Annaleigh Ashford featured in Cirque du Soleil's BANANA SHPEEL Logo

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 1:09pm

Updated On: 9/10/09 at 01:09 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 1:10pm

Is she going to be involved? I also saw something on Michael Longoria's facebook status about this show.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 1:13pm

"The show follows the adventures of Emmett (Longoria), an innocent and romantic actor who falls in love with the beautiful Katie (Ashford) and then finds himself transported to a flamboyant and anarchic world."
THEATERMANIA

Posted: 9/10/09 at 1:13pm

Annaleigh Ashford and Michael Longoria will both be involved in the show.





Broadway.com Article Updated On: 9/10/09 at 01:13 PM

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 1:14pm

"Banana Shpeel is a roller-coaster mix of styles that blends comedy with tap, hip hop, eccentric dance and slapstick, all linked by a narrative that ignites a succession of wacky adventures. This is not circus, or a musical or a variety show, or even vaudeville. It is Banana Shpeel!

Propelled by crazy humor and intense choreography, Banana Shpeel plunges us into the world of Schmelky, a cruel and irritable producer who dangles fame and fortune in front of Emmett, an innocent and romantic actor who has come to audition for him. Emmett soon finds himself trapped in a flamboyant, anarchic world where Schmelky sows terror and reigns supreme. Emmett falls in love with the beautiful Katie and meets a bunch of absurd characters, including the strange Banana Man. But who is this mysterious Banana Man and how can Emmett escape the clutches of Schmelky and his henchmen."
BWW

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 1:17pm

ashford/longoria in costume:



cast:

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 2:25pm

Who is the mysterious BananaMan and how did he get his name?

I love Annaleigh but that wig and make-up are terrible.

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 2:55pm

I know there was a bunch of trashing this in another thread, but this looks like a lot of fun to me.

Especially, with David Shiner involved. I loved him in Fool Moon (definitely a wonderful show). He's very talented.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 2:58pm

I originally didn't come across those articles. Thanks!

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 4:59pm

millie, I only found/researched Annaleigh being in the show when I saw her on the logo on Cirque du Soleil's official site, and did a triple-take

If they follow normal protocol, Cirque will more than likely post the full press conference on their website in the next week or so.

CPD - As a rule, Cirque make-up is better served on their stage with their lighting and most certainly sans camera flash.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 5:12pm

logan, you are right about the make-up. I worked for them on one of their tours (Dralion) and would have lunch/dinner onsite during shows. The performaers would come over to eat or hang out while the show was going on and some of the make-up was frightening in broad daylight but was stunning onstage.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 5:24pm

Correct.

It's like using this:

to judge this:

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 5:26pm

I worked with the original cast of the show.

[logan0215]

Posted: 9/10/09 at 5:32pm

Yea, that's Nilaya Sabnis.

They used much less make-up on the original Océane: Sheetal Ghandi (Bombay Dreams OBC - Priya).

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:19pm

Chicago Theatre Blog reports that: Annaleigh and Micheal might have been cut from the show..

Chicago Tribune Theatre Blog

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:22pm

How sad. I was looking forward to seeing Annaleigh again. Loved her in Legally Blonde and Wicked.

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:24pm

Me too! I live in Chicago. So, I was planning on going right away! I sure hope this isn't true..

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:29pm

"The memo said that their characters had, in essence, been written out of the show."

I thought a big part of the story was Emmett (Longoria) falling in love with Katie (Annaleigh):

"Propelled by crazy humor and intense choreography, Banana Shpeel plunges us into the world of Schmelky, a cruel and irritable producer who dangles fame and fortune in front of Emmett, an innocent and romantic actor who has come to audition for him. Emmett soon finds himself trapped in a flamboyant, anarchic world where Schmelky sows terror and reigns supreme. Emmett falls in love with the beautiful Katie and meets a bunch of absurd characters, including the strange Banana Man. But who is this mysterious Banana Man and how can Emmett escape the clutches of Schmelky and his henchmen?"

Why would they cut both of them, especially Emmett? I guess I can see they want to add more vaudeville and less singing, but I thought the original story sounded fine. And I liked the performance on America's Got Talent.

Updated On: 10/23/09 at 01:29 PM

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:33pm

Millie, I agree with what you stated. I sure hope this is a rumor and not true. They really showed off those two as being the stars in press events.