B'WAY TRANSFER WATCH: London's "Sweet Charity"- Page 2

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 7:14pm

Besides the solder stuff, sounds like they're using the 05 revival ending! I guess they're using Simon's revised book too.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 7:31pm

That "all the men" idea actually sounds awesome.

[mattrob]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 9:48pm

It really is awesome. The concept works so well and there are a bunch of other great elements to this production that set it so far above the 05 revival. I had a wonderful time at the Chocolate Factory and I'm glad to see it's making the transfer=]

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 10:53pm

If Charity can't dance, I don't care how good the friggin' concept is.

I don't go to musicals for concepts.

If Charity can't dance, this isn't Sweet Charity. It's Sour Charity.

Sour British Minimalist-Reductionist-High-Concept-Miss-the-Boat-Entirely-Throw-Out-the-Baby-With-the-Bathwater Charity.

Keep it over there.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 11:06pm

There's no way they would transfer a no name West End actress to headline a Broadway revival of this show.
If Hannah Waddingham didn't transfer with Night Music, this woman has no chance.
Updated On: 2/7/10 at 11:06 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 11:13pm

Oh, lord. I can see it now:

Karen Olivo

IS

Sweet Charity

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/7/10 at 11:16pm

<3

[Brick]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 11:50am

Charity is a dance role. Period.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 12:07pm

As someone who pretty much adored the Night Music revival (especially in comparison to the Sunday revival), I don't have a problem with a 'scaled-down' version of a show, as long as it is appropriate to the show. This production of Night Music made an excellent case for the show as a chamber musical.

Sweet Charity, though? I'm not exactly sure it could be reduced as there isn't that much 'there' there. Peel back the showbiz razamataz, and you don't have the underpinnings of deep, psychological drama.

Though, speaking as a former Oscar, I kinda love the idea of one actor playing all the men in her life.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 12:09pm

The men all being played by one man is a tired concept, in fact I can only think of one production (out of around 20 I have seen) that did not use it. It is like Jesus wearing jeans in JCS, it seems so out there that EVERYONE does it.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 12:18pm

To my knowledge, not one 'first-class production' has ever used that concept. It seems this would be the first.

[mattrob]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 1:19pm

She's no Gwen Verdon (and honestly who is?) but Tamzin definately could dance. I thought she was much better than Applegate and I don't see why she's getting abuse. She probably won't make the transfer but I thought she was a good Charity and did the role justice.

There wasn't a lack of exicitement or "showbiz razamataz" to this production either. The orchestra sounded really full and jazzy, it sounded close to the original orchestrations. Sure it helped that the space wasn't a 1000 seat theatre but it was electrifying. And there actually were some very poignent moments, especially with Nickie. "Baby Dream Your Dream" was just incredible.
Updated On: 2/9/10 at 01:19 PM

[Trish2]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 1:45pm

i think ( and i'd hope ) that FANNY would have better luck at a transfer, though I doubt that will happen either. Truthfully, if and when they ever do reprise Sweet Charity, and they just have to revision it, I'd rather see Wade Robeson ( So You think You Can Dance) tackle it. ( Did i JUST say that ?) I mean , the guy has creative concepts and his numbers sizzle with polish. Mears has never been a fan of mine in the choreography department and it 's hard to believe that he'd create a "distinctive style" for any production. Think Mary Poppins.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 2:01pm

Good to hear. I'm not one to dismiss anything out of hand...if I did, I would have missed Night Music, which I thought was just divine (I use that word over and over for this production, but it's the best word I can come up with, so I'm sticking with it).

There are, however, many other musicals I'd rather see back on Broadway before another revival of Sweet Charity.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 4:43pm

Apart from a handful of great songs the only thing Sweet Charity is good for is catching up on sleep. This production is only slightly above Crap Never SH*Ts on my priority list.

And, failed prophets of transfer, learn from the ALNM casting threads: if this transfers and brings a cast member with it, it will be the extremely talented Mark Umbers who could find depth in a puddle. If I do decide to see this it will be his name alone that gets me into the theatre.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 4:56pm

"Charity is a dance role. Period."

Did anyone inform the folks that hired Molly Ringwald. She literally sashayed offstage during "Im A Brass Band" and ran back on at the end of the number. PATHETIC!

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 5:13pm

How I long for the days when an actual Broadway dancer was a star (Gwen Verdon) with a name big enough to sell a show. I'm still recovering from Christina Applegate. And even though up to the task, I even thought Debbie Allen was a bit of stunt casting. Ann Reinking and Charlotte d'Amboise were better choices (although some may argue that they were weak in terms of the acting and vocal demands of the role). What are some appropriate casting choices for a SC revival, all things considering (talent, box office, etc)?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 5:20pm

Actually, Im wondering if Laura Benanti or Sutton Foster could dance the part? Actually maybe Pink would make a good Charity.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 5:27pm

Susan Boyle.

[DeNada]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 5:45pm

Tamzin Outhwaite trained in musical theatre so should be a better dancer than the Applegates and Ringwalds of this world; haven't seen the show yet (hurray for West End transfers!) but I'm pretty sure she's no performing slouch.

And I wouldn't discount Stephen Mear's choreography on the basis of POPPINS which, by all accounts, is much more Matthew Bourne and his usual bag of tricks. The choreography for Rich Man's Frug and Rhythm of Life is supposed to be fantastic for this production. He's one of the best choreographers we've got these days. Watch some of his So You Think You Can Dance UK videos or summat, see if you think he's awful (one of them's done to There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This - don't know if the choreography's similar to that in the show).

I will respectfully disagree on what our horrible, critically acclaimed small-scale revivals are doing to some of you, as I happen to think they're marvellous (well, most of them; but then I dislike LA CAGE as a show rather than a production).

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 5:56pm

Sutton or Laura would be wonderful but neither would sell tickets.

Christina Aguilera
Sarah Jessica Parker
JLo
Madonna
Renee Zellweger
Jessica Simpson

Any A/B+ list star who could handle the singing and dancing. A good director should be able to help anyone act the role decently.

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 5:59pm

^ Omg. Those choices are making my stomach turn.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 6:12pm

"Charity is a dance role. Period."

It wasn't for Giulietta Masina.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 6:14pm

She never played Charity.

She played Cabiria.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 2/8/10 at 6:36pm

True. It isn't like there's any real relation between the two characters.