BUZZ ON BOUNCE

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/9/03 at 1:34pm

I have tickets for the second preview of BOUNCE and have not heard much buzz. Any inside info on how it's going? I live in Chicago and knew more about WICKED before it's previews than I know about BOUNCE. What's the scoop?

[magruder]

Posted: 6/10/03 at 3:56am

I have heard from someone who saw a recent run-thru that the material in Bounce is a massive improvement over the show's previous incarnation in New York workshop, when it was known as Wise Guys. Heard that the show is still very episodic, but interesting. Because people generally lose their minds when trying to gauge new Sondheim material, I imagine there will be no shortage of opinion, pro and con, but my contact thought that the disaster seekers, like the New York Post, will have to set their sights elsewhere.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/10/03 at 6:08pm

I'm sorry but every time I read the name of this musical, I think of fabric softener!

[Max Bialystock]

Posted: 6/12/03 at 5:57pm

Oversized color postcards are in today's mail for BOUNCE pushing tickets. I am not a subscriber to GOODMAN THEATRE where the premiere is taking place next week...but I have tickets for both Opening and Closing night...and have never received GOODMAN cards in the mail before. Curious, no?
Tickets are on TICKETWEB.COM and some nights are sold out...about 6 out of 45-50 performances. Seats left are rear mezzanine.
Still not a word in the papers here about Sondheim, Prince or anything to do with the show. I suppose the 'push'will come at the first of next week before first previews (6/20).
I am excited as hell to see this show and wish all involved the best!

Updated On: 6/12/03 at 05:57 PM

[Max Bialystock]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 9:06am

Any news anyone?

[Menken Fan]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 6:13pm

Just a morsel from today's Chicago Tribune:

Bounce" (Goodman Theatre, opening June 20). This one's the big hot-fudge sundae of the season. The folks involved (Sondheim, Prince, lyricist John Weidman, recent Tony winner Michele Pawk) are all very high-profile, which makes them worry about expectations rising too far for a show that's intended as a light comedy. Prince likes to call this show "vaudeville." But when you've got Sondheim involved, audiences inevitably come looking for profundity. We'll have to wait and see. The Goodman says there's still good ticket availability for the end of July and early August, the weeks after Goodman subscribers have seen the show. But don't wait too long before booking. If it's a hit, tickets will bounce away fast.

[Deannaizme]

Posted: 6/13/03 at 6:22pm

What's the premise for this show? I'm not familiar.

Thanks. :)

[Max Bialystock]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 8:27am

The Goodman Theatre will cap its 2002-2003 season in the Albert with the world premiere of the new musical comedy Bounce, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman, and directed by Harold Prince. Bounce will feature a masterful cast of 19 actors, singers and dancers, led by Gavin Creel, Richard Kind, Herndon Lackey, Howard McGillin, Michele Pawk and Jane Powell in the principal roles.

Bounce launches its characters into a turn of the century American whirlwind, a time of limitless adventure and boundless opportunity for those who have the energy and audacity to seize them. Bounce follows the adventures of brothers Addison and Wilson Mizner, taking to heart the advice of their papa, Lansing Mizner, a man who never missed an opportunity, and Mama Mizner, who bankrolled their first chance to get rich quick. It’s the story of American men and women willing to take risks to grab their piece of the dream, of women like Nellie, a Gold Rush dance hall girl who marries well, again and again. It’s the story of resilience and invention, of America’s ability to "bounce."

For three decades, composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim has consistently astonished, delighted and moved musical theater audiences with the breadth and depth of his work. His unique partnership with director Harold Prince has resulted in such landmark musicals as Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures and Sweeney Todd. Sondheim and Prince have reunited for the Goodman premiere of Bounce, featuring a book by John Weidman, the librettist for Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures and Assassins, and the co-conceiver of the musical Contact.

The principal actors in the Goodman’s production of Bounce include (listed here in alphabetical order):

Gavin Creel (Hollis Bessemer) most recently received a 2002 Tony Nomination for his portrayal of Jimmy Smith in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. He has appeared in the off-Broadway cult favorite Bat Boy and was in the City Center Encores! production of Hair.

Richard Kind (Addison Mizner) is perhaps best known as a series regular on the television series "Spin City," and "Mad About You." His numerous theater credits include Once in a Lifetime at the Guthrie Theatre; Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and The Big Knife at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and many productions with Second City in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Herndon Lackey (Papa Mizner) includes among his Broadway credits Parade, Inherit the Wind, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Les Miserables, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Camelot. His off-Broadway credits include Sarah, Plain and Tall and Forbidden Broadway.

