of nonconformity (as opposed to actual insanity) been insinuated more clearly. And there were places where I found the writing to be a little ridiculous, even for someone totally willing to accept the piece as a campy satire.

That being said, I found some of the dramatic writing to be quite lovely; the scene and monologue leading into "Anyone Can Whistle" stands out as a highlight.

The reason this works at Encores is that it is an event there. It was a joy to get to see it, largely because I went into it knowing that I may never again see the material performed by such quality performers. And I left with a smile on my face that stayed put for at least a few hours.

[newintown]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:47am

I thought this production of this show was thrilling, smart, funny, amazing, brilliant. I can't say enough good about it. The liveliness of the imagination is stunning; Laurents and Sondheim created a real work of art with this piece. And I think it was some of the best work I've seen from Murphy, Foster, and Esparza (the latter who usually leaves me quite cold). Casey Nicolaw is the best director/choreographer working today - the ballet was stupendous, as was the staging of every other musical number. "Simple" gave me chills. This show exemplifies why I go to the theatre.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 9:59am

So glad I got to see this last night. It was a fantastic production. The choreography is worth mentioning - it was very well done. Donna Murphy was out of control (in a completely good way).

Side note - half the audience went crazy (stopped the show for a second) when Raul said the "being alive" line.

[ken8631]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 10:09am

Wife smiled at me when Raul did the "being alive" line. We both enjoyed the show immensely! Saw it Friday night, and there were lots of long applause pauses....

[daredevil]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:26pm

I had seen the original, was very happy to see this again. I think Sondheim's music is incredible---for me it may be his most inventive score. Certainly Simple is a remarkable concerted number; is there a better one in musical theater literature? (and I would include in that the Tonight Quintet and Chorus from WSS, and Another Day, from Rent). But I doubt it could have a run. If Finian's Rainbow, which is a much more audience friendly piece, couldn't make it, I doubth ACW could. Maybe in two or three years, Encores could do another four or five performances of this version; that would satisfy Sondheim fans and keep it going for a little while. And maybe the success and publicity of the Encores revival will encourage some colleges to do the work.
I feel it should definitely have more exposure.

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:38pm

At the talkback, did Sondheim say anything about Streisand being his first choice for Nurse Apple?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 1:42pm

The "being alive" moment (huge applause on Wed.) was the sweetest, sweetest thing.

[spidey_882]

Posted: 4/12/10 at 2:15pm

At the talkback, did Sondheim say anything about Streisand being his first choice for Nurse Apple?

Yes. He discussed how Fay was going to be Fay Cohen, but Streisand chose to do Funny Girl instead and the part was renamed Fay Apple for Lee Remick.