BELLS ARE RINGING, LOST IN THE STARS & WHERE'S CHARLEY Set for Encores!

[Rob]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 1:26pm

Click Here to Read BELLS ARE RINGING, LOST IN THE STARS & WHERE'S CHARLEY Set for Encores!

[sundayclothes2]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 1:29pm

Excited for BELLS. Not so much the other two.

[mallardo]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 1:40pm

"Bells" is the only one I'm not excited about. It proved on its last revival - cast as well as it could ever be - that it's really not a very good show.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 1:42pm

Bells? Really? The Golden Apple NEEDS to be included in Encores, already!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 1:45pm

I'm SO excited for Lost in the Stars. Such a gem of a score!

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 1:46pm

I'm excited for all three (Encores is my favorite way to be introduced to scores), but I'm a little surprised about Bells Are Ringing.

[Jon]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 2:18pm

Hopefully, Where's Charley will cast leads who actually look like college students.

Yes, I know, Ray Bolger was like 40 when he did it.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 2:28pm

^ I hope they get a cast as strong as the relatively young cast of On the Town.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 2:48pm

I am still waiting for them to do 'Redhead.'

[jv92]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 2:50pm

Very excited for "Whare's Charley?", since I don't thnk a real cast album has been made of that show. Maybe this production will lead to one. The other two sound fine as well, although I'm surprised to see "Bells" there since it was revived a few seasons back.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 3:02pm

The London cast album is lovely though out of print on cd. It would be nice to have a new recording of the score, but I like this one a lot.

There are so many musicals I would love to see in concert at City Center Encores. I am so envious of those of you who can make it to them so regularly.
Where's Charley (1958 Original London Cast)

[Brick]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 3:42pm

Wonder who they're thinking for BELLS...

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 3:45pm

Bells Are Ringing proved in its revival that it's a star-specific show that was originally tailored to the talents of Judy Holliday. It has some nice songs (Just in Time, The Party's Over) and a potential show-stopper with I'm Going Back. But without Judy Holliday it's not a very good show. The material just isn't strong enough to support anyone but Judy Holliday doing it.

Lost in the Stars' book is problematic, but there's that Kurt Weill score. It will be a pleasure to hear it again -- calling Brian Stokes Mitchell. And who is all that familiar with Where's Charley? Apparently, Jo Sullivan Loessor has a problem with the film version, so it never shows up anywhere, DVD, television or video. I used to have the London version but sensed that I wasn't getting a full picture of what was dazzling audiences in 1948. Norbert Leo Butz for Charley? Or, as a VERY wild card, Bobby Steggert? That guy is going places and this might be a good opportunity for him to shine. AND, he's more age appropriate. Just my thoughts.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 3:54pm

But what's the Summer Stars gonna be?

You know, the whole point of Encores! Summer Stars is to take a forgotten but wonderful show and cast some real big names in it who couldn't otherwise commit to a full Broadway run.

So judging by their recent choices, I predict GREASE starring Scott Baio and Suzanne Pleshette.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 3:59pm

They probably picked a safe season because they're prices are going up.

I have the movie of Where's Charley somewhere and can upload Ray Bolger doing "Once in Love with Amy" to YouTube...but I should warn anyone who is looking forward to seeing it: His charm did not age well. It still works wonderfully in Wizard of Oz but he's a little hard-to-take in Where's Charley.

[Pianist3912]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 4:07pm

Wasn't it going around at some point that they were planning to do a "Fall" Stars production of Funny Girl?

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 4:36pm

All 3 shows are worthy.

BELLS was revived but that was 9 years ago (I know, I know how could it be 9 years already?) but it's just on the cusp of being forgotten because it was typical of its era: a flimsy premise on which they built a star vehicle with a star who kept it running 3 years then made a successful film version.

LOST IN THE STARS is almost never revived - has there been a revival since the Brock Peters version in 1972? - and has a glorious score. It will be to next season what FANNY was this year.

WHERE'S CHARLEY is seldom revived, mainly because people usually opt for the better-constructed non-musical original, CHARLEY'S AUNT. But it was a big hit in its day that survive poor reviews thanks to Ray Bolger's star performance. It is also forgotten somewhat because aside from a single of 2 songs, there was no proper original Broadway cast album. The 1958 London cast put out a record but it has been out-of-print more than in-print over the last 50 years.

All in all it seems these 3 shows are closer to matching Encore's mandate.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 4:48pm

I've seen several productions of "Bells..." including the recent revival and the movie. Basically the whole production is a bit creaky: nobody uses answering services anymore. Plus it hinges on the idea that Ella works at the answering service 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

It needs an actress that can play comedy as well as project innocence/naievte. The recent B'way revival: Faith Prince was good with the comedy, but she lacked the innocence.

Question of the day: Are they going to get Meagan Mullally to do it? Not the best choice, but she sells tickets.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 5/4/10 at 4:48pm

But what's the Summer Stars gonna be?

There is no Summer Stars this year- they're doing renovations.

There was a rumor that they would be doing Funny Girl for an extended engagement this fall, but that doesn't seem to be happening. First it was rumored to be starring Lea Michele, then someone insisted it would be Stephanie J. Block.
Updated On: 5/4/10 at 04:48 PM