Any scoop on why the LITTLE SHOP producers let go of Alice Ripley?

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 7/5/03 at 4:55pm

It looks like the show is back on the fast track. Does anyone know why the producers and Alice parted?

[abstract]

Posted: 7/5/03 at 6:05pm

i understand the producers were only unhappy with the original director (the cast were not terribly pleased with her either) and replaced her with Jerry Zaks. Despite the talents of the original cast, Zaks wanted to start fresh with a wholesale change, went back to the drawing board and auditioned people in every role for several weeks. With the possible exception of Hunter Foster, i think it's an all new cast. Meanwhile i heard that Alice, undeterred, took a job in a new play in Washington and is preparing material for her next album.

the producers have generated tons of ill will around town by the shoddy way they handled the situation and (other than Jerry Zaks' track record) there doesn't seem a lot of reason to think this new version is going to fare all that much better this time around. the rumored new cast, while fine, doesn't seem any real improvement.

the big question is why revive a wonderful small off Broadway musical (which had the good sense not to move uptown even though it could have in its original run) in a multimillion dollar bloated Broadway version--especailly one as perfect in its original form as little shop?

i can't imagine anyone better than Alice to tackle the legacy of ellen green. sounds like shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic to me?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/5/03 at 6:20pm

The hard part about "Little Shop" is that the actors can't play the characters as cartoons. Many productions that I have seen have tried to do that. I believe that by trying to put it into a Broadway house, the show will be overblown and lose the intimacy that made the original unique.

Posted: 7/7/03 at 2:04pm

Ahh, I love Alice, was looking forward to her interpretation of Audrey. But now she's doing a comedy in Los Angeles, where I am, yee ha!

-Rob
ALICE RIPLEY AS AUDREY PHOTOS

[tpdc]

Posted: 7/7/03 at 3:58pm

Is she doing something right now are you confusing it with the play she has just signed for at Arena Stage in Washington called SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD?

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 7/7/03 at 8:10pm

Yeah, it's hardly in L.A., Rob! Even if it's SET in L.A. Similarly, Marissa Jaret Winokur isn't starring in Hairspray actually in Baltimore. And Toni Braxton isn't nubian in Egypt. And "Cabaret" isn't in Berlin, "Nine" isn't in Italy, etc... The only show that actually does take place where it's supposed to is "Urinetown," cause 43rd Street smells like piss! :)

-DR Updated On: 7/7/03 at 08:10 PM

[JakeB]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 1:25pm

America is harsh on performers..

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 1:28pm

America is brutal on performers.
And America can be very prudish at times too.

Posted: 7/8/03 at 1:33pm

prudish?? what do you mean, lol. jk

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 1:35pm

america has soo many issues and hang ups when it comes to sex and sexuality it is ridiculous.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 1:43pm

What does this tangent have to do with anything?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/8/03 at 1:44pm

Not really anything. Jake commented on how harsh American's can be and I commented that they are harsh/judgemental on just about everything.

[TEACHEROFTHEATER]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:34pm

one of the critics in Florida said that Alice Ripley's performance was very, very reminiscent of Ellen Greene's original Audrey.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 7:50pm

It was! The director wanted carbon copies of the originals!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/9/03 at 8:33pm

Hunter Foster himself said that Grapo treated rehearsals like they were put-ins, wouldn't let them find their own characters, and told them to copy the original cast.