Howard McGillin (Wilson Mizner) most recently starred on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera. His many other starring roles on Broadway and London’s West End include Mack and Mabel, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, She Loves Me, The Secret Garden, Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Sunday in the Park with George. Mr. McGillin recently released his CD Where Time Stands Still.

Michele Pawk most recently appeared in A Little Night Music at the New York City Opera and in Hollywood Arms at the Goodman and on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include Chicago, Seussical, Cabaret, Triumph of Love, Crazy for You, and Mail. Her off-Broadway credits include Reefer Madness at Variety Arts; After the Fair and Merrily We Roll Along with York Theatre Company; Hello Again at Lincoln Center, and john & jen at Lambs Theatre.

Jane Powell (Mama Mizner) has starred in more than 20 major MGM musicals, including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Royal Wedding. On Broadway, she starred in Irene and on tour headlined in such productions as South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Peter Pan, The Sound of Music, Carousel, Brigadoon, The Boy Friend, Little Mary Sunshine, Oklahoma!, The Student Prince, and I Do, I Do. She played the Good Queen in the New York City Opera production of Cinderella and appeared off-Broadway in After Play and most recently in Avow.

Completing the ensemble for the Goodman Theatre’s production of Bounce are: Sean Blake, Marilyn Bogetich, Tom Daugherty, Jeff Dumas, Deanna Dunagan, Nicole Grothues, Rick Hilsabeck, Jeff Parker, Harriet Nzinga Plump, Jenny Powers, Craig Ramsey, Jacquelyn Ritz and Fred Zimmerman.

The design team for the Goodman Theatre’s production of Bounce includes Eugene Lee (Sets); Miguel Huidor (Costumes); Howell Binkley (Lighting); Duncan Edwards (Sound); David Caddick (Music Direction); Michael Arnold (choreographer); Robert Nassif (Dance Arrangements).

[tbrean]

Posted: 6/14/03 at 8:46pm

While we're discussing Bounce, I'll add that Faith Prince was originally supposed to be in the show. I had a chance to meet and talk to Faith last weekend and asked her about Bounce. She said she had the chance to film a TV series with Delta Burke, so took that instead of Bounce. The TV show has not been picked up for this fall, but Faith said it may get picked up as a midseason replacement.

[Max Bialystock]

Posted: 6/16/03 at 7:04am

Closing night of ELAINE STRITCH AT LIBERTY...she was brilliant!
In each program was a two sided-five color flyer for BOUNCE!
The local "alternative" newspapers are running full page color ads too!
GOODMAN THEATRE never does this kind of a push! I am wondering what's going on. Comments....?

Fondly,
Max

[Zola Q. LaPlaya]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 12:04pm

The best part of the show was a young ingenue named *JENNY POWERS*. Mark my words dear people, you will be seeing her name in ***LIGHTS***!
-ZQLP

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 8:04pm

Jenny Powers was awful in Bounce. Awful! Was way off pitch the night I saw her... um, but that awful Boca Raton song she sang (that's the one with Salvador Dali and the .50 cent plastic beach balls...the one that went on forever) was not helping any. She stunk in garry griffin's A Little Night Music as well. She's got an average voice and is mostly colorless in performance. I don't like her... can ya' tell?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 8:16pm

Did Jenny Powers play Anne in A Little Night Music? I can't find my Playbill.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 10:10pm

She played Petra... The Miller's Son is my favorite!

[Zola Q. LaPlaya]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 2:20pm

Methinks someone is a little itty bitty jealous of an up and coming star. Oopsy! You are glowing green with envy -- worse than Idina.

I agree her song was silly in the original (Chicago) version of the show, but Jenny SHONE in the DC production -- and in everything she does.

Anyway, you best be careful in beschmirching someone on this message board that way. The ultra-Catholic married gay will attack you, the moderator will cut you off...or a house will fall on your head. Your choice.

As the young'uns say: JENNY ROX.

The final word has been spoken.

-Z

[evanston]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 11:33pm

Got to disagree. Saw her too in several things. Mediocre, especially acting chops. Not bad voice, but average. Knew from "Long Gay Book, saw in "Little Night Music" and "Bounce" in Chicago. Needs a solid two years on tour and a really good acting coach. No Kate Shindle, even though has same tiara. Updated On: 3/27/04 at 11:33 PM

[Zola Q. LaPlaya]

Posted: 3/28/04 at 2:19pm

I didn't know you were participating on this board still, Kate! I don't understand the "same tiara" comment. You work that darn thing so much no one could get it away from you.

But, thanks so very much for your diagnosis of what Jenny Powers needs. I worked with her, too, and she is a delight and incredibly talented. I'll pass your comments along to her.

-Z

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 3/28/04 at 5:11pm

Ha...ultra catholic married gay...that made me laugh in case you wanted to know.