Best Desiree in 'A Little Night Music' ?

I've been on a "ALNM" kick this past week, listening to the different cast albums and recordings - some on CD, some on YouTube. I did see the revival with Bernadette Peters, which I enjoyed tremendously, but still think it needs a better revival. So my question - who is the best Desiree, judging from the cast recording?

For me, it's the London version with Jean Simmons. No one - and I mean no one ! - beats her "Send In The Clowns", or her "Glamorous Life".  The rest of the cast is spectacular as well.  How I wish they captured this cast on film.

Next would be the Broadway cast recording with Glynnis Johns. Not quite as good as Jean Simmons, she takes on the role (at least in the recording) with a lighter flair.

Next would be Judi Dench from 1995's Royal National Theater - very pleasant to listen to.

I think fourth best for me is - ready? - the movie soundtrack with Liz Taylor. Taylor isn't as horrible as I thought she would be, and Diana Rigg saves the day. (Too bad she didn't star as Deirdre). Taylor gives an interesting take on the character, as well as the song interpretations. 

Last would be Catherine Zeta Jones. For me, she completely ruins the character and the score, as she sings with no feeling. (Not fond of Lansbury in this, either). The one true standout is Alexander Hanson - a definitive Fredrik for me. 

The whole cast recording of ALNM with CZJ and Angela Lansbury comes across as more angry (especially "Liasons" and "Send in the Clowns" in tone than sentimental.  It's an odd pairing, to say the least.

The more I listen to Judi Dench, the more she grows on me. 

GOD, does this need a revival  - or movie redo. I love the Blanchett / Andrews pairing! 

 

No. Con. Test.

CZJ was a wonderful Desiree - as was Bernadette Peters.  Both completely different.

Although I never saw it, Roundabout did do that special performance of "Night Music" with Natasha Richardson as Desiree, and I would imagine that she was brilliant.  Her performance in "Cabaret" was absolute, sheer perfection. 

Chicago, IL., 1974.

The Shubert Theater.

Jean Simmons; costarring with Margaret Hamilton.

Magnificent on both accounts.

I ADORE this score so much! Not sure about "definitive", but while my go-to is the 1973 original, I recently re-listened to the 2009 revival for the first time in years, and found I enjoyed it quite a bit: the completeness; the addition of select dialogue; the performances of Alexander Hansen, Angela Lansbury, Aaron Lazar, and, yes, Catherine Zeta-Jones; and even the orchestrations, which I appreciated for what they were and thought were nonetheless still effective and beautiful.

ljay889 said: "It would be nice if someday CZJ’s performance WASN’Ttainted by that Tony performance. Those who saw her live can tell you she wasn’t manic like that unfortunate television performance. She was glamorous, sexy, cool, and never overdid Clowns in the theater. She was personally offered the role by Sondheim, and I think she did it justice."

It depended on the night that you saw her.  I saw her one night where she was like her Tony performance and another where she was just.... plain, I guess.

 

Glynis Johns - as Pal Joey put No. Con. Test.

Considering CZJ suffers from Bi polar i think its a bit unfair to criticise her too harshly and it probably explains the differences in performances and why she hasnt been on stage since

ljay889 said: "It would be nice if someday CZJ’s performance WASN’Ttainted by that Tony performance. Those who saw her live can tell you she wasn’t manic like that unfortunate television performance. She was glamorous, sexy, cool, and never overdid Clowns in the theater. She was personally offered the role by Sondheim, and I think she did it justice."

Exactly. And the reviews she got were excellent. Davis Rooney in Variety wrote: The "luminous" Zeta Jones sings the production's most famous tune,Send In The Clowns, with "touching dignity." Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Her rendition of the oh-so-familiar Send in the Clowns is a revelation, and she handles the poignant and comic aspects of her character with equal aplomb". And Brantley wrote that she brought a "vulpine self possession" to the role.

Understand that I'm not suggesting that she was the best Desiree ever. I'm just saying that many here given her way too much ****, which I believe is based on her Tony performance and nothing else, but she was really, really good on the stage of the Walter Kerr.  

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 9/25/17 at 10:03 AM

GavestonPS said: "^^^Um, do you really think CZJ is the first bipolar actor? She's certainly not the first to be criticized as erratic.

Do you think they refunded patrons' money on the nights CZJ's meds weren't working?The performance one sees is the performance one sees.(I'm not unsympathetic and one of my closest relatives struggles with bipolar disorder.)

Maybe they should have put an asterisk by CZJ's name on the show poster. The footnote below would have read, "*Bipolar. Some performances may be affected."

***

As for performances, for a few weeks I worked the national tour with Jean Simmons. She was lovely on stage and off, and certainly sang the triplets in "The Glamorous Life" better than Johns. But Glynis Johns on the recording sounds ideal, triplets or no."

I agree with everything you have posted. If indeed CZJ was not feeling 'up to par' on some evenings, maybe it was best she let her understudy go on instead of giving a 'so-so' performance for the audience. 

muscle23ftl said: "I love reading the BS in this board, CZJ turned this into a sold out hit. Then Bernadette replaced her and the show closed. Do the math. Catherine was a much sexier Desiree and was brilliant in this and delivered the lines with glamour and pizzazz. She is my favorite Desiree."

The night you saw it I'm sure she was great. She was great the night I saw it. But there have been many reports of her giving quite a different take on the role at some performances (and of course, the Tony Awards).  Unless you saw her at every performance, it's not fair to call BS on people who saw her on an off day. 

I must add that I thought Emily Skinner, Prince of Broadway, nailed "Send in the Clowns." I know it is one song Desiree sings, but she was able to transform in the character and give a strong and beautiful interpretation.