BYE BYE BIRDIE first preview...- Page 7

[bjh2114]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 9:31am

The person who said they would rather listen to AJ from 9 to 5 than Gina must be deaf.

No, you must be. I also have received the audio of the first preview (not to mention I was there), and I TOTALLY agree about how I'd listen to Janney over Gershon any day.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 9:37am

This whole brouhaha has given me greater admiration for the late Gower Champion.

In this instance we have the same material put into the hands of two different director/choreographers with a span of almost 5 decades between them. In the hands of Champion, the material shone beautifully. His genius found clever ways of expressing ideas and the show had verve. Although I realize that the current production is still a work-in-progress, it comes nowhere close to what Champion achieved.

Maybe it all comes down to what Arthur Laurents said about having a show "in your bones". Champion did. Longbottom doesn't.

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 9:55am

While I "luvbroadway", I don't know about the "ins and outs".
Couple of questions:

1)Why did this show not have an out-of-town tryout? Don't most shows do that?
2)If this lady playing Rosie is so bad, can they buy out her contract, or are they stuck with her until the contract ends?
3)What is roundabout?

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:08am

Yeah, I was the one who said that. As someone with a very trained ear, I state again that I'd rather listen to Janney. Janney knew singing wasn't her strong suit, but it never felt forced. Her singing sounded effortless (when I saw it), and while she obviously wasn't in the same caliber vocally as her co-stars, she pulled it off.

Gershon was consistently pitchy (usually flat) and strained- when she actually chose to sing. Some of that could have been attributed to nervousness- it is natural to tense and close up when nervous, but... on Thursday she was just not good. Obviously, no one is exempt from nerves, but as a seasoned professional, I'd have expected it to wear off as the night progressed, and it just did not. I do wish her well, though, and hope she receives some great training over the course of the run to support and sustain her instrument.

Luvbrdway, a couple of answers to your questions:
1 & 3) Most commercial shows do have an out-of-town tryout. However, shows with Roundabout Theatre Company, a non-profit organization, usually have workshops that lead up to the Broadway run, rather than a full staging to work out the kinks. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

eta: edited for tense.

Updated On: 9/12/09 at 10:08 AM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:12am

there are a decent amount that do not do the out of town tryout. It use to be the thing to do and then lost favor in the 80's & 90's. Now it's back...but not the rule.

It's pretty expensive to buy out a contract and not done terribly often....but not impossible.

[April Saul]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:21am

Hey Dollypop--Totally agree! When you see a show like this Birdie or last season's Guys and Dolls or Pal Joey, you realize how easy it is to do something pretty pedestrian, and the talent and skill that must be involved in order to put on a truly terrific musical. And you appreciate guys like Champion even more.

Songanddance, I thought Gershon was indeed going for it last night, and if she could sing and dance it well, that would've been great. I agree with Mike, Stamos' character is all over the place, he needs to find this guy Albert Peterson and stop mugging like he's on a sitcom. BJH, yes, it's true! I don't know if I'd find Janney more listenable only hearing the audio versions, but she just plain sold that character in 9 to 5 and had so much joy in her performance. Granted, I saw 9 to 5 at the end and Birdie last night, so the performances will only get more assured.

Luvbrdway, Roundabout is a nonprofit, subscription-based theater company based in New York City. Their shows don't have out-of-town tryouts, since they're performed exclusively in theaters Roundabout owns in NY. I don't know the rules, but the out-of-town tryout seems to be reserved for new, original musicals like "Catch Me If You Can." But yes, it wouldn't be a bad idea to try out a new cast in a musical revival, given some recent productions! The other problem with that is that if you have actors who do a lot of TV/movie work, they're probably not gonna want to make the time to do a show in Seattle for a month or two before their B'way commitment.

As far as them booting out Gershon, that would be a very delicate question, as she is a respected actress who has been great in other things and seems to be trying hard here--not to mention that they'd have to find someone better in a hurry. But because Roundabout has subscribers and is not that dependent on word of mouth, plenty of people will see this show even if it's not so good.

None of this, however, explains why people make such questionable casting decisions in the first place! I'm assuming nobody asks Gina to sing a song or two from the show before placing her in the role, right? Now if somebody here can tell me how THAT transaction typically goes down, I am wondering...

[luvbrdway]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:34am

Well, Allison Janney is available if they need another non/singer/dancer to replace Gina!
Updated On: 9/12/09 at 10:34 AM

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:37am

I made the same joke, luvbrdway.

Gina may go for it but falls completely flat. I've never hated Rose before.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 10:42am

Heck, I think even CHITA is available.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 12:02pm

A May-December relationship might just be the little something extra this revival needs!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 12:56pm

It's probable that Chita Rivera will be invited to the Opening of this production--along with other surviving cast members. Can you imagine what their reaction will be?

I heard that Carol Lawrence wanted to walk out of WSS because she was so horrified by what was left of the Dream Ballet.

[Chris3]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:08pm

What's wrong with this show? Just about everything per Rob. http://www.robwillreview.com/?p=1565

[babyuno]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:18pm

How does one get the audio I would like to preview this also. I am new here so if this was not okay to put I am very sorry. We have tickets to see this show with my whole family, and I am following it all the way. Reading everything on here too :)

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:20pm

That person lost all credibility when he said Spanish Rose was moved to the end. The song is always performed at that point of the show. Maybe the idiot has never actually seen the show.

[dramadude]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:38pm

With the exception of the "Spanish Rose" comment, that review was a little harsh, but nonetheless well written and pretty accurate.

On a side note, how many directors that have also choreographed the same show have been successful? Jerry Mitchell and Kathleen Marshall did well, right?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:45pm

In some shows, yeah. In others, not so much.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 1:47pm

>On a side note, how many directors that have also choreographed the same show have been successful? Jerry Mitchell and Kathleen Marshall did well, right?<

Jerome Robbins, Gower Champion, Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett...

[dramadude]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 2:15pm

LOL... fair enough. I meant recently.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 2:19pm

Susan Stroman, Rob Marshall, Rob Ashford.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:10pm

What show did Ashford choreograph and direct?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:17pm

Parade at the Donmar Warehouse.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:18pm

Didn't Ashford direct the recent London production of PARADE? It's the same production that is opening in LA with TR Knight in the main role.

EDIT: Smaxie beat me to it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 3:19pm

Oh, right.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 5:16pm

Also director/choreographer Tommy Tune

[blaxx]

Posted: 9/12/09 at 5:28pm

Jerry Mitchell and Kathleen Marshall did well, right?

Wrong!