BWW Carrie Preview- Page 2

[bobbybaby85]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:11pm

"I'm a little surprised people are actually making any kind of evaluation based on this footage"

I agree with that statement as well. They've released the footage of "You Shine" as a brand new number from this show at their FIRST TECH REHEARSAL... meaning the actors should be pretty much rehearsed at this point.

The guy playing Tommy leaves a lot to be desired.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:15pm

Blaxx - you are taking what I said out of context - in that sentence, I'm only speaking in terms of evaluating the performers as physically right or not for their characters based on how they appear 'out of costume' at a press launch; actors are never in costume for press launches.





Updated On: 1/18/12 at 04:15 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:17pm

I enjoyed hearing them all talking about it, but that song is SO generic. I wish it had an angle or an attitude or said something about the characters or their situation other than "You shine."

...which actually made me laugh a little, unintentionally (or perhaps not?) referencing another Stephen King novel?

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:23pm

For those of you judging Molly's vocals by the audio of the 2009 reading, she sounds much better live. Also, keep in mind that she probably got very little rehearsal time for that. Trust me, when she's comfortable with material, she can blow the roof off the theatre.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:30pm

Blaxx - you are taking what I said out of context - in that sentence, I'm only speaking in terms of evaluating the performers as physically right or not for their characters based on how they appear 'out of costume' at a press launch; actors are never in costume for press launches.

In most cases this would be true. I guess I'm taking into consideration the fact that self image issues have more impact now than they did back then. If they need to "uglify" this girl to look like the outcast victim of a high school clique, I wish they could have gone with someone who fits the type without the need to dress her up for the part - perhaps a bigger girl as she was described on the novel, if I remember correctly.

That's what I meant when I said she "looked too pretty". I guess in my head, having to make a really pretty girl look the opposite is borderline offensive, almost as if a girl who actually fits the part couldn't do it justice.
It reminds me of that Simpsons episode when Moe was doing a soap opera and the producer said she needed "TV ugly", not "ugly ugly".

Perhaps I'm too sensitive about this.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:40pm

Whenever they do these Pygmalion-type transitions, there is always the question of how you cast it. Do you lean more toward the "before" or the "after." The character and the actress in question have to be believable as both, ultimately.

And both Julie Andrews and (especially) Audrey Hepburn took flack for not being authentic enough as the Cockney flower girl in My Fair Lady. They were too much of a lady, and it showed.

Cissy Spacek certainly wasn't a dog in the movie Carrie, and they downplayed her looks and costumed her appropriately. I think a lot of the way Carrie looks has to do with her mother and her self-image. It's not just scraggly hair and the frumpy sweaters. It's the way she walks and doesn't hold her head up.

Give this gal a chance. Let her get fully into character and costume before you look at her and say "she's too pretty," etc. Remember, she has to be believable as the "after," as well. It's equally important.

Updated On: 1/18/12 at 04:40 PM

[newintown]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:41pm

I get you, blaxx - I enjoyed Ransom very much in August, but I also wonder if she possesses sufficient unusual qualities to portray a character as strange as Carrie. She seems very "normal." in a way truly odd actresses don't (i.e. Sandy Dennis, Geraldine Page, Amanda Plummer, etc.). It's a quality that can't be faked.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:44pm

I think Cissy Spacek acted the part beautifully. I know what you mean about those "colorful" actresses, newintown, and they do great work. But I think a character can be created without the actress having to be just like her in real life.

Whether or not she can take it as far as it needs to go, I don't know. Cissy did it. Got an Oscar nomination for it, too---for a film genre that very few have ever been recognized.

[a-mad]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:45pm

Holy cow... can't believe some of the comments here. I guess I don't see things the way many others have, but here's my take:

Physically, I think Molly Ranson will be a fine Carrie. In today's high school you'd be surprised how many normal, average-looking girls could still be bullied outcasts. The torment Carrie receives is less about her appearance, and more about her home-life and upbringing, which is more at odds with those who are tormenting her. I worry more about Molly's acting than her singing voice - and from all counts, it sounds like her acting will be just fine.

