Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean...

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:03am

Time for a reveval? What do you all think of this play? Who would you cast?

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:11am

We could do without a revival.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:34am

I just saw a production in LA - with, granted, a cast that was spotty to say the least - and I thought the play had not aged well. Revival? Honestly, I don't think so.

[orion59]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:47am

I am actually directing a production of this show which opens tonight. The problem I've always found with other productions I've seen is that the symbolism, forshadowing and depth of character is ovften missed or intentionally glossed over the sake of comedy. When played as a drama that happens to have comic moments, it can still work.

In doing this particular production, I analyzed the script scene by scene, line by line and found that there is a lot more to it than initially meets the eye.

With some updating and the right cast and director, it could be an interesting revival, if not a successful one.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:49am

But what would you pay to see that original cast together again for a benifit performance. Of course Sandy and Sudie are gone, but to get Cher, Karen, Kathy for a reading?

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:49am

Mallardo - was that the Alana Stewart production?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:50am

Break a leg, Orion!

[orion59]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:53am

I think Cher and Karen Black would be rather frightening to watch onstage now. As much as I love Karen, I just don't think she has in her anymore. She would now be more convincing as an aging drag quenn than she would a transgendered woman.

I adored Sandy Dennis in everything she did early in her career before she started taking parts in C grade horror movies.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:56am

Oh, I am not saying they are right for the roles today, God knows Cher can't even move her face anymore. But it would be a kick.

[orion59]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 11:59am

I think that Kathy Bates could at least still pull off the role of Stella May but then that was type casting anyway.

Cher's face doesn't move. If you've ever seen it up close it looks like a porceline mask.

Posted: 2/11/05 at 12:04pm

I did this show my senior year in college. I played Stella May in 1975 and I LOVED this show. But it is true that the symbollism could very well be lost. The fact that each and every character has a secret (except for Edna) is very often glossed over.

I love the show. With the right cast, I think that the "not ageing well" issue would be a moot point.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 1:13pm

I believe Orion's production is in the Boston area. Anyone there should check it out!

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 3:55pm

I love this play. The first monologue I ever performed was from this play.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/11/05 at 6:13pm

DGrant, yes it was the Alana Stewart production. She did not distinguish herself as Sissy. Park Overall, on the other hand was a wonderful Mona. To me it creaked but perhaps with a more solid cast.... who knows?