Arthur Laurents Says That Barbra Streisand Gypsy Film is OFF- Page 2

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 11:16pm

Babs could always play the mother in Ruthless.

[binau]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 11:27pm

How much control will Laurents' corpse have over a film project? It can't be long now.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/12/11 at 11:51pm

Evil never dies.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 12:03am

As Mary Rodgers said, "Call me when he's dead."

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 12:03am

All part of Webber's trilogy. "Evil Never Dies"

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 12:03am

He's the Montgomery Burns of musical theater!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 12:14am

I don't know that they were ever not speaking.

They have frequently been "not speaking" ever since Sondheim turned 70 or so and decided he didn't have to sit back and let Arthur do and say objectionable things around him. So more and more frequently, he reaches a breaking point and tells Arthur off.

Each time that happens, Arthur announces to their dwindling circle of mutual friends that "Steve has said something unforgivable to me" and "We can never be friends again."

I can only imagine the conversations that led up to this--and followed it.

Especially the conversations between Steve and Barbra!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 12:17am

I can't. Or maybe I can. She is responsible for getting him some hefty royalty checks, I'd assume.

[Brick]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 1:47am

I thrilled this isn't happening.

And I know I'm committing heresy here, but last night I was listening to Barbra's most recent album - which I love - and thinking she doesn't really have the power behind the top notes for GYPSY. I'm sure she would have been wonderful, but I probably would have been watching the movie wondering what her voice could have done with it 20 years ago.

Also, I think Sondheim was right about it all. Good call, Steve.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 3/13/11 at 3:15am

So I don't want it now. I don't want a definitive record. I want it to stay alive

So every musical that has been filmed is now dead. Is that the reasoning? Does that mean no more new productions of'Sweeney Todd'? No fresh stagings of 'Fiddler' or 'A Little Night Music'?

Dumb reason.

[musicals2]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 12:20am

This a disappointment for those who are Barbra Streisand and fans of Gypsy. It is possible that the decision on this was made months ago. With her attention to detail, charisma, and acting skills, I think that Barbra Streisand would have made a great memorable Mama Rose.

[binau]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 12:55am

Also, devonian.t, how does the logic work with the already two filmed GYPSYs? I just don't understand.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 1:18am

"This a disappointment for those who are Barbra Streisand and fans of Gypsy."

That is incredibly specific.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 8:20am

We'll probably find out in a day or two that Sondheim never said any such thing.

[chickfila]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 8:40am

Streisand won't be sitting around and moping. She is reportedly filming My Mother's Curse for Paramount this April with Seth Rogan.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 9:50am

I'm sure whatever Sondheim said was said in a spirit of intellectual discourse or musing out loud with an old friend on the impermanence of live theater--and of life itself--and not part of a business discussion about whether to move forward with the project or not.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 11:09am

I certainly never heard of Sondheim trying to block the filming of any of his shows. Is this a recent opinion of his?

[Kad]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 11:23am

So, it's all Sondheim's fault!

[musicals2]

Posted: 3/15/11 at 12:58pm

Hope this is resolved.

Updated On: 3/15/11 at 12:58 PM

Posted: 3/16/11 at 4:41am

Despite it being lifeless in spots, I admit I'm one of those people more than pleased with the Midler film (and the fact that it's so faithful to Robbins' original staging and choreography) and really don't care all that much either way if this gets made. But, Arthurs' comments still annoy me, lol.

I'm sure some will think I'm being silly, or just wanting to believe what I want to believe, but I doubt that what Laurents got from what Sondheim, apparently, told him, wasn't what was intended. Sondheim seems happy to work on films based on his work (even when he thinks they're a mistake, he's repeatedly said--in reference to the Night Music film, to the script for Into the Woods--that he still appreciates the chance and experience of trying a new take on something, a new medium, etc--which is essentially what he has always said about the London Follies as well even though he never thought it was a good idea). And he seems to relish and be pleased when his works are filmed for video.

Sure, in many ways I do feel that the theatre's greatest essense IS that it's ephereal (well, ONE of its greatest, anyway, and something that now that we live in a world with easy access to nearly every film and tv show, book and album recorded, is all the more unique even if not too long ago the majority of culture fit this description). But I don't buy that in saying that he's saying a film of the piece shouldn't be made. I dunno, to be honest it just comes off as yet another comment by Laurents that makes me roll my eyes . Actually, since Laurents acts like this is some insane epiphany that no one has thought about when it comes to theatre before, I'm surprised he does give Sondheim credit. (And others have said, does this mean they're talking again? :P )

Posted: 3/16/11 at 4:44am

"I'm sure whatever Sondheim said was said in a spirit of intellectual discourse or musing out loud with an old friend on the impermanence of live theater--and of life itself--and not part of a business discussion about whether to move forward with the project or not."

Precisely. It's been well shown that, unless it's something like doing a gay Company or Merrily "back to front", Sondheim is always game to try things like a film adaptation, no matter how misguided he considers it--just for the experience (in Finishing the Hat he mentions this about ALNM's film). He also has spoken a bit (like on the Sunday DVD commentary track) about how pleased he has been when his shows have been filmed for posterity.

[RyanB83]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 1:01pm

I'm glad its not going to happen. Not because she isn't great...but because I just don't think Gypsy translates well to film. More on that in my blog post for Crazytown this week:
http://www.crazytownblog.com/crazytown/2011/03/some-people-dont-need-some-people-.html

[JRybka]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 1:18pm

I love Babs but she would ruin Gypsy.....

[ComingUpRoses2]

Posted: 3/16/11 at 9:36pm

I'm certainly not opposed to another film version of Gypsy. Let's face it, we NEED one! The first two have been mediocre for different reasons. I thought Rosalind Russell gave a terrific performance in the '62 version, but the film itself was impossibly slow and lacked any sort of punch that the story needs. The '93 version might have been more faithful, but Bette Midler gave one of the weirdest, campiest, most ridiculous performances I've ever seen. It was truly horrid.

Why can't we get a nice, solid actress like a Sigourney Weaver, Annette Bening, or even Meryl Streep to tackle the role in a new film version? Hel, I'd be fine with Zeta-Jones! Sure, Rose has a lot to sing, but I think acting should always come first. Plus, I'm pretty sure those two can at least carry a tune. The casting ideas for Tom Hanks as Herbie and Natalie Portman as Louise are both solid as well.

I think there should most definitely be another film version of Gypsy and it could totally work, but Streisand is just...meh! I don't think she could do much with the role. She's make it too much of a diva show.

Posted: 3/17/11 at 1:52am

"
I don't think she could do much with the role. She's make it too much of a diva show"

LOL!