Best Desiree in 'A Little Night Music' ? — Page 2

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.

I was introduced to this show by the film and enjoyed it very much. Elizabeth Taylor has chemistry with Len Cariou in their book scenes. The cuts to the score are harsh but I enjoy the new "Glamorous Life" and Diana Rigg's additional verse to "Every Day A Little Death."

It's been a VERY long time, but I recall liking Blair Brown at the Kennedy Center production - roughly 20 years ago. That had a great cast: John Dossett (Frederick), Randy Graff (Charlotte), Douglas Sills (Carl-Magnus), Sarah Uriarte Berry (Anne), Natascia Diaz (Petra), Barbara Bryne (Leonora Armfeldt), Kristen Bell (Fredericka). I don't recall the year, but it was summer and there were three Sondheim musicals in rep and then another three Sondheim musicals in rep.

I think Judith Ivey played Desiree in a production in LA almost 20 years ago as well, but I'm not sure.

Please don't revive this show if you can't do the original set and blocking (yes, sorry for the plagiarism). The show just isn't the show without that set and movement. No matter WHO you cast.

Dom P said: "Skip23 said: "Please don't revive this show if you can't do the original set and blocking (yes, sorry for the plagiarism). The show just isn't the show without that set and movement. No matter WHO you cast."

The original set with all the sliding panels etc at The Shubert NY.? This was my third Sondheim after Company and Follies. I saw it with my late Aunt who initiated me into theater going with trips to Hello Dolly, Mame and Hair. I dragged her to Follies when she wanted to see No No Nanette. Lol. Glynis John's and Hermiorne Gingold were wonderful."


Yes...the original Boris Aronson set and Hal Prince/Patricia Birch staging.



Those are my 3 fave Sondheim shows.

blaxx said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "I thought I never wanted to hear "Send in the Clowns" again but Peters' take on it was so fresh and emotional that I'd vote for her."

I loved her too, but a lot of people in this board think she's useless."

IMHO Bernadette Peter's is far from useless. I remember having seen her wonderful performance in "Song and Dance" at the Royale.

Bernadette was my fave revival Dolly.



Not good in ALM or FOLLIES.

blaxx said: "KnewItWhenIWasInFron said: "I thought I never wanted to hear "Send in the Clowns" again but Peters' take on it was so fresh and emotional that I'd vote for her."

I loved her too, but a lot of people in this board think she's useless."

Mmm I agree people have been quite critical of her over the years. Whatever - if people can't see and hear what she did with "Clowns" in Night Music and much of the Follies score (particularly In Buddy's Eyes) that's their loss. We literally had Sondheim's muse performing Sondheim on Broadway with recommendation and input from Sondheim himself. These are memories I will cherish, always. If people can get their kicks from Staunton or similar croaking out the same songs, or perhaps someone whose voice is healthier but more boring, good on them. I can't see the appeal, personally.

---

As for Zeta-Jones, well she couldn't do "Clowns" like Bernadette could and she may not be Christine Ebersole or one of our greatest stage actors of all time, but I thought it was a beautiful, glamorous event evening at the theatre (particularly with Lansbury alongside) and that sense of excitement and wonder was slightly lost once Bernadette and Stritch took over in my opinion (which I wasn't expecting as I was most excited for Bernadette of course!).

I don't remember CZJ being considered as erratic until the Tony performance happened (nor do I personally think what I saw on stage was anything like the Tony performance). At the time I said it would destroy people's perception of his performance, and I think it has. I hope that the fact she has a Tony Award for this performance suggests to people that there might have been something worth seeing there. I would also say I don't think this sense of glamour has been captured in any other Sondheim revival on Broadway since. Even Jake G in Sunday felt surprisingly low key and understated in comparison in my opinion (and I was at the final performance!).

CindersGolightly said: "I don't know about my opinions on Desiree's - I'll have to think on that - but how good was Erin Davie as Charlotte? She is a masterful Sondheim interpreter."

I was gonna post something about Erin's performance until I saw this post, with which I agree 100%. (Her delivery of the line "Happy Birthday to me" even standing alone, was brilliant. I also liked Leigh Ann Larkin in that production.

Glynis Johns was magical as Desiree. I have seen a few others - Katharine Hays, Dorothy Tutin, Bernadette Peters -- but though all were good none of them equaled, let alone eclipsed, her.

There are two who never got to play the role who, to quote Sondheim's lyrics, would have been wonderful: Audrey Hepburn and Lee Remick. The Audrey idea never got beyond the talking stage, but Lee was about to go into rehearsals for a production in LA when the cancer that would eventually take her recurred. Lois Nettleton assumed the role. I loved her, but, alas, I did not see her.

AEA AGMA SM said: "The Other One said: "Glynis Johns was magical as Desiree. I have seen a few others - Katharine Hays, Dorothy Tutin, Bernadette Peters -- but though all were good none of them equaled, let alone eclipsed, her.

There are two who never got to play the role who, to quote Sondheim's lyrics, would have been wonderful: Audrey Hepburn and Lee Remick. The Audrey idea never got beyond the talking stage, but Lee was about to go into rehearsals for a production in LA when the cancer that would eventually take her recurred. Lois Nettleton assumed the role. I loved her, but, alas, I did not see her."

Ooh, Audrey Hepburn and Lee Remick both would have been wonderful. Now I have to wonder if Audrey was ever considered for the movie or if it was built around Taylor's casting?

Another in the dream casting, realm, and maybe a divisive take, but I think Ann-Margret would have made a delightful Desiree, nailing both the glamour of the role, but for some reason I also see her giving it an earthiness that sometimes is lacking in the casting. And if we are talking a revival in the next few years, I think she'd now make a wonderful Madame Armfeldt."

I agree Elizabeth Taylor was a legend. But why oh why cast her as Desiree?

Musicaldudepeter said: "Hepburn would have been lovely in the movie, but Taylor was wonderful; I have no problem with that casting. One of the least disgraceful post stage casting performances... Peters was very good; Dench was sublime. I have a soft spot for Sally Ann Howes in the City Opera performance which was filmed live... yes, she has far too much voice for the role but she makes it her own and her SITC is heartbreaking and she has the right amount of 'diva' for the role. Gorgeous."

The film is available on Dvd on Amazon. Im going to revisit. Yes to your opinion on Audrey Hepburn. What a gorgeous, talented, actress and human being.

"Another in the dream casting, realm, and maybe a divisive take, but I think Ann-Margret would have made a delightful Desiree, nailing both the glamour of the role, but for some reason I also see her giving it an earthiness that sometimes is lacking in the casting. And if we are talking a revival in the next few years, I think she'd now make a wonderful Madame Armfeldt."

Too earthy for Desiree, if you ask me, but her young self would have been a wonderful Petra. The Sondheim role that best fit her is Phyllis. I wish Follies had been filmed in the mid-80s to mid-90s, when she was most right for it.