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

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#2

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

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?

#3

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

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.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#6

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

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

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