All this talk of Tommy's age/appearance is hilarious. Have you seen William Katt in the film? He looks like he's 30. The cast of "teenagers" in the original production look like they were either extras in the "Satan's Alley" production in the movie Staying Alive, or had walked off the set of Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" video. NONE of them looked like teenagers except for maybe Linzi. From what I've seen, this cast look closer to the appropriate age than any of the other productions - both film and musical.

I thought Tommy was fine. I thought he had a nice voice, and he and Sue seemed to have great chemistry. The song wasn't schmaltzy or over-the-top - it was simple and quite lovely... and as another poster mentioned - seems to fit the tone of the production. I'd love to see it in the context of the production - I sense it will fit in well.

I liked the comments by Arima and the Casting Director. This seems to really be a passion project for them, and their enthusiasm did not seem canned for the video. Marin, too, seemed sincere in her feelings.

All in all... I have hope that this will work, and could even transfer. We'll see. Does anyone know how ticket sales have been?

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:46pm

Give this gal a chance. Let her get fully into character and costume before you look at her and say "she's too pretty," etc.

Will do. I wonder how the story of a victim of bullying who ends up killing her classmates in revenge will resonate today. After a number of tragic events we've experienced since the original came out, I'm mostly hoping the topic and themes are not trivialized with a bunch of pop ballads.

But, yes, I'll wait. That said, I wish these press previews could put more effort into giving us a better indication of the quality of the production.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:48pm

The difference between this guy and William Katt is huge!

Katt was actually ACTING. His Tommy seemed like a regular/popular high school senior. He had that cocky/awkward cool/nerd balance down perfectly.

This guy could be playing Prince Generic in Disney's The Little Mermaid and the Beauty Beast. I have no idea who he is from this song. The number doesn't help these two at all, but I don't see any subtext going on either. Just basic by-the-numbers "pretty ballad" singing.

[Karlan Judd]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:51pm

I thought the preview was pretty decent for a first look...though it seems like there might have been a more show-specific song that would better represent the show. I am VERY interested to see it.

I agree with SoCalDirector, I think the Tommy did just fine, especially with a song presented without any context. And putting the success/failure of this production on his shoulders seems pretty over the top.

So, I have lurked for a while here but this is my first posting and as you can see, when I first signed up I used my given name. I tried to figure out how to change it so I can play like everyone else here, but to no avail. Anyone know if I can change the name that appears with my posts? I know I have the option to use a different email address for my profile, but was hoping to keep my current one.

Updated On: 1/18/12 at 04:51 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:59pm

One of the things that I think worked to Spacek's advantage so much is to see her without makeup in the early scenes. Cissy has light brown eyelashes that almost make her eyes disappear. Even though it goes against intuition and "Theatre 101" not to highlight an actor's eyes (the most expressive tool they have, arguably), it worked so well for the character to almost disappear as a cypher. She relied on her voice and her posture and her wardrobe to define the character's earliest impressions.

It would be nice to see what they do with Ranson to help her play the part. I'd love to see her eyes disappear the way Spacek's did. Lighten her eyelashes and scrub her face clean. Help her with the wardrobe, and hope that as an actress her voice and physicality will convince us that she is this (sad, bullied) person Carrie White.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 4:59pm

I don't think Carrie is supposed to be 'ugly' - she's not Fosca; I think (in the original story at least) she's supposed to be somewhat plain, a little plump and has terrible hygiene. Spacek famously rubbed vaseline in her hair at her final audition for the film to give her that kind of appearance, but you could hardly expect the actress here to do the same for a press meet and greet.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:04pm

I tried to figure out how to change it so I can play like everyone else here, but to no avail. Anyone know if I can change the name that appears with my posts? I know I have the option to use a different email address for my profile, but was hoping to keep my current one.

I might be wrong, but I don't think there's a way but to create a new profile.

[a-mad]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:08pm

"The number doesn't help these two at all, but I don't see any subtext going on either. Just basic by-the-numbers "pretty ballad" singing."

I don't think people are giving Tommy and Sue's relationship/story much of a chance based on just this song. No, there's not a lot of subtext or layers to the song, but I do think it serves a plot purpose in the book, and is not a throwaway ballad. Part of making the show work will be how Tommy and Sue are as a couple, and I think this song - while not perhaps a key moment in the production - serves its purpose.

Why this song was chosen - and not one by Margaret, Carrie or even Chris - I'm not sure... unless they really want people to wait until previews to really see how Marin/Molly are on stage rather than leak too much beforehand.

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:12pm

I don't think Carrie is supposed to be 'ugly' - she's not Fosca; I think (in the original story at least) she's supposed to be somewhat plain, a little plump and has terrible hygiene.

What is your opinion in the context of modern self image awareness? Especially because her odd looks and behavior lead to her bullying and the supernatural version of a Columbine-style ending. Would you think eventually these kind of topics will carry so much weight that casting could even be considered offensive? Perhaps to the point of black face?

I'm only curious and I know it's extremist. It's a only a show after all. I guess the themes of bullying, looks and murder resonate much more to me now, as we encounter all these teenage-suicides because of bullying or those who react violently instead. Oppressing families are not uncommon amongst these teens, either.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:12pm

I do agree that it was a strange song choice for a press junket; I have a hunch that the writers are beating a little bit of a dead horse in trying to musicalize a moment for Sue that may not belong in the show. I can't say this song does anything more for the character than the two songs they tried during the original production that this is now replacing.

[bobbybaby85]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:15pm

Updated On: 2/20/18 at 05:15 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:17pm

The problem is that Tommy and Sue don't deserve a full song in this story. Not a "stop and sing" song, at any rate ("park and bark?").

Tommy proves his love and respect for Sue by doing her this very big favor. If anything, she should sing a song asking him to do her the favor. He can ask her why it's so important to her?

That's your number.

Not a "have a told you lately that I love you?" moment. That does nothing but comment on what we're already watching. In other words, this sample song grinds the story to a screeching halt, so two people can sing pretty.

Cut it. Quick.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:19pm

Blaxx - I think, in terms of modern bullying cases, if a girl is overweight or doesn't wear the right clothes or doesn't wash her hair that is 'considered' plenty grounds for being different enough to make her an outsider and 'worthy' of being picked on.

Bullying has never been about someone being 'beautiful' or not - its always about a person's inability to assimilate. Carrie as a character is an outsider because of her mother's influence - on her clothes, on her hygiene, on the way Carrie interacts with the other students.

The tragedy (if there is one) in this story is that as Carrie fights back against her mother, she begins to find the beginnings of community at the school, only to have the rug pulled out from under her by the particularly cruel act of a small group of students. But in the context of the story, whether you agree with the philosophy or not - Carrie's 'beauty' in the final sequence of the story is in direct relation to her ability to assimilate with the other students.

Updated On: 1/18/12 at 05:19 PM

[bobbybaby85]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:20pm

Updated On: 2/20/18 at 05:20 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:23pm

Does it show how close Tommy and Sue are? If so, this sample ballad is superfluous. If it doesn't, then "Do Me a Favor" misses the point of her asking him for this favor.

Updated On: 1/18/12 at 05:23 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:26pm

The tragedy (if there is one) in this story is that as Carrie fights back against her mother, she begins to find the beginnings of community at the school, only to have the rug pulled out from under her by the particularly cruel act of a small group of students. But in the context of the story, whether you agree with the philosophy or not - Carrie's 'beauty' in the final sequence of the story is in direct relation to her ability to assimilate with the other students.

Perhaps it's time for me to go back to the story, I think I'm getting carried away by the subtext I want to find (which is more black and white) and not necessarily all that is there.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 5:26pm

I think at that point in the story, we just don't care about Tommy and Sue. Brian dePalma's pacing of the film is expert; by the time Carrie is asked to the prom we are firmly rooted in the conflict between her and her mother and what's going to happen with Carrie and Tommy. We really don't care about Sue and Tommy's relationship at that point.