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Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

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#2

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/23/09 at 5:01pm

Ouch. That's showbiz, kids.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#5

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/23/09 at 5:39pm

This isn't the first Cirque show to get a major overhaul, even going so far as cutting characters.
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
#6

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/23/09 at 5:56pm

Ouch is right. I'm a huge fan of Ashford's. She booked the show back in April! Hope she can find other work. Gingy on the Shrek tour? Ha
#7

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/23/09 at 6:54pm

I can understand they wanted to add more vaudeville and less singing/dancing, but why did they cut Michael Longoria? He sounded like a major part of the show from the synopsis.

I would assume Katie (Annaleigh Ashford) was a major part of the show as well, especially since she was supposed to be Emmett's (Longoria) love interest. I can see them maybe reworking the love interest story, but cutting one of the main characters?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#8

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:33pm

As I understood the show, they WERE the main characters. I guess I don't really understand how you ax both stars and still have a show.
#9

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:42pm

How sad. I really liked Ashford in Legally Blonde and Wicked. I was looking forward to seeing her again.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
#11

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:41am

I was at the sneak peek at the Beacon, David Shriner described the plot to us, and quite honestly, the plot made no sense at all, and at times felt borderline offensive. Ashford and Longoria being axed is probably the best thing that ever happened to them.

In the words of the late Best Week Ever - UPGRADE!


"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
#12

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 1:55am

Well it sounds like Cirque was trying for something new but will probably go back to being a bunch of little Asian girls balancing themselves while generic Middle-Eastern sounding music is playing.
#13

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 4:36am

I was actually looking forward to seeing them in the show. To be honest I was looking forward to the show period. I do think that this is a show that, no matter how obscure the description of it is, is something that you have to see to fully understand. At least that is the impression I got based upon the PR materials they released. I mean, I can understand if for some reason the two didn't work out in the roles and they were letting them go due to that. But, I do have trouble figuring out how they are going to tell the story that they have planed out without the two main characters period.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
#14

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 8:59am

Well, I think they are going to change the story.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#15

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:41am

They would almost have to do that if they are not only cutting out the two performers who are playing the leads but also cutting out their characters as well.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
#16

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 11:43am

I feel for Longoria - he's quite talented - but Annaleigh Ashford should never work again.

Excellent delivery, my friend. I just bellowed with laughter.
#17

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 10/24/09 at 2:32pm

Annaleigh is pretty much gone from all marketing of the show now. : (

Updated On: 11/4/09 at 02:32 PM

#19

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 11/21/09 at 3:01pm

^I love that photo. When was the last time a Broadway show had a set like that?!
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
#20

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 11/21/09 at 3:14pm

Cirque shows always start as an organic creative process. Even in there "circus" shows acts are cut left and right, sometimes very close to opening. I am sure both actors were aware of the process and I am sure it is written into the contract.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
#21

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 11/21/09 at 3:25pm

I've heard nothing but negative things from people who've seen it. It wouldn't have been my cup of tea with Annabelle Andrews and Eva Longoria, either. Anything with Cirque in it makes me want to claw out my eyeballs.
#22

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 11/23/09 at 2:21pm

I've linked below a thread about Shpeel on the biggest Cirque forum on the internet. You can see where I posted a link about their dismissal and subsequent discussion.

Also, I find it kind of flippant to reduce Cirque du Soleil's music down to "generic Middle-Eastern sounding" when they have some gorgeous, fully-fleshed out scores for their varying shows that include cultural influences from across the globe and some extremely accomplished singers and instrumental performers.
link
#23

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 12/1/09 at 12:13am

I can't help but wonder if the two were "written out of the show" to cover the fact that Cirque never reached an agreement for this show with any of the unions that form the 4As. Equity does have the show listed in their "Do Not Work" notices.
#24

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 12/1/09 at 12:44am

Equity does have the show listed in their "Do Not Work" notices.

Wow. Why is that?
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#25

re: Ashford and Longoria axed from SHPEEL

Posted: 12/1/09 at 2:57am

My guess would be that when Cirque said that they had zero experience at doing a stage show vs a typical circus, then they were right. That that included working with the unions as well.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

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