Bernadette Peters and Kim Cattrall to star in Kennedy Centers Follies — Page 3

#51

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:07pm

Agreed MB but we must also remember that Ravinia is what, a week or two of performances? LuPone could very well be touring and performing an entire set of her choosing although her track record may indicate she could be game.

I certainly would love it. I feel that Carlotta would be better suited because she has more book scenes in the first act than Stella from what I can assess from the City Center production.

EDIT: husk, That's sort of why I suggested LuPone. I feel like it would really fuel an interesting rendition of "I'm Still Here" to have her and her only real Sondheim contender in the same show.

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 03:07 PM

#52

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:08pm

I also thought of LuPone as Carlotta, but think she'd be an awesome Stella, too. Neither one would happen, though, because she's doing Seven Deadly Sins with the New York City Ballet in early May.

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When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 03:08 PM

#53

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:10pm

I always saw Carlotta as a little more of a faded sex symbol, which LuPone realy never was, though I'm sure she'd find a way to be wonderful in the part.

She's absolutely a Stella though - that tough, ballsy, slightly blousy broad!

#54

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:11pm

Carlotta possibilities:
Donna McKechnie
Lola Falana
Melba Moore
Loni Ackerman
Patti Lupone
Michele Pawk

Stellas:
Lainie Kazan
Mary Testa
Judy Kaye
Kathi Moss
Camille Saviola
Bette Midler

#55

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:16pm

Bette Midler could sing the part, but would only do it should it be turned into a film...which has been mentioned before.

#56

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:23pm

Even though we're just trading hypotheticals here, do you really think Patti would agree to play a small (though distinguished) role in a production where Bernadette is playing the iconic lead?

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"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body

#57

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:32pm

"I always saw Carlotta as a little more of a faded sex symbol..."

I (and others) have often suggested Vanessa Williams as Phyllis, but she could easily fit the Carlotta role as well.

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"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

#58

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:37pm

I know that she is almost 50, but Vanessa, with that perfect smooth skin and sylph-like figure, hardly looks like someone who has been through much in the way of good times and bum times, does she?

It seems that Carlotta works best when played by an actress who actually sort of has run the gamut. Vanessa (although she has been represented on film, tv, stage, and records) still seems more mid (or early-mid-)-career, don't you think?

#59

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:45pm

She was stripped of her crown, for Pete's sake! How much more bum times do you NEEEEEEED????

Kidding. I think she can certainly do it, but your reasoning is why I suggested LA Warren.

#60

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:52pm

The moment I saw "Peters" and "Follies" together, I smiled. This is such great news. I know it was rumored for quite some time, but it's great to see some confirmation. Now I just have to plan a trip from Las Vegas. Hmmmm...

#61

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:53pm

I think by 'bum times' she means career and personal lows - I don't think it necessarily means she was living on the streets or was in a crack house.

#62

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:56pm

Well...she does mention bread lines, reefers, vino and pills.

WAIT.

GOT IT.

WHITNEY.

#63

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 3:59pm

Danny Burstein? Count me in.

#64

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 4:17pm

She toured in stock! How much lower can you go?

#65

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 4:19pm

SonofRobbieJ - If they cast Whitney poor Gregg Barnes is gonna have to scotch guard all of her costumes from the sweat...

#66

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:08pm

Wait, I'm so excited for this.

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You gotta be original, because if you're like someone else, what do they need you for? -BP.

#67

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:15pm

Though she'll be pushing 70 next year, I would love to hear Ann-Margret's take on Carlotta and "I'm Still Here."

#68

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:21pm

Whyyyy can't they start FOLLIES a month earlier :'(!!!!

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Give me claws and a hunch, just away from this bunch.

#69

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:40pm

I am SOOOO excited at the prospect of this production, but am so apprehensive about Kim as Phyllis. Do we know anything about ehr singing ability? And I don't buy, well Alexis couldn't sing very well. This is a professional production, with professional performers in a musical - deserve someone that can sing and act. Therefore my vote goes to Vanessa Williams.

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 05:40 PM

#70

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 5:42pm

Because the original production was unprofessional?

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Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)

#71

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:00pm

Kim Cattrall is inspired casting for Phyllis. She'll knock "Ah, But Underneath" (which suits her much better than "The Story of Lucy and Jessie") out of the ballpark. Initially, they'd indeed been talking to Vanessa Williams before she signed on to another television series and became unavailable.

Eric Schaeffer wants Bette Midler for Carlotta. I have serious doubts as to whether or not she'd actually do it (though her schedule's free now that her Vegas engagement is up,) but they've already had a meeting about it.

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 06:00 PM

#72

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:02pm

Do you know for a fact that "Ah, But Underneath" is being used?

#73

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:06pm

"The Story of Lucy and Jessie" was designed to show off Alexis Smith's dance chops. "Ah, But Underneath" seems tailor made to Cattrall's abilities- it's a sexy showcase for an actress first and singer second, which is exactly what she is (and what Diana Rigg was when Sondheim wrote it for her in the London production.)

I'd be willing to bet almost assuredly that they'll use it.

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Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.

Updated On: 8/25/10 at 06:06 PM

#74

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:11pm

Of course, Vanessa is in Desperate Housewives now, isn't she? No chance of her signing up to it.

#75

Bernadette Peters to star in Kennedy Centers Follies

Posted: 8/25/10 at 6:12pm

I Am Woman - Sex and the City 2

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"